DeWayne Walker will be introduced at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning.
I am very excited to attend! We will get our first idea of what Walker is all about and what he could possibly bring to the table. My hunch: A very level person, someone who will not be overly flashy. Just a solid coach. Again, this is just his first press conference and much judgment will be reserved for the next nine months and into the season. We shall see. But it's as good a time as any to get things started.
....
Many thought the search went too long. Maybe an announcement would have been nice a week ago but lets think about the ramifications of rushing.
You pick a coach to aid in the recruiting process, as every day missed hurts. But the more you rush, the more the likelihood exists of making the wrong pick.
McKinley Boston took his time. He targeted who he wanted. And he landed the man he wanted. That wouldn't have been possibly without patience. The negotiation process took some time and ultimately convincing Walker may have taken some time. If he ends up being a good head coach, you won't remember how long the coaching search took three years from now. You'll just be happy.
....
I will not pile on the men's basketball team.
They lost a tough game to the Lobos, at home, and one that felt like it was their's in the final five minutes. But we move on.
Now, we look to WAC play. Folks, the WAC is unimpressive this year. If the Aggies don't finish top-4 in this conference, it will be considered a major disappointment. I feel like that is even being more lenient than what some others would say. Heck, some others might say top-3 or top-2. But I'm realistic.
This is a team that won a legitimate WAC title two years ago. A team that really, arguably, could have won the WAC last year - but didn't.
Just finish top-4. In a weak conference. I think they should.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
DeWayne Walker
I just bumped into DeWayne Walker at Hotel Encanto in Las Cruces.
He gave me his cell phone number and told me to call him tomorrow. I asked if he was taking the NMSU coaching job and he just laughed, walked away, and said "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
They're supposed to announce the hire Tuesday morning. Nobody will go on the record with it. I thought I would try to hunt down DeWayne. I did, but he didn't have much to say. At this point, it seems like a foregone conclusion that he will be the next coach at NMSU. I think most of us have known that for some time.
He gave me his cell phone number and told me to call him tomorrow. I asked if he was taking the NMSU coaching job and he just laughed, walked away, and said "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
They're supposed to announce the hire Tuesday morning. Nobody will go on the record with it. I thought I would try to hunt down DeWayne. I did, but he didn't have much to say. At this point, it seems like a foregone conclusion that he will be the next coach at NMSU. I think most of us have known that for some time.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
UNM hoops game
The Lobos are coming to town on Tuesday.
I do think, for Menzies and the Aggies, this could borderline on a must-win game.
I know, people are saying, 'how can it be a must win, it's only December/January, conference hasn't even started?' But you gotta hear it out.
First off, I don't think the fan base is crazy about Menzies right now. It's a fickle business, and people want a win. They want to see the Aggies take their rival by the throat, at home.
If the Aggies handle the Lobos the way they handled UTEP at the Pan Am earlier this year? Passing grade, with flying colors. If they win in a knock down, drag out affair? That's 2-2 against their rivals this year, and the natives are satisfied. A rebuilding year of sorts, in the coach's words and actions no less, and we'll take a 2-2 record. A loss? At home? To a UNM team that is beatable? Some more complaints start rolling in, some more questions are asked and some more confidence from the fan base erodes.
....
It would be nice to see some fans at the game. Anything less than 8,000 will be very disappointing. Anything at 10,000 or higher would qualify as a success.
I know the numbers might seem a little unrealistic, depending upon your viewpoint, but I think, for a rivalry game on a Tuesday night, a good crowd like this is a requirement in a college town.
I do think, for Menzies and the Aggies, this could borderline on a must-win game.
I know, people are saying, 'how can it be a must win, it's only December/January, conference hasn't even started?' But you gotta hear it out.
First off, I don't think the fan base is crazy about Menzies right now. It's a fickle business, and people want a win. They want to see the Aggies take their rival by the throat, at home.
If the Aggies handle the Lobos the way they handled UTEP at the Pan Am earlier this year? Passing grade, with flying colors. If they win in a knock down, drag out affair? That's 2-2 against their rivals this year, and the natives are satisfied. A rebuilding year of sorts, in the coach's words and actions no less, and we'll take a 2-2 record. A loss? At home? To a UNM team that is beatable? Some more complaints start rolling in, some more questions are asked and some more confidence from the fan base erodes.
....
It would be nice to see some fans at the game. Anything less than 8,000 will be very disappointing. Anything at 10,000 or higher would qualify as a success.
I know the numbers might seem a little unrealistic, depending upon your viewpoint, but I think, for a rivalry game on a Tuesday night, a good crowd like this is a requirement in a college town.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Supporting Walker, or any other coach for that matter
It's been a mixed bag for DeWayne Walker, who is believed to be the next coach of the Aggie football team, if all things work out the next couple of days.
I would say that the skepticism over the move compared to the support for Walker is about 60/40, at least it seems that way on the blog.
All I know is that this is a huge hire for NMSU. The football program has been down for so long and many in the fan base do not think that it will ever turn around.
The job is a big challenge. And I feel like the first year will be a major transitional season, no matter who's patrolling the sidelines in 2009. The team wasn't that great to begin with, and many of the good players - Chris Williams, AJ Harris, Chase Holbrook - are gone. The team will have to rebuild a bit, and they would whether a new coach came on board or if it was still Hal Mumme.
But I believe that Walker is a good coach. And if he gets the job, I think he is as good as anyone NMSU could have picked up this offseason.
Whoever it may be - and again, all signs point to Walker at this point - just give him a chance. We know it's going to be tough. But its about inspiring athletes to play solid football and bringing in the talent that can compete with the WAC. It's a new era for NMSU football. Some fans will be skeptical no matter what. But lets try to put a positive spin on this situation. At least for now, you have to have hope.
I would say that the skepticism over the move compared to the support for Walker is about 60/40, at least it seems that way on the blog.
All I know is that this is a huge hire for NMSU. The football program has been down for so long and many in the fan base do not think that it will ever turn around.
The job is a big challenge. And I feel like the first year will be a major transitional season, no matter who's patrolling the sidelines in 2009. The team wasn't that great to begin with, and many of the good players - Chris Williams, AJ Harris, Chase Holbrook - are gone. The team will have to rebuild a bit, and they would whether a new coach came on board or if it was still Hal Mumme.
But I believe that Walker is a good coach. And if he gets the job, I think he is as good as anyone NMSU could have picked up this offseason.
Whoever it may be - and again, all signs point to Walker at this point - just give him a chance. We know it's going to be tough. But its about inspiring athletes to play solid football and bringing in the talent that can compete with the WAC. It's a new era for NMSU football. Some fans will be skeptical no matter what. But lets try to put a positive spin on this situation. At least for now, you have to have hope.
Walker coming to campus on Monday
A report out of the L.A. Daily News on Friday night/Saturday morning stated that DeWayne Walker will be in Las Cruces on Monday and will take a tour of the NMSU campus. It's believed that Walker is the lead candidate to fill the Aggie football coaching position.
It seemed like Walker was the man for the job when this search got underway to begin with. The real unknown was if he was willing to coach the Aggies. But, it would seem, that he is. And that's a good thing.
The school will make an offer to Walker. If he likes it, the job is his. Take it or leave it. I think he will.....Take it.
It seemed like Walker was the man for the job when this search got underway to begin with. The real unknown was if he was willing to coach the Aggies. But, it would seem, that he is. And that's a good thing.
The school will make an offer to Walker. If he likes it, the job is his. Take it or leave it. I think he will.....Take it.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Walker, Schultz
On that football search.
Walker and Schultz are two finalists. Who's the third? Not sure. But we got two and it comes as no surprise. Maybe even too obvious. I have faith that Walker would be a fine hire. I'm not as confident in Schultz but I hear good things. But what else is out there?
There must be something. The third coach remains a mystery. My true and honest gut feeling today was that it's Walker's or Schultz's job, whoever accepts or whoever backs out. But these searches can change quickly. Walker seems to be the favorite. He almost got hired at San Diego State, could have been hired at UCLA and seems to be someone who will eventually be hired somewhere.
Schultz comes from a great program and has been in the business for some time. He's also familiar with the area. He has ties to New Mexico and El Paso. TCU is a very balanced team. But he has been around that winning culture for some time and hopefully could bring some of it to an Aggie program thirsting for it.
I just want this to come to the forefront soon. I'm tired of waiting for it. Lets see who the next coach is going to be.
Walker and Schultz are two finalists. Who's the third? Not sure. But we got two and it comes as no surprise. Maybe even too obvious. I have faith that Walker would be a fine hire. I'm not as confident in Schultz but I hear good things. But what else is out there?
There must be something. The third coach remains a mystery. My true and honest gut feeling today was that it's Walker's or Schultz's job, whoever accepts or whoever backs out. But these searches can change quickly. Walker seems to be the favorite. He almost got hired at San Diego State, could have been hired at UCLA and seems to be someone who will eventually be hired somewhere.
Schultz comes from a great program and has been in the business for some time. He's also familiar with the area. He has ties to New Mexico and El Paso. TCU is a very balanced team. But he has been around that winning culture for some time and hopefully could bring some of it to an Aggie program thirsting for it.
I just want this to come to the forefront soon. I'm tired of waiting for it. Lets see who the next coach is going to be.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A little concerned about this one
Lets look at some of the comments made by Marvin Menzies leading up to and following the Aggies' loss to the Lobos on Tuesday night.
Before the game:
On being 0-5 on the road
"I don't think it's a huge deal.....Wins are difficult on the road without a lot of experience and it takes time for kids to grow up and learn from those experiences."
On the UTEP loss
"We were distracted as young kids do and hopefully that lesson will lead us to be more in tune with what we need to do."
On the importance of the game. Note: UNM senior Chad Toppert called the game a must win.
"It's obviously a game you want to win because it means a lot more to the community than beating somebody like Prairie View or Sacramento State. You just hope through preparation and the game plan that you can go in and give a great effort."
Following the UNM game
"You don't want to make excuses but (UNM has) experienced kids that played their role and they did a very good job tonight."
"Seniors make shots and shooters make shots and that's what (UNM) did."
"It's one of those games where you wish you could have a few more possessions back where we really executed badly. We've got to get back to the comforts of home and hopefully we can put out a better product next time."
What are these?
Personally, I am tired of hearing about youth. I know, the team is young. We knew that the first day of practice when Menzies announced it to the world. Do I expect them to go out and win every game? No. Can we have some accountability? That would be nice, yes. Come out and say how important the Lobo game is for your team. Come out and call out a player or two for not hustling to grab a rebound.
When asked about the team being 0-5 on the road (now 0-6 by the way), say that you take the court every time to win the game. No, losing on the road is not acceptable.
Instead, it comes off like it's not a big deal. He said it wasn't a big deal! You say it, your team will play like it. Simple as that.
I feel like Marvin has recruited pretty well to this program. The team is young. We understand it. But it's like Mumme with the injuries. We understand the circumstances, but it isn't a crutch. Don't use it as a crutch. You play to win the game. And losing should not be acceptable.
Before the game:
On being 0-5 on the road
"I don't think it's a huge deal.....Wins are difficult on the road without a lot of experience and it takes time for kids to grow up and learn from those experiences."
On the UTEP loss
"We were distracted as young kids do and hopefully that lesson will lead us to be more in tune with what we need to do."
On the importance of the game. Note: UNM senior Chad Toppert called the game a must win.
"It's obviously a game you want to win because it means a lot more to the community than beating somebody like Prairie View or Sacramento State. You just hope through preparation and the game plan that you can go in and give a great effort."
Following the UNM game
"You don't want to make excuses but (UNM has) experienced kids that played their role and they did a very good job tonight."
"Seniors make shots and shooters make shots and that's what (UNM) did."
"It's one of those games where you wish you could have a few more possessions back where we really executed badly. We've got to get back to the comforts of home and hopefully we can put out a better product next time."
What are these?
Personally, I am tired of hearing about youth. I know, the team is young. We knew that the first day of practice when Menzies announced it to the world. Do I expect them to go out and win every game? No. Can we have some accountability? That would be nice, yes. Come out and say how important the Lobo game is for your team. Come out and call out a player or two for not hustling to grab a rebound.
When asked about the team being 0-5 on the road (now 0-6 by the way), say that you take the court every time to win the game. No, losing on the road is not acceptable.
Instead, it comes off like it's not a big deal. He said it wasn't a big deal! You say it, your team will play like it. Simple as that.
I feel like Marvin has recruited pretty well to this program. The team is young. We understand it. But it's like Mumme with the injuries. We understand the circumstances, but it isn't a crutch. Don't use it as a crutch. You play to win the game. And losing should not be acceptable.
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