Rice fires Willis Wilson

[mustangxc]

http://riceowls.cstv.com/sports/m-baskb ... 08aab.html

I'm really sad to see him go. I think he was kicked to the curb and definitely deserved at least one if not two more seasons. Hopefully they can land Mike Montgomery who is doing fundraising for Stanford and did wonders for them as head coach for 18 seasons.

[LA_Mustang]

WOW! That is surprising.

[WildHorse]

Agreed - this is a shame. I've heard (read) where several coaches say he's an exceptional, underappreciated coach who deserved better, not worse.
I'm betting he's not out of work long.

[BuzzerBeater '95]

A real shame they didn't give him at least one more year to try and work out the kinks. Willis is definately one of the class acts in college basketball. I think he deserved more after 16 years. There were some great games between Rice and SMU in those years with Willis Wilson as head coach. Sorry to see him go.

BB

[jimhagle]

When you go 3-27 regardless of your tenure your'e gone.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Curly Bill says, "well, bye"

[originaloverthehilltop1]

look what they play in. talk about commitment and facilities. how would you like to recruit to that. he'll get a better job. and deserves one.

[50's PONY]

Then you are evidently not aware of the fact that they could not play at Autry Court this year because of a complete and total renovation. They had to play at local gyms around the Houston area.

[Scoops]

Autry court is undergoing a $26 million facelift this year - that IS commitment. Just as the Crum Center is supposed to help us recruit, I would think the new-look Autry Court would help Rice. Coach Wilson deserves better, and will end up somewhere better.

[jkflamebo]

after u saw rice with almond the past few years, they had to expect this kind of season when almond graduated. nobody else scored on that team! very surprised to see him get canned

[The XtC]

It's not a surprise, Willis has been under fire at Rice for more than a decade. Seriously, there are people there who have wanted him out for a long, long time. Being a Rice alum, and having his own group of political supporters are the only things that have saved him this long, but even those people couldnt help him when he went 3-25. I think I said this a couple of weeks ago, that he wouldnt be back, I'll try to find that thread.