So regardless of any of our feelings on the matter, it's safe to assume Lottich will return next year. Which means we have to deal with his contract. Now we still don't know how long his initial contract was (someone correct me if I'm wrong but I couldn't find anything.) I actually hope it was a five year deal, as it would be easy to tack on a year with (hopefully) a low buy out, and announce an extension via press release for stability purposes, leaving out details.
One thing that, to me, would be unacceptable is leaving yourself without a way to move on after next season if need be. That Dorow extension still gives me nightmares. By this time next year, we should know what we have. Do we have a guy who needed a couple of years in the Valley to find his footing and grow as a coach? Or one who recruits pretty well but just can't get out of the bottom half of the league? ISUr, SIU, MoST, and EVille have already turned over coaches just since we've been here, with ISUb likely to follow. This isn't a league that lets a Gary Waters spend a decade running a program into the ground. We're going to be on pace for another year of declining attendance and lagging local interest. Next year has to be the year we get out of the cellar.
I think you are way too cynical about Lottich. I know we are tired of injuries. But the Fazekas absence was real.
How hard do the pop players play for him. Erasing a 17 point halftime road deficit in two games in a row speaks volumes dir player effort and half time adjustments.
Later years team would have melted away in apathy. So give him credit for molding this team fast without those losers
agreed that those losers would have made this year worse.
disagree with your stance on Lottich. It's about results, and those aren't there.
We have had a lot of Valpo teams in the past 10 years that would steam role this team and would be top 3 in MVC. Let's get back to that.
Didn't want this thread to become a 'Is he the right guy?' thread, as we break that down in most of the game threads. I'm made my opinion known, as has most of the board. Point being he will be back next year, so how do we adjust / extend his contract in a way that doesn't hurt us this offseason in recruiting, but also doesn't trap us into an underperforming coach for 3 more years.
In the last three years, the team has finished 6-12, 7-11, and this year will be at least as good as last year since they already have 7 wins. Before making a judgement on Lottich, I think we should wait to see what the final record will be. It will be flatline from last year, or incrementally better. If VU finishes 9-9, then there is accelerating improvement yoy. I don't think that reality supports a change. Improvement is better than the other two alternatives of (1) flat, or (2) worsening. If, on the other hand, VU finishes 7-11, it's a little more debatable.
My only point is, I think we should wait until the end of the year to have the discussion.
Why will he be back next year?
Declining attendance and now having to do buy one one free on a Saturday night game with no snow in the forecast or holidays or breaks???????
And again on Tuesday. All that chatter last year about improving the game day experience and garnering more student interest.
Did you all see Erik Bugg's recent social media post from when he played???!!!???
The student section was packed! The stands were packed! We were onto March Madness.
My oh my how we've fallen into a state of mediocrity. We celebrate moral victories and gauge the "improvement" of our team on .... dogging out of routine deficits we never should be in on such a constant basis? All with a pathetic attendance ... dwindling pep band .... and hardly existent student section.
We should for sure lock ourselves into more of the same.
I'm not saying it's Matt's fault but I am saying that's the nature of the business. Yes, it's a business. As we see from the cancellation of other programs (men's tennis and golf) it's a business.
Money does matter. Support does matter. People can complain about those of us who wave the red flags but we're still financially and emotionally supporting the program.
What about all the others who've seemingly lost interest ... and are nowhere to be found? Instead ... people want to attack when those of us who wave the red flags do so ... but at least we're not waving the white flags implying we quit.
We're just not waving the banners celebrating something that's not worth celebrating as we aren't winning anything worthy of celebration.
Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on February 21, 2020, 10:29:42 AM
Declining attendance and now having to do buy one one free on a Saturday night game with no snow in the forecast or holidays or breaks???????
And again on Tuesday. All that chatter last year about improving the game day experience and garnering more student interest.
Did you all see Erik Bugg's recent social media post from when he played???!!!???
The student section was packed! The stands were packed! We were onto March Madness.
My oh my how we've fallen into a state of mediocrity. We celebrate moral victories and gauge the "improvement" of our team on .... dogging out of routine deficits we never should be in on such a constant basis? All with a pathetic attendance ... dwindling pep band .... and hardly existent student section.
There's no interest
Not just Valparaiso
Everywhere
Young people would rather be "doing " not watching
Especially at middle of the road places
Heck -power 5 conferences have attendance issues
If a coach performs in the middle of the pack for middle-of-the-pack incentives with middle-of-the-pack facilities and resources, you gotta figure you're getting what you pay for, right? If not, and your answer is to replace the coach, while keeping all other things the same, what is your expectation? And if the new coach somehow turns out to exceed expectations do you respond with better wages and improvements to facilities and resources right away, as part of a strategy to capitalize on that good fortune or do you stand pat and congratulate yourself for your great choice and see how long it will continue? If the latter, how easy will it be to find someone to exceed expectations again?
Quote from: Valpower on February 21, 2020, 01:07:16 PM
If a coach performs in the middle of the pack for middle-of-the-pack incentives with middle-of-the-pack facilities and resources, you gotta figure you're getting what you pay for, right? If not, and you're answer is to replace the coach, while keeping all other things the same, what is your expectation? And if the new coach somehow turns out to exceed expectations do you respond with better wages and improvements to facilities and resources right away, as part of a strategy to capitalize on that good fortune or do you stand pat and congratulate yourself for your great choice and see how long it will continue? If the latter, how easy will it be to find someone to exceed expectations again?
Bingo! We must take a look at ourselves as a University and determine what made us excel before, then consider that adding a new HC into the same limited resource environment may not be a sound change. I believe some were making arguments in the last year that "change for the sake of change" would improve things. That type of approach is what politicians have been promising with their campaign slogans for a century+ and to extraordinarily mixed results.
If we are making no resource changes then it makes little sense to axe a head coach with good recruiting classes and making progress (as it stands today). I'm not saying he is our coach of the future but I think it makes more sense for our new President (Valpo) to be established and then together with the board and the athletics department to create a master plan. For if there are no resources coming from the academics and alumni side, what is the point in throwing _____ against the wall to see if it sticks? I think this has become a "timing" thing and it's unlikely we axe a coach amidst planned change from the higher ups.
Touché. Great points ... middle of the pac is true in all of those categories. Just a bit spoiled I suppose with our relatively recent success.
Idk if it's a total cop out on the attendance thing though ... I'm sure it's true attendance is down overall ..I. but still a lot of happening, well attended games out there
Look at the Loyola game last year at home or the drake game last year at home - those were great environments
We may have middle of the pac funding but that doesn't mean we have to be middle of the pac results. Those shouldn't be correlated. After all, they never have been for us.
Look at our recent success. Minus 3 years...
Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on February 21, 2020, 02:12:36 PM
Touché. Great points ... middle of the pac is true in all of those categories. Just a bit spoiled I suppose with our relatively recent success.
Idk if it's a total cop out on the attendance thing though ... I'm sure it's true attendance is down overall ..I. but still a lot of happening, well attended games out there
Look at the Loyola game last year at home or the drake game last year at home - those were great environments
I'm not even sure we're as high as the middle in some of those areas, which is why they were all phrased as questions. The main point was that those looking at coaching as the problem are doing so in a vacuum.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 21, 2020, 03:02:58 PM
We may have middle of the pac funding but that doesn't mean we have to be middle of the pac results. Those shouldn't be correlated. After all, they never have been for us.
Look at our recent success. Minus 3 years...
Then compare our results in the HL -vs- the other budgets in the HL Okie . . . come on meow.
dont know if valpo had the largest HL budget identical to our constant finish in the standings.
regardless, we had teams that would beat up on programs that had much larger budgets.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 21, 2020, 03:02:58 PM
We may have middle of the pac funding but that doesn't mean we have to be middle of the pac results. Those shouldn't be correlated. After all, they never have been for us.
Look at our recent success. Minus 3 years...
I'm not sure how resources, which require funding, have no correlation to sustained success. If you're referring to the success under the Drew's, you're describing the scenario where someone exceeds expectations in spite of the resources. Homer struggled for many years and eventually succeeded because of Scott and Bryce. The entire Drew period of overachievement was possible only through their familial synergy. But it was not sustainable (nor improvable) because investment did not keep pace and because luck like that doesn't repeat itself often.
I agree they overachieved. All 3 Drews got results despite the resources. Why can't that happen again?
Bryce was sought out by many. Scott is now coaching a #1 ranked team. Lottich if he is able to have 1/2 the success of the previous two coaches will be able to get a pay raise at another school.
Don't mean to offend Tex, but Texas has big pockets in football and hoops. Neither perform well.
Lol. I wish we had middle of the pack facilities.
Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on February 21, 2020, 02:12:36 PMTouché. Great points ... middle of the pac is true in all of those categories. Just a bit spoiled I suppose with our relatively recent success. Idk if it's a total cop out on the attendance thing though ... I'm sure it's true attendance is down overall ..I. but still a lot of happening, well attended games out there Look at the Loyola game last year at home or the drake game last year at home - those were great environments
Division 1 attendance in 1976 was 15.06 milllion
Division 1 attendance peaked in 2008 at 28.14 million
From 2008-2019 attendance has decreased to 27 million
Source:
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2020/Attendance.pdf (http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2020/Attendance.pdf)
Green Bay didn't have the largest basketball budget but they were always top 3 or winning the HL. Wardle overachieved slipped on some ice and got a pay increase in Bradley
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 21, 2020, 06:21:44 PM
Don't mean to offend Tex, but Texas has big pockets in football and hoops. Neither perform well.
C'mon, Mick. Don't think about money, think about resources, especially effective ones. None of us is so simple-minded as to think that money can't be misspent but few of us think you can get something for nothing.
As for why the Drew's can't happen again? It's not that it can't; it's that you can't easily select for it. They were the perfect storm in terms of the people, the state of college hoops at the time, and the state of the program (low expectations and a high level of patience).
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 21, 2020, 06:23:03 PM
Lol. I wish we had middle of the pack facilities.
I wish we had middle of the PAC facilities. ;)
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 21, 2020, 06:21:44 PM
Don't mean to offend Tex, but Texas has big pockets in football and hoops. Neither perform well.
It's ok, we all know that Oklahoma is Texas' red-headed step-child ;). Besides, if you look at the yearly rosters tied to successful Oklahoma sports, most folks are from TX...
Quote from: Valpo2013 on February 21, 2020, 12:35:05 PM
Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on February 21, 2020, 10:29:42 AM
Declining attendance and now having to do buy one one free on a Saturday night game with no snow in the forecast or holidays or breaks???????
And again on Tuesday. All that chatter last year about improving the game day experience and garnering more student interest.
Did you all see Erik Bugg's recent social media post from when he played???!!!???
The student section was packed! The stands were packed! We were onto March Madness.
My oh my how we've fallen into a state of mediocrity. We celebrate moral victories and gauge the "improvement" of our team on .... dogging out of routine deficits we never should be in on such a constant basis? All with a pathetic attendance ... dwindling pep band .... and hardly existent student section.
There's no interest
Not just Valparaiso
Everywhere
Young people would rather be "doing " not watching
Especially at middle of the road places
Heck -power 5 conferences have attendance issues
Seriously, man? You believe that this youngest generation wants to be 'doers,' when all they do is watch Twitch and other folks actually doing stuff on YouTube? Experiencing things from watching others do stuff, is not 'doing' anything. Come on, man. It is more the fear of sunlight that keeps them from going outside, or being away from a connected device 24/7 lol.
I am trying to figure out Lottich and his coaching and His coaching performance, but after going to the Drake game, Valpo needs to make the game day experience more entertaining. Have some entertaining halftime events, do some goofy things during time outs, get a bazooka and launch t shirts, make it a more engaging environment for students and fans to attend. Drake does a decent job regarding this. Perhaps serve beer at the games in a responsible manner. Guys, this certainly doable.
Yes Tex, most of Oklahoma's roster are Texans. Being the state only has 4 million people, Oklahoma sits behind Dfw metro in terms of population. But is able to get a recruiting class not at as good as UT with a smaller budget and still be a better program. That's kind of what I'm getting at.
There are programs with large resources who under achieve and are known for it. (Texas and Michigan)
There are programs with very small resources who over achieve and are known for it (Murray state and once upon a time valpo).
There is a popular NCAA columnist who I forgot his name and I'm sure you guys will know. He will tweet from time to time.
"Furman beats Clemson in a buy game, Clemsons budget is 4 times that of furmans". The epitome of do more with less.
Wouldn't suggest watching Baylor vs Kansas, which is about to start. It's not a sell-out and tickets - per College Game Day - aren't going for upwards of $900. It's not a whiteout. There's no energy. Student section isn't remotely full. It's happening all over the country after all.
AND BAYLOR'S COACH CERTAINLY ISNT PART OF THE DREW FAMILY AND NEVER COSCHED AT VALPO HAHA
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 22, 2020, 08:03:01 AM
I am trying to figure out Lottich and his coaching and His coaching performance, but after going to the Drake game, Valpo needs to make the game day experience more entertaining. Have some entertaining halftime events, do some goofy things during time outs, get a bazooka and launch t shirts, make it a more engaging environment for students and fans to attend. Drake does a decent job regarding this. Perhaps serve beer at the games in a responsible manner. Guys, this certainly doable.
Whoever is in charge of the game day experience at Valpo needs to travel to all the away games at the other schools in the Valley. See how they do things. Get some ideas. So many things other schools are doing are either sponsored, or completely free.
At Loyola, they literally had baby races across the court at halftime. Zero cost. And the crowd loved it. Enough of the "we can't afford it" BS. We don't need to pay for halftime entertainment for it to be entertaining.
Valpo advertised a student section check in system/app last summer to encourage more students at games. Check in, and earn points and prizes. And there has been ZERO mention of the program at games. Either it didn't work out or they are neglecting to advertise it. Again, Loyola uses student attendance, and gives out priority housing selection for next year. Cost them zero dollars.
If the atmosphere isn't here, student athletes are going to go play somewhere else. No one wants to play in an empty, quiet, high school gym.
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Coaches Hired in the same year as Matt Lottich and their
W-L% to date since hire date. Ranked by best W-L%
QuoteCareer at Current School
Coach School Conference Since W L W-L%
▼
1 Chris Beard Texas Tech Big 12 2016-17 93 40 0.699
2 Scott Nagy Wright State Horizon 2016-17 89 42 0.679
3 Kyle Keller Stephen F. Austin Southland 2016-17 83 41 0.669
4 Johnny Dawkins UCF AAC 2016-17 81 45 0.643
5 Rick Stansbury Western Kentucky CUSA 2016-17 80 50 0.615
6 Ryan Odom UMBC AEC 2016-17 80 51 0.611
7 Jeff Linder Northern Colorado Big Sky 2016-17 76 49 0.608
8 Jamie Dixon TCU Big 12 2016-17 82 53 0.607
9 Ray Harper Jacksonville State OVC 2016-17 78 54 0.591
10 Rob Ehsan Alabama-Birmingham CUSA 2016-17 73 55 0.57
11 Travis Ford Saint Louis A-10 2016-17 71 58 0.55
12 Matt Lottich Valparaiso MVC 2016-17 68 58 0.54
13 Jerod Haase Stanford Pac-12 2016-17 65 58 0.528
14 Martin Ingelsby Delaware CAA 2016-17 64 63 0.504
15 Herb Sendek Santa Clara WCC 2016-17 62 61 0.504
16 Reggie Witherspoon Canisius MAAC 2016-17 63 62 0.504
17 Steve Pikiell Rutgers Big Ten 2016-17 62 63 0.496
18 Steve Henson UTSA CUSA 2016-17 63 64 0.496
19 Josh Pastner Georgia Tech ACC 2016-17 61 66 0.48
20 Damon Stoudamire Pacific WCC 2016-17 59 67 0.468
21 Brian Kennedy NJIT A-Sun 2016-17 55 67 0.451
22 Lew Hill Texas-Rio Grande Valley WAC 2016-17 57 71 0.445
23 Allen Edwards Wyoming MWC 2016-17 57 73 0.438
24 Jimmy Allen Army Patriot 2016-17 52 68 0.433
25 Anthony Stewart UT-Martin OVC 2016-17 52 71 0.423
26 Preston Spradlin Morehead State OVC 2016-17 45 66 0.405
27 Todd Simon Southern Utah Big Sky 2016-17 50 75 0.4
28 Zach Spiker Drexel CAA 2016-17 48 77 0.384
29 Rodney Billups Denver Summit 2016-17 45 73 0.381
30 Brian Earl Cornell Ivy 2016-17 40 70 0.364
31 Louis Rowe James Madison CAA 2016-17 43 81 0.347
32 Jim Engles Columbia Ivy 2016-17 35 72 0.327
33 David McLaughlin Dartmouth Ivy 2016-17 35 73 0.324
34 Terry Porter Portland WCC 2016-17 37 88 0.296
35 Donyell Marshall Central Connecticut NEC 2016-17 35 86 0.289
W-L%Average: 0.487685714
Median: 0.496
Looks like a lot of the programs ahead of Lottich are used to winning. Looks like a lot of the programs below Lottich are used to losing. Is Valpo used to winning or losing? I forgot.
Consider this...if you took a poll from students and season ticket holders about this coach getting an extension...i dont think he would get one...the section my family and I sit in are not big fans of coach lottich. That is based on product on the floor, his post game comments,and interactions in the community
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Quote from: oklahomamick on February 22, 2020, 09:09:44 AM
Yes Tex, most of Oklahoma's roster are Texans. Being the state only has 4 million people, Oklahoma sits behind Dfw metro in terms of population. But is able to get a recruiting class not at as good as UT with a smaller budget and still be a better program. That's kind of what I'm getting at.
There are programs with large resources who under achieve and are known for it. (Texas and Michigan)
There are programs with very small resources who over achieve and are known for it (Murray state and once upon a time valpo).
Yeah, you just be a good Oklahoman and bask in the glory that is your southern superior. Good boy, Oklahoman, good boy ;)
take away his first year with peters and 24 of those wins are out. Post-Peters Era: 44 wins & 49 losses...
Tex again you missing the point.
Take away Matt's first year with Peters & Co. - aka Bryce's players - and he DOES NOT have a winning record. 44-49 or something like that. 24 of his wins have been during the Peters era. And, how many of those wins are non-conference?....
Consider this:
16/17 = 24-9 & 14-4 in conference.
17/19 = 15-17 & 6-12 in conference.
18/19 = 15-18 & 7-11 in conference.
19/20 = 14-14 & 7-8 in conference (so far).
Total conference wins in (4) seasons to date = 34.
Total conference wins in (3) seasons to date in MVC = 20.
Total losses in (3) seasons to date in MVC = 31.
Total winning seasons in (4) seasons to date = 1 (with Peters & Bryce's Recruits)
Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on February 22, 2020, 03:13:26 PM
take away his first year with peters and 24 of those wins are out. Post-Peters Era: 44 wins & 49 losses...
Which player are you going to take away from Bryce's record? How about Homer's? Statistics can be molded to whatever you want them to be.
I get what your saying Vu72, but those weren't lottich's players. Actually being the 3rd assistant I doubt Matt had very much to do with their recruiting.
What concerns me about lottich is player retention. History tells us we're going to lose players this off season. Either players looking for more prestigious school or just an opportunity to play. Marten Linssen comes to mind and he had potential. I would hate to lose Villien or Lorange.
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Quote from: oklahomamick on February 22, 2020, 03:24:23 PM
Tex again you missing the point.
No, I am not. I just like berating Oklahomans :)
Quote from: truth219 on February 22, 2020, 03:48:06 PM
What concerns me about lottich is player retention. History tells us we're going to lose players this off season. Either players looking for more prestigious school or just an opportunity to play. Marten Linssen comes to mind and he had potential. I would hate to lose Villien or Lorange.
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Anyone else like to see Zion Morgan get starters minutes?
It would be hard to make rotation changes this late in the season
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Quote from: truth219 on February 22, 2020, 03:48:06 PMI would hate to lose Villien or Lorange.
I haven't seen enough floor time to be strongly impressed by either. Like Linssen both might see a better opportunity to vote with their feet by moving on. Player retention is important but less so when those players are projects.
What have you seen from those two freshmen that makes you say you'd hate to see them leave?
Personally I'd be indifferent. Idk what they can or can't do. I like the overwhelming majority of the team this year, but realistically there's what 4 (maybe) guys who aren't seniors that I'd have a hard time accepting them leaving. But that's all offseason talk. Time to leave for the game!
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 22, 2020, 03:41:22 PM
I get what your saying Vu72, but those weren't lottich's players. Actually being the 3rd assistant I doubt Matt had very much to do with their recruiting.
I guess it is another plus for Matt even though I suspect that he was heavily involved in their recruitment as he was on Bryce's staff for three years.
My point is that statistics can say what you want them to say--I'll give another example: Homer Drew was 95-80 in his last five years at the helm. Three of those five he went 37-54. Two of them were 24-39. I don't recall anyone calling for Homer's head--and let's not think about Homer's first five!
Let's just see how the rest of the year, and probably next play out.
Quote from: truth219 on February 22, 2020, 03:48:06 PM
I would hate to lose Villien or Lorange.
Why?
If Steve Helm returns from his Mormon trip, I'll take him every day over Siggy.
Homer took over valpo with 10 years of a non winning record. Lottich took over a program straight off a NIT runner up championship. Not to mention all the previous years of conference championships and NCAAT appearances.
Horrible comparison.
6 minutes into the second half and still no Gordon - you know ... the guy who couldn't miss from 3 except 1 time in which he got fouled. Yet another reason why ...
Quote from: Valpo89 on February 22, 2020, 06:34:14 PM
Quote from: truth219 on February 22, 2020, 03:48:06 PM
I would hate to lose Villien or Lorange.
I want to say that I heard that Helm has completed his mission trip and is at a college out east...do I have that right??? Was that him or someone else???
Why?
If Steve Helm returns from his Mormon trip, I'll take him every day over Siggy.
Quote from: cornonthe on February 22, 2020, 08:17:28 PM
Quote from: Valpo89 on February 22, 2020, 06:34:14 PM
Quote from: truth219 on February 22, 2020, 03:48:06 PM
I would hate to lose Villien or Lorange.
I want to say that I heard that Helm has completed his mission trip and is at a college out east...do I have that right??? Was that him or someone else???
Why?
If Steve Helm returns from his Mormon trip, I'll take him every day over Siggy.
Ohhhh...I screwed that up, I was commenting on Helm...
And what happened to Langston stalling?
It would appear the walk on walked away? Maybe focusing on baseball? Although I thought I heard he transferred because he wanted to hoop.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 22, 2020, 09:13:45 AMThere is a popular NCAA columnist who I forgot his name and I'm sure you guys will know. He will tweet from time to time. "Furman beats Clemson in a buy game, Clemsons budget is 4 times that of furmans". The epitome of do more with less.
This sounds like a hybrid of Jon Rothstein's Epitome of Brutality Tweets and Mark Adams Do More With Less Tweets.
Quote from: vu72 on February 22, 2020, 03:29:45 PMQuote from: GoldenCrusader87 on February 22, 2020, 03:13:26 PMtake away his first year with peters and 24 of those wins are out. Post-Peters Era: 44 wins & 49 losses...
Which player are you going to take away from Bryce's record? How about Homer's? Statistics can be molded to whatever you want them to be.
That's all true and fine but the point on Peters stands regardless. Even with Peters it's not a super flattering record relative to where we were with Bryce. It does make the situation look far less dire than some of the Lottich skeptics (myself included) have painted it to be but it's not great either. It does appear to be a feather in the cap for more time to see what exactly we have and the steady improvement in our overall performance in this conference also would suggest a need to give him more time. I would honestly wait until the height of transfer season is done to make the final determination. If we lose impact pieces we should not extend him. if the team stays and commits to him we extend him for 2-4 years. That seems to be the best fairest and most responsible way to go about this situation to me.
Lets just stop talking about this... Lottich will be back next year and the year after at minimum. Not sure he gets a 4 year contract or not but it will be at least 2 years, so just freaking stop talking about it until 2022.
2020 team -- Finishing with their best win total in an improved MVC. Improving as season goes on and every returner but Sackey got better and Sackey played REALLY well during the summer trip so not sure what is going on with him.
2019 team -- Struggled out of the gate but started MVC play hot before injuries COMPLETELY derailed the season. There were literally games where 4 of our top 6 players were out. That as a 11-12 win MVC team despite having personalities on the team who didn't get along.
2018 team -- 1st year in Valley with increased competition and no Peters. Give the guy a freaking break. Hell... Tevonn got mono that year as I recall and was never the same. :censored: happens. Was a rough year and would have been for any coach in the nation. I still remember how WELL WE PLAYED THE LAST 8 games of the year. We were super competitive and were playing our best basketball down the stretch, we just were not ready yet.
That is enough for a 4 year extension in my opinion. But I am ok with a 2 year if that's what the people want. Either way, he is here for a while so settle down and enjoy the fact the team is improving.
Quote from: cornonthe on February 22, 2020, 08:17:28 PM
Quote from: Valpo89 on February 22, 2020, 06:34:14 PM
Quote from: truth219 on February 22, 2020, 03:48:06 PM
I would hate to lose Villien or Lorange.
I want to say that I heard that Helm has completed his mission trip and is at a college out east...do I have that right??? Was that him or someone else???
Why?
If Steve Helm returns from his Mormon trip, I'll take him every day over Siggy.
Is Steve Helm still going to be playing here once he finished his trip? Is that still a thing? I haven't heard his name in 2 years
To make it clear, if Bryce was getting these results I think the fan base would be disgruntled as well. As for calling for his job? No. Bryce has proved he could win so there would be more patience.
Lottich took a very difficult job as his first head coach position and one that came immediately after the golden boy.
2 more years for Lottich but the university needs to commit more to the basketball program - monetarily and socially
Quote from: SanityLost17 on February 23, 2020, 07:33:23 AM
Lets just stop talking about this... Lottich will be back next year and the year after at minimum. Not sure he gets a 4 year contract or not but it will be at least 2 years, so just freaking stop talking about it until 2022.
2020 team -- Finishing with their best win total in an improved MVC. Improving as season goes on and every returner but Sackey got better and Sackey played REALLY well during the summer trip so not sure what is going on with him.
2019 team -- Struggled out of the gate but started MVC play hot before injuries COMPLETELY derailed the season. There were literally games where 4 of our top 6 players were out. That as a 11-12 win MVC team despite having personalities on the team who didn't get along.
2018 team -- 1st year in Valley with increased competition and no Peters. Give the guy a freaking break. Hell... Tevonn got mono that year as I recall and was never the same. :censored: happens. Was a rough year and would have been for any coach in the nation. I still remember how WELL WE PLAYED THE LAST 8 games of the year. We were super competitive and were playing our best basketball down the stretch, we just were not ready yet.
That is enough for a 4 year extension in my opinion. But I am ok with a 2 year if that's what the people want. Either way, he is here for a while so settle down and enjoy the fact the team is improving.
How is this an improved MVC? 2018 didn't the MVC have a team in the final four
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Quote from: truth219 on February 23, 2020, 07:52:07 AMQuote from: SanityLost17 on February 23, 2020, 07:33:23 AMLets just stop talking about this... Lottich will be back next year and the year after at minimum. Not sure he gets a 4 year contract or not but it will be at least 2 years, so just freaking stop talking about it until 2022. 2020 team -- Finishing with their best win total in an improved MVC. Improving as season goes on and every returner but Sackey got better and Sackey played REALLY well during the summer trip so not sure what is going on with him. 2019 team -- Struggled out of the gate but started MVC play hot before injuries COMPLETELY derailed the season. There were literally games where 4 of our top 6 players were out. That as a 11-12 win MVC team despite having personalities on the team who didn't get along. 2018 team -- 1st year in Valley with increased competition and no Peters. Give the guy a freaking break. Hell... Tevonn got mono that year as I recall and was never the same. :censored: happens. Was a rough year and would have been for any coach in the nation. I still remember how WELL WE PLAYED THE LAST 8 games of the year. We were super competitive and were playing our best basketball down the stretch, we just were not ready yet. That is enough for a 4 year extension in my opinion. But I am ok with a 2 year if that's what the people want. Either way, he is here for a while so settle down and enjoy the fact the team is improving.
How is this an improved MVC? 2018 didn't the MVC have a team in the final four Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
1. We don't know how deep the tournament representative (representatives?) might go
2. Tournament results are important but you can't judge the quality of a conference solely on them Believe it or not based on non conference results this year's UNI team was arguably better than that Loyola team. They actually look pretty similar in terms of how their seasons have gone although they are very different teams on the court.
3. Your post completely ignores last year as though it didn't happen when our conference was like 15th in NET and our tournament representative was a 15 seed (and they STILL almost beat Michigan State by the way). Yes I think this conference is improved and is improving. Look at the freshman and sophomore talent on this conference. (Green JFL Domask Robbins LaRavia Clay just to name a few). The future is great.
4. This is a tough highly competitive conference with a lot of parity. it is HARD (and has often been HARD) to win on the road here. Somebody has to finish in the middle of the pack and at the bottom but it will not always be us. We lament the lack of road wins but consider this.
https://twitter.com/TSeghetti11/status/1230567607662764033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1230567607662764033&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.valpofanzone.com%2Fforum%2Findex.php%3Ftopic%3D3679.50
We are getting better and trending upward. Our time at the top is coming. It almost certainly will not last the same duration as our time at the top of the Mid Con or the Horizon but our time is coming. Of that I am sure and you can be sure.
We will trend upward if the university commits to it. If you look at the current ecosystem - financially, socially - there is certainly room for improvement
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 23, 2020, 08:31:48 AM
We will trend upward if the university commits to it. If you look at the current ecosystem - financially, socially - there is certainly room for improvement
I get the socially part - but that is easier said than done. Winning, a perception of being a winning team, and good opponents drive that. Marketing helps, but good marketing cannot overcome those three key drivers of interest. Indeed, people aren't going to come and support a team in a gleaming new or renovated building without driving interest from those three aspects. I have been very critical of the home non-conference schedule, but I will say the quality of games in the MVC has helped address the third point.
Regarding the financial argument part, I always come back to the question: what would you not spend money on? If you are going to prioritize money towards the facility, you naturally have to choose not to fund something else. You could take out more debt, but is that a good idea?
Here is what I believe that university will do with athletic facilities. They will make incremental spends to update/upgrade all athletic facilities and will fund this over time based on the university's financial position from year-to-year. For the ARC, you'll see a vision of a renovated ARC that takes many years to reach and is reached in many incremental steps.
So back to the point - you need a coach that can thrive in that environment. There are two ways to accomplish this: 1. be very loyal to someone whose ideals as a coach resonate closely with the university - thus you can retain that coach for a longer period when things go well (I believe this is what Valpo attempts to do), or 2. plan for continued succession, knowing that other universities with more money will seek your coach when things go well (I believe that this is the Butler model). Note that neither model is inherently right or wrong.
Vu84v2 - the basketball experience at the ARC needs to be enhanced. Gen X and millennials need entertainment in a continuous manner. We need goofy promotions during timeouts, an truly engaging, fun pep band, and decent halftime entertainment. Get some dance company squads or some music. Student and fan participation needs a boost.
Regarding Valpo, my concern is that the university is spreading itself too thin. Focus on programs that are good and have a vision or value, and not have programs just for the sake of having them. As difficult as it was, and it was sad to see, the decision to close the law school in a financial sense was likely the right one. What other programs and activities does Valpo provide that is of cost and low return?
While I agree with this on principle, are we really in position to cut a bunch of programs that do bring in students and tuition dollars in light of our enrollment issues? While I want to see the university run more efficiently so that it can grow going too far with the pruning shears can throw the baby out with the bathwater so to speak and only enhance our issues. What programs do you want to see cut bearing in mind that we need something like 14 sports offerings in order to stay D1 and the Title IX implications of not doing this in a balanced manner?
I believe the new Admissions VP is having a very positive effect on enrollment and that the slide in numbers will be reversed this year. I was told that the recent visit weekend for accepted students had kids from 27 different states. As the number of students from the midwest is declining in general, Valpo has instituted a new effort to attract students from the south and elsewhere. In that regard, an admissions counselor is now employed and living full time in Texas. Valpo is NOT just standing around waiting for something to happen. They are very proactive.
Quote from: vu72 on February 23, 2020, 02:55:21 PMI believe the new Admissions VP is having a very positive effect on enrollment and that the slide in numbers will be reversed this year. I was told that the recent visit weekend for accepted students had kids from 27 different states. As the number of students from the midwest is declining in general, Valpo has instituted a new effort to attract students from the south and elsewhere. In that regard, an admissions counselor is now employed and living full time in Texas. Valpo is NOT just standing around waiting for something to happen. They are very proactive.
Next proactive step: Commit to athletics and give the basketball program what it needs to make a deep run and stoke national interest in the university!
I have spoken with the Admissions VP and he is a go-getter. Very impressed with him. Agree with vu72's take on this.
Paul
Quote from: vok22 on February 23, 2020, 07:44:11 AM
Quote from: cornonthe on February 22, 2020, 08:17:28 PM
Quote from: Valpo89 on February 22, 2020, 06:34:14 PM
Quote from: truth219 on February 22, 2020, 03:48:06 PM
I would hate to lose Villien or Lorange.
I want to say that I heard that Helm has completed his mission trip and is at a college out east...do I have that right??? Was that him or someone else???
Why?
If Steve Helm returns from his Mormon trip, I'll take him every day over Siggy.
Is Steve Helm still going to be playing here once he finished his trip? Is that still a thing? I haven't heard his name in 2 years
I confirmed yesterday with Helm's former high school teammate that yes, Helm intends to return to the VU program. He would be a senior age-wise, but probably only a freshman eligibility. He was an excellent leader on some very good teams at VHS. I'm sure with his maturity he would fit in well with this team. I would just wonder how much he has actually touched a basketball while he's been away.
Doesn't matter. He can be our new Kiser bringing the toughness and leadership in the locker room.
Quote from: vu72 on February 23, 2020, 02:55:21 PM
I believe the new Admissions VP is having a very positive effect on enrollment and that the slide in numbers will be reversed this year. I was told that the recent visit weekend for accepted students had kids from 27 different states. As the number of students from the midwest is declining in general, Valpo has instituted a new effort to attract students from the south and elsewhere. In that regard, an admissions counselor is now employed and living full time in Texas. Valpo is NOT just standing around waiting for something to happen. They are very proactive.
I have heard the same things about the new Admissions VP and some potential positive outcomes from the efforts of him and his team. I will wait to see the results, but there are some encouraging signs.
Quote from: Valpo89 on February 23, 2020, 03:02:20 PM
Quote from: vok22 on February 23, 2020, 07:44:11 AM
Quote from: cornonthe on February 22, 2020, 08:17:28 PM
Quote from: Valpo89 on February 22, 2020, 06:34:14 PM
Quote from: truth219 on February 22, 2020, 03:48:06 PM
I would hate to lose Villien or Lorange.
I want to say that I heard that Helm has completed his mission trip and is at a college out east...do I have that right??? Was that him or someone else???
Why?
If Steve Helm returns from his Mormon trip, I'll take him every day over Siggy.
Is Steve Helm still going to be playing here once he finished his trip? Is that still a thing? I haven't heard his name in 2 years
I confirmed yesterday with Helm's former high school teammate that yes, Helm intends to return to the VU program. He would be a senior age-wise, but probably only a freshman eligibility. He was an excellent leader on some very good teams at VHS. I'm sure with his maturity he would fit in well with this team. I would just wonder how much he has actually touched a basketball while he's been away.
Yes, sorry about this, for some reason, I became technologically challenged for a minute or so. As for the walk on who moved on to an east coast school, it was Langston Stalling and not Helm.
No way I'm a fan of a 4 year extension. Would I love to see a new coach next year ? 100%. Do I understand the logic behind giving him 2 years? Yes. Do I think MLB will give him a raise and 4 years? 100%. Do I expect vast improvements on the court and in the arena? Sadly, no.
I feel more confident (sadly) in on the court improvement even under ML than arena improvements. Why? Because we still have talent and the MVC is not the Big 10. Every game is winnable and every game is losable.
Vs Bradley is the best shooting night from 3 we've had in like 20 years. Umm that'll win you a game no matter the arena or the coach or the opponent in more times than not.
I wish I could have liked more than once. Well said.
Most Likely we finish MVC in 8th place.
2019 - 9th place
2018 - 10th place
So we can expect in 8 more years we will finish 1st.
I think you gotta go with 2 years. Lottich does not multiple equivalent or better offers out there.
How about this, two years with the possibility of renegotiation for a longer term should the results continue to improve. Like if we contend for the title next year we consider adding another two years to his deal or something?
But any mid-major coach who has success and stays at the school restructures for a longer contract/more money. No need to put that as a clause.
You cant handicap him even more by offering a year or 2 year deal. Players typically commit to coaches, not to schools. Any decent recruit is not going to commit to a coach who is in limbo status and who may be gone by the time they arrive on campus or after a season. It comes down to whether Valpo/AD believes ML is still their guy. If he his, show loyalty and commitment, offer the 4 year extension (with decreasing buy outs each passing season). If you believe you can hire a person who can produce better results, then can him.
I do believe our team is young ( as is the coach), and we're going to keep improving. I think we will be locked and loaded by JFL senior year (assuming he is still here). ML can get talent, steadied the ship/cut losses after last season, and the team is still playing hard for him this season. We do have some momentum going and I dont think anyone else would have too much different results with the current affairs of the athletic dept/university right now. Not worth starting over to get same results..let's see what ML is made of in the next 2 years...extend him.
:)
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I like him. Give him 3-5 years. He can recruit, and that is most of the battle at the mid-major level. He has shown that he is learning the X's and O's, and making adjustments, otherwise we would never come back in these games. Some may say that he just lets the team play in those scenarios, but that is him adapting to what works best for the team, at that particular time, and I have seen some really good set plays in the last few games, as well.
Quote from: valpotx on February 25, 2020, 04:36:57 AM
I like him. Give him 3-5 years. He can recruit, and that is most of the battle at the mid-major level. He has shown that he is learning the X's and O's, and making adjustments, otherwise we would never come back in these games. Some may say that he just lets the team play in those scenarios, but that is him adapting to what works best for the team, at that particular time, and I have seen some really good set plays in the last few games, as well.
I agree that improvement is there, and is continuing. Why change, unless you think that the improvement is not fast enough. That impatience can be dangerous.
If Lottich is continuing to grow and learn, and he is not extended (remember, it takes two to tango), then there will likely be another setback while the next coach acclimates, and Lottich then takes his growth to a new place. In that event, VU would rightly be considered a development school, and Lottich's next gig would rightly be considered a production school. For the University to put itself in that position ... that makes no sense to me.
While I do think that Lottich is improving, I do not deny the fact that there are arguments to the contrary. For example, the team's conference win percentage has gone up each year since joining the MVC. However, remember that Evansville and IL State have tanked this year. If they had performed similarly to last year, then many of the other teams in conference would have at least one less victory. Assuming that VU has two less victories, then the improved performance this year is simply not there. So, part of the W-L improvement this year could be deemed fortuitous.
My point is that, although there are arguments that the team has not improved, or it has not improved fast enough, reasonable minds can differ, and it is a very risky maneuver to oust Lottich on the premise that the next coach would improve more or faster. When the time comes, I think that it makes sense for the University to 'lean in', and extend.
You think he would get a head coaching job somewhere else after this year?
A job upgrade after underperforming at his current one? Who does he think he is, Brian Wardle? ;D
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 25, 2020, 12:37:56 PM
You think he would get a head coaching job somewhere else after this year?
Yes.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 25, 2020, 12:37:56 PM
You think he would get a head coaching job somewhere else after this year?
Like him or not, Wardle will be looking at an improvement within the next 5 years, if his teams continue to improve as they did at Green Bay, and they have so far at Bradley. In his first two years at Green Bay, Green Bay's in-conference record was 8-10, and then 10-8. In the final two years at GB, its conference record was 14-2, and then 12-4. In his first year at Bradley, its conference record was 3-15, and then 7-11. Last year, its conference record was 9-9, and so far this year it is 10-6. That is improvement at a lower level school and then a higher level school. Unless he has another culture blemish or two, he is building a solid resume for moving up again.
I don't know his allegiances, but Bradley might not be his end goal. Wardle played at Marquette, so he may want to end up there.
Quote from: 4throwfan on February 25, 2020, 01:24:28 PMIn his first year at Bradley, its conference record was 3-15, and then 7-11. Last year, its conference record was 9-9
I know that people on this board generally don't like Wardle, but I don't think there are too many that wouldn't agree that he has been somewhat successful even if his methods are not the most ethical. Do you think that Bradley was looking to not renew his contract based upon the results of his first 3 years?
You think Lottich could get a head coaching job somewhere else after this year?
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 25, 2020, 02:10:21 PM
You think Lottich could get a head coaching job somewhere else after this year?
You're repeating yourself and yes, He could IF, he does what Wardle did at Green Bay--taking his team to the Conference Championship game. Matt would have taken his team from last, to second last to playing for a title--in three years. Yes, he would have interest.
No need for you to ask any further.
Quote from: FWalum on February 25, 2020, 01:59:08 PM
Quote from: 4throwfan on February 25, 2020, 01:24:28 PMIn his first year at Bradley, its conference record was 3-15, and then 7-11. Last year, its conference record was 9-9
I know that people on this board generally don't like Wardle, but I don't think there are too many that wouldn't agree that he has been somewhat successful even if his methods are not the most ethical. Do you think that Bradley was looking to not renew his contract based upon the results of his first 3 years?
I don't know. It's not possible for me to be more uneducated on Bradley than I am right now. From an outsider's perspective, I see him improving the record yoy, and therefore being in a position to get a raise at Bradley when the time comes, or looking somewhere else. Outside of that, I can't predict what either party will want to do at any point in time.
Welcome back VU72. That's a big IF. As of right now, no ifs, I don't see him getting a head coaching position at another D1 school
He is improving and still learning. He is worthy of 2, maybe 3 more years.
Agreed he is still learning. I think we could have gotten someone that wasn't still learning. He's going in the right direction.
10th place
9th place
7th place?
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 25, 2020, 08:41:20 PMAgreed he is still learning. I think we could have gotten someone that wasn't still learning. He's going in the right direction. 10th place 9th place 7th place?
Let's try 5th or 6th? Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!
Four more years!
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 25, 2020, 08:59:35 PM
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 25, 2020, 08:41:20 PMAgreed he is still learning. I think we could have gotten someone that wasn't still learning. He's going in the right direction. 10th place 9th place 7th place?
Let's try 5th or 6th? Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!
We still have a chance to win 20 games.
Quote from: humbleopinion on February 25, 2020, 09:34:27 PMFour more years!
Getting hard to argue against this the way we've been playing the past 5 or 6 games. Let's get it done. We said .500 would be a success given everything that has happened. We have now clinched at least that kind of finish. It's time to justly reward the man who has made this possible even amid all of the adversity that this program has faced the past several years. Give Matt Lottich his extension and let's roll! I think some very special times are ahead! Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!
Quote from: Valpower on February 25, 2020, 09:41:34 PMQuote from: VUGrad1314 on February 25, 2020, 08:59:35 PMQuote from: oklahomamick on February 25, 2020, 08:41:20 PMAgreed he is still learning. I think we could have gotten someone that wasn't still learning. He's going in the right direction. 10th place 9th place 7th place?
Let's try 5th or 6th? Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!
We still have a chance to win 20 games.
We can definitely get there if we pursue postseason play which I think we should. The way this team is growing and coming together I think some extra practices and games could be really good for them regardless of the competition. It worked wonders for Loyola. I hope that if we get an invite to play in a postseason tournament that we will accept because the benefits far outweigh the costs to the program in my opinion. Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!
We are 1 game above .500!
What tourney you plan on going too? They don't have the Vegas 8 anymore.
I'm happy the team is getting better, and they are better that's not debatable. I'm excited that we are going in the right direction too.
But really there is only one direction from 10th place two years ago. And that's 9th place.....Looks like we will finish better than both of those this year.
UNK hired a proven coach not learning on the job, he won a couple league titles early in his tenure and before you know it hes promoted to coaching at Cincinnati. We hired a 3rd assistant and took 3 years to finish 6th at best.
I'm about being patient. Let's finish the year out before deciding anything. Win a game In The tournament and I think Matt should get two more years for this project.
What I do like is the players stayed out of trouble and enjoy each other while loving their coach. That goes a long way. They are graduating and like the coach.
Kiser is the 1st 4 year guy to graduate under Lottich and he was a walk-on. Next year the only 4 year guy will be McMillan who was a real project. I am curious to know how good the Valpo teams are if Lottich can start getting 2 4 year guys to graduate every year who are contributors from the start. Think Krikke/Clay going all 4 years or Sackey/JFL going all 4 years. That is why I am for a 4 year contract. A legitimate knock on Lottich is that players have transferred, however, the guys this year have all but said over and over that the team is better off without them and that they are happier.
I really think Lottich has shown tremendous improvement this year as a coach. He is twice the offense coach he was the last 3 seasons. He is starting to figure out what he is doing and I think he might end up being a great one.
After last night's game, we are in 5th place for both offensive and defensive efficiency in conference. That's progress. I've been skeptical of Matt but there is no way he doesn't get a new four or five-year contract. The team has made huge strides offensively and defensively and is as balanced as it has been for the entire season and the team seems to be playing its best game at the right time. The wind is at their back and
mo-mo is on their side. Let's shake things up with a a few more wins beginning Saturday.
I've been tough on Lottich in the past but I'll give him props on this season. It's a better and younger team than last year. And it appears to be a more cohesive team. The future is looking bright.
Maybe I'm being too negative.
Received a text from fellow Valpo almuni who tried to talk me out of being negative about the program. A current student who signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Oklahoma and another current student who is top 20 by Rivals and committed to Kansas both said that 9-8 in MVC is a good step.
My response is our basketball program is used to being better than .500. As a coach at the youth level (totally different I know) I would be replaced after a couple years of those kind of stats.
I am moving more and more into optimistic for the future, but reserving full optimism until the transfer list is out.
This teams seems much more in sync than the past couple of seasons. Id be surprised by transfers as noone really screams transfer scenario to me. IF JFL would like to transfer, again IF, itd make sense at this point of his eligibility to graduate in 3 and then grad transfer without sitting out a year. Certainly Fazekas and Gordon helped us, so it'll be interesting to see if we pursue any other "transfer down" options.
I do think last nights game showed us a look at ML improvement in coaching, and how we smoked em without JFL. Future seems optimistic but also at the same point, this is year 3 of not really doing much. At some point in time this will be the new normal and we'll be stuck in mediocrity. Gotta be top of league next few years to keep the recruits interested in keeping us as an option.
Quote from: elephtheria47 on February 26, 2020, 01:55:46 PM
This teams seems much more in sync than the past couple of seasons. Id be surprised by transfers as noone really screams transfer scenario to me. IF JFL would like to transfer, again IF, itd make sense at this point of his eligibility to graduate in 3 and then grad transfer without sitting out a year. Certainly Fazekas and Gordon helped us, so it'll be interesting to see if we pursue any other "transfer down" options.
I do think last nights game showed us a look at ML improvement in coaching, and how we smoked em without JFL. Future seems optimistic but also at the same point, this is year 3 of not really doing much. At some point in time this will be the new normal and we'll be stuck in mediocrity. Gotta be top of league next few years to keep the recruits interested in keeping us as an option.
Wait till you get a look at Jacob Ognacevic, coming in next year. 6'8" 220#, shoots the 3 at a 50% clip. He is the leading scorer in the State of Wisconsin. The future looks very bright.
Right. I have friends who live in Sheboygan. I understand the hype and agree Jacob is going to be a good one. What I meant is, the longer you are the coach, the less you are able to say "we're building something here." At some point in time, the recruits are going to want to see the results on the floor and I think ML will be crossing that threshold this coming summer or next summer. Either you're building something or not and the more we have success on the court, the easier his job recruiting will be. I hope in two months from now ML will be hitting the recruiting trail saying he just coached the MVC tourney champs and got Valpo back in the big dance. I am a proponent of giving him a 4 year extension, just need the results on the court to start coming in better and I do believe we are on that track.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 26, 2020, 06:05:51 AMWe are 1 game above .500! What tourney you plan on going too? They don't have the Vegas 8 anymore. I'm happy the team is getting better, and they are better that's not debatable. I'm excited that we are going in the right direction too. But really there is only one direction from 10th place two years ago. And that's 9th place.....Looks like we will finish better than both of those this year. UNK hired a proven coach not learning on the job, he won a couple league titles early in his tenure and before you know it hes promoted to coaching at Cincinnati. We hired a 3rd assistant and took 3 years to finish 6th at best. I'm about being patient. Let's finish the year out before deciding anything. Win a game In The tournament and I think Matt should get two more years for this project. What I do like is the players stayed out of trouble and enjoy each other while loving their coach. That goes a long way. They are graduating and like the coach.
Your last sentence coupled with the improvement is precisely why Matt should be extended. The improvement is the most important thing because on court results matter but the fact that these players like playing for Coach Lottich and continue to fight for them is huge. They fought hard for him even through the lack of results to make it so that the results would finally come. That is a testament to Matt and what he is building and creating and he deserves to be rewarded. I am firmly pro-extension now and the result of Saturday's game has no bearing on that especially with JFL likely out. If we win and finish in the top 6 it removes any doubt equivocation or argument though I don't see much of a debate now and I have been very skeptical and critical of Lottich in the past. But the players like him and the results are starting to show. That's enough for me. Also the tournament I am referring to is the CIT\CBI. It's a perfect program building tournament as we continue to find our way in the MVC with a freshman\sophomore laden team. If we get an invite we should accept and play. Consider it an investment in the long-term fortunes of the program. We could benefit from the extra practices and game experience. Loyola did it and then two years later they were in the Final 4. I think that tournament experience helped them grow into the team they would become. It can be the same for us. We should accept an invite to the CBI or CIT if we are invited. Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!
As for Brannen, his NKU teams struggled against the top of the conference and pounded on the lower teams of the HL. Those teams would be about where we are in the MVC at best. You can look at the gaudy KenPom numbers we put up while we were in the HL but KenPom like any metric rewards winning most and it's easy to pile up wins against sub 250 programs and have a big fat number. There's a reason there are several MVC teams ranked ahead of the HL There's a reason there are several A10 teams ranked before the MVC. Those conferences are deeper and better and losses don't hurt your metrics as much even when you take a bunch of them because the quality of the league is higher. Could\would Brannen have won in the MVC? Maybe but his Norse teams would have struggled with the grind that is the MVC season. Of that I have no doubt.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 26, 2020, 10:22:08 PMQuote from: oklahomamick on February 26, 2020, 06:05:51 AMWe are 1 game above .500! What tourney you plan on going too? They don't have the Vegas 8 anymore. I'm happy the team is getting better, and they are better that's not debatable. I'm excited that we are going in the right direction too. But really there is only one direction from 10th place two years ago. And that's 9th place.....Looks like we will finish better than both of those this year. UNK hired a proven coach not learning on the job, he won a couple league titles early in his tenure and before you know it hes promoted to coaching at Cincinnati. We hired a 3rd assistant and took 3 years to finish 6th at best. I'm about being patient. Let's finish the year out before deciding anything. Win a game In The tournament and I think Matt should get two more years for this project. What I do like is the players stayed out of trouble and enjoy each other while loving their coach. That goes a long way. They are graduating and like the coach.
Your last sentence coupled with the improvement is precisely why Matt should be extended. The improvement is the most important thing because on court results matter but the fact that these players like playing for Coach Lottich and continue to fight for them is huge. They fought hard for him even through the lack of results to make it so that the results would finally come. That is a testament to Matt and what he is building and creating and he deserves to be rewarded. I am firmly pro-extension now and the result of Saturday's game has no bearing on that especially with JFL likely out. If we win and finish in the top 6 it removes any doubt equivocation or argument though I don't see much of a debate now and I have been very skeptical and critical of Lottich in the past. But the players like him and the results are starting to show. That's enough for me. Also the tournament I am referring to is the CIT\CBI. It's a perfect program building tournament as we continue to find our way in the MVC with a freshman\sophomore laden team. If we get an invite we should accept and play. Consider it an investment in the long-term fortunes of the program. We could benefit from the extra practices and game experience. Loyola did it and then two years later they were in the Final 4. I think that tournament experience helped them grow into the team they would become. It can be the same for us. We should accept an invite to the CBI or CIT if we are invited. Go Valpo! I BELIEVE! As for Brannen, his NKU teams struggled against the top of the conference and pounded on the lower teams of the HL. Those teams would be about where we are in the MVC at best. You can look at the gaudy KenPom numbers we put up while we were in the HL but KenPom like any metric rewards winning most and it's easy to pile up wins against sub 250 programs and have a big fat number. There's a reason there are several MVC teams ranked ahead of the HL There's a reason there are several A10 teams ranked before the MVC. Those conferences are deeper and better and losses don't hurt your metrics as much even when you take a bunch of them because the quality of the league is higher. Could\would Brannen have won in the MVC? Maybe but his Norse teams would have struggled with the grind that is the MVC season. Of that I have no doubt.
Incorrect. Kenpom's rankings are soley by Adjusted Efficiency Margin and
do not take winning into account.
QuoteAdjEM is the difference between a team's offensive and defensive efficiency. It's simple subtraction. Even your dog can do it. It represents the number of points the team would be expected to outscore the average D-I team over 100 possessions and it has the advantage of being a linear measure. The difference between +31 and +28 is the same as the difference between +4 and +1. It's three points per 100 possessions which is much easier to interpret. This measure also makes the SOS and average conference strength numbers less mysterious. Ken Pomeroy
Quote from: Just Sayin on February 27, 2020, 05:43:57 AM
Incorrect. Kenpom's rankings are soley by Adjusted Efficiency Margin and do not take winning into account.
Thanks for pointing this out. There are multiple rating/ranking systems that measure different things (ie. achievement vs predictive). Before criticizing a given metric, it would be nice if you had even an elementary understanding of the metric you were criticizing. #TheMoreYouKnow
Listened to the March to the Arch podcast on the drive in this morning. They briefly discussed Lottich and the good job that he has done this year, relative to where the program was last spring. I agree to that extent. Will be nice to see his ability to build on the accomplishments so far.
I am going to go the other direction versus this topic's original intent. If we win at ISUb, how many folks vote for Lottich tied to Coach of the Year?? He would get my vote, after all of our key roster turnover :)
Quote from: valpotx on February 28, 2020, 07:42:44 PM
I am going to go the other direction versus this topic's original intent. If we win at ISUb, how many folks vote for Lottich tied to Coach of the Year?? He would get my vote, after all of our key roster turnover :)
Someone listened to the March to the Arch Podcast!
Actually, I did not lol
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on February 28, 2020, 07:57:32 PMQuote from: valpotx on February 28, 2020, 07:42:44 PMI am going to go the other direction versus this topic's original intent. If we win at ISUb, how many folks vote for Lottich tied to Coach of the Year?? He would get my vote, after all of our key roster turnover :)
Someone listened to the March to the Arch Podcast!
Actually it seems there are quite a few Valpo fans that do. Not saying hundreds or even close, but they do a good job covering the whole Valley Basketball scene.
He'd be in the conversation for sure but it would be hard not to give it to Mullins because they were in worse shape than we were coming into the year.
Couple of wins down the stretch and a 500-record = a Coach Of the Year?
Lol I can't even ....
Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on February 29, 2020, 07:49:34 AM
Couple of wins down the stretch and a 500-record = a Coach Of the Year?
Lol I can't even ....
If there was a most improved . . . . maybe
Quote from: FieldGoodie05 on February 29, 2020, 10:01:37 AM
Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on February 29, 2020, 07:49:34 AM
Couple of wins down the stretch and a 500-record = a Coach Of the Year?
Lol I can't even ....
If there was a most improved . . . . maybe
Do we even know what the criteria is and who votes (sorry, I don't pay too much attention to this stuff)? Shouldn't it always be the coach for the team with the most wins? Because giving it to a coach that appears to exceed expectations is really just an award for some people having guessed wrong. Even giving it for regular-season performance seems short-sighted cause sometimes teams peak later. I hate awards. ???
The only coach in the MVC with a team that has an at-large possibility ... with a 24-5 record overall ... is certainly more deserving that ML. Sorry.
Maybe next year with as good as JFL and Clay are ... and Krikke ... with a senior group of Gordon, Nick, Mileek, and I think Zion?
But this year ... we barely hold the keys to our own destiny with staying out of a Thursday game in St Louis yet alone coach of the year???
After shooting abnormally well from 3 the last few games and the overreactions regarding ML being the ischemia of the year .... are we going to overreact after the loss? Or just blame it on injuries? Free throw disparity? Just not being our day? What's the excuse now?
ML is doing better but he is not worthy of a 5 year extension. Maybe 2 or 3. Valpo is still around .500, so we need to get real. I also doubt that colleges readily available to hire him.
Has it always been a Valpo "thing" to make excuses for the coach/team? Honestly asking - not trying to be a jerk. It's not a bad thing if that's the case as it would show loyalty and optimism ... dedication, you know?
But it would help me better contextualize the unwavering support for ML and company. Does that make sense?
Ultimately it's as simple as this (and it's what turned me to becoming more supportive and less overtly negative even in the face of less than flattering data which has improved since then let's be real): He's here until he's not and while he's here he's the man tasked with leading the team we love so we might as well get behind him. Negativity doesn't do anyone or anything any good since nothing is going to change until the end of next year at the absolute earliest so why contribute to it? Regardless of what happened regardless of our thoughts feelings lamentations and protestations on the matter he probably isn't getting fired\bought out anyway. And now, as good fortune (for him and perhaps even for us as well) would have it he has shown enough that we should consider giving him a little more time to show what he's building and what he can do. He only just got his first MVC roster the players like him they fight hard for him and the future looks really bright and the late season returns look good this game notwithstanding. Again (granted their first years were with Wichita State in the league) but Loyola finished .500 for the first time in YEAR 5. We did it in Year 3. There's an argument to be made--whether it's a good one is in the eye of the listener\reader\beholder-- that we're ahead in terms of program development of a team that went to the Final 4 in our MVC transition. That is reason for optimism and reason to give Lottich a few more years and see what exactly we have in him once and for all. We'll know in 2-3 years beyond any shadow of a doubt whether he's an ascending coach or needs more time and should go the Porter Moser route and learn some more under a more seasoned coach. But right now he deserves a chance to lead the men he has recruited and see what results they can bring. Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!
I'm open to whatever but I will say this. If he's Thursday night next year he has to go. Any contract that doesn't allow that to happen is unacceptable.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on February 29, 2020, 04:51:10 PMI'm open to whatever but I will say this. If he's Thursday night next year he has to go. Any contract that doesn't allow that to happen is unacceptable.
I can totally get behind this. Next year's team has to be able to finish in the top six. We should sign him to an extension that voids AUTOMATICALLY if we end up in the PIG next year. I think that's a very fair deal for what we've been shown (though it might hurt recruiting which is a huge risk). Sadly what's fair and what's right may not necessarily be what is prudent because another coaching change and rebuild might doom this program for decades.
I could have lived with a .500 season if we'd avoided the PIG. It's disappointing but hard to be really angry, though, because Evansville sh!t the bed so hard. Everyone got an extra road win, which devalues a .500 record in a tough conference.
If we avoid major transfers, we could be a top 4 team next year. The off-season transfer market will be Lottich's toughest test yet.
Plenty of coaches have earned COY, due to far exceeding expectations. It isn't an assumption that only the top 2 teams have a legitimate shot at such a thing.
Agreed but In this case we were predicted finish 9th and we finished 7th. We didn't exceed expectations by that much.
If Evansville and Illinois state weren't downright awful this year, we would likely be very near the bottom of the league.
On the other hand, if we won a few of the close games we had, we would have had a much better finish in the conference.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 29, 2020, 07:48:07 PMAgreed but In this case we were predicted finish 9th and we finished 7th. We didn't exceed expectations by that much.
Yeah as nice as it is to remember that 7th is indeed better than 9th (where we were picked and where we were last year) a Thursday team is a Thursday team. There's no difference between 7 and 10 in the scheme of things just as there's no real difference between 3 and 6.
We finished tied for 6th, but have the 7 seed for the tournament. There is a difference there. Also, my comment on the other thread, before the game, was that if we win at ISUb, he has a good shot. That would have held true, as we probably would have finished 4th.
So, the amazing Bryan Mullins loses 5 of 6 down the stretch ....
Losing 5 out of last 6 does not sound like COY material to me. However he still could win it I guess.
What is oddly fascinating about this whole thing is that we're another year in without a definitive answer. I honestly felt coming into this year we'd see a mostly united front by March in either firing or extending him. Instead he's given both his supporters and detractors a few more rounds of ammo for their respective positions.
There are some good takes on mvc forum regarding Lottich. Some non biased opinions.
Quote from: oklahomamick on March 02, 2020, 10:49:44 AMThere are some good takes on mvc forum regarding Lottich. Some non biased opinions.
You're welcome for the thread. :) Since we're having such an issue finding a definitive answer ourselves I thought it was a good topic to take to the conference board to solicit outside opinions.
In the Horizon, losing 20 games gets you a COY!
https://www.crainscleveland.com/kevin-kleps-blog/dennis-gates-compiles-memorable-and-admirable-20-loss-season-first-year-cleveland?utm_source=akron-morning-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200304&utm_content=article10-readmore (https://www.crainscleveland.com/kevin-kleps-blog/dennis-gates-compiles-memorable-and-admirable-20-loss-season-first-year-cleveland?utm_source=akron-morning-roundup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20200304&utm_content=article10-readmore)
And that is a reason why we should be glad we are where we are...
Ha! Where is Golden to say that only top teams get COY??
Why wouldn't the UNI coach be considered as COY?
I can't say enough about how Lottich has adapted over the second half of conference season. Today's second half was a masterful job in coaching. He purposely played Kiser as our big, pulling Crapwig out of the paint. You could tell that Crapwig was gassed towards the end. Sign him up for 3-4 years!
That was a great tactical move by coach. Others in the valley will take note.
he's progressing nicely, extend him
Have they finished Matt's extension yet? Keep us posted!
As I've said in other threads, I was pleasantly surprised by ML's in-game and between-game adjustments. Idk what changed down the stretch but it was impressive.
Am I ready to say we should extend him to a long term extension? Not quite. Do I think he deserves 3 years with additional options for a 4th, etc? Yes - I could go with that - especially because of the star power of Krikke and Clay assuming they stay the next 3 years.
Others? I obviously overreact throughout the season.
But I also think there's some merit to some of our reservations and rationales along the way. So, we need to be careful not to overcommit either, agreed?
Now, quantifying overcommitting and so forth is tough as it's easier said in theory than in practice with real figures.
With that said, maybe ML's competitive nature is magnified when he's "under the wire" and so it would be helpful if he has built in incentives and also conditions for the years of the contract's length.
Looks like Lottich got a 5 year extension per Jon Rothstein.
https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/1288482118306344960?s=20
Right move at this time with the upward trajectory of this program. It was either extend him now or risk more transfers instability and another rebuild. I'd rather ride with what we have and see if we can keep trending upward.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on July 29, 2020, 01:06:48 PM
Right move at this time with the upward trajectory of this program. It was either extend him now or risk more transfers instability and another rebuild. I'd rather ride with what we have and see if we can keep trending upward.
With the odds seemingly stacked against him, Matt did an amazing job of righting this proud program and positioning it for future success. The returning players love playing for him, and he added what appears to be another good to very good recruiting class. A well earned vote of confidence!
Good decision, and fully supportive of this extension!
Support the extension...it better not have come with a pay raise given what other employees of the university have been through.
Great for Matt...for sure the new contract should include a pay raise .
Not sure I agree - I think there is an assumption that Valpo basketball is progressing and I see the importance of stability, but how many schools would consider him as a head coach?
While I can't claim to be over the moon excited, I'm fine with this. Who knows what the next couple of years are going to be like, having stability will be important. By the time CBB is back to 'normal', if it ever is, this contract will be half over and if we need to move on, we can. He's recruited well, and if we can make it through a single offseason without an impact transfer, he'll have a stacked roster in the next couple of years.
He does deserve a lot of credit for the run in St. Louis this year. But we were still a Thursday team. Again. For me progress this year is staying out of that bottom four.
I would hope our aspirations are higher than just being an average team.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on July 30, 2020, 07:49:43 AM
While I can't claim to be over the moon excited, I'm fine with this. Who knows what the next couple of years are going to be like, having stability will be important. By the time CBB is back to 'normal', if it ever is, this contract will be half over and if we need to move on, we can. He's recruited well, and if we can make it through a single offseason without an impact transfer, he'll have a stacked roster in the next couple of years.
He does deserve a lot of credit for the run in St. Louis this year. But we were still a Thursday team. Again. For me progress this year is staying out of that bottom four.
We were only a Thursday team because we didn't have our 50% 3 point shooting senior leader the 1st half of the conference season and our future NBA player had mono for the last half of the season. Even after all that, if we get some better officiating on the road at Drake down the stretch, we are not a Thursday team, would have only had to play 3 games in a row instead of 4, and might have had enough in the tank to make the dance by not running out of energy the last 10 minutes of the championship game.
Player development has been great. Players, when healthy and buy in to his philosophy, improve by leaps and bounds every season. If that means some of them get so good they want to transfer, so be it.
I like this contract. I've been hard on Lottich in the past but he really turned the corner this past year and the team is on the rise.
Like it or not, the success of the university depends on the success of the basketball team.
This has been true for a long time but I hope everyone sees it as the plain clear truth now...
Quote from: usc4valpo on July 30, 2020, 05:45:08 AM
Not sure I agree - I think there is an assumption that Valpo basketball is progressing and I see the importance of stability, but how many schools would consider him as a head coach?
Your question isn't pertinent to the situation. ML had 2 choices - give Matt an extension or find a new coach. How long do you think he mulled that over in his mind? 5 minutes? It's a no-brainer.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on July 30, 2020, 07:49:43 AMHe does deserve a lot of credit for the run in St. Louis this year. But we were still a Thursday team. Again.
Quote from: SanityLost17 on July 30, 2020, 11:12:51 AMWe were only a Thursday team because we didn't have our 50% 3 point shooting senior leader the 1st half of the conference season and our future NBA player had mono for the last half of the season.
You can always play the "What if" game, but I agree this was not a "Thursday" team if Ryan is not hurt or maybe even if he only misses 10 games instead of 17 (18 if you consider that he played 10 minutes at St Louis). Bradley faced similar circumstances with Childs, but was a little luckier that his injury was not as severe and didn't last quite as long. I think in reality both of these teams would have been in the top 4 of the conference with out the injuries. With Ryan we have excellent chances to beat both Cincinnati and Arkansas, this team would have been a beast with extremely high confidence if we win both of those games and come out of the OOC schedule at 9-4 or a very doable 10-3. Completely different ballgame at that point.
That may not have put us in the at large convo if it had happened but surely we would have been in the NIT At large convo with that resume. And I hate to do this but do you think JFL transfers even in this environment if Ryan stays healthy and we beat Cincinnati an d Arkansas while finishing in the top 4?
I guess we will see what happens. I am sure they thought this through, but Valpo has been pretty average of late.
Quote from: mj on July 31, 2020, 11:52:52 AM
Like it or not, the success of the university depends on the success of the basketball team.
What is the primary revenue source for the university? To what degree do the people who make decisions that lead to that revenue care about the success of the basketball team?
I really like Valpo basketball and feel that success brings positive attention to the university. However, there are resources and capabilities that drive the success of the university far more than the basketball team.
@valpo64...a pay raise for what? Being in the bottom 4 each of the last___ years? You have very low standards for giving out raises (can I work for you)!
Quote from: vu84v2 on July 31, 2020, 11:34:48 PMWhat is the primary revenue source for the university? To what degree do the people who make decisions that lead to that revenue care about the success of the basketball team?
I really like Valpo basketball and feel that success brings positive attention to the university. However, there are resources and capabilities that drive the success of the university far more than the basketball team
I think we have different definitions of success. Yes, the university will still go on even with a mediocre basketball program. But the only way for Valpo to gain national recognition is through basketball. Look at Butler and Loyola.
National exposure means more students. Which is what we need right now.
If basketball brings in students, then Valpo needs to be better than a couple games over .500. Valpo athletics and many on this board seem to be satisfied with a commitment to mediocrity.
Would be intrigued to see dollar amounts and details in the contract though we likely never will as it's a private university - right??
One of the positives about it being private if you're Matt I suppose. Given the sheer volume of cuts the university appears to be making and the number of furloughs etc - seems like a big ask to be giving him or any other coach for that matter a raise right now. Especially when there's such uncertainty surrounding the status of a season taking place. We had a hard time getting students and fans out prior to the pandemic taking form here in the USA. I cannot imagine - especially given the number of season ticket holders who are older - what things will look like this year.
Will hopefully need to provide contingency plans for season ticket holders. Ex: allow season ticket holders to hold onto their seats after the 2020-2021 season even if they don't renew their season tickets for *this* season.
Even if you u have season ticket holders put down some sort of a down payment or deposit.
I don't envy those trying to make budgeting projections and so forth amidst this uncertainty. Not to mention the likely lack of buy-in games and such in which mid majors can garner revenue to help close the gap. Especially cumbersome for a private institution.
The shortened MLB season is barely off the ground and already is dealing with infected players, cancelled games, etc. Short of finding a cure, IMO there's little reason to think football and basketball seasons aren't going to experience similar problems. Here's to hoping for a vaccine sooner rather than later.
Professional basketball is probably a little safer because it's in a bubble, but if players or staff violate that bubble (and they have) there are going to be problems. I just hope no players in any sport are around any positive cases or there will definitely be a halt to the season. Social distancing is IMPOSSIBLE in competitive team sports for those on the field of competition. And the idea of having high school or college students playing sports in this environment is sheer lunacy as there is no bubble and a high probability that they will interact with positive cases at some point somewhere.
Quote from: GoldenCrusader87 on August 02, 2020, 11:42:24 AMWill hopefully need to provide contingency plans for season ticket holders. Ex: allow season ticket holders to hold onto their seats after the 2020-2021 season even if they don't renew their season tickets for *this* season.
Even if you u have season ticket holders put down some sort of a down payment or deposit.
I plan to buy my tickets this year, even though I know that the season may be limited or my attendance will be affected. If there are no games, I will just consider it as a contribution. I have it in my annual budget, so I know that it will not drive me into poverty. I have enjoyed watching VU basketball so much over the years, it seems like a mild sacrifice to support the program.
It's only about the cost of a trip for one person to St Louis in March. (season ticket)
Lottich needs to go. It might be painful ripping off the band aid but it will allow for the healing to begin.
The question is really if Mark LaBarbera has the fortitude to accept it & set aside his personal relationships. Lottich was a mistake, but the cardinal sin would not being able to admit to it and take action to course correct an error.
6 seasons is PLENTY of time to evaluate a head coach's performance. This is no longer a small sample size. The man can recruit at solid level but doesn't have a coherent system or scheme.
I'm not calling for a mid-season firing but if Valpo has an out in his contract after the season, they NEED to take it.
I'm surprised MLB didn't provide him with an experienced assistant coach who was a head coach before. A mentor that could guide a young coach.
Quote from: VU2014 on January 16, 2022, 01:05:16 PM
Lottich needs to go. It might be painful ripping off the band aid but it will allow for the healing to begin.
The question is really if Mark LaBarbera has the fortitude to accept it & set aside his personal relationships. Lottich was a mistake, but the cardinal sin would not being able to admit to it and take action to course correct an error.
6 seasons is PLENTY of time to evaluate a head coach's performance. This is no longer a small sample size. The man can recruit at solid level but doesn't have a coherent system or scheme.
I'm not calling for a mid-season firing but if Valpo has an out in his contract after the season, they NEED to take it.
Do it now! Associate head coach could be an interim hire.
Quote from: Chairback on January 16, 2022, 02:35:03 PM
I'm surprised MLB didn't provide him with an experienced assistant coach who was a head coach before. A mentor that could guide a young coach.
He did for his first season as head coach. They hired Chad Warner as a special assistant to the head coach who was there as sort of a HC "mentor". He then took a job a Flagler (Non-D1) who we played in the Pre-season and they beat us. Then eventually Matt Bowen was brought on as a special assistant and once Townsend stepped away, Bowen was promoted to assistant. Bowen was a head coach for 12 years (2 separate students) at the non-D1 level, of course he had a prior stint at Valpo as an assistant under Homer way back in day. Bowen is arguably our best recruiter right now. He and Townsend are the ones who began the heavy focus of recruiting Wisconsin/Minnesota region.
Quote from: Just Sayin on January 16, 2022, 02:37:09 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on January 16, 2022, 01:05:16 PM
Lottich needs to go. It might be painful ripping off the band aid but it will allow for the healing to begin.
The question is really if Mark LaBarbera has the fortitude to accept it & set aside his personal relationships. Lottich was a mistake, but the cardinal sin would not being able to admit to it and take action to course correct an error.
6 seasons is PLENTY of time to evaluate a head coach's performance. This is no longer a small sample size. The man can recruit at solid level but doesn't have a coherent system or scheme.
I'm not calling for a mid-season firing but if Valpo has an out in his contract after the season, they NEED to take it.
Do it now! Associate head coach could be an interim hire.
Not sure I agree. It's not that I want Lottich to stay but it could fracture the Team internally for the remainder of this season.
Also just as importantly it's for recruiting the next head coach. The AD and Pres want it to appear as if they aren't rash or impulsive when trying to recruit the next head coach. It's a good look to make it appear that they gave the last HC every opportunity and it just didn't work out. Whoever is taking over next needs to know their bosses have their back. Especially at a smaller private institution like Valparaiso. Impulsive bosses don't instill confidence.
If we have an out at the end of the season we should take it. This is no longer, just fans being overly emotional. This is your premier program being run into the ground with nearly 6 seasons of data to back it up. He is paid to make difficult decisions and he needs to step up to the moment.
Guess who made it to the Hot Seat Report.
https://www.coachesdatabase.com/hot-seat-report/
Quote from: Just Sayin on January 16, 2022, 03:05:33 PM
Guess who made it to the Hot Seat Report.
https://www.coachesdatabase.com/hot-seat-report/
Interesting. I didn't even know about this site. I kind of doubt there is any insider info here. It's just speculation from outsiders.
Should he be on the hot seat? I think most on this forum would agree but if his bosses are content with mediocrity, he really isn't on any type of hot seat.
Quote from: Just Sayin on January 16, 2022, 03:05:33 PMGuess who made it to the Hot Seat Report. https://www.coachesdatabase.com/hot-seat-report/ (https://www.coachesdatabase.com/hot-seat-report/)
I guess technically he's on the warm seat.
Many of you thought it was right to extent The contract and give a raise.
Quote from: usc4valpo on January 16, 2022, 04:22:07 PM
Many of you thought it was right to extent The contract and give a raise.
Hindsight is 20-20. Much of Lottich's successes or big wins have been due to great individual performances from players (JFL, Alec Peters, Kiser's Arch Madness run) & great effort on defense in select games and not any coherent system or scheme he put together to put players in a position to succeed.
Kinda funny we have zero local media coverage yet even this barely known website knows Lottich is in trouble.
Quote from: NativeCheesehead on January 16, 2022, 06:43:19 PM
Kinda funny we have zero local media coverage yet even this barely known website knows Lottich is in trouble.
Everything comes down to the contract extension that was signed after the March 2020 MVC run...
If the school locked him up for 4 years and no opt outs then we are stuck with Lottich until 2024. I bet there are only a handful of people inside the Athletics Department who know the terms of Lottich's deal.
We all need to understand there is a better chance of hell freezing over than the school paying the highest paid coach at the school to walk away and not work. Also Lottich won't resign and pass up the hundreds of thousands that is potentially owed to him. Let's hope there are non-financial opt-out clauses and that the leadership in charge clear eyed with where the state of the program is.
agreed, its all about the contract at this point. Finally the likes of WH, Vu72 and hopefully Tex, have realized the leader of the team is not very good. Even if they have not come to terms, 95% of the people know, but it doesn't matter. It's all about the contract.
If VU didn't put something in Lottich's contract as an easy out in event things kept going south, then that is just utterly ridiculous and they should all be fired. I still hope Lottich is wildly successful and turns it around but many on this board saw this coming long ago.
So if Valpo eats The contract, I guess it is around $600k to $700k over 2 years. At the grand scheme, that is not significant if we need to do the right thing.
Quote from: oklahomamick on January 16, 2022, 09:49:03 PM
agreed, its all about the contract at this point. Finally the likes of WH, Vu72 and hopefully Tex, have realized the leader of the team is not very good. Even if they have not come to terms, 95% of the people know, but it doesn't matter. It's all about the contract.
Well. after the last game I suggested to a couple of friends that Matt might want to check on Uhaul truck deals.
Quote from: usc4valpo on January 17, 2022, 05:47:58 AM
So if Valpo eats The contract, I guess it is around $600k to $700k over 2 years. At the grand scheme, that is not significant if we need to do the right thing.
Honestly, the cost of buying out Lottich's contract and hiring a new coach who could be even more expensive would be a tough sell by Pres. Padilla and the Board to a faculty and staff that have experienced many laid off, so might view the move as somewhat significant.
pal - I guess the $250M telethon was a kluge?
Also, there were programs not drawing students; thus necessary cuts were made. My daughter visited Valpo to major in Elementary Education and the program was just staying afloat. These days, spending $55K a year to major in el ed doesn't make sense, and enrollment was down, thus a cut, sad as it is and I hate to say it, probably made financial sense.
A $700K bite is not much these days in Div. 1 basketball, especially when going up in class in the MVC.
1600 fans at a game with apathy and no pep band and a downward spiral in the program may require an enema-like solution.
usc: I don't disagree with any of your points. I am just offering an honest assessment of the pushback Padilla would likely face from most faculty based upon my observation of the current climate on campus.
This article from July of 2021 lists the salaries of MVC coaches: https://amp.news-leader.com/amp/7765206002
We're already near the bottom of the conference in terms of salary. If we can't even afford that, then we need to reevaluate our commitment to basketball and the MVC.
Men's basketball
#* Porter Moser, Loyola — $1,096,244
Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa — $900,000
* Brian Wardle, Bradley — $708,920
Dan Muller, Illinois State — $564,000
Bryan Mullins, Southern Illinois — $475,000
Dana Ford, Missouri State — $438,368
* Matt Lottich, Valparaiso — $346,334
@ Darian DeVries, Drake — $334,706
Josh Schertz, Indiana State — $300,000
% Walter McCarty, Evansville — $225,619
Quote from: valpopal on January 17, 2022, 11:25:33 AM
Quote from: usc4valpo on January 17, 2022, 05:47:58 AM
So if Valpo eats The contract, I guess it is around $600k to $700k over 2 years. At the grand scheme, that is not significant if we need to do the right thing.
Honestly, the cost of buying out Lottich's contract and hiring a new coach who could be even more expensive would be a tough sell by Pres. Padilla and the Board to a faculty and staff that have experienced many laid off, so might view the move as somewhat significant.
Mid-Major Salaries:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ziLelnv_vGFTOFHw2lDunCieg_YWqWFPeJUq1DYuAjc/edit#gid=0
Dated but gives a ball park number.
QuoteBradley Missouri Valley Brian Wardle $681,886
Drake Missouri Valley Darian DeVries
Evansville Missouri Valley Walter McCarty
Illinois State Missouri Valley Dan Muller $564,000
Indiana State Missouri Valley Greg Lansing $219,000
Loyola (Chicago) Missouri Valley Porter Moser
Missouri State Missouri Valley Dana Ford $375,000
Northern Iowa Missouri Valley Ben Jacobson $400,000
Southern Illinois Missouri Valley Bryan Mullins $475,000
Valparaiso Crusaders Missouri Valley Matt Lottich
Quote from: Just Sayin on January 17, 2022, 01:18:25 PM
Quote from: valpopal on January 17, 2022, 11:25:33 AM
Quote from: usc4valpo on January 17, 2022, 05:47:58 AM
So if Valpo eats The contract, I guess it is around $600k to $700k over 2 years. At the grand scheme, that is not significant if we need to do the right thing.
Honestly, the cost of buying out Lottich's contract and hiring a new coach who could be even more expensive would be a tough sell by Pres. Padilla and the Board to a faculty and staff that have experienced many laid off, so might view the move as somewhat significant.
Mid-Major Salaries:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ziLelnv_vGFTOFHw2lDunCieg_YWqWFPeJUq1DYuAjc/edit#gid=0 (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ziLelnv_vGFTOFHw2lDunCieg_YWqWFPeJUq1DYuAjc/edit#gid=0)
Dated but gives a ball park number.
QuoteBradley Missouri Valley Brian Wardle $681,886
Drake Missouri Valley Darian DeVries
Evansville Missouri Valley Walter McCarty
Illinois State Missouri Valley Dan Muller $564,000
Indiana State Missouri Valley Greg Lansing $219,000
Loyola (Chicago) Missouri Valley Porter Moser
Missouri State Missouri Valley Dana Ford $375,000
Northern Iowa Missouri Valley Ben Jacobson $400,000
Southern Illinois Missouri Valley Bryan Mullins $475,000
Valparaiso Crusaders Missouri Valley Matt Lottich
Where available, you need to add in contract bonus details as well. For instance, Ben Jacobson's base salary of $400,000 is increased by a $200,000 media fee, a $175,000 appearance fee, and a $125,000 longevity pay, which totals $900,000. Additionally, he has a guarantee that his salary will always be among the top 3 coaches in the conference. Moreover, if Valpo wants to hire from a list of coaches with successful track records, the numbers will be higher than Lottich's because of competition from other upper-conference schools. For instance, according to news reports, "Porter Moser will make $2.8 million in year one in his contract with the Sooners."
and $900G in truck stop Waterloo will last a long way. You can buy alot of ham and Deere tractor parts with that kind of cash!
Quote from: mj on January 17, 2022, 01:14:54 PM
This article from July of 2021 lists the salaries of MVC coaches: https://amp.news-leader.com/amp/7765206002
We're already near the bottom of the conference in terms of salary. If we can't even afford that, then we need to reevaluate our commitment to basketball and the MVC.
Men's basketball
#* Porter Moser, Loyola — $1,096,244
Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa — $900,000
* Brian Wardle, Bradley — $708,920
Dan Muller, Illinois State — $564,000
Bryan Mullins, Southern Illinois — $475,000
Dana Ford, Missouri State — $438,368
* Matt Lottich, Valparaiso — $346,334
@ Darian DeVries, Drake — $334,706
Josh Schertz, Indiana State — $300,000
% Walter McCarty, Evansville — $225,619
Looks to be old data. I'm imaging Lottich got a raise on the 2nd contract, which was signed in 2020. Lottich's original deal was signed when he was in the horizon league
Quote from: valpopal on January 17, 2022, 01:38:38 PM
Quote from: Just Sayin on January 17, 2022, 01:18:25 PM
Quote from: valpopal on January 17, 2022, 11:25:33 AM
Quote from: usc4valpo on January 17, 2022, 05:47:58 AM
So if Valpo eats The contract, I guess it is around $600k to $700k over 2 years. At the grand scheme, that is not significant if we need to do the right thing.
Honestly, the cost of buying out Lottich's contract and hiring a new coach who could be even more expensive would be a tough sell by Pres. Padilla and the Board to a faculty and staff that have experienced many laid off, so might view the move as somewhat significant.
Mid-Major Salaries:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ziLelnv_vGFTOFHw2lDunCieg_YWqWFPeJUq1DYuAjc/edit#gid=0 (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ziLelnv_vGFTOFHw2lDunCieg_YWqWFPeJUq1DYuAjc/edit#gid=0)
Dated but gives a ball park number.
QuoteBradley Missouri Valley Brian Wardle $681,886
Drake Missouri Valley Darian DeVries
Evansville Missouri Valley Walter McCarty
Illinois State Missouri Valley Dan Muller $564,000
Indiana State Missouri Valley Greg Lansing $219,000
Loyola (Chicago) Missouri Valley Porter Moser
Missouri State Missouri Valley Dana Ford $375,000
Northern Iowa Missouri Valley Ben Jacobson $400,000
Southern Illinois Missouri Valley Bryan Mullins $475,000
Valparaiso Crusaders Missouri Valley Matt Lottich
Where available, you need to add in contract bonus details as well. For instance, Ben Jacobson's base salary of $400,000 is increased by a $200,000 media fee, a $175,000 appearance fee, and a $125,000 longevity pay, which totals $900,000. Additionally, he has a guarantee that his salary will always be among the top 3 coaches in the conference. Moreover, if Valpo wants to hire from a list of coaches with successful track records, the numbers will be higher than Lottich's because of competition from other upper-conference schools. For instance, according to news reports, "Porter Moser will make $2.8 million in year one in his contract with the Sooners."
Well then I guess we're screwed. Just give Lottich an extension and be grateful we don't have to pay more for a better coach. We are doomed to mediocrity and the die is cast. There is no way out.
Valpo, the Hotel California of the midwest.
This thread prompted me to go back to the Union Street Hoops interview with President Padilla. He's a genuine sports fan and recognizes the value of a successful college sports program, at whatever level is appropriate for the school. I'm guessing that he's paying close attention to the performance of this men's basketball team. He's also a former university general counsel, meaning that he knows about personnel negotiations in sticky situations. If a coaching change is deemed necessary, it's possible he could find a way to make it happen without paying out the full contract.
The ball is in your court Mark LaBarbera. You want to be good again? Do what needs to be done and find the right man to lead/coach the program.
https://twitter.com/mattnorlander/status/1484917141900079105?s=21
Quote from: VU2014 on January 22, 2022, 12:22:08 PMThe ball is in your court Mark LaBarbera. You want to be good again? Do what needs to be done and find the right man to lead/coach the program. https://twitter.com/mattnorlander/status/1484917141900079105?s=21
Is it two years after this one still or just one? Of course there's still time in this season to turn things around but if we're still mediocre (maxing out around 5th) then maybe we do want to go in a different direction because we can definitely be better than that.
I just realized something...Lottich has been here 6 years. Of the two recruiting classes that he has had that have graduated from college so far, he has had exactly ONE player that he recruited stay with him all four years and graduate from Valpo their entire college career, John Kiser. That number will increase to TWO this year through three recruiting classes thanks to Brock Pappas. TWO, and not a single one who was recruited as a scholarship player. That is really all the evidence I need, regardless of the results on the court. It is obvious: players don't want to play for him, and perhaps that is why we see the carelessness and lack of effort from his players.
Quote from: vok22 on February 04, 2022, 12:32:11 PMI just realized something...Lottich has been here 6 years. Of the two recruiting classes that he has had that have graduated from college so far, he has had exactly ONE player that he recruited stay with him all four years and graduate from Valpo, John Kiser. That number will increase to TWO this year through three recruiting classes thanks to Brock Pappas. TWO, and not a single one who was recruited as a scholarship player. That is really all the evidence I need, regardless of the results on the court. It is obvious: players don't want to play for him, and perhaps that is why we see the carelessness and lack of effort from his players.
That just makes it utterly baffling that he can get them here in the first place. Clearly he talks a much better game than he coaches. That or it's the rest of the Valpo experience (facilities etc) in which case we're in much deeper trouble. I hope it's just a Lottich issue because that's far more fixable.
Mileek McMillan played four years and graduated.
Quote from: Valpo89 on February 04, 2022, 01:30:14 PM
Mileek McMillan played four years and graduated.
I should amend...nobody besides John Kiser has spent their whole career with Lottich. In fact, Mileek transferred further from home, to a weaker conference, from a place that was giving him starts, to get further from Lottich.
David81 has a great point about Padilla's abilities and background. He seems very qualified to make a lot of really tough decisions.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 04, 2022, 01:15:00 PM
Quote from: vok22 on February 04, 2022, 12:32:11 PMI just realized something...Lottich has been here 6 years. Of the two recruiting classes that he has had that have graduated from college so far, he has had exactly ONE player that he recruited stay with him all four years and graduate from Valpo, John Kiser. That number will increase to TWO this year through three recruiting classes thanks to Brock Pappas. TWO, and not a single one who was recruited as a scholarship player. That is really all the evidence I need, regardless of the results on the court. It is obvious: players don't want to play for him, and perhaps that is why we see the carelessness and lack of effort from his players.
That just makes it utterly baffling that he can get them here in the first place. Clearly he talks a much better game than he coaches. That or it's the rest of the Valpo experience (facilities etc) in which case we're in much deeper trouble. I hope it's just a Lottich issue because that's far more fixable.
The decline of men's bb is both a coaching failure and an organizational failure, operating on parallel paths. Long ago, the university squandered an opportunity to leverage success on the court and folksy Homer Drew's national reputation into increased enrollment or engaging high level donors. I know first hand that Homer pursued this directly with the last 2 presidents and current and previous AD's. His repeated efforts received nothing more that nods and smiles.
So here we are some number of years later - success squandered, reputation destroyed, pathetic venue, an athletic department in complete disarray, communication channels shut off, fan interest in severe decline, next to no student support, minimal success in non-revenue sports, shoe string budgets, no donors lined up, no facility plans even on the table, years away from a new venue, and a hundred etc's.
But wait, don't we have a new President who said he wants competitive athletics? Don't we all? Does anyone think anything is going to change any time soon, just because he said that? This university is in financial distress. It's using a failing traditional education model that not enough people value in today's world at today's prices. If he doesn't get the community-tied nursing program in place and find a way to make online options our friend instead of listening to people who turn their nose up at it, this university could be on the scrap heap in 10 years. How would you like to go to bed at night with that on your mind? I know I wouldn't.
Meanwhile, you think all we need to do is bring a new coach into the middle of this mess that is Valparaiso University and start competing for conference championships? Don't make me laugh. Matt Lottich with zero support from anyone else, including Mark LaBarbara and staff, is going to take this program down for good or raise it up with the crap hand he's been dealt, and nothing is going to change that fact. If you're a believing Christian, you better start praying for Matt instead of wasting your time lambasting him, because we have exactly 1 more season to learn our fate. And it's all in his hands.
(https://media.giphy.com/media/XWwIzh5GIWWf6/giphy.gif)
(https://mgoblue.com/images/2015/3/8/giphy.gif)
The bball program was not in decline 6 years ago despite having zero help from the president and AD.
Quote from: wh on February 04, 2022, 03:04:31 PM
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 04, 2022, 01:15:00 PM
Quote from: vok22 on February 04, 2022, 12:32:11 PMI just realized something...Lottich has been here 6 years. Of the two recruiting classes that he has had that have graduated from college so far, he has had exactly ONE player that he recruited stay with him all four years and graduate from Valpo, John Kiser. That number will increase to TWO this year through three recruiting classes thanks to Brock Pappas. TWO, and not a single one who was recruited as a scholarship player. That is really all the evidence I need, regardless of the results on the court. It is obvious: players don't want to play for him, and perhaps that is why we see the carelessness and lack of effort from his players.
That just makes it utterly baffling that he can get them here in the first place. Clearly he talks a much better game than he coaches. That or it's the rest of the Valpo experience (facilities etc) in which case we're in much deeper trouble. I hope it's just a Lottich issue because that's far more fixable.
The decline of men's bb is both a coaching failure and an organizational failure, operating on parallel paths. Long ago, the university squandered an opportunity to leverage success on the court and folksy Homer Drew's national reputation into increased enrollment or engaging high level donors. I know first hand that Homer pursued this directly with the last 2 presidents and current and previous AD's. His repeated efforts received nothing more that nods and smiles.
So here we are some number of years later - success squandered, reputation destroyed, pathetic venue, an athletic department in complete disarray, communication channels shut off, fan interest in severe decline, next to no student support, minimal success in non-revenue sports, shoe string budgets, no donors lined up, no facility plans even on the table, years away from a new venue, and a hundred etc's.
But wait, don't we have a new President who said he wants competitive athletics? Don't we all? Does anyone think anything is going to change any time soon, just because he said that? This university is in financial distress. It's using a failing traditional education model that not enough people value in today's world at today's prices. If he doesn't get the community-tied nursing program in place and find a way to make online options our friend instead of listening to people who turn their nose up at it, this university could be on the scrap heap in 10 years. How would you like to go to bed at night with that on your mind? I know I wouldn't.
Meanwhile, you think all we need to do is bring a new coach into the middle of this mess that is Valparaiso University and start competing for conference championships? Don't make me laugh. Matt Lottich with zero support from anyone else, including Mark LaBarbara and staff, is going to take this program down for good or raise it up with the crap hand he's been dealt, and nothing is going to change that fact. If you're a believing Christian, you better start praying for Matt instead of wasting your time lambasting him, because we have exactly 1 more season to learn our fate. And it's all in his hands.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 04, 2022, 09:08:31 PMThe bball program was not in decline 6 years ago despite having zero help from the president and AD.
Thank you Oklahomamick I was just going to say that. Yes we had the same substandard facilities the same lack of institutional support the same negative trends beginning to impact the university (albeit those issues are more pronounced now) and yet the program was fine because we had a good coach. Even if you believe that these issues are more to blame than Lottich himself do you honestly believe that we would have been as successful under Lottich as we were under Bryce? I don't think so given the fact that we are now getting beaten by the UIC's of the world these days. That shows that while we have significant institutional challenges and failings the coaching issue is way more pronounced than wh lets on. I also take issue with the idea that we haven't had success in non-revenue sports as that is patently false. Volleyball has had not one but two outstanding seasons at the MVC level Women's soccer was great this year even though they didn't win the conference and women's basketball until this season was improving dramatically. None of those are the flagship program which has struggled mightily with the transition to the MVC but there are signs of optimism in the overall athletic department. They aren't yet succeeding at the level they were in the HL but I am confident we will win a conference championship in SOMETHING soon though it probably won't be in Men's basketball until a coaching change is made. Let's not forget that while the MVC is still significantly better the HL wasn't as bad as it is now when we were there. With the right coach we can overcome our institutional and financial challenges right now we do not have the right coach and so we are struggling. Will we find the right one next time? There's no guarantee but we've seen what we have and it is not good so it seems prudent if we care about succeeding in men's basketball to try and see if we can find someone who can do better. We don't have to win every year. Even being a top 3-4 program every year in a league like the MVC could get us NIT consideration and that would be good for a baseline if that ends up being the program's floor we can call that successful but we need to be more competitive than we've been and Lottich has proven that he is not the man to get us to that level. You can acknowledge the institutional issues all you want and even if we agree on that (and we do) the facts are still on the side of the Lottich skeptics. I'm sorry it's just reality.
• Speaking of the parallel path of organizational failure, will the band show up today, or will we hear a recorded version of the National Anthem through the broken PA system?
• Will our PA announcer dare take his mask off during player announcements so we might have a fighting chance to understand anything he's saying?
• Will we have to go to the Terre Haute Trib Star to find a postgame story?
• Will the upstairs concession stand be open?
Proudly putting our best foot forward! WE ARE THE VALLEY!
Valpo's financial situation was not as bad 6 years ago. Don't get me wrong - Lottich has underachieved as coach and the results show it. but I agree with wh -the university blew it not promoting and supporting basketball stronger. Well, now we are leaching on as a member of the MVC rather than being a leader.
Valparaiso needs to take a holistic approach and revisit their identity and vision, because honestly I have no clue.
Quote from: wh on February 04, 2022, 03:04:31 PMLong ago, the university squandered an opportunity to leverage success on the court
Quote from: wh on February 04, 2022, 03:04:31 PMMatt Lottich with zero support from anyone else, including Mark LaBarbara and staff,
Wow! wh, did you get up on the wrong side of the bed? For all of you guys who wanted Valpo to build a new basketball facility after the run in 1998, let's take a small trip back in history!
The facts are that in 1998 the ARC was only a little over 10 years old while we had a library that was a joke (ground breaking 2002) and a union (planning for a new union began in 2001)that was way to small for all the student activities. These took all the dollars out of a very small alumni base at the time. Would ever more demanding students come to a place with dorms without air-conditioning, cramped student activity spaces or a library drawing national scorn?
Then there's the new Science hall which replaced Neil's which had snow blowing through its' halls on bad days.
And then there is the endowment. Given what colleges are facing and will face, could Valpo survive without the $300 million commitment? As I recall, St. Joes had some nice, newer athletic facilities. How did that work out for them?
Padilla has said that he favors building a new or renovated basketball arena but that will not happen until we all have a brief "rest" from the current drive. It's all about money and/or the desire of those with cash to give it toward athletics.
So, would a new basketball arena built, say, in 2003, have drawn more students than a new Union or Library? I think not.
As for the insults you throw at Mark LaBarbera and staff, really? Think of all the changes and improvements to athletic facilities since he arrived. Heck, Brown Field was still grass! The stands have been moved to acommodate a new track, lights have been added, the tennis complex and softball fields have been added on his watch, the baseball field is now nearing MVC standards, broadcast equipment and abilities have now been added to softball and baseball let alone the very large cost of adding those to the ARC. Oh, and basketball wise, under his watch we now have a first class air-conditioned practice facility. I could go on. The AD is NOT the basketball AD, he is the AD, period.
Remember, under his guidance Valpo has moved up TWO conferences. If you still wish to belittle Mark, just walk around the campus and think back to what he inherited and where the University might be if we had a now thirty year old basketball facility but no union or library or Science Hall or an on campus softball field or no track or no lights at Brown or no tennis courts or no Beacon Hall.
We all want more but the priorities have been focused on survival (the endowment drive) and academics all the while making meaningful improvements to all sports.
President Padilla has indicated that the next drive will focus on Nursing, Business and Athletics--if he has his way.
In spite of our limitations, we are doing better than some teams who have been in the Valley for decades! We are moving at a pace that makes you unhappy. Sorry about that, but those us invested in Valpo as an institution, perhaps better understand the history of aging buildings, some of which were build in the 1800's when we were students! It is a never ending struggle for small, private institutions, with small alumni bases. I won't bother with further comments on this subject.
Quote from: wh on February 05, 2022, 09:16:38 AM• Speaking of the parallel path of organizational failure, will the band show up today, or will we hear a recorded version of the National Anthem through the broken PA system?
Unfortunately for us, listening to the recorded version of the National Anthem played through the broken PA system might be the high point of the entire evening! :o
Quote from: wh on February 05, 2022, 09:16:38 AM• Will we have to go to the Terre Haute Trib Star to find a postgame story?
From what Paul wrote in his introduction to the
The Victory Bell, you can just go to to his site to get game coverage without even supporting his efforts financially.
https://thevictorybell.substack.com/
Good points gang. Lottich hasn't performed and extending his contract based one one semi successful MVC tourney run at the onset of COVID was a dumb decision. But the whole ecosystem needs to be fixed - apathy is back to the Tom Smith era, and 1200 at a game, no pep band - and the quality of competition has improved!
Eating $400k to improve the situation despite the financial struggles going on at Valpo should be considered, especially for the most important and recognized athletic program. The basketball program overall has done more for Valpo than vice versa, and it's time and long overdue that the university gives more love to the program and take an action in the right direction. Quit taking the Neville Chamberlain approach in decision making and get proactive!
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on February 04, 2022, 09:49:50 PMThank you Oklahomamick I was just going to say that. Yes we had the same substandard facilities the same lack of institutional support the same negative trends beginning to impact the university (albeit those issues are more pronounced now) and yet the program was fine because we had a good coach. Even if you believe that these issues are more to blame than Lottich himself do you honestly believe that we would have been as successful under Lottich as we were under Bryce? I don't think so given the fact that we are now getting beaten by the UIC's of the world these days. That shows that while we have significant institutional challenges and failings the coaching issue is way more pronounced than wh lets on. I also take issue with the idea that we haven't had success in non-revenue sports as that is patently false. Volleyball has had not one but two outstanding seasons at the MVC level Women's soccer was great this year even though they didn't win the conference and women's basketball until this season was improving dramatically. None of those are the flagship program which has struggled mightily with the transition to the MVC but there are signs of optimism in the overall athletic department. They aren't yet succeeding at the level they were in the HL but I am confident we will win a conference championship in SOMETHING soon though it probably won't be in Men's basketball until a coaching change is made. Let's not forget that while the MVC is still significantly better the HL wasn't as bad as it is now when we were there. With the right coach we can overcome our institutional and financial challenges right now we do not have the right coach and so we are struggling. Will we find the right one next time? There's no guarantee but we've seen what we have and it is not good so it seems prudent if we care about succeeding in men's basketball to try and see if we can find someone who can do better. We don't have to win every year. Even being a top 3-4 program every year in a league like the MVC could get us NIT consideration and that would be good for a baseline if that ends up being the program's floor we can call that successful but we need to be more competitive than we've been and Lottich has proven that he is not the man to get us to that level. You can acknowledge the institutional issues all you want and even if we agree on that (and we do) the facts are still on the side of the Lottich skeptics. I'm sorry it's just reality.
Just curious if you type on a phone which has no ability to create a paragraph. Very tough to read.
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 05, 2022, 09:49:27 AM
Good points gang. Lottich hasn't performed and extending his contract based one one semi successful MVC tourney run at the onset of COVID was a dumb decision. But the whole ecosystem needs to be fixed - apathy is back to the Tom Smith era, and 1200 at a game, no pep band - and the quality of competition has improved!
Eating $400k to improve the situation despite the financial struggles going on at Valpo should be considered, especially for the most important and recognized athletic program. The basketball program overall has done more for Valpo than vice versa, and it's time and long overdue that the university gives more love to the program and take an action in the right direction. Quit taking the Neville Chamberlain approach in decision making and get proactive!
(https://www.brainyquote.com/photos_tr/en/p/plautus/380741/plautus1-2x.jpg)
Quote from: wh on February 05, 2022, 09:16:38 AM
• Speaking of the parallel path of organizational failure, will the band show up today, or will we hear a recorded version of the National Anthem through the broken PA system?
• Will our PA announcer dare take his mask off during player announcements so we might have a fighting chance to understand anything he's saying?
• Will we have to go to the Terre Haute Trib Star to find a postgame story?
• Will the upstairs concession stand be open?
Proudly putting our best foot forward! WE ARE THE VALLEY!
Nice deflection to avoid having to deal soberly with the most important problem with VU Men's Basketball Program.
Quote from: Just Sayin on February 05, 2022, 11:13:14 AM
Quote from: wh on February 05, 2022, 09:16:38 AM
• Speaking of the parallel path of organizational failure, will the band show up today, or will we hear a recorded version of the National Anthem through the broken PA system?
• Will our PA announcer dare take his mask off during player announcements so we might have a fighting chance to understand anything he's saying?
• Will we have to go to the Terre Haute Trib Star to find a postgame story?
• Will the upstairs concession stand be open?
Proudly putting our best foot forward! WE ARE THE VALLEY!
Nice deflection to avoid having to deal soberly with the most important problem with VU Men's Basketball Program.
I can walk and chew gum at the same time. My mind can examine multiple rabbit holes simultaneously, including the obvious one you have your head stuck in.
I would love to see Roger become the next HC at Valpo but that's not going to happen.
He'd a homerun hire for Illinois State.
https://twitter.com/coachingchanges/status/1491220710408306688?s=21
I feel like we were told he turned down the Valpo job when Bryce left. If that is true and he turned down Valpo when we were in a much better position, would sure be a gut punch if he took the Il state job.
My two cents. Roger didn't want to be a head coach in 2016. He wanted to go to a Power 5 and see how he could do with all the recruiting resources, and he's done well. Vandy recruiting classes were stacked. Gonzaga obv has been stacked. It's six years later and maybe he wants to be a head coach now. He has family connections to Illinois State. To frame this as he chose Illinois State over Valpo would be a little off.
Paul, can we get an article at The Victory Bell taking a very objective look at Lottich's job security? Seriously. It's fair to wonder at this point and absolutely fairly to have thoughts about a coaching change after 6 years as the head coach with not much recent success.
1) a recent university President change over the summer and the President has stated openly he expects us to be in the hunt every year and that we can't be a doormat. Have we ever been in the hunt under Lottich? Or have we been closer to a doormat? President Padilla isn't afraid to make tough decisions right away. He took on the name change stuff right off the bat in his tenure.
2) the AD that hired him Mark LaBarbera, will be retiring in June. The new AD might want to pick his or her own Coach.
With Mark LaBarbea retiring I highly doubt the new AD will fire a Coach in the first couple months of his tenure and I'm sure the timing of the retirement give a one year window for the next AD to evaluate Lottich.
I feel it's almost certain Lottich will get the 2022-23 season at this point. But like I've said before it probably depends on the contract. But Lottich's days could numbered if he doesn't turn out a contender next season.
We can't and don't want to be doing a coaching search in June. If it happens it needs to be in April, maybe beginning of May, when good candidates are still available. By June the coaching carousel has stopped (except for NBA moves) and players are on campus for summer session and doing individual workouts. Hard time to find a coach. Maybe MLB will have a new coach and contract in place before a new AD comes in so they don't have to worry about it for a few years?
I echo others concern about the timeline, but what has me optimistic is the use of a search committee for the AD. It would be very easy (not cheap, but easy) to do the same for MBHC. Could come up with 2-3 good candidates and let MLB, in conjunction with Padilla, pick from there.
The new AD will have some major issues to work on when they get here. Let whoever it is not have to worry about the coach for a couple of seasons. Fix the ARC, the game day experience, and student engagement. If the new coach works out, great. If not, then the new boss can have a nice shiny new product to pitch to candidates a few years down the road.
What is a bigger concern?
Hiring a new AD or hiring a new coach?
We went 0-1 hiring outside of drews family tree. We can't afford to go 0-2 and we can't afford to hire a dud AD either.
Mick,
My first call would be to the Bears to see how they just pulled off hiring both at the same time :)
(And then don't do that).
I say hiring the AD takes the front seat.
Basketball is still the flagship of the school even if we are in a down period regarding on court success and I can imagine the new AD would want to be at the helm of any decisions to sign a new person to a potential multi year contract for it.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 10, 2022, 10:45:18 AM
What is a bigger concern?
Hiring a new AD or hiring a new coach?
We went 0-1 hiring outside of drews family tree. We can't afford to go 0-2 and we can't afford to hire a dud AD either.
Hiring a Coach before hiring the AD, is like trying to buy a house without a real estate agent with no experience.
Yeah you can do it, but it's probably not going work out for you.
It's highly likely Lottich is the Coach next year. Beyond that, I think it depends on his contract status...
https://twitter.com/jonrothstein/status/1288482118306344960
We're screwed.
Quote from: Just Sayin on February 10, 2022, 04:53:14 PM
https://twitter.com/jonrothstein/status/1288482118306344960
We're screwed.
I had not seen this. Omg 😱.
There better be an out in the contract.
Quote from: VU2014 on February 10, 2022, 05:01:59 PM
Quote from: Just Sayin on February 10, 2022, 04:53:14 PM
https://twitter.com/jonrothstein/status/1288482118306344960
What in gods name???? What was going through MLBs head ? We had one good week of basketball after an underwhelming season...most proven coaches hardly get a 5 year extension. Sorry, we are going to have to buy him out. We can't wait that long or it will be too late b
We're screwed.
I had not seen this. Omg 😱.
There better be an out in the contract.
Quote from: Just Sayin on February 10, 2022, 04:53:14 PM
https://mobile.twitter.com/jonrothstein/status/1288482118306344960
QuoteJon Rothstein
@JonRothstein
Sources: VALPO's Matt Lottich has received a multi-year contract extension through the 2024-25 season.
Crusaders were one win away from the NCAA Tournament last March.
So Matt has another 3 years. I'm happy to see that. Next year's team should be much better. It could be the year that pivots the program in a positive direction. As I have said recently, Valpo may have one of the worst university support structures in D-1 athletics. At a minimum, it's 12th of 12 in the Valley. A new coach starting from scratch with a gutted roster and all the recruiting disadvantages that come with a program run on the cheap will get eaten alive on the recruiting trail and on the court. Think Youngstown State with better academics.
A bit schizoid aint we?
QuoteNext year's team should be much better
Objection. Assumes facts not in evidence.
Excellent find.
Since we know it's for another 3 years, at least we know:
A) he'll be here next year
B) it's lengthy enough that he can still go recruit
C) we all need to hope like hell that we finish strong and build momentum into next year.
Not sure if I'm happy or sad about that find/contract, but at least as fans our objectives are clear for another year or two.
Quote from: JD24 on February 10, 2022, 05:30:03 PM
A bit schizoid aint we?
I think you meant schizophrenic, but I will admit to enjoying my own company over other's at times. lol
Quote from: wh on February 10, 2022, 05:13:53 PM
Next year's team should be much better. It could be the year that pivots the program in a positive direction.
How many times have I heard this before? I'm not falling for it this time.
I have realized that WH is really a Butler fan just trying to piss us off and wish us harm.
Quote from: valpopal on February 10, 2022, 08:11:24 PM
Quote from: wh on February 10, 2022, 05:13:53 PM
Next year's team should be much better. It could be the year that pivots the program in a positive direction.
How many times have I heard this before? I'm not falling for it this time.
I'm with you, I'm done drinking the kool-aid as long as Lottich is the coach. Frankly, I see a slew of players transferring out this offseason and we're probably going to be stuck with a bunch of end of the bench the Big Ten players again (to be fair, Anderson was playing good ball til his injury, but Lottich also knew he had injury problems coming in so I'm not letting him off the hook for that either).
Pace yourselves, boys. You have the next 3 years to lambaste.
Quote from: IndyEIT777 on February 11, 2022, 07:46:44 AMFrankly, I see a slew of players transferring out this offseason and we're probably going to be stuck with a bunch of end of the bench the Big Ten players again (to be fair, Anderson was playing good ball til his injury, but Lottich also knew he had injury problems coming in so I'm not letting him off the hook for that either).
I don't see as many players transferring this year. It seems that the core of the team is pretty connected, those out with injuries are not going to be attractive to other schools, and the transfer experience for many players last year was not what they hoped it would be.
Valpo has a history of gambling on players that have had the injury bug reaching far back before Lottich. Ryan Fazekas comes to mind immediately. Who was the kid from out west (Stanford, USC, UCLA?) who transferred into Valpo a few years back and was expected to be a star but only played a few games?
Quote from: humbleopinion on February 11, 2022, 09:09:39 AMWho was the kid from out west (Stanford, USC, UCLA?) who transferred into Valpo a few years back and was expected to be a star but only played a few games?
I'm drawing a complete blank. Has senility set in?
Quote from: justducky on February 11, 2022, 09:41:30 AMQuote from: humbleopinion on February 11, 2022, 09:09:39 AMWho was the kid from out west (Stanford, USC, UCLA?) who transferred into Valpo a few years back and was expected to be a star but only played a few games?
I'm drawing a complete blank. Has senility set in?
Was it Falu? Tony Falu?
I went back to look. I'm pretty sure I was thinking of Alex Rossi who attended Cal before Valpo.
Quote from: humbleopinion on February 11, 2022, 10:03:19 AM
I went back to look. I'm pretty sure I was thinking of Alex Rossi who attended Cal before Valpo.
Ahhh. The year of the hernia hunt. Kurth had to retire from the game. Was it Capo who was severely limited? Then Rossi tried to play elsewhere before he also threw in the towel. Final score Uncontrollable Hernia's 2--Crusaders 1
Quote from: IndyEIT777 on February 11, 2022, 07:46:44 AMand we're probably going to be stuck with a bunch of end of the bench the Big Ten players again
Not sure what team you are watching but two former BIGS (Thomas and Kobe) are two of the three best on the team. It's the rest of the guys (certainly not Ben) who are not playing very good. Why do we have six scholarship players in street closes--basically all season? Slim's got a broken (damaged) thumb., Cam is redshirting and Trevor is done. That's three. When, if ever are Conner or Emil going to be suited up? And then there's Thomas, who hopefully will be back at some point. That's it folks. We've got eight players and Thomas, if he makes it back. Joe seems destined to ride the pines, at least for this season so expect our guys to be gassed at the end of every game. What a mess...
Quote from: justducky on February 11, 2022, 10:25:57 AM
Quote from: humbleopinion on February 11, 2022, 10:03:19 AM
I went back to look. I'm pretty sure I was thinking of Alex Rossi who attended Cal before Valpo.
Ahhh. The year of the hernia hunt. Kurth had to retire from the game. Was it Capo who was severely limited? Then Rossi tried to play elsewhere before he also threw in the towel. Final score Uncontrollable Hernia's 2--Crusaders 1
The Uncontrollable Hernias would be a good name for a rock band.
I predict Valpo will take a similar approach as what DePaul did two years back - keep Lottich for another year, hire and get the AD to assess the situation, and the result in 2023 will be a new coach.
No way Lottich is out this year with a new AD in transition.
Quote from: vu72 on February 11, 2022, 11:19:27 AM
...Why do we have six scholarship players in street closes--basically all season? Slim's got a broken (damaged) thumb., Cam is redshirting and Trevor is done. That's three. When, if ever are Conner or Emil going to be suited up? And then there's Thomas, who hopefully will be back at some point. That's it folks...
Could someone provide an injury update on those players who are not out with known injuries/redshirts? Especially Connor Barrett, who seemed pretty promising to me as a freshman last year.
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 11, 2022, 12:18:30 PM
I predict Valpo will take a similar approach as what DePaul did two years back - keep Lottich for another year, hire and get the AD to assess the situation, and the result in 2023 will be a new coach.
No way Lottich is out this year with a new AD in transition.
But if his contract runs through the 24-25 season, do you really see the University paying him walk away? I don't. Not unless the University has an out clause in his contract. Maybe there is a reduced separation buyout, where they can pay him a $100K to walk away? I still have a hard time seeing the University ponying up that kind of money to pay someone not to work.
vU2014 - if you have a new AD who is competent (btw, this is not a gimme) and your flagship program keeps spiraling down to suck hood, you have quit saving nickels and make a change for the long term. I also feel there has to be some kind of buyout.
Quote from: usc4valpo on February 12, 2022, 08:45:19 AM
vU2014 - if you have a new AD who is competent (btw, this is not a gimme) and your flagship program keeps spiraling down to suck hood, you have quit saving nickels and make a change for the long term. I also feel there has to be some kind of buyout.
I don't disagree it would be a wise decision, especially giving the AD a year to settle in and evaluate the program and they determine he isn't up to standards. Let him go if they don't have to pull the whole salary.
But as you know Valparaiso is pretty frugal. I just have a hard time seeing them paying.
https://usawire.com/lubos-barton/amp/
I'd take him as an assistant coach in a heart beat. Same thing with AP or Rowdy
Quote from: Chairback on February 12, 2022, 11:43:14 AM
https://usawire.com/lubos-barton/amp/
I'd take him as an assistant coach in a heart beat. Same thing with AP or Rowdy
Not under Lottich. Let him get his feet wet at Davidson or elsewhere as an assistant and then take a closer look at him. But NOT at Valpo NOW.
Now that was a great Valpo player.
All this talk about how bad Matt has done led me to take a look at another Indiana coach, Lavell Jordan at the school in Indianapolis. They are about the same age and although Jordan had one year of head coaching experience at Milwaukee, they both came in with questions. Lavell signed a $350,000 contract in 2016 and after finishing second in the Big East, with players he inherited (sound familiar?) he was given a multiyear extension and apparently a BIG raise as it is now reported that he makes $1.7 million a year.
So what happened next?. Well, since his first season, Butler has finished 6th of 10, 8th of 10, 5th of 10, 10th of 11 and currently is sitting at 9th of 11. Was he/is he in over his head? He could coach at the Horizon level but can he coach/recruit at the Big East level? Or was he not supported by his administration with facilities and money?
Sound about the same as our discussions about Matt although his results may actually be a little better. Is it a matter of money and facilities or a matter of being in over his head when it comes to coaching at the MVC level?
Just a reminder that Evansville remains at the bottom of our conference and are coached by a guy who was the NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR in 2007. It's complicated...
Quote from: vu72 on February 12, 2022, 01:14:34 PM
All this talk about how bad Matt has done led me to take a look at another Indiana coach, Lavell Jordan at the school in Indianapolis. They are about the same age and although Jordan had one year of head coaching experience at Milwaukee, they both came in with questions. Lavell signed a $350,000 contract in 2016 and after finishing second in the Big East, with players he inherited (sound familiar?) he was given a multiyear extension and apparently a BIG raise as it is now reported that he makes $1.7 million a year.
So what happened next?. Well, since his first season, Butler has finished 6th of 10, 8th of 10, 5th of 10, 10th of 11 and currently is sitting at 9th of 11. Was he/is he in over his head? He could coach at the Horizon level but can he coach/recruit at the Big East level? Or was he not supported by his administration with facilities and money?
Sound about the same as our discussions about Matt although his results may actually be a little better. Is it a matter of money and facilities or a matter of being in over his head when it comes to coaching at the MVC level?
Just a reminder that Evansville remains at the bottom of our conference and are coached by a guy who was the NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR in 2007. It's complicated...
Who said that Jordan could coach at the HL level? He was 11-24 at UW-M...
Quote from: Just Sayin on February 12, 2022, 12:30:23 PM
Quote from: Chairback on February 12, 2022, 11:43:14 AM
https://usawire.com/lubos-barton/amp/
I'd take him as an assistant coach in a heart beat. Same thing with AP or Rowdy
Not under Lottich. Let him get his feet wet at Davidson or elsewhere as an assistant and then take a closer look at him. But NOT at Valpo NOW.
Now that was a great Valpo player.
Agreed. Would love Lubos to be an Assistant but I'm not sure Lottich is the long term coach for Valpo.
AP and Rowdy have plenty left in their playing career. I don't see Rowdy getting into college coaching right away/if ever after his playing career and having a young family. AP I definitely see getting into Coaching. He has openly stated after his playing days he wants to Coach, but AP hopefully will have a long playing career. He's playing in the top league in Europe right now. Recently came back from injury.
AP's brother Austin was a grad assistant at Valpo and is currently an assistant coach at Olivet Nazarene University (where he got his BA). I think Austin has a bright future.
https://www.onutigers.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/Austin_Peters
There is no chance Valpo would pay this much to have someone walk away.
https://twitter.com/coachesdatabase/status/1493338159782023172?s=21
Quote from: VU2014 on February 14, 2022, 08:38:27 PM
There is no chance Valpo would pay this much to have someone walk away.
https://twitter.com/coachesdatabase/status/1493338159782023172?s=21
https://twitter.com/Pg_Benson/status/1493382489339015170
If Rodger doesn't get hired this cycle, and Lottich was fired after next season, I wonder if Roger Powell would accept the job to replace his former fellow Valpo Assistant.
https://twitter.com/michaelsobrien/status/1498294379907330059?s=21
Interested to see what you guys think on this one.
Bryce was dismissed from Vandy around the same time Lottich extended his contract.
What are the percentage chances Bryce would have came back if timing was perfect?
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 28, 2022, 11:02:53 AM
Interested to see what you guys think on this one.
Bryce was dismissed from Vandy around the same time Lottich extended his contract.
What are the percentage chances Bryce would have came back if timing was perfect?
ZERO. Bryce made big money at Vandy and was in zero hurry to get a new gig. Plus, after losing something like 20 in a row, to go back to Valpo would have looked like a kid running behind his mother's skirt.
Unless Grand Canyon is in big trouble for some reason, it is nearly a perfect job for Bryce right now. I am sure they are paying him well. And yes, back to Valpo is a zero.
Thought that if Bryce needed to resurrect his coaching career he could come back to place where he had a lot of success and show he can win again. So I putting it at 30%.....But if more people are saying zero I guess I'm wrong and might be a little blinded by hope.
Bryce will never come back to coach for Valparaiso. Come on.
Put me in the no further Bryce Drew coaching at Valpo.
There is no chance of Bryce coming back.
Alright I am wrong.....
At least I can admit it.
Some of you still believe in Lottich......
Agreed, he will never come back. He had a taste of the P5, was stung with the results, and will likely be trying to get back to that level to provide the results wrong.
Quote from: oklahomamick on February 28, 2022, 11:02:53 AM
Bryce was dismissed from Vandy around the same time Lottich extended his contract.
BTW, Jerry Stackhouse is 34-51 (and 12-38 in conference) since taking over for Bryce at Vanderbilt. The team has done "much" better this year - currently Vandy is eleventh in the SEC with two games left in the regular season. Of course, it also helps to have Scotty Pippen Jr. on the team. Wonder how much longer Stackhouse has before he gets fired...
Stack will get at least one more year. Enormous buyout that Vandy won't eat. SEC is really good this year top to bottom. Pippen jr, with out him, they'd have 4, 5 total wins. Vandy has shown improvement as season has gone on. Bryce won with Stallings recruits his first year and obviously didn't get a chance to prove himself longer. Shorter leash at P5's, plus the unexpected timing of Vandy AD retiring did Bryce no favors.
If I remember correctly Scottie Pippen Jr was a Bryce recruit. Plus his top recruit at Vandy got injured and everything went hell. Don't remember his name, but he left for the NBA. Unfortunate, but the new AD was very short cited.
Quote from: tjjvalpo on March 01, 2022, 09:38:13 PMIf I remember correctly Scottie Pippen Jr was a Bryce recruit. Plus his top recruit at Vandy got injured and everything went hell. Don't remember his name, but he left for the NBA. Unfortunate, but the new AD was very short cited.
Darius Garland.
For those who recommend Valpo buy out Lottich's contract and hire a new coach, here is the current market price in the MVC:
[tweet]1500860488997089285[/tweet]
As he is coming from Ohio State, you can assume that Diebler would expect close to the same deal.
Quote from: vu84v2 on March 07, 2022, 04:08:50 PM
As he is coming from Ohio State, you can assume that Diebler would expect close to the same deal.
Do you know something that no one else does yet?
does MLB have the incentive to make radical decisions right now? I doubt it.
Yeah, a bit of experience difference between Diebler and Pedon at this point (about 10 years worth). I can't see Jake getting such a deal/package like this anywhere, at this point in time.
With ML's approaching retirement, is it realistic to think he would make a coaching change? Just asking.
Quote from: valpo64 on March 08, 2022, 03:00:59 PM
With ML's approaching retirement, is it realistic to think he would make a coaching change? Just asking.
No. He has said that now that the University has a new forward looking plan in the works--that will include athletics--it was the perfect time to bring in a new AD to be part of the new plan going forward. Part of that plan, no doubt, will address athletics/facilities and as a result, "saddling" the new AD with a coach not of his choosing, in the Universities flagship sport, would not be in Valpo's best interest. We should have our new AD announced by June.
Outside of the usual Lottich fans, you know who you are, who thinks Lottich lands a head coaching job somewhere after he is let go from valpo? Invisibly it would be a low major, but will he get a head coaching job immediately after?
Last two valpo coaches left for power 5 jobs. That's the trend you would like.
I didn't recall this but when Coach K wasn't Coach K and he replaced Bill Foster at Duke, his previous year's Army team was 9-17. Foster left Duke....inconceivable now...because he was going to replace Frank McGuire at South Carolina and that was a big deal at the time. Times do change.
Quote from: Valpo89 on March 07, 2022, 04:18:58 PM
Quote from: vu84v2 on March 07, 2022, 04:08:50 PM
As he is coming from Ohio State, you can assume that Diebler would expect close to the same deal.
Do you know something that no one else does yet?
No (and, admittedly, my wording was a bit clumsy). All I was saying is that if one assistant at Ohio State got an MVC job, another assistant being hired into an MVC program would expect similar terms.
Quote from: vu84v2 on March 08, 2022, 08:45:01 PM
Quote from: Valpo89 on March 07, 2022, 04:18:58 PM
Quote from: vu84v2 on March 07, 2022, 04:08:50 PM
As he is coming from Ohio State, you can assume that Diebler would expect close to the same deal.
Do you know something that no one else does yet?
No (and, admittedly, my wording was a bit clumsy). All I was saying is that if one assistant at Ohio State got an MVC job, another assistant being hired into an MVC program would expect similar terms.
I don't get this. Pedon was making twice what Diebler was at OSU ... why would Diebler demand similar terms for a MVC job?
Jake Diebler's (potential future Valpo HC) was hired onto Butler's staff. If Jake was hired as Valpo's HC (after the 2022-2023 season), would he bring brother onto the staff.
I'm looking passed the Lottich era now.
Quote from: VU2014 on April 19, 2022, 07:30:26 PM
Jake Diebler's (potential future Valpo HC) was hired onto Butler's staff. If Jake was hired as Valpo's HC (after the 2022-2023 season), would he bring brother onto the staff.
Did you mean to say that Jon Diebler was hired as an asst coach (along with Greg Oden) by Thad Matta at Butler?
Because Jake Diebler is not an asst coach at Butler, he is still at Ohio State.
How many more years does Lottich have left?
Quote from: usc4valpo on April 24, 2022, 03:15:22 PM
How many more years does Lottich have left?
good question. He has completed six seasons. If he got an extension after 2019-2020 (the year we went to the MVC Championship game) then if might be a few more years. Having written that, my sense is, for whatever reason, that next year is the end of his current contract.
How many years left? Per a post from @JonRothstein in July of 2020.
Matt Lottich was given a Multi-Year contract extension that goes through the 2024-25 season.
Last I saw, Lottichs contract was $346k/year.
Some of these transfers are getting paid more in NIL to play for them than we are willing/able to pay our coach.
This is nuts. And our future gets even more dismal when I still look at the status of the ARC.
Future Valpo Coach. Saying it now. Either Jake or Roger Powell.
https://twitter.com/ohiostatehoops/status/1522228994019536899?s=21&t=xG42Wu0CRuQFT3HZiwUfQg
The Associate Head Coach of a school like Ohio State, will get much better opportunities than little ole Valpo, sorry.
Quote from: valpotx on May 05, 2022, 07:47:11 PM
The Associate Head Coach of a school like Ohio State, will get much better opportunities than little ole Valpo, sorry.
Maybe. But still an opportunity to be a head coach at MVC mid major is a big opportunity and is a nice stepping stone or launch pad if you can succeed.
Would be willing to bet head coach Lottich's salary is similar to associate head coach diebler's salary.
It's disappointing to see Evansville willing to quickly cut bait with their underachieving coach, yet Lottich remains at Valpo with no real reason for optimism.
At this stage, Evansville cares more about their program than Valpo.
Quote from: usc4valpo on May 06, 2022, 10:03:12 AM
At this stage, Evansville cares more about their program than Valpo.
That's a cheap shot, and unnecessary.
Clearly the fans want VU to do better, yet collectively VU under Coach Lottich has performed much better than the collective dumpster fire that has been Evansville.
Since Lottich became head coach in 2016, Evansville has had Marty Simmons, Walter McCarty and Todd Lickliter as coach, and will have someone new next year. Over those seven years, they had a combined record of 68-116, with only one year above 0.500 (17-15 in 2017-18). That was the only year that Evansville had a higher record in the MVC (Evansville went 7-11, and VU went 6-12), which was also Valpo's poorest finish in the MVC. Under Lottich, Valpo has been 97-96 which includes one year in the HL.
Quote from: AlaskaCrusader19 on May 06, 2022, 09:56:37 AM
It's disappointing to see Evansville willing to quickly cut bait with their underachieving coach, yet Lottich remains at Valpo with no real reason for optimism.
Hold on here! First, Lickliter was hired only because their head coach got caught in a scandal. Next, of the three years he was the head coach, he finished T-5, one year, with a 7-11 conference record, and was 2-28 in conference the other two, finishing dead last. No comparison with Matt's record.
Quote from: oklahomamick on May 06, 2022, 09:53:13 AM
Would be willing to bet head coach Lottich's salary is similar to associate head coach diebler's salary.
Probably true maybe a little less depending on the bump Lottich got in the new contract extension.
Personally I think being a head coach at an MVC school is a bigger career opportunity to control your own destiny and call your own shots on how to run a program.
After Bryce left us, I'm under no illusions that any coach who has success won't move onto hire levels of conference basketball. It is what it is.
Really would love either Roger or Jake to be our future HC. There was a LOT of buzz around Roger Powell for the Illinois Job a few months ago.
Both are great guys (not to say Lottich or Staff isn't) and both have been primed with over decade of assistant coaching experience and are former Valpo Assistants (Jake Former player as well).
https://twitter.com/rogerpowelljr/status/1522620490988220417?s=21&t=L38nwy08vgqsSvJ38XgG-g
https://twitter.com/rogerpowelljr/status/1522620490988220417?s=21&t=L38nwy08vgqsSvJ38XgG-g
Geez, 7'0" and 190?
Quote from: valpotx on May 06, 2022, 08:02:10 PMGeez, 7'0" and 190?
Have you not seen him previously?
Quote from: JD24 on May 07, 2022, 09:16:34 AM
Quote from: valpotx on May 06, 2022, 08:02:10 PMGeez, 7'0" and 190?
Have you not seen him previously?
And he can shoot the three...and he can block shots...and he can handle the ball. He will likely be a Porzingas type player (hopefully without the injuries), but he could be better than that.
Quote from: JD24 on May 07, 2022, 09:16:34 AM
Quote from: valpotx on May 06, 2022, 08:02:10 PMGeez, 7'0" and 190?
Have you not seen him previously?
I have not. Just the Texan with the fun mustache that also plays at Gonzaga (Drew Timme).
95 - Evansville is hurting financially, but they have traditionally had a more supportive fan base than at Valpo. Not a potshot at all, Valpo basketball is currently in a apathetic state.
It is still a cheap shot.
No, Evansville cares more about basketball. Think about the location of the school and the entertainment options. I gotta give the new AD and the school credit for being bold. That may be a pot shot but it's reality.
Quote from: valpotx on May 07, 2022, 08:19:21 PMQuote from: JD24 on May 07, 2022, 09:16:34 AMQuote from: valpotx on May 06, 2022, 08:02:10 PMGeez, 7'0" and 190?
Have you not seen him previously?
I have not. Just the Texan with the fun mustache that also plays at Gonzaga (Drew Timme).
You saw no Gonzaga games this past season?
Quote from: JD24 on May 09, 2022, 11:49:35 AM
Quote from: valpotx on May 07, 2022, 08:19:21 PMQuote from: JD24 on May 07, 2022, 09:16:34 AMQuote from: valpotx on May 06, 2022, 08:02:10 PMGeez, 7'0" and 190?
Have you not seen him previously?
I have not. Just the Texan with the fun mustache that also plays at Gonzaga (Drew Timme).
You saw no Gonzaga games this past season?
Would have been kind of difficult to ignore Holmgren if you're watching games involving Timme.
Quote from: VU2014 on May 05, 2022, 06:49:26 PMFuture Valpo Coach. Saying it now. Either Jake or Roger Powell. https://twitter.com/ohiostatehoops/status/1522228994019536899?s=21&t=xG42Wu0CRuQFT3HZiwUfQg
If it were going to be Roger Powell he would have accepted the job when Bryce left. The fact that he went with him to Vanderbilt and then on to Gonzaga tells me that Powell has bigger jobs than Valpo on his mind. Diebler MIGHT be gettable and would be a good fit but even that isn't a given.
Quote from: JD24 on May 09, 2022, 11:49:35 AM
Quote from: valpotx on May 07, 2022, 08:19:21 PMQuote from: JD24 on May 07, 2022, 09:16:34 AMQuote from: valpotx on May 06, 2022, 08:02:10 PMGeez, 7'0" and 190?
Have you not seen him previously?
I have not. Just the Texan with the fun mustache that also plays at Gonzaga (Drew Timme).
You saw no Gonzaga games this past season?
No Gonzaga games this year. Just Timme from last season.
Quote from: valpotx on May 11, 2022, 08:56:48 PMQuote from: JD24 on May 09, 2022, 11:49:35 AMQuote from: valpotx on May 07, 2022, 08:19:21 PMQuote from: JD24 on May 07, 2022, 09:16:34 AMQuote from: valpotx on May 06, 2022, 08:02:10 PMGeez, 7'0" and 190?
Have you not seen him previously?
I have not. Just the Texan with the fun mustache that also plays at Gonzaga (Drew Timme).
You saw no Gonzaga games this past season?
No Gonzaga games this year. Just Timme from last season.
Are you more of a Valpo Basketball fan and not college basketball fan? I say that because someone who was a fan of the sport beyond Valpo would have almost had to intentionally avoided seeing Gonzaga.
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 10, 2022, 07:35:39 PM
Quote from: VU2014 on May 05, 2022, 06:49:26 PMFuture Valpo Coach. Saying it now. Either Jake or Roger Powell. https://twitter.com/ohiostatehoops/status/1522228994019536899?s=21&t=xG42Wu0CRuQFT3HZiwUfQg
If it were going to be Roger Powell he would have accepted the job when Bryce left. The fact that he went with him to Vanderbilt and then on to Gonzaga tells me that Powell has bigger jobs than Valpo on his mind. Diebler MIGHT be gettable and would be a good fit but even that isn't a given.
I used to think the same thing, but Paul Oren has mentioned Roger turned it down because he thought he wasn't ready to be a head coach at the time. If offered now, I'm not sure he'd turn it down. He's in a good spot with Gonzaga but being the lead man of program is enticing for anyone.
Point taken but who's to say that he isn't the coach in waiting in Spokane as Few's successor?
Quote from: VUGrad1314 on May 12, 2022, 06:38:10 AM
Point taken but who's to say that he isn't the coach in waiting in Spokane as Few's successor?
I'd say there is a longer line as the successor to Few. It ain't just a few. :-) :-(