Steve Prohm releases statement

[HFCS]

I wish someone would've told Prohm that scripture doesn't belong in the locker room. Save that stuff for when you're coaching at a small private school. It's Coaching 101 on how not to divide a locker room.

I have mixed feelings about bringing a specific religion into a public university sports program, but I've spoken about it on the board in a way where people know I'm not an obvious troll.

It's pretty clear Prohm's openness with his faith helped him on the recruiting trail. Players and families said as much.

Even though "Cyclown" is probably a troll account, there is a real discussion to be had about this.

There's no way to really make team prayers optional, if a guy abstains he is viewed as not being together with the team. Personally when I was put in this situation in sports I just pretended to be all in with it, knowing if I was true to my beliefs I'd be viewed as less of a leader and splintering the team (and I was team captain).

 

[JM4CY]

Please don't accuse me of being a troll and advocate that I be removed from here. What I commented on was front and center of what was posted. It's fine if you don't agree with me. Let's drop it.

You're a troll.

5 bucks says he’s 1605

 

[Big_Sill]

Spoke with Prohm a few times over the years (never about basketball). We have similar aged kids, so that's what we talked about. He had no reason to remember me, however each time we spoke, he recalled I had kids so he would ask about them. Seemed like he was genuinely interested in the well being of me and my family even in a fairly brief interaction, it was sincere. He also seemed hungry for just a normal conversation (2 dad's talking about kids) I grew to see him as a Dad, and a normal guy... just like a lot of us. I won't say a bad thing about him, and I hope he was mostly able to have positive interactions with Cyclone Nation, even though it didn't work out. The only way he would go out is with class and care for others.

 

[burn587]

So, curious. Which is the thread which hammers those claiming the donors with a buyout? If there was one message JP sent out more firmly than anything is the manner in which this program is run. I'm sure I'm part of many who've always known that. But, to those of you so full of yourself that you know better, you should be ashamed and, quite frankly, embarrassed.

There’s wiggle room in what JP said. Maybe no donor is “buying out” Prohm, doesn’t mean that they didn’t offer to help fund the next coach’s salary to get rid of Prohm.

 

[HFCS]

I wish Prohm nothing but the best. But the comparison to Mac is flawed. Mac left the program in a significantly better place. Prohm did his best but the same can’t be said for him.

I think CPR was somewhere in between.

Maybe I'm biased because I just feel I have more of a similar personality and mindset as CPR, but I feel like he made tangible growth on top of the foundation Mac built.

Chiz is the only outgoing coach where I just didn't like the guy.

With McD it was that there was really no high or low, just sustained below average. With Prohm we had the highs and then a shocking low.

 

[HFCS]

Spoke with Prohm a few times over the years (never about basketball). We have similar aged kids, so that's what we talked about. He had no reason to remember me, however each time we spoke, he recalled I had kids so he would ask about them. Seemed like he was genuinely interested in the well being of me and my family even in a fairly brief interaction, it was sincere. He also seemed hungry for just a normal conversation (2 dad's talking about kids) I grew to see him as a Dad, and a normal guy... just like a lot of us. I won't say a bad thing about him, and I hope he was mostly able to have positive interactions with Cyclone Nation, even though it didn't work out. The only way he would go out is with class and care for others.

The people who don't like Prohm on a personal level seem to likely be a-holes.

 

[cycloner29]

5 bucks says he’s 1605

or his twin trolling alter ego goIahawks

 

[jsb]

So, curious. Which is the thread which hammers those claiming the donors with a buyout? If there was one message JP sent out more firmly than anything is the manner in which this program is run. I'm sure I'm part of many who've always known that. But, to those of you so full of yourself that you know better, you should be ashamed and, quite frankly, embarrassed.

If you don’t think Jamie lies, you’re naive.

I’m sure like any politician, he knows how to technically tell the truth. He knows the donors enough to know who will pay for TJ (Albaugh) and who will pay to get rid of prohm (apparently not bergstrum). He knows what the sukups will pay for.

But someone has to pay for prohm. And if I’m wrong and UNLV is devastated that we are taking TJ away, someone will have to pay for that.

 

[jsb]

Spoke with Prohm a few times over the years (never about basketball). We have similar aged kids, so that's what we talked about. He had no reason to remember me, however each time we spoke, he recalled I had kids so he would ask about them. Seemed like he was genuinely interested in the well being of me and my family even in a fairly brief interaction, it was sincere. He also seemed hungry for just a normal conversation (2 dad's talking about kids) I grew to see him as a Dad, and a normal guy... just like a lot of us. I won't say a bad thing about him, and I hope he was mostly able to have positive interactions with Cyclone Nation, even though it didn't work out. The only way he would go out is with class and care for others.

I always got the biggest kick out of his kids and his wife was a rock star handling 3 kids under 5 (?).

 

[CyLyte2]

If you don’t think Jamie lies, you’re naive.

I’m sure like any politician, he knows how to technically tell the truth. He knows the donors enough to know who will pay for TJ (Albaugh) and who will pay to get rid of prohm (apparently not bergstrum). He knows what the sukups will pay for.

But someone has to pay for prohm. And if I’m wrong and UNLV is devastated that we are taking TJ away, someone will have to pay for that.

What do you think the whole part regarding "creative financing" was about?

 

[RandyMarsh4pres]

If you don’t think Jamie lies, you’re naive.

I’m sure like any politician, he knows how to technically tell the truth. He knows the donors enough to know who will pay for TJ (Albaugh) and who will pay to get rid of prohm (apparently not bergstrum). He knows what the sukups will pay for.

But someone has to pay for prohm. And if I’m wrong and UNLV is devastated that we are taking TJ away, someone will have to pay for that.

This. You don't get in a position like that without knowing how to play politics and release good statements that technically are true.

I don't buy that after all this talk about being 25 million in debt and the huge burden on ISU athletics that he'd spend 5.3 million to buyout Prohm without help in some way. Wouldn't be surprised if some donors provided some money for other projects and that will allow him to rearrange funds for the buyout. Plus give him the ability to say he technically didn't receive money to fire Prohm.

 

[madguy30]

I have mixed feelings about bringing a specific religion into a public university sports program, but I've spoken about it on the board in a way where people know I'm not an obvious troll.

It's pretty clear Prohm's openness with his faith helped him on the recruiting trail. Players and families said as much.

Even though "Cyclown" is probably a troll account, there is a real discussion to be had about this.

There's no way to really make team prayers optional, if a guy abstains he is viewed as not being together with the team. Personally when I was put in this situation in sports I just pretended to be all in with it, knowing if I was true to my beliefs I'd be viewed as less of a leader and splintering the team (and I was team captain).

All indications were that most or any issues within the team/program was more about egos and playing time.

Most of the bad play looked like a result from that and no clear direction or identity.

 

[ribsnwhiskey]

Isn’t religion a cave topic? Let’s not go down that road.

Its hard to not go down that road when the guy makes it front and center. Its clear where his priorities have been since he got here and they most certainly weren't on winning basketball games. Maybe he should start a church with his buyout.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

It usually takes a few coaches to do that. McCarney got fully embraced by Campbell but not the other two.

Hopefully, we have Campbell for years though

I would have been concerned if he had fully embraced Coach Firmly Entrenched...

 

[CapnCy]

I think most of this discrepancy can be explained by the fact that Mac is retired now. He wasn't nearly as engaged when he was still coaching, for obvious reasons.

So, curious. Which is the thread which hammers those claiming the donors with a buyout? If there was one message JP sent out more firmly than anything is the manner in which this program is run. I'm sure I'm part of many who've always known that. But, to those of you so full of yourself that you know better, you should be ashamed and, quite frankly, embarrassed.

I posted that in another thread...basically "your sources were wrong" lol
But yeah, probably partially due to how connected a small state like Iowa is folks feel they "know people" and the old telephone game kicks in quick. How many times have i heard from people about ISU/Iowa "we got good tickets...the boss is a big donor" and usually that isn't true...usually it's "they got tickets...the person did donate" but the person who got the tickets who had a chat with the person feels that speculation becomes truth.

 

[CapnCy]

That's the absolute fact of it. The odds of Pollard hitting on another Campbell are slim. No matter who he hires.

AND the chances of a name we DON'T hire being successful in 3-4 years also likely and we do the "coulda got..." threads

 

[Go2Guy]

so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”

May God bless Coach Prohm, his family and his staff. Best wishes for the future and thanks for being a Cyclone.

 

[CapnCy]

Has there ever really been a lot of hate around Rhoads? It seems like since we've had a good amount of success people have forgiven him pretty quickly

I honestly thing our fan base has grown a lot (which is good)....i.e. we are getting some "tshirt" fans. A lot of folks saying "you suck...good riddance" to the Prohm/Rhoads exits.

And the game has changed SO much....meaning, Mac does have the nostalgia and historic love...and CPR will probably get some of that with time. I'd LOVE to hear a few similar "war stories" podcasts with CPR about some of his big moments...just too soon now.

Also....EVERYONE has an opinion now (i.e. social media).

 

[HFCS]

All indications were that most or any issues within the team/program was more about egos and playing time.

Most of the bad play looked like a result from that and no clear direction or identity.

There's no way to know what ego issues are.

If a player doesn't participate in the religious stuff that can be perceived like he's not a team player. Like I said I just went along with it even though it wasn't for me because I realized it would hurt team chemistry if I didn't. It's probably not a big deal but it's something we aren't even allowed to talk about as a society often, if you're against it you get eye rolling at best and ostracized at worst.

I just wanted to point out that while the guy is a troll, it's not a troll topic but a real topic.

 

[LarryISU]

My 2 cents: CSP and his staff did a great job of recruiting and bringing us good players. But his teams here were never good at defense or rebounding. Just came across as though those were two skills that they did not know how to teach to the players well. So, good/great players, sometimes exciting on offense, but we were never going to make any progress on defending and rebounding. Sad to see him go, just like Jamie said, but a change had to be made.