Assistant coach rumor I am hearing

[cykadelic2]

Re: Grayer rumors

While a great Cyclone, the man has no coaching experience. Period.

If you're going to drag one of the most highly regarded former Cyclones into this mess, you better damn well believe that the hire will provide more than a PR boost.

It's my understanding Grayer does have some coaching experience at the youth level and may have coached some at the semi=pro level.

And last I checked, Grayer is an adult and capable of making decisions on his own. If he thinks the job is nothing more than a PR stunt, he wouldn't take it.

 

[Cydkar]

Re: Grayer rumors

I was tempted to post on this subject in my blog, but I swore I would avoid MBB until next Fall at the earliest. Maybe I'm all wet, but I find the rumors regarding Grayer possibly being hired as an assistant to Mac to be somewhat insulting.

1- While a great Cyclone, the man has no coaching experience. Period. This is about as illogical as people lobbying for Hoiberg to come back to Ames as a head coach. At least Hoiberg has been involved in basketball in the administrative realm.

2- I feel like McDermott would be taking advantage of a man who may be desperate to get into coaching. You don't get your feet wet in the Big 12. Is this really in Grayer's best interest?

3- And the thing that irritates me the most: You're dragging a Cyclone great into your own mess. It feels like a desperate attempt by McDermott to cover his own rear with a name that he knows will get Cyclone fans excited. I don't like that one bit

A lot of people seem to be excited about this move. And while I agree that it's always nice to bring former Cyclones back into the fold, I don't like the situation and circumstances. The phrase "smoke and mirrors" comes to mind.

If McDermott honestly believes that Grayer could come in and coach up this team and hit the recruiting trail guns a blazin', great. But one word comes to mind. Blasphemy: irreverent behavior toward anything held sacred, priceless, etc. If you're going to drag one of the most highly regarded former Cyclones into this mess, you better damn well believe that the hire will provide more than a PR boost.

Blog?

 

[psychlone99]

Re: Grayer rumors

It's my understanding Grayer does have some coaching experience at the youth level and may have coached some at the semi=pro level.

Maybe I should rephrase that: Grayer has no college coaching experience.

 

[ChrisMWilliams]

T.J. Otzelberger just told me that he never interviewed at UCLA. Went on the record. I'll have a story up tonight.

 

[psychlone99]

Re: Grayer rumors

Blog?

I have my own independent blog. CW has been kind enough to allow me to post the link in my signature, and he typically includes a link in his daily listing when I publish a new post.

 

[ISUAgronomist]

T.J. Otzelberger just told me that he never interviewed at UCLA. Went on the record. I'll have a story up tonight.

Thanks for the info.

 

[San Francisco Cy]

Re: Grayer rumors

If McDermott honestly believes that Grayer could come in and coach up this team and hit the recruiting trail guns a blazin', great. But one word comes to mind. Blasphemy: irreverent behavior toward anything held sacred, priceless, etc. If you're going to drag one of the most highly regarded former Cyclones into this mess, you better damn well believe that the hire will provide more than a PR boost.

Do you honestly think Greg would hire Grayer if he didn't think that he was going to help him win? This is the kind of discussion I just don't understand. What does Greg have to gain by dragging Grayer through the mud on his way out? Absolutely nothing. The last person Greg adds to his staff will be because he believes he will give him a chance to win. Period...

 

[alarson]

T.J. Otzelberger just told me that he never interviewed at UCLA. Went on the record. I'll have a story up tonight.

Doesnt mean he still isnt looking (as im sure you're aware)

 

[psychlone99]

Re: Grayer rumors

Do you honestly think Greg would hire Grayer if he didn't think that he was going to help him win? This is the kind of discussion I just don't understand. What does Greg have to gain by dragging Grayer through the mud on his way out? Absolutely nothing. The last person Greg adds to his staff will be because he believes he will give him a chance to win. Period...

Like I said, a PR boost. How could one logically believe that a man with no college coaching/recruiting experience could help you claw your way out of such a mess?

We're having trouble haning onto the coaches we have. It's not much of a stretch to believe that you're going to have a hard time convincing proven assistants to come on board at this point. So why not go after a guy who gives you a PR boost and try to buy some time?

 

[isucy86]

Why the Negativity on Grayer??

It's not like GMAC is hiring Grayer to be his top assistant or even looking for him to be a big time recruiter day 1.

My bet is GMAC takes a much more active role in recruiting kids yet this spring and in the summer recruiting circuit. If TJ is still on staff- we have seen his is a solid recruiter. Jeff Rutter as head of basketball operations is limited- but he still has contacts and can open doors.

I don't want to minimize recruiting for the Fall 2010 signing period- but the fact is if GMAC is gone after the 10/11 most of the fall signees will probably bail.

The best thing for the ISU hoops program at this point is for ISU to be successful on the court in 10/11. IMO getting a guy like Nurse on the staff is a great hire. He has been a coach in Europe & NBDL and we need a coach who can make players better and motivate them. IMO he has probably learned more about coaching at those two levels than he would have by spending the same time as a college assistant coach.

Jeff Grayer or any other assistant hire is most likely going to come in as the bottom assistant and one of his primary responsibilities would be player relations. That is not unusual at any college program. Recruiting and those relationships are something Jeff could develop over time. Its also not like Jeff hasn't stayed close to the game as he has two sons that were part of the HS/AAU structure over the past 3-4 years.

The comparision of Grayer to Manning isn't spot on since Manning served in administrative capacities during his first 3-4 years at KU, but he did not have D1 experience before Self hired him in 2007. I would say playing in the NBA like Jeff did would provide a pretty good training ground if a guy wanted to coach in the future.

 

[SpokaneCY]

Re: Grayer rumors

I was tempted to post on this subject in my blog, but I swore I would avoid MBB until next Fall at the earliest. Maybe I'm all wet, but I find the rumors regarding Grayer possibly being hired as an assistant to Mac to be somewhat insulting.

1- While a great Cyclone, the man has no coaching experience. Period. This is about as illogical as people lobbying for Hoiberg to come back to Ames as a head coach. At least Hoiberg has been involved in basketball in the administrative realm.

2- I feel like McDermott would be taking advantage of a man who may be desperate to get into coaching. You don't get your feet wet in the Big 12. Is this really in Grayer's best interest?

3- And the thing that irritates me the most: You're dragging a Cyclone great into your own mess. It feels like a desperate attempt by McDermott to cover his own rear with a name that he knows will get Cyclone fans excited. I don't like that one bit

A lot of people seem to be excited about this move. And while I agree that it's always nice to bring former Cyclones back into the fold, I don't like the situation and circumstances. The phrase "smoke and mirrors" comes to mind.

If McDermott honestly believes that Grayer could come in and coach up this team and hit the recruiting trail guns a blazin', great. But one word comes to mind. Blasphemy: irreverent behavior toward anything held sacred, priceless, etc. If you're going to drag one of the most highly regarded former Cyclones into this mess, you better damn well believe that the hire will provide more than a PR boost.

Is there anything GMac has done thus far in his life that would make you believe that? Have you heard anything second or third hand that would lead you to believe GMac is capable of that? GMac knows one thing - he has to win. If bringing in a former great helps him win I have no doubt he would embrace it. If it was a PR stunt I would NOT believe it was done with GMac's blessing.

 

[SpokaneCY]

Re: Grayer rumors

Like I said, a PR boost. How could one logically believe that a man with no college coaching/recruiting experience could help you claw your way out of such a mess?

We're having trouble haning onto the coaches we have. It's not much of a stretch to believe that you're going to have a hard time convincing proven assistants to come on board at this point. So why not go after a guy who gives you a PR boost and try to buy some time?

A PR boost from the 3rd or 4th guy on the coaching bench? Nah - can't buy it.

 

[Palmer]

Re: Grayer rumors

A PR boost from the 3rd or 4th guy on the coaching bench? Nah - can't buy it.

well...to be fair.

the 4th or 5th guy on the bench will happen to be one of the all time beloved Cyclone greats.

so he is not just another 4th or 5th guy on the bench.


but who knows what will happen.

 

[Clonehomer]

What if McDermott is hiring Grayer primarily as a guy that can relate to these athletes. Greg has shown an inability to relate to these guys so perhaps he's bringing in someone that fixes his deficiencies. Kind of like Eustacey's Wayne Morgan. This may not be about basketball or recruiting at all. This could be some sort of player development and communication type of situation.

 

[San Francisco Cy]

What if McDermott is hiring Grayer primarily as a guy that can relate to these athletes. Greg has shown an inability to relate to these guys so perhaps he's bringing in someone that fixes his deficiencies. Kind of like Eustacey's Wayne Morgan. This may not be about basketball or recruiting at all. This could be some sort of player development and communication type of situation.

It possibly gives you another guy that can be a holdover, when/if Greg does end up getting released from his coaching obligations. To help keep the current players in tow, and possibly bridge the gap between the old coach and new one. He is and will forever be a Cyclone, and it's yet to be seen whether the current coach or the next one will be...

 

[cyclonenum1]

Re: Grayer rumors

Do you honestly think Greg would hire Grayer if he didn't think that he was going to help him win? This is the kind of discussion I just don't understand. What does Greg have to gain by dragging Grayer through the mud on his way out? Absolutely nothing. The last person Greg adds to his staff will be because he believes he will give him a chance to win. Period...

You do realize that GM is likely in self-preservation mode...correct?

You do realize that it is probably pretty tough for GM to hire assistants right now with the situation he has put himself in by lack of performance during his first four years...correct?

Grayer is a potential candidate for several reasons...he is loyal to ISU and more likely to say yes than someone unaffiliated to ISU or GM (You do realize that if hired the two coaching hires would be a personal buddy of GM's and a loyal Cyclone great...correct?) and he has tremendous PR value with the potential to relieve the heat a little from some of the Cyclone faithful.

 

[Cydkar]

Re: Grayer rumors

well...to be fair.

the 4th or 5th guy on the bench will happen to be one of the all time beloved Cyclone greats.

so he is not just another 4th or 5th guy on the bench.


but who knows what will happen.

Still don't buy any PR boost. Certainly not enough to influence the buying public for more than 5 minutes. People aren't going to go to games to see Grayer on the bench and if they do it will be a one game peek vs. Sisters of the Poor. If we don't win it won't matter if Hoiberg is on the bench.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Re: Grayer rumors

Is there anything GMAC has done thus far in his life that would make you believe that? Have you heard anything second or third hand that would lead you to believe GMac is capable of that? GMAC knows one thing - he has to win. If bringing in a former great helps him win I have no doubt he would embrace it. If it was a PR stunt I would NOT believe it was done with GMac's blessing.

"If winning ever gets in the way........I need to change professions."


So either this quote was complete BS.......or yeah.....it's a PR stunt. Because I imagine the chances of him changing professions at this time are slim and none. And slim just stepped out the door.

 

[psychlone99]

Re: Grayer rumors

Is there anything GMac has done thus far in his life that would make you believe that? Have you heard anything second or third hand that would lead you to believe GMac is capable of that?

Desperation can cause a person to do things they otherwise wouldn't. Reneging on Colvin's suspension, for example. Or trying to load up on a bunch of JUCOs. Neither of these things are representative of what we would consider typical McDermott behavior. The same would be true for going out and hiring a man with no college coaching or recruiting experience when you have limited time to raise a program from its deathbed.

GMac knows one thing - he has to win.

Obviously. And he knew that 4 years ago. But tell me how Grayer helps you win? I've heard the player relations angle, although I thought that was going to be Nurse's role. Are we going to win next year by simply bringing in a couple of guys who relate better to the players, one of whom has never put a whistle to his mouth on a college court?

 

[Gizmo]

Jeff was a freshman the first year my wife and I had season tickets. I would love to see him back in Hilton. Every coach has to start somewhere. I would love to see Jeff Grayer and Nick Nurse start successful D1 college coaching careers at ISU and have them both eventually become head coaches somewhere at a D1 level. Go Cyclones!!!