New coach search...

[Al A Bama]

Evidently, he isn't the only one involved in talks......

Per ESPN:

Sources: Tide pursuing Avery Johnson

Did Doc Holliday really say, "I'm your huckleberry"?

CBB, get r done! This hire does intrigue me. I honestly don't think practice would ever be boring. He proved himself as a player and as a coach. I was actually shocked when he was fired as the Maverick's coach.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

Cecil Hurt tweeted that the talks "went well and were productive"....for whatever that means...

We heard that line for a week with Marshall. Guess there is no rush now though since all the major job openings have already been filled. We were first to fire and last to hire, hope that strategy pays off. Maybe they'll announce a coach at A-day.

I think CAJ would be a great hire and I hope CBB can get it done, I just don't have much confidence because I think he got played big time by Marshall.

 

[Al A Bama]

P.S. That voice is as smooth as molasses! Can't you see him convincing a high recruit and his parents that Alabama is the place to play college basketball. That BB in CBB or ADBB has to stand for the right BB, I.e. BasketBall hire!

 

[Mystical]

Remind me again who Weiss was the head coach of in the NFL?

Exactly Weis was never even offered a head coaching job in the NFL. If we land AJ I have not one doubt in my mind he will recruit well and win soon. My only worry is once he wins that championship he will be heading back to the NBA.

 

[Athens-LA-Tide]

This says Battle has interviewed Avery Johnson and Steve Prohm over the weekend https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1753961

 

[DocCrimson]

Exactly Weis was never even offered a head coaching job in the NFL. If we land AJ I have not one doubt in my mind he will recruit well and win soon. My only worry is once he wins that championship he will be heading back to the NBA.

I would take that!

 

[GreatDanish]

Andy Katz is reporting Bama and Johnson are expected to discuss a possible deal tonight. Says Johnson "wants the challenge."


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[Ldlane]

Good News! Hope he can hold a press conference tomorrow.

Andy Katz is reporting Bama and Johnson are expected to discuss a possible deal tonight. Says Johnson "wants the challenge."


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[KrAzY3]

Andy Katz is reporting Bama and Johnson are expected to discuss a possible deal tonight. Says Johnson "wants the challenge."


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That, I like to hear.

 

[TidePride50]

@ESPNAndyKatz: Source: Avery Johnson reps, Alabama reps expected to discuss a possible deal as early as tonight. Source said Johnson wants the challenge.

As of 30 minutes ago.


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[Tide1986]

That, I like to hear.

Agreed

 

[4Q Basket Case]

I'm in. Avery Johnson looks like the best candidate, and Jess says he contacted us.

He's not without risk, but name me a risk-less coach who would realistically come.

If we decide not to hire Johnson, then who? Prohm or A. Miller? Really? Turn down Avery Johnson for that?.

Even if AJ goes back to the NBA in 3-4 years, he'll have that option because of success here.

Our program needs a shot in the arm, and I see this as our best chance.

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

Remind me again who Weiss was the head coach of in the NFL?

I admitted up front that it was an imperfect analogy. The fact remains that, in basketball as in football, success in the college game tends to require a different coaching skill set than in the pro game. As was Charlie Weis, Avery Johnson is unproven as a recruiter and a college coach. So, should he be hired, anything more than cautious optimism is probably unfounded.

Edit - I'm fine with the hire if it happens. I agree with 4QBC's post above. It's fans' assumption that CAJ's showing up will, by itself, produce success that I'm addressing.

 

[GreatDanish]

Edit - I'm fine with the hire if it happens. I agree with 4QBC's post above. It's fans' assumption that CAJ's showing up will, by itself, produce success that I'm addressing.

Not sure who has said that. In fact, I think most of us realize it is a risk. But when having to choose between a former NBA Coach of the Year and a guy who made the tournament once at Murray State, this is a risk worth taking.


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[AlexanderFan]

I admitted up front that it was an imperfect analogy. The fact remains that, in basketball as in football, success in the college game tends to require a different coaching skill set than in the pro game. As was Charlie Weis, Avery Johnson is unproven as a recruiter and a college coach. So, should he be hired, anything more than cautious optimism is probably unfounded.

Edit - I'm fine with the hire if it happens. I agree with 4QBC's post above. It's fans' assumption that CAJ's showing up will, by itself, produce success that I'm addressing.

I was just saying that AJ's success at the highest level dwarfs jabba's. Also Johnson has been the captain of the ship. Another plus in his favor regarding the recruiting angle is that he has managed NBA level egos, so he will feel at home with elite talent.

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[Rama Jama]

If he is hired, I'd think he will have a chance to compete for recruits with Cal. He will have teach much more than he is used to so that is really my biggest concern. I for one think he'll have zero problem recruiting talent assuming his evaluations are good.

 

[DocCrimson]

Not sure who has said that. In fact, I think most of us realize it is a risk. But when having to choose between a former NBA Coach of the Year and a guy who made the tournament once at Murray State, this is a risk worth taking.

That about sums it up for me.

 

[bama579]

I was just saying that AJ's success at the highest level dwarfs jabba's. Also Johnson has been the captain of the ship. Another plus in his favor regarding the recruiting angle is that he has managed NBA level egos, so he will feel at home with elite talent.

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^ like ^
Solid reasoning. There isn't a candidate without some risk. At least one that is likely to leave Duke or Mich State.

Johnson is a bit out of the expected box, yet with plenty in the plus column. Hope it happens soon.

 

[DocCrimson]

I was just saying that AJ's success at the highest level dwarfs jabba's. Also Johnson has been the captain of the ship. Another plus in his favor regarding the recruiting angle is that he has managed NBA level egos, so he will feel at home with elite talent.

My fear isn't whether he will feel at home with elite talent, or even if he can attract elite talent. My one fear (and I do think he's the best option available) is whether he can manage the behaviors of a group of college kids. Can he keep them on the straight and narrow and make the right disciplinary choices when they stray? I know recruiting in college is a different beast, but I think managing behaviors is the biggest difference between an NBA coach and a college coach. From everything I know of him, I think he can do it, and do it well, but it is a LOT different than making sure Devin Harris, Josh Howard, and Dirk Nowitzki are happy.

 

[Bama Reb]

@ESPNAndyKatz: Source: Avery Johnson reps, Alabama reps expected to discuss a possible deal as early as tonight. Source said Johnson wants the challenge.

As of 30 minutes ago.


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A person who ''wants the challenge'' will usually do everything within their power to succeed. That in itself is a vast improvement over the past 6 years.