What Is Doherty??

[PonyDoh]

Doh can recruit, that's his bread and butter...
Talent acquisition isn't the issue. Looking back on the season, we had enough horses to win 18 or so games. We just didn't bring it. Certainly, we need to upgrade the talent, but it's not killing us.

So if you contend that recruiting is his forte and talent isn't the issue and we had the horses to win much more then we did...doesn't that mean Doh underachieved as a CEO, motivator, teacher, X and O guy, game planner, etc???

Here's the thing, I've known what there is to know about Doh, since well before his days on the Hilltop. SO many of you act suprised after the 'hype', and I really have no frame of reference for that. When he was hired, I thought his saving grace was the trail. He'd figure out a way to get talent. They've recruited some pseudo-touted classes, but the assistant turnover is the entire story here. Again, on Doh. I'm very critical of early roster management, substitution patterns, perimeter defense, no discernible system, or style of play that identified the program. B/c of the assistant turnover, we were often caught chasing our tail on the trail.

That was years ago, a good staff is in place now, and we showed a 5 game improvement. Doh chilled out some w/his own players this past year, but was feisty w/opposing coaches & crowds. He lets the assistants assist. He took suggestions etc. Growth.

Meanwhile, our '10 class is good, and our '11 is going to be every bit as good, if not better. We just picked up a verbal from a kid w/crazy street cred, vintage Chi-town little man swag. Loyd visits in a few weeks etc. Holmes is favoring us, and we have a good chance w/Groselle. Simply, it took some time, but I think we're starting to get out front on the trail. I think tempo control makes sense for run'n'gun CUSA, as does a 2-3 match-up.

I'm not advocating giving the guy forever, just saying that change for change's sake, seldom works at programs like SMU. It take's the right style of play, good players, growth & patience. After we hit that next level, consistency. W/an expanded NCAA tourney, we need to be a threat soon

[CA Mustang]

SO many of you act suprised after the 'hype', and I really have no frame of reference for that.

Doherty's hiring was sold with TONS OF HYPE. As much hype as SMU basketball could generate was thrown behind the hire. For the first year or so, SMU fans had HC at UNC, Coach of the Year, friend of Michael Jordan, HC at Notre Dame, asst. at KU, etc. shoved down their throat repeatedly. Doherty didn't say, "Hold on, it will take me 3+ years to figure something out." He was sold as the man who had all the answers and he didn't do or say a single thing to change that perception.

If your arrival is based upon raising expectations significantly, then you can't complain when you are judged by the higher standards.

[Ttown]

He has no system, when I watch SMU I can't for the life of me figure out what he is trying to-do.

I wanted this to work, but again when I watch SMU I can't see a system.

[PonyDoh]

SO many of you act suprised after the 'hype', and I really have no frame of reference for that.

Doherty's hiring was sold with TONS OF HYPE. As much hype as SMU basketball could generate was thrown behind the hire. For the first year or so, SMU fans had HC at UNC, Coach of the Year, friend of Michael Jordan, HC at Notre Dame, asst. at KU, etc. shoved down their throat repeatedly. Doherty didn't say, "Hold on, it will take me 3+ years to figure something out." He was sold as the man who had all the answers and he didn't do or say a single thing to change that perception.

If your arrival is based upon raising expectations significantly, then you can't complain when you are judged by the higher standards.

Yea, but that's PR heads exchanging press releases. We saw all this play out on a national stage in Chapel Hill. He recruited exceptionally well, but supposedly disrespected the Carolina way of doing things, had to turn over an entire roster, and took his lumps while they matured. He stepped on toes like it was an artform. No glossy media release changes something that ugly and that public. I'm not even pointing fingers about who was right & wrong, just that it was a spectacle. This wasn't a slam dunk hire. If people were led to believe that it was, give the guy in sports marketing a robo-raise.

[RE Tycoon]

He's a New York con man...

[CA Mustang]

No glossy media release changes something that ugly and that public.

Agreed.

This wasn't a slam dunk hire.

Slam dunk? It was sold as the best possible move for SMU!

If people were led to believe that it was, give the guy in sports marketing a robo-raise.

Well, you know what happened to the marketing folks in the AD.

[CalallenStang]

He has no system, when I watch SMU I can't for the life of me figure out what he is trying to-do.

I wanted this to work, but again when I watch SMU I can't see a system.

I see Billy G is still looking for a job.

[angryfan04]

doh is the tabacco road con man

[PonyDoh]

doh is the tabacco road con man

but he's not from Tabacco Road, Tabasco Road, or Tobacco Road.

[gforce021]

A coach who can recruit decently, but struggles with player development

[CalallenStang]

A coach who can recruit decently, but struggles with player development

and has an unhealthy want for PGs with pigtails.

[No Quarter]

Nothing been sais here that who was it, XTC and probably others did not say several years ago.

[EastStang]

I really don't care what he is so long as he brought talent to SMU that could win games. He was reputed to be a great recruiter with MJ on his speed dial, didn't happen. He was reputed to be a hot head, he's proven that. His bench coaching has always been suspect and that's been born out. Its a shame, because I really felt that after the humbling experience at UNC where I do believe he did get in over his head, that he would have learned enough to be a better coach. He didn't and hasn't. If this season is another disaster, I think he needs to look elsewhere. Perhaps, MJ can get him an assistant's gig in Carolina with the NBA or be another ESPNU or CBSC talking head.