Wonder Why no insider news ?? Amazing..
No hints or nothing, for a WBB Coach ??? Has Whit hit a wall on who would come here. Like in the Football Coach search ? I hadn't figured things would be this quiet, I guess Kenny took the air out of our AD's sail. Maybe ringing a few doorbells this weekend might get some news..carry on
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2y
I mean, look at ... Buzz, Mike Young, Pry, etc. It's pretty much par for the course with him, he keeps things pretty close to the vest and very few leaks.
Folks who write for a living will put out lists of candidates and depending on the author, sometimes it just throwing poop at a wall, other times it's people reaching out to respected journalists to share tips.
I'd assume that if the coach (HC or Asst) isn't in the WBIT or NCAAT, interviews are underway. There is probably work underway with Sands, BOV, NIL groups, etc on the package that can be offered. The overall package, as you saw from Buzz -> Mike, Beamer -> Fuente, Fuente -> Pry, will be better than what the previous coach had. No coach that we'd want to hire would just willingly sign onto a deal without getting all the info.
My hope is that we get someone who is personable, energetic, and fun (a WBB version of Coach Pry).
(In response to this post by JRHokie)
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VTCALS72
2y
Whit? Do you really think going out and hiring a coach is a "days" and not "weeks" job?
I believe Whit keeps up with up and coming prospects in every sport but he could only really fire up even the back channels after he know XCKB leaving was a real possibility. He most likely had a priority list in back channel action by the time XCKB publicly announced. And honestly most coaches he would go after were in post season so really, the search is just ginning up for most non blueblood schools.
The rock/hard place we are in is that I believe a whole different level of coach would find VT way more attractive with Strack and others coming back. If especially Strack, Ekh, Rose and Wentzel and Baker were going to come back then the new coach would only have to be fine tuning. If they don't it is a total rebuild and that is just not as attractive to a "hot" coach.
(In response to this post by JRHokie)
2y
Prospective HCs have no idea, do they, of the prognosis of the team makeup. A lot of conversation and negotiating (pleading?) has to be in progress.
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
2y
And a good question too. Good AD's always has a list and Knows who is interested. Just asked "does anyone have any info or leaks" . Maybe you need to read my post again. And Yes I bet Whit Babcock was blindsided by Brooks interviewing and taking this new job. the agents always Contacts the AD before any Coach does these things !! Carry on..
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
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VTCALS72
2y
record of hiring coaches. My point, the idea he is failing because within a 6 day period, posters are complaining. I would guess you really have no point of reference on how long it takes from first knowing the possibility/probability that a coach is leaving, to the hire. It has been only 6 days since it was official!!!!!!
For all you or I really know, the back channels have had back channel feelers to a number of coaches. Hopefully most have been in postseason action and can't really evaluate anything this quick. And, Whit is not going to let "leaks" get way ahead of the process.
So for this early questions that suggest failure by Whit are not good or productive questions. Now maybe 2 weeks from now----
(In response to this post by JRHokie)
2y
It takes a few days to interview people and then give them a chance to think it over. And Whit is nothing if not good at keeping things secret
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EDGEMAN
2y
...like Necktucky.
(In response to this post by HokieR)
2y
Kenny Brooks, if he went thru the right channels had to go thru the AD, standard procedure. Whit Knew he was interviewing because KB's agent had to go that route !! Whit is not that lost on KB leaving, little more to the story ...
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
Whit knew he had interviewed, but do you think Whit really thought KB would
leave? My impression was that Whit felt pretty strong about being able to keep KB. He just grossly misread the situation.
(In response to this post by JRHokie)
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Hokie83
2y
End of the Day KB was more about KB than anything else, exactly the same way he did JMU so we all should have seen through his fake sincerity and we failed to do that unfortunately..
(In response to this post by UpstateSCHokie)
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J2KHokie
2y
I think the lack of sincerity issue is why everyone is so upset! I listened to the podcast with Josh Pate interviewing Coach Pry. The love and passion he has for building our program is a stark difference to the last few pressers that Coach Brooks did on how he did this and that and built this program. Coach Pry gave such detail on how the fans dress, how they make it loud on big plays, how Hokie Nation supports the program. In his presser with UK, it was almost like Kenny wanted to twist the knife-KY’s fan base has such passion and their academics are just wonderful. These are 2 VT prides, but he somehow wanted to make everyone think UK excelled more at this. PLEASE! Money, MBB-yes, but fan passion for WBB and academics-NO!!! And, no need for that. It’s almost like he has some grudge with VT. I’ve heard enough. On to an even brighter future.
(In response to this post by Hokie83)
2y
Don’t we assume EVERY coach is fielding offers either to get a better job or get a raise?
(In response to this post by Hokie83)
2y
Any coach worth his or her salt, will always be pursued and receive offers.
If he was such a poor in game coach, or lacked focus as some on here are posting, he wouldn't be receiving a lucrative offer to leave.
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2y
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Hokie83
2y
He wanted something different after indicating internally he was not interested in leaving so yeah kinda a surprise but it is what it is and time to move on
(In response to this post by AnotherTechW)
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VTCALS72
2y
coach a raise that is way above the scale. BB, softball and wrestling specifically are really good. But VT can't raise one way above the others.
The bigger point is somewhere I read that Baylor has a 6 mil WBB budget and VT has something like 1.5 mil. I am sure XCKB will have millions more to invest in staff, recruiting, extras etc.
(In response to this post by Hokie83)
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Hokie83
2y
Not the point of my post in regards to Whit and him thinking KB was not wanting to leave ...
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
First time in Lexington a few weeks ago to visit family. Downtown Lex
around the Rupp Arena is very vibrant and just glitzy enough to be a cool place to live and work. That is all.
(In response to this post by Hokie83)
2y
impressive. Doesn't come close to the beauty of VT.
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2y
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VTCALS72
2y
I will lay Whit's job in coach hiring down beside any other AD at a school the level of VT. He has a track record of being very good, and mostly more correct than fans like us.
(In response to this post by UpstateSCHokie)
2y
Now the contract extensions have been bad, but initial hires have all been good
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Hokie83
2y
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2y
could keep Buzz when everyone and their momma knew Buzz was out the door for a year or more
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Hokie83
2y
Everyone including Whit knew he was gone..
(In response to this post by VTMONEY94)
2y
for the correction.
(In response to this post by Hokie83)
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saret
2y
were vigorously shouted down by those here on the board. KB is not, and never was, God's gift to VT WBB. Prior to Liz and Georgia, he was mediocre. He struck lightning in a bottle with Liz and Georgia. He was an employee who moved on, nothing more, nothing less.
** Edited by saret at 3/30/2024, 10:34:42 AM
(In response to this post by pokiehokie83)
2y
year he wasn't that great. I mentioned that he was known for 4th quarter collapses and not developing players and got shouted down. Yes, he developed Liz and Georgia but how many players transferred throughout his career? We were always getting transfers even before the portal to plug in. So either he evaluated poorly or didn't develop them. He is a good coach but is he elite? Don't think so.
** Edited by HokieBrazil at 3/30/2024, 10:46:14 AM
(In response to this post by saret)
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saret
2y
he left. As I've said on here before, if anyone should feel violated, it's Whit. He overpaid him initially, gave him annual $50k raises despite his record, allowed the nepotism with his daughters, played his one daughter over Aisha Shepard (who went to the WNBA) and thus slowed Aisha's progression. And all the things you mentioned are just factual factual history. God Speed to KB, you did well for yourself. Who's next up?
(In response to this post by HokieBrazil)
2y
There may have been signs. But I thought he was genuinely happy at VT.
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2y
** Edited by Will Stewart at 3/30/2024, 3:06:09 PM
(In response to this post by pokiehokie83)
2y
Several really important donors .... All were shocked.
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
2y
all fans. Can't see the forest through the trees.
(In response to this post by hokietom87)
2y
I think that many of us were convinced that he was a Virginia boy and was here for the long haul.
The timing to leave made perfect sense but still felt like he was one of us. Most of us really feel betrayed because of that. And it's not like he is an incredible coach. Lightening in a bottle with Liz and Hicks did amazing work with her. She is a great coach.
Contrast that to buzz. We knew he was a short timer and yes we were pissed off because he left the cupboards empty and really screwed us over on the recruiting trail. Kenny didn't do that as obviously but the result is the same. All but 2 plan to portal though that could change with the right coach.
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
2y
here for the long haul even though he left his alma matter says more about "you" than it does about Kenny. Kenny is a coach hired to do a job. And now he is doing another job. Nothing more, nothing less.
And yes, part of that job is selling you a song and a dance about how great everything VT is.
And VT is great. But that doesn't mean Kentucky can't be a better job.
(In response to this post by hokietom87)
2y
me naive, trusting, hopeful…People move on in their careers, I get it. Just surprised- good for you to have anticipated this.
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
2y
wahoos waxing poetic how "Kenny was too classy and of high moral character to coach in that dirty SEC" etc. It was so gross how posters were fawning over him.
I appreciate you admit that you are a fan girl who took Kenny at his word. Please don't trust coaches, they are not to be trusted. They are public figures who have to lie all the time. You will be doing yourself a service to not buy the BS their public statements are. :)
(In response to this post by pokiehokie83)
Seriously, do you ever talk like that to someone's face?
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
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saret
2y
I can confirm he talks in person like he does here. He's a little more shy in person, and a little more served, but his positions in person track with his on line positions. Now, he's a little disingenuous when he says he doesn't talk VT Athletics in person, but, only after he's talked with you for a while, or on more than one occasion. I've told him on here and in person on several occasions, that he always has a seat beside me at one of our monthly TSL subscribers meetings.
(In response to this post by Ancient Hokie)
2y
disingenuous to say I don't talk about VT athletics in person. As it's been a long time and those weren't regular occurrences since I've only been to a few. But yes, I say all the same opinions in person that I did on the boards. :)
(In response to this post by saret)
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saret
2y
reluctant/reticent on your part.
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
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drc1956
2y
One of the reasons I like this message board over TheKeyPlay is the lack of constant cursing and backbiting.
Am I naive too?
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
2y
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