No that is just a rumor I heard so I certainly don't know that as a fact. Regardless, Turge got a raise last year to $1.8M and I'm not quite sure he has done anything to deserve that much. I don't really care that Turge is leaving because I can't stand how much he whines, but the effects of him leaving and what he is going to leave us with this late in the game is going to be devastating.
Agreed. The timing could not be worse. Pretty much only Theus would make me happy at this point and that's just not very likely. Watch us wind up putting an interim guy in or something.
And it is now official ... I certainly dont blame him for taking the 2.5M he is supposed to get. Not really sad he is leaving as I dont really like him, but i am more sad that we are in this situation in Mid May
This is kind of funny. I used to go to UMD and A&M. Now I'm currently at A&M. Should have the inside scoop but I don't. This is kind of surprising because you'd figure UMD would want a guy with NE roots for recruiting purposes, which was the biggest criticism with Gary. I guess Turg's recruiting is good enough. He did get my friend Naji who went to DeMatha (literally down the street from the Maryland campus) to come all the way to freakin College Station, TX. I guess that counts for something.
billyliucci Billy Liucci Already hearing that Aggie assistant Scott Spinelli, Marquette's Buzz Williams and Memphis Josh Pastner will be looked into by A&M --- Other names: Greg Marshal Wichita State, Buzz Williams Marquette or Bruce Pearl
The sad thing is that if Gary Williams would have just freakin retired right at the end of the season, Buzz Williams would be our new coach and I would be ecstatic and consider that a huge upgrade over Turge. The Texas ties would be nice to go along with excellent coaching skills. Unfortunately, I think that extension he signed (with the $3M buyout) is going to be too hard to overcome. At this point, I'd go for Pastner next, but I am very concerned that he could just be another Scott Drew that would recruit very well but never get results. I think we are going to end up with another mid-major guy and have to hope that we pick the right one. Problem is that if we lose Branch and Green with not much hope for the 2012 class, we are on a downward path that is going to be difficult to recover from.
A lot of things culminated into Gary's retirement. The Deborah Yao years really took a toll on him. He also really hasn't adjusted to modern recruiting and AAU connections. The dude is very old school. And he always gave his kids the nod for going pro and they usually listen. When this last dude (forgot his name..the lanky PF prospect) just totally tuned him out and took none of Gary's advice, he admitted that it was very disheartening. I think this kid staying in the draft was the straw that broke the camel's back, and Gary hinted at such in an interview (think it was in the WaPo) last week.
BrentZwerneman Brent Zwerneman Early names I'm getting courtesy of a coaching contact: Doc Sadler, Buzz Williams, Gregg Marshall and Tad Boyle.
BrentZwerneman Brent Zwerneman A coaching contact told me he wouldn't be surprised if Bryan High's John Reese factors into the equation as an assistant to new guy. #mysa Coaching contact tells me there's likely real interest on the part of Buzz Williams in the A&M gig -- and John Reese would factor in. #mysa
How about because OU basketball has fallen on a bed of nails and still has to worry about NCAA violations, etc. That and Buzz Williams was a former A&M assistant and has coveted the UT and A&M head jobs for awhile. If Buzz Williams initiated contact with A&M and wants the job, I just have to pray that Bill Byrne has a way of making the money situation work (which is a very real and practical concern especially given a large buyout). If we get Buzz, and not only does he come and maintain our recruiting class, but he also bring in Reese for the 2012 class, A&M will have had the luckiest week in our basketball history. If Buzz does not come and we have to settle for an assistant or another mid-major no-name that can't recruit, it will be a horrible week for A&M bball.
I don't whether to be pissed at Turgeon or not at this point, but if this were to happen, I would drive to Maryland myself just to shake Mark's hand.
I don't really care about him actually leaving, just whether if his leaving means Branch and Green are gone too. But if we end up with Buzz, Reese, Green, and Branch, I'll be pretty happy he left. But if we get none of these because of him leaving, I will be pretty pissed.
Billy Luicci on 1560: Spoiler Whats shakin? Nothing. ... ... Lets talk Mark Turgeon leaving. Reading a lot from both sides. Maryland faithful seem to have to be sold on this hire. Whats the reaction in College Station? I dont know. Its split down the middle. A lot of people are happy to see Turge leave. Others say A&M lost a great coach. I was by no means to seem him happy to leave but also think A&M is in a good position in terms of facility and players and recruits coming in. I think its a better job than when Turge took it. A good coach who can excite these players, you can walk in right now and win the Big 12. I stress right guy. Andy Katz said they could contend for a Big 12 title. The people you talk about that were...fraction of folks happy to see him go. Why is that? For whatever reason, the excitement at Reed has died down. The crowd and excitement, a lot of back and forth. Fans took offense to Turge talking about the crowds. Not on the court, and I'm talking about certain fans. Those who know basketball would not have wanted him to leave but those who follow recruiting, they werent getting excited. Werent seeing it happen in Texas much. That was why you see the reaction split. Mood among the players? They were down. Wasnt like...there were a couple who were down. Middleton down. I think because it drug out, a lot of them arrived up there for the meeting expecting it to happen. Its tough on them. They're all uncertain and scared. DOnt know who the coach will be or if the coach will like them. They're asking whats next. What will Byrne's process be like? Tight inner circle. He will make the hire. Will do it quickly. He really does mean it when he says he has a list at all times if a football or basketball coach left. This is his hire. Many dont think he'll be at A&M longer, I dont think thats false. 2-3 years he'll step down and will be looking for new AD. Make no mistake though, this is his hire. A lot of confidence from the powers that be at A&M for Byrne to hire quality coach in any sport. His track record is damn near perfect. He has done remarkable job hiring coaches. No idea where he will go with it. Wont break the bank to hire someone. I think the only guy they might go hire for is Buzz Williams. He seems like the perfect fit. I know he would be interested but A&M would have to pay to get him. I think he is the only one they would go down that road for. I can see him easily going the mid-major route again. Never know with Byrne. Pieced together a few names from reading rumors, etc. Josh Pastner, how would he be percieved? Making 1.7 mil. He would be a guy A&M would do due diligence on. Recruits at high level. He is exciting on that level. Byrne may have his one candidate. He may have been on the phone this morning with a guy offering the job. 5 guys the guys A&M looks at: those 2, Doc Sadler of Nebraska, when they hired Turgeon, they looked at Turgeon, Sadler and Tubby Smith. Tubby might be long in the tooth now. Sadler has done nice things and would be a great fit but not sure he is a splash hire. Turgeon didnt send excitement like Pastner or Williams might. Wouldnt rule out Sadler though he wont jump out as sexy choice. Has it crossed your mind, if Gillispie wasnt hired by Tech, how much would fans want him back? If he were out on the market, that would be the most interesting thing ever. Every Aggie fan and people that matter would be pushing for him. Would be interesting because you have Byrne and Billy, that whole deal was...not a lot of pleasantries on the way out. Not the case though. Timing sucks on this. So late in the process. Mark Fox out of Georgia a guy who popped up. I would like something like that. Anyone on current staff? Scott Spinnelli will get a look. Brought Lobeau and Middleton, Dash and a few others. A&M would be wise to look into it. Gotta remember, this is not a....this is an AD that will say this is the guy Im looking at, this is the guy I want, I'm calling him. Wouldnt be hard for AD to go into Spinelli's office there on campus. Is he ready? I think he is. Some people say is he ready at A&M, you hand him that team that he knows really well, he has proven to be strong recruiter and you let him hit the ground running, I know he is ready to be a HC. At the end of the day though, not typical of Bill Byrne to do something like that. I hope they give him a look though. Important for him to find a guy....Gillispie and Turgeon there for awhile and left, to find a guy who likes that job as destination or no? No. A&M not a destination. Really good job but not top 20 job. No matter who you hire, if they win, someone will come calling. Turgeon turned down Oregon a year ago. Turned down NC State also. A&M can keep a lot of coaches. Certain instances where you cant though for now. If you hire a guy you like and he wins, if you want to make it a destination job, you give him everything he needs. You have to keep paying the guy a little more than hes worth and you deter other schools from coming and getting him. About 15 schools that you say I hope they dont come calling. 15 jobs out there where you wont keep a guy right now. WIll be keeping an eye on it. Appreciate the time. Appreciate it.
