Extend Fred

[Faux Sean Callahan]

 

[...TrueColors...]

I guess for the first time I can share some inside info. I have a buddy that has worked with the basketball program through several head coaches.

He said Matty A. was an absolute cancer and called most of the shots. Fred would do whatever he said.
When Alonzo Verge missed a game last year, it was first labeled as a coaches decision, leading to all kinds of speculation. A day or two later it was announced that he had a family member die and Verge found out right before the game so NU chose not to play him.
This was a lie. Verge was suspended. He did have an aunt die, but found out earlier in the day. Verge was told during shoot around that he wasn't playing. Matt A. came up with the dead relative story.

My friend said that Hoiberg just parroted whatever Matt told him to say. Called the atmosphere in the program toxic, which could be traced directly to Matt A. He said Doc and Gates were good guys, but Fred didn't listen to them.

When Matty A. was fired it gave the program new life.

Why would you listen to such an incompetent? That’s the part that I don’t understand.

Help me understand why a guy who’s been an NBA head coach listens to a dude who doesn’t know more than a high school coach about basketball. What am I missing ?

 

[kchusker1423]

Why would you listen to such an incompetent? That’s the part that I don’t understand.

Help me understand why a guy who’s been an NBA head coach listens to a dude who doesn’t know more than a high school coach about basketball. What am I missing ?

You don't really care about the job?
You are just here for the money?
You think you are above NCAA basketball?
You put WAY TOO MUCH trust in a sleeze ball?

 

[...TrueColors...]

You don't really care about the job?
You are just here for the money?
You think you are above NCAA basketball?
You put WAY TOO MUCH trust in a sleeze ball?

I don’t believe Fred doesn’t care.
He’s always had plenty of money.
Eh…
Maybe.

 

[BIGSTICK67]

I think this is also another instance that underscores the value of Turd and what he brings to the administrative end of the AD. My belief is that this was a rudderless ship for 20 years that went solely by the whims of egos and whoever was giving the most money. We seem to be reestablishing an identity as a University across the Athletic Department which means we are reestablishing a shared vision. That’s been a significant missing piece.

I agree with this. There will be people that may mock your comment and infer that Turd doesn't have that kind of impact. However, he's implemented a strategy of being competitive, and surrounding himself with good people. That seems pretty simple, but it's tough to build an organization where everyone is pulling in the same direction. Most often it comes down to leadership.

 

[Lionsfan93]

Why would you listen to such an incompetent? That’s the part that I don’t understand.

Help me understand why a guy who’s been an NBA head coach listens to a dude who doesn’t know more than a high school coach about basketball. What am I missing ?

I think Fred felt like his hands were tied a bit with the roster that Matt A had assembled for him. I think Fred basically cut Matt A loose and told him to go assemble him a legit roster, and Matt A did it...but did it pretty shady. Then I think he strong-armed Fred into things he wanted with "promises" that were made to assemble the team.

This definitely isn't an excuse for Fred. He should have put his big boy pants on and told Matt that it was his team and to sit down, but he clearly didn't. Just my two cents...

 

[Jim14510]

You don't really care about the job?
You are just here for the money?
You think you are above NCAA basketball?
You put WAY TOO MUCH trust in a sleeze ball?

The 4th is probably weighted the heaviest. He probably related to the kids well so Fred made the assumption that meant he knew how to deal with the kids even if it went against his ideas.

It's not like Matty A. was running all of the X's and O's. We're talking about the discipline or lack thereof of the players and finding and picking players.

 

[Baron Winnebago]

Did he turn over too much of recruiting to Matty A? Yeah it appears so. Can you win in the big ten with coaching dead weight in an assistant coach spot? It appears not.

I think Fred made the mistake of trying to run it back when the college basketball world had changed while he was gone, perhaps a cautionary tale for someone else. But these "Matty A" ran the program rumors/reports whatever seem overstated at best

 

[Jim14510]

Did he turn over too much of recruiting to Matty A? Yeah it appears so. Can you win in the big ten with coaching dead weight in an assistant coach spot? It appears not.

I think Fred made the mistake of trying to run it back when the college basketball world had changed while he was gone, perhaps a cautionary tale for someone else. But these "Matty A" ran the program rumors/reports whatever seem overstated at best

When the examples are:

When Verge was suspended it wasn't because his aunt died that day. That was Matty A.'s idea!!!!

Fred probably did rely on Matt too much for who to recruit. Bad judge of character was worse than his good judge of talent.

 

[Baron Winnebago]

When the examples are:

When Verge was suspended it wasn't because his aunt died that day. That was Matty A.'s idea!!!!

Fred probably did rely on Matt too much for who to recruit. Bad judge of character was worse than his good judge of talent.

I'm just going to pretend Matty A had his aunt killed for cover

 

[Ext. 55]

I think Fred felt like his hands were tied a bit with the roster that Matt A had assembled for him. I think Fred basically cut Matt A loose and told him to go assemble him a legit roster, and Matt A did it...but did it pretty shady. Then I think he strong-armed Fred into things he wanted with "promises" that were made to assemble the team.

This definitely isn't an excuse for Fred. He should have put his big boy pants on and told Matt that it was his team and to sit down, but he clearly didn't. Just my two cents...

I think this is much closer to reality than anyone would believe.

 

[nja13]

Why would you listen to such an incompetent? That’s the part that I don’t understand.

Help me understand why a guy who’s been an NBA head coach listens to a dude who doesn’t know more than a high school coach about basketball. What am I missing ?

Fred didn't see him as an incompetent. Matt played the same role at Cockeye State and it worked there. So Fred just assumed the same formula would work here as well. In Fred's mind, he was just following a proven successful blueprint.