My job supporting the wine and spirits industry cannot be interrupted...sorry.Who is today's designated work slacker that will spend all day on FlightTracker?
I've always felt that Stillwater was a roadblock in coaching searches. We were lucky with Gundy and Sutton genuinely liking the town, but outsiders will always think twice about living in Stillwater long term. I loved my time there as a student but wouldn't want to live there as an adult, and these coaches can make millions anywhere else. I think McCullom is the most likely at this point, not far of geographically, and he should be happy to make the jump to a program with so much potential.Living in the northwest topography vs midwest topography is a no-brainier from my perspective. Also, while I love OSU and always will, there are a LOT of other campuses out there that are more scenic. I try to visit other colleges when I travel, and Washington's grounds are beautiful and right on the shores of Lake Washington. Within a 2 hour drive you have amazing waterfalls, mountains, skiing, whitewater rafting, fresh sea food, etc., etc. which are all huge draws for the area over Stillwater, at least in my opinion.
Back to the point, I am hoping for McCullom at this stage of the game.
What's funny about this is yesterday at the baseball game I spoke to an OSU professor who almost didn't come to Stillwater because all he knew about Oklahoma was what he was exposed to in the panhandle.I've always felt that Stillwater was a roadblock in coaching searches. We were lucky with Gundy and Sutton genuinely liking the town, but outsiders will always think twice about living in Stillwater long term. I loved my time there as a student but wouldn't want to live there as an adult, and these coaches can make millions anywhere else. I think McCullom is the most likely at this point, not far of geographically, and he should be happy to make the jump to a program with so much potential.
That is not at all an uncommon misconception when you get further away from our zip code. While in the northeast, I've been asked how often I see Native Americans... I think the roadblock @Pistol Pete's Mustache noted extends to students/recruits as well.What's funny about this is yesterday at the baseball game I spoke to an OSU professor who almost didn't come to Stillwater because all he knew about Oklahoma was what he was exposed to in the panhandle.
I mean, yes and no. I feel like it's only a roadblock to those who haven't actually been to or spent any time in Stillwater. Boynton was a BROOKLYN NY born and raised guy, but seems to have legitimately enjoyed living and having his family in Stillwater for 8 years. Not to mention the likes of Rickie Fowler or Viktor Hovland, guys from SOCAL or overseas that speak very highly of their time in Stillwater if not actually still live there.I've always felt that Stillwater was a roadblock in coaching searches. We were lucky with Gundy and Sutton genuinely liking the town, but outsiders will always think twice about living in Stillwater long term. I loved my time there as a student but wouldn't want to live there as an adult, and these coaches can make millions anywhere else. I think McCullom is the most likely at this point, not far of geographically, and he should be happy to make the jump to a program with so much potential.
Agree. It'll always be 'home' for me, but it'll never have the skiing, camping/hiking, concerts I value. And UW's campus? Ridiculously gorgeous!I've always felt that Stillwater was a roadblock in coaching searches. We were lucky with Gundy and Sutton genuinely liking the town, but outsiders will always think twice about living in Stillwater long term. I loved my time there as a student but wouldn't want to live there as an adult, and these coaches can make millions anywhere else. I think McCullom is the most likely at this point, not far of geographically, and he should be happy to make the jump to a program with so much potential.
I don't think it's as big a hinderance for recruits because a lot of them come from small town high schools, especially in Texas and Arkansas.That is not at all an uncommon misconception when you get further away from our zip code. While in the northeast, I've been asked how often I see Native Americans... I think the roadblock @Pistol Pete's Mustache noted extends to students/recruits as well.
Not as much of a hinderance as it might have been in the past. The biggest hinderance now is $$$$$$$$$$$$.I don't think it's as big a hinderance for recruits because a lot of them come from small town high schools, especially in Texas and Arkansas.
Not specifically to your post but attitudes about Stillwater in general...my ultimate goal is to live in Stillwater. Compared to other places I've lived (except Summit County, CO) there is way more to do in STW. I currently live in Shawnee and there isn't anything to do here outside of the Casinos. The city has had some improvement in sidewalks through Blue Zone grants and upgraded the parks. But resident urchins and the bused in homeless, destroy the amenities within weeks. The Youth Finals Rodeo comes to town in July and the Kickapoo nation has a semi-pro basketball team. In STW, I can go to any one of the university programs at McKnight, Sports, more restaurants. And for the occasional special concert/sporting event/dinner, OKC & Tulsa are only an hour away. Unless I really wanted to live in either city, Stillwater as a community has a lot to offer if you have lived in some of the smaller 20k+ towns in the state. Also, the lakes are convenient for recreation, their are community groups for running and other activities. People with families should be excited about the schools, top 3-5 in the state and the student body is populated with the children of educated people with real investment in the process. Is it better than some other university towns...probably not, but it isn't derelict as some may think when considering where a family can grow and be comfortable.I've always felt that Stillwater was a roadblock in coaching searches. We were lucky with Gundy and Sutton genuinely liking the town, but outsiders will always think twice about living in Stillwater long term. I loved my time there as a student but wouldn't want to live there as an adult, and these coaches can make millions anywhere else. I think McCullom is the most likely at this point, not far of geographically, and he should be happy to make the jump to a program with so much potential.
Sadly Stonewall is no longer open...U Washington really wants Sprinkle. I hope Chad offers him a lot of dough. And a good office. Heck, Chad should offer his own office. And all the Joe's cheese fries he can eat. And a tab at the Stonewall.
I was just about to post... If only there was $ome way to overcome the $tigma that $tillwater faces.Not as much of a hinderance as it might have been in the past. The biggest hinderance now is $$$$$$$$$$$$.
Winning solves everything.I believe the mess comment was over stated. Are there challenges yes, but using the word mess gets clicks. I wonder how McCollum will be received though if he is the selection since likely others were the first choice.
School | Old Coach | New Coach | Last job |
DePaul | Tony Stubblefield | Chris Holtmann | Ohio State HC |
Louisville | Kenny Payne | ||
Michigan | Juwan Howard | Dusty May | Florida Atlantic HC |
Ohio State | Jake Diebler (int.) | Jake Diebler | Ohio State interim |
Oklahoma State | Mike Boynton | ||
Saint Louis | Travis Ford | ||
SMU | Rob Lanier | ||
Stanford | Jerod Haase | Kyle Smith | Washington St HC |
Vanderbilt | Jerry Stackhouse | Mark Byington | James Madison HC |
Washington | Mike Hopkins | Danny Sprinkle | Utah State HC |
Washington St | Kyle Smith | ||
West Virginia | Josh Eilert (int.) | Darren Devries | Drake HC |
I agree, but it is still largely a chicken vs egg predicament. Need to win before any big bucks come in, but it likely takes some bucks to get to the point of winning whether that's ponying up for a coach or players. I'm not privy to the AD budget, but I think we're at the point with basketball that Chad and Co. need to be seriously considering some short-term debt in the form of a coach's salary, with the intent and hope that they win and generate revenue to then pay that debt off with, and start using as leverage for the slimy NIL stuff sports now require. If you aren't willing to spend on a good coach with a winning formula, fat chance you'll ever get any boosters or regular fans to spend on getting in the "highest caliber" of players. The university can't be involved with the NIL stuff, but they do control the coach's salary. Time to buck up.Winning solves everything.
So are we essentially down to McCollum, Lutz, and maybe Schertz or Nedved for the bigger non-power conference names left available?College Basketball Openings (Major Schools)
School Old Coach New Coach Last jobDePaul Tony Stubblefield Chris Holtmann Ohio State HC Louisville Kenny Payne Michigan Juwan Howard Dusty May Florida Atlantic HC Ohio State Jake Diebler (int.) Jake Diebler Ohio State interim Oklahoma State Mike Boynton Saint Louis Travis Ford SMU Rob Lanier Stanford Jerod Haase Kyle Smith Washington St HC Vanderbilt Jerry Stackhouse Mark Byington James Madison HC Washington Mike Hopkins Danny Sprinkle Utah State HC Washington St Kyle Smith West Virginia Josh Eilert (int.) Darren Devries Drake HC
Definitely a chicken & egg situation. We're asking a lot of a new coach.I agree, but it is still largely a chicken vs egg predicament. Need to win before any big bucks come in, but it likely takes some bucks to get to the point of winning whether that's ponying up for a coach or players. I'm not privy to the AD budget, but I think we're at the point with basketball that Chad and Co. need to be seriously considering some short-term debt in the form of a coach's salary, with the intent and hope that they win and generate revenue to then pay that debt off with, and start using as leverage for the slimy NIL stuff sports now require. If you aren't willing to spend on a good coach with a winning formula, fat chance you'll ever get any boosters or regular fans to spend on getting in the "highest caliber" of players. The university can't be involved with the NIL stuff, but they do control the coach's salary. Time to buck up.