going to script

[Hoop Fan]

Its been a couple days, so I thought I would voice my continued support for Jimmy Tubbs. The type of candidates being interviewed are exactly as most thought they would be, seasoned assistants from solid major programs, but little name value or head coaching experience. I know of Norm Roberts from his work at Illinois and he is well thought of, but this job has Tubbs name all over. Lets not even give the Stanford, Indiana or Mich State assistants a second thought unless they have spent SIGNIFICANT time recruiting Texas and specifically Dallas. Its all coming back to Tubbs. There is no one on that candidate list who won't have 10 clones like him out there next time we look for a coach, except J. Tubbs.

[LA_Mustang]

Let’s compare the candidates so far:

Would the Dallas media/community care?
Haith: no
Wojik: no
Roberts: no
Tubbs: YES
Edge: Tubbs

Have they had any success in recruiting Dallas:
Haith: yes
Wojik: no
Roberts: yes
Tubbs: yes
Let me say that it is much easier to recruit a kid to come to Illinois (Roberts) and UT (Haith) than SMU (Tubbs). I will give Roberts and Haith credit for getting a few top area players but they haven’t done it for a school like SMU. Tubbs has and can.
Edge: Tubbs

Are they from Texas? Do they know Texas? Do they have solid relationships with Texas HS coaches? Do they already call DFW home?
Haith: no
Wojik: no
Roberts: no
Tubbs: yes
Edge: Tubbs

Can they be an effective college HC:
Haith: TBD
Wojik: TBD
Roberts: TBD
Tubbs: TBD
Edge: n/a

It doesn't seem to be a difficult decision to me.

[Hoop Fan]

LA, that is supremely well put. And not just because i happen to agree with the conclusion. I think all of the questions you posed are right on the mark of what should be driving this decision.

[Pony_Fan]

who do you guys want as coach again?

just curious - did Tubbs recruit Quinton Ross?

[BigEasyPony]

I know you have good reasons for liking Coach Tubbs, but these other candidates aren't to be dismissed so easily. Just b/c Tubbs is a great recruiter in the metroplex doens't make him a lock for the job.

I've got a hunch that Tubbs may be a finalist, but the job will go to either Reveno, Roberts or Wojcik. That's my hunch and nothing more, but Tubbs didn't get the job at North Texas for some reason and my guess is that he may not be a great interview. Copeland's familiarity will either help or hurt Tubbs' chances and we'll find out which within two (2) weeks.

We're all hoping the next HC brings SMU to the next level and I think all the candidates mentioned have that capability.

[Hoop Fan]

I'm all for due diligence and not dismissing canidates too easily. Having said that, I won't understand the logic at all if Reveeno or Wojcik are hired here. There is nothing more than cosmetics or somebody's personality preference that would suggest either should be hired before Tubbs. If this was Western Michigan or Navy, I would probably hire Wojcik, but this is SMU. I hope thats why we have a committee so that one person isn't seduced by the interaction with one of these fine salesmen.

[BigEasyPony]

The essence of recruiting is salesmanship so your slight to Wojcik or Reveno should be considered a required necessity in our new HC. I'm also guessing based upon Tubbs's track record that he's an excellent salesman as well.

I also think the search committee will be able to make an informed decision something none of us are in the position to do in this case.

[EastStang]

Hey, we've got a Committee so its not just Copeland picking his buddies. I am sure Texas recruiting will be a topic, and it is an important topic. But there are plenty of things to look at. I'm sure the finalists will be asked to prepare a game plan for OSU, UTEP or Nevada. How would they plan to play against these teams? Why do you ask that? Because you want to know how they would coach against a known quantity. I would hope someone would ask what they would have done differently after our terrible loss to OSU this year to keep the team from tanking. These are the questions I am sure that are being asked of candidates to find out what they would do to actually win a game, not just put 5 solid players on the court. There are still guys under contract through the tournament who might put all these guys to shame. And BTW why would the Dallas media necessarily go gaga over Tubbs and not Haith? Those slobs bleed burnt orange, not Sooner crimson.

[LA_Mustang]

East, your right, Haith's UT connection would be a plus in the Dallas media but I really don’t think you can call Tubbs a Sooner...this is only his second year at OU. He is still thought of as a Dallas guy. He is loved in Dallas, specifically South Dallas. The DMN and TV people know that. Contrary to what some people believe, they do buy newspapers and watch TV south of downtown. That area would be thrill to see one of their own lead the way at SMU, a school that has for far too long alienated itself from the minority communities in Dallas. If you bring Tubbs in here, he signs a couple of big-time Dallas recruits and we start winning....look out. The media and the city of Dallas would jump on board, quick.

Would the hire be a risk? Sure, as would any of these guys. But I have yet to see anyone who makes more sense than Tubbs and I doubt I will.

[Hoop Fan]

This discussion is straying into the abyss, but I personally am not one to put too much into interview responses, but thats just me. My experience is that there are all kinds of people who look and sound great in an interview process in the business world, who are little more than empty suits. That is an extreme characterization because Wojcik might be the next Coach K, but you never really know how someone will react until under pressure of the actual situation. I just think there is a real danger in turning your nose up at a qualified candidate because someone else is more polished or comes off better in a Q&A session. Thats what I think we would be doing if we hire an assistant from Michigan or Indiana with no head coaching experience and virtually no Texas recruiting connections over a guy who at least has the latter and who has the respect of nearly everyone that dealt with him at 12 years at SMU.

[Charleston Pony]

Personality should, and hopefully will play a big part in this decision. All of the candidates being mentoned have "paid their dues" and may well be ready for this job. After all, it ain't like we are looking for Dean Smith's successor!

I've felt for a long time now that it's important for SMU to land a "media darling" type...a guy with personality that can attract media attention and help rally some support for the program. Someone mentioned the guy needs to be a salesman. That's absolutely right, because just like Bennett in football, the new coach has to sell a higher level of bball recruit on SMU and has to sell the SMU community and eventually Dallas on this program. Knowing nothing about the other candidates, I'm guessing there may be stronger personalities out there than Jimmy Tubbs.

Obviously the successful candidate will start by selling Copeland and the search committee. Let's just hope he can then sell some top flight recruits to replace the outgoing senior class. That's going to be critical if the new guy is going to avoid a Phil Bennett like 2nd year. Can you imagine our 1st year in CUSA if Bhop leaves early and departs along with Castro, Simpson & Isham?

[Hoop Fan]

If SMU first and foremost wants a media darling to go around looking and sounding pretty, Tubbs probably isn't your man. Just because he is not the most polished guy around, does not mean he could not recruit Dallas 10 times better than a polished guy would. Recruiting is as much about integrity, sincerity and just plain familiarity. Those things go a long way in leadership and coaching too. When a guy can recruit, lead and coach, he wins and that generates enthusiasm, and then the media respect will come. I'm afraid the slickest and most polished salesmen in the world might not be able to come and make any difference without the connections in place locally. If you guys think the way to build this program is through national recruiting and the AAU circuit, then we are starting from two different perspectives.

[Vitale]

who do you guys want as coach again?

just curious - did Tubbs recruit Quinton Ross?

Sure did.

[Stampede]

You are right East Stang and Jimmy Tubbs passes all the tests. I believe it was Al Davis who coined the phrase, "JUST WIN, BABY!!!"

Tubbs gives the best shot at this and in the shortest period of time. The other candidates are worthy applicants but don't have Tubbs':
1) coaching record,
2) recruiting record, or
3) sincere personality that enables Jimmy to be loved by many
SMU fans, Dallasites (over a long period of time) and
Oklahomans (in a short period of time)
4) Tubbs' record at SMU: integral involvement in graduating
students, strong interaction with the faculty and administration.

I am all for bringing in candidates and "turning over all the rocks" but the decision should be simple and clear cut.

[Dooby]

To say that the Dallas media/community would not care that Haith were hired or that haith does not know Texas or have solid relationships with Texas HS coaches is a little disengenuous.

I understand that you favor Tubbs, but you have to be honest. Haith has been doing a good job of recruiting inside Texas. At least he is the no. 1 assistant at Texas. I seriously doubt the local media will be fauning over Tubbs as a head coach; it is an interesting anecdote that he coached Kimball but not much else; the SMU basketball coach (regardless of who it is) will get his mandatory interview on all the Sunday sports shows but not much else.

Frankly, this is beginning to sound like stallion's ridiculous trumpeting of Charlie Waters and bashing of Bennett before he was hired, which had no basis in reality.

Tubbs has a lot of positives. As do some of the other candidates. Just stick to the facts.