Herb Pope telling the Sun-News that he will be an Aggie next year is good news for a lot of people and great news for Marvin Menzies.
Imagine if Pope bailed. It would have been a bad PR hit for the school and a horrible way for Menzies to get started. Instead, Pope decided to stay and Menzies wins big before the team even takes the floor. The team can continue its forward thinking mentality and view itself, as in fact, a program on the rise.
Now the school will need to hold on to him for the long haul. Wins will be the easiest way to do that. Success will breed a place where recruits want to come and play ball. And Pope staying could be the beginning of that. All the newcomers will be in Las Cruces come tip-off including the reluctant JayDee Luster. Then the real games will begin and the real winning will have to take place.
Pope staying was the first big win in the Menzies era before it was even 24 hours old.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
First impressions of Menzies
Marvin Menzies handled himself the best he could at Friday’s press conference. I don’t think he imagined the expectations that awaited him in Las Cruces. The Aggies are a talented team and people are expecting big things.
He will be asked to carry the torch that Reggie Theus ignited when he came here two years ago. One press conference isn’t going to determine how he’ll be as a coach when the bullets are flying at Duke or when the team goes on the road to Fresno. He won’t be Theus, who was personable, charismatic and, at times, inspirational. People didn’t see Reggie sweat in the line of fire. Menzies will be under the gun from the get-go and there will be no honeymoon period. He’ll be expected to win immediately.
If the Aggies slip from last season it will be considered a disappointment. Menzies can’t rock the boat and needs to get everyone on the same page. I think all the recruits will end up coming to Las Cruces and I believe the talent on the floor will be evident. He’ll have to make the pieces fit though. I think NMSU would be wise to bring its assistant staff back intact. I doubt all will return though. This is a big year for NMSU basketball and a huge hire for Dr. Boston. If it works out, all will be considered great. If it doesn’t, look out below
TF
He will be asked to carry the torch that Reggie Theus ignited when he came here two years ago. One press conference isn’t going to determine how he’ll be as a coach when the bullets are flying at Duke or when the team goes on the road to Fresno. He won’t be Theus, who was personable, charismatic and, at times, inspirational. People didn’t see Reggie sweat in the line of fire. Menzies will be under the gun from the get-go and there will be no honeymoon period. He’ll be expected to win immediately.
If the Aggies slip from last season it will be considered a disappointment. Menzies can’t rock the boat and needs to get everyone on the same page. I think all the recruits will end up coming to Las Cruces and I believe the talent on the floor will be evident. He’ll have to make the pieces fit though. I think NMSU would be wise to bring its assistant staff back intact. I doubt all will return though. This is a big year for NMSU basketball and a huge hire for Dr. Boston. If it works out, all will be considered great. If it doesn’t, look out below
TF
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Mystery man
McKinley Boston is a savvy man. He shielded a candidate and the person has yet to be identified as of 12:33 a.m. mountain time Wednesday morning.
This signifies something significant though. Boston hasn’t been enamored with any of the candidates to this point and is looking elsewhere for a spark. It seems as if he thought the second round of interviews would allow him to zero in on a coach who separated himself from the pack…It hasn’t happened. The ordinary Rob Evans is like a piece of bread that has been left out overnight. Rod Terry, Gib Arnold and Marvin Menzies all bring different attributes to the table, but all come with question marks and no guarantees.
Who is the mystery man? Good question. Is Boston desperate? I don’t know if that’s the right word but he certainly is uncertain at this point. The next 24-48 hours will determine everything. If he had to make a choice right now, he wouldn’t be able to. The list is intriguing, but in his heart of hearts, Boston knows that the future of the program hangs in the balance. With the right man on the bench, the team can take another step forward. The wrong choice could be disastrous.
I still think Boston should role the dice. Evans? Too boring for my blood. I still believe it comes down to Terry, Arnold and Menzies. But then again, why bring in another candidate if you were certain the right name was on the original short list? It should be an interesting 24 hours
This signifies something significant though. Boston hasn’t been enamored with any of the candidates to this point and is looking elsewhere for a spark. It seems as if he thought the second round of interviews would allow him to zero in on a coach who separated himself from the pack…It hasn’t happened. The ordinary Rob Evans is like a piece of bread that has been left out overnight. Rod Terry, Gib Arnold and Marvin Menzies all bring different attributes to the table, but all come with question marks and no guarantees.
Who is the mystery man? Good question. Is Boston desperate? I don’t know if that’s the right word but he certainly is uncertain at this point. The next 24-48 hours will determine everything. If he had to make a choice right now, he wouldn’t be able to. The list is intriguing, but in his heart of hearts, Boston knows that the future of the program hangs in the balance. With the right man on the bench, the team can take another step forward. The wrong choice could be disastrous.
I still think Boston should role the dice. Evans? Too boring for my blood. I still believe it comes down to Terry, Arnold and Menzies. But then again, why bring in another candidate if you were certain the right name was on the original short list? It should be an interesting 24 hours
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Updated list
Very interesting developments in Aggie country this afternoon.
These are legitimate names. The only real surprise is Orlando Early, who came absolutely out of nowhere to become a darkhorse of sorts. Rob Evans is obviously a candidate too although I have to say I am surprised by this. I don't think he'll get the job.
If the list is on the money — and I believe it is, 100 percent — Boston is clearly conflicted for a number of reasons. He looks at some candidates with little or no head coaching experience while the one's who do have some might not possess the same appeal. I think he goes with a gutsy pick again. With that being said, it comes down to Rodney Terry, Gib Arnold and Marvin Menzies. McKinley Boston will choose the candidate who is best prepared to continue to move the program forward
These are legitimate names. The only real surprise is Orlando Early, who came absolutely out of nowhere to become a darkhorse of sorts. Rob Evans is obviously a candidate too although I have to say I am surprised by this. I don't think he'll get the job.
If the list is on the money — and I believe it is, 100 percent — Boston is clearly conflicted for a number of reasons. He looks at some candidates with little or no head coaching experience while the one's who do have some might not possess the same appeal. I think he goes with a gutsy pick again. With that being said, it comes down to Rodney Terry, Gib Arnold and Marvin Menzies. McKinley Boston will choose the candidate who is best prepared to continue to move the program forward
Coaching list
Well, if you read the coaching list of candidates that McKinley Boston is going to interview in our paper, there are some very intriguing names to consider.
I think Boston is thinking young, unproven and wants to go with a slightly gutsy pick. Two guys that jump off the bat immediately are Rodney Terry and Cameron Dollar. Both seem to be what the AD is looking for – two guys who appear to have bright basketball minds, good recruiting records, look like they could relate well with players as head coaches. Texas’ freshmen class last season was ridiculous and Terry was on that staff.
I think you can eliminate Rob Evans from contention. He’s up there in age, and it’s just too close to the vest for Boston. Wayne Morgan doesn’t intrigue me greatly either. Internal candidates? I don’t think that’s a horrible choice but again, it’s too conservative for Boston. He’ll look to make a splash.
He said last night he has a favorite in mind. My money’s on him rolling the dice on Terry.
I think Boston is thinking young, unproven and wants to go with a slightly gutsy pick. Two guys that jump off the bat immediately are Rodney Terry and Cameron Dollar. Both seem to be what the AD is looking for – two guys who appear to have bright basketball minds, good recruiting records, look like they could relate well with players as head coaches. Texas’ freshmen class last season was ridiculous and Terry was on that staff.
I think you can eliminate Rob Evans from contention. He’s up there in age, and it’s just too close to the vest for Boston. Wayne Morgan doesn’t intrigue me greatly either. Internal candidates? I don’t think that’s a horrible choice but again, it’s too conservative for Boston. He’ll look to make a splash.
He said last night he has a favorite in mind. My money’s on him rolling the dice on Terry.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Reggie knows what he's doing
Reggie Theus, well, he has put himself in the best position possible.
First off, he was guaranteed $6 million which is good for just about anybody. Aside from that, it’s a no-lose deal. Worst case scenario, Theus fails in Sacramento and pockets the cash. He’ll still have a job waiting for him in the college game, possibly at a program with higher prestige than NMSU. And if he gets the Kings to scrape the .500 mark, he’ll look like a solid young coach on the rise.
He’ll be talking today at NMSU at noon to discuss the search and say his final farewell. After that, it’s off to Sacramento. I think he will surprise people on the next level
TF
First off, he was guaranteed $6 million which is good for just about anybody. Aside from that, it’s a no-lose deal. Worst case scenario, Theus fails in Sacramento and pockets the cash. He’ll still have a job waiting for him in the college game, possibly at a program with higher prestige than NMSU. And if he gets the Kings to scrape the .500 mark, he’ll look like a solid young coach on the rise.
He’ll be talking today at NMSU at noon to discuss the search and say his final farewell. After that, it’s off to Sacramento. I think he will surprise people on the next level
TF
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