Keeping TJ
- Thread starter BryceC
- Start date
His #1 Assistant took a job at La Tech about a month or so ago. He is not coming. I expect Mann and TJ to move on. If not right away within a year. That has been my prediction. Prohm will get assistant coaches and fill his staff.
Many times coaches want their own staff. Plus TJ interviewed for the job. That makes it a little tougher IMO for both sides.
If Prohm was able to recruit at a mid-major level and (by all accounts) succeed, then I trust he can recruit at a "P5 level". Valid question, nonetheless, but one could argue that getting kids to come to a top conference was never available to him in the past, so how may kids did he miss on previously that he might be able to get now?
I'm going to totally ignore Greg McDermott at this point :unsure:
3 main possibilities:
1. TJ stays 2+ years
2. TJ stays 1 year and bolts
3. TJ is not retained/walks
1>3>>>>>>>2
Having TJ stay 1 year and then leave, with him effectively recruiting for his future spot as opposed to ISU, is the only option that really screws us. (Not that that would necessarily be his plan, but if he were to leave it would end up that way).
1. TJ stays 2+ years
2. TJ stays 1 year and bolts
3. TJ is not retained/walks
1>3>>>>>>>2
Having TJ stay 1 year and then leave, with him effectively recruiting for his future spot as opposed to ISU, is the only option that really screws us. (Not that that would necessarily be his plan, but if he were to leave it would end up that way).
Hopefully TJ is on staff to form a great duo, but if he doesn't intend to stay for a couple years, might as well cut ties now imo.
It is tough to recruit to Ames, but Prohm has recruited guys to Murray, Kentucky and the OVC.
It is tough to recruit to Ames, but Prohm has recruited guys to Murray, Kentucky and the OVC.
For the chemistry of this current team, I really hope TJ stays. Not saying Prohm won't connect with these guys (really happy they have a Europe trip this Summer specifically for this), but TJ was kind of the bridge that held everyone together through the Hoiberg to the Bulls saga. Plus with all the talent coming out of Wisconsin in the next few years, it would be great if he is here to land a few of those guys
demoncore1031
Well-Known Member
Prohm will want to keep TJ on because he has no coaching or recruiting experience in the Midwest and will recognize all the things TJ brings to the table.
I would hope for continuity that he could keep on TJ or Cornell to help aid with recruiting in finishing this class and maintaining what we already have for this year. I think if he could keep TJ on and then hire William Small from Murray State and then the third spot could go to either Corn or a guy like Amir Abdur-Rahim at Texas A&M, who Prohm worked with at Murray State under Kennedy, Jamall Walker at Illinois, same goes or Isaac Chew at Virginia Tech. Or maybe the Missouri guy Tim Fuller. For the Director of Ops I would say James Kane from Murray State if he doesn't stay on with McMahon who I assume gets the Murray State job. And then for another D Ops keep on Loenser or Byers for continuity with the program for now. If TJ does leave, a guy who Prohm would be familiar with and who has a long resume would be a guy like Dickey Nutt who was let go from Southeast Missouri State. But I like the idea of TJ with Small and then one of the other guys.
Another interesting connection is Kane to Anthony Grant, the former Alabama coach who is out of a job. If TJ isn't retained would be a good hire for an associate head coach. And also of note Isaac Chew at Virginia Tech played at Iowa Lakes and coached at Indian Hills, so familiar with Iowa and Iowa junior college ball.
IMO, we need to relax a bit and take a deep breath. I am of the opinion that Steve Prohm can sell himself to recruits and get them to come here. He just got done doing a great selling job to JP in getting the Iowa State job. Supposedly he knocked it out of the park in his interview. That is a good thing IMO.
Tell that to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Thier HC and associate both interviewed for the HC position.
Just curious, isn't it possible that no promises were made, but TJ saw the opening coming and thought he would 'probably'get the job? So he rolled the dice and just didn't come up lucky. Hopefully it will all work out for everyone involved.
I might add that if TJ is kept on staff he will do an excellent job IMO. He is a class individual from all reports And a man of integrity. He will do the best job he can.
While I was not overwhelmed with any of the interviewees, I feel they would have ALL been decent hires. It is over and done now and we must all support our new coach. So let's just stop with negative posts and predictions of doomsday. Nothing good comes of it.
While I was not overwhelmed with any of the interviewees, I feel they would have ALL been decent hires. It is over and done now and we must all support our new coach. So let's just stop with negative posts and predictions of doomsday. Nothing good comes of it.
You guys know that TJ didn't have to sign here as an assistant in order to become HC right? We didn't hire Prohm as assistant first.