UofU Opening

[BigheadTodd]

So who is on the shortlist?

I hear Steve Kippslinger(sp?), but he was already on the staff, so if they are planning on "going in a different direction" as I have heard, it just doesn't make sense.

There is no way Mase is coming back.

Dave Long? If I know him as well as I think I do, I think he is happy in his role at Westminster. He would do a great job, though.

Fish? Does he miss coaching since stepping down at Jordan? I think TWL keeps him too busy, and with a little fish on the way( congrats, by the way), he will have no time at all.

Pete Stevenson? Too far, and too comfortable.

Marty Wescott? He coached in the Pre-mase Era, but would he leave Bountiful?

Greg Cullis. He built the foundation of Bountiful, and did a pretty good job(as much as it pains me to say it) Last I heard he was reffing.

Speaking of reffing, how about a triumverate of Omalley, Lynch and Salotto? Each of them have told me how they could coach better than me( usually after I told them that I could ref better than them)

I heard a rumor dave Mercer, formerly of Southern VA was in town.

Any other candidates?

[ineedmorecowbell]

phil jackson.

[x1dschm]

phil jackson.

There has never been a more timely quote... the U needs a coach that can deal with Kobe sized egos.

I don't know how many local guys are in any position to take the role over. Definatley not Fish, mommy is starting her own program plus the spawn of Fish... not a lot of free time. Long isn't making the jump either. If the U of U boys didn't respect Levy there's no way they are gonna respect Dave. Besides, Mase does all the hard work and Dave gets all the glory of the National Championship... just kidding Mase.

One person that comes to mind, but I don't think he would EVER make the jump is Craig Morris. Talk a bout a great coach with deep ties locally. He also has the type of experience needed to walk into an AD's office and get some respect. Dave Brattin isn't a bad idea either. He's got experience building programs in Colorado and he's got great out of state ties.

Personally I'd love to see Cowbell and BullHighUte leading the charge, but I don't think the moons are aligned for that.

[lollygagger]

Interesting choice in Craig Morris, we offered him the position back in the spring of 2006 but the headmaster at Waterford wasn't comfortable with him coaching at the U, and he won a state championship that year which makes it tough to leave.

Having been in the position that the leaders on that team are in now, I can tell you it's not easy digging up the right fit in Salt Lake City.

I also told them to make me an offer, but demanded that included a private jet for my commute from NYC. I expect the negotiations will be ongoing for quite some time.

[grinderpete]

Thanks Todd,
I would love to help build lacrosse in Utah, but I don't think that the U is the right fit for me. I think for them to be successful, they need to find enough money to offer the position to someone full time and try to lure a big name out there like ASU did. If they go into it with a part time mentality, then I think we will see the same results for a few more years.
I hope that they find someone who can build them up into a powerhouse. They have so much talent and so many kids that are great guys, that I would love to see them at the top of the MCLA (As long as they are behind my Cougs). Good luck to them in the search.

Pete

[ineedmorecowbell]

stefan, i can understand your disappointment in being given the run-around because of a modest request. my only demand in becoming the head coach was my own monorail system from my house to campus. why they wouldn't oblige, i have no idea. cheapskates.






monorail!

[lollygagger]

Also,

phil jackson.

There has never been a more timely quote... the U needs a coach that can deal with Kobe sized egos.

I would have to say that big expectations are different than big egos. I was sad to see Rich go, but the team made their decision. It's incredibly difficult to under achieve year after year.

Pete's right that the U needs to find enough money to get a full time head coach. This league is looking more and more like varsity level competition each year and the next step for the U has to be in that direction, and it has to be in a more coordinated effort with the school itself.

I hope they find the right fit to finally push them over the hump they've (we've) been trying to get over for so long.

[BigheadTodd]

stefan, i can understand your disappointment in being given the run-around because of a modest request. my only demand in becoming the head coach was my own monorail system from my house to campus. why they wouldn't oblige, i have no idea. cheapskates.






monorail!

Just like Brockway, Ogdenvale, and Noth Haverbrook...And it put them on the map.

[ME]

It might just be me, but I think comparing whomever’s “egos” to Kobe Bryant's is a little over exaggerated.

[MountaineerLax]

Rich Levi - RMLC Coach of the Year.

How can anyone say that they "underachieved" this year? Beating CU and CSU wasn't a step in the right direction?

[BYULAX31]

I'm hoping that Marshall Kay is in the mix somewhere for the opening. He really knows his stuff, and he brings enough attitude to be able to win guys into playing his style. I know that he gets along well with a lot of the current and former U players, I think it would be a great fit.

Good Luck to the U, hopefully CU can rebound this year and the RMLC can send 4 teams to the tourney.

[lollygagger]

Rich Levi - RMLC Coach of the Year.

How can anyone say that they "underachieved" this year? Beating CU and CSU wasn't a step in the right direction?

I'm ecstatic that Rich was named coach of the year, don't get me wrong, I was one of the captains that hired him. He was the right fit at the right time, the team apparently feels that they need something different and don't think Rich is the guy to make it happen.

We can look at their overall record and final rank to suggest they underacheived. That one weekend was great for the Utes, but it's just one weekend. Look at Utah's performance in the RMLC playoffs, and missing the cut for the National tournament both years doesn't sit well either when you see the glimpses of how good the team can be (which is what that weekend in Colorado IS a good indicator for).

[BigheadTodd]

So what the U did last year was underachieve? How was this year different than any other year? They beat some good teams. they lost to some good teams. Just like every other year. They lost in the 1st round of the RMLC playoffs. Just like every other year. They didn't make the initial selection to the national tournement. Just like every other year. Yes, they did make it to nationals a few years back, but that was after CSU was forced to drop out. I do not remember where they were ranked( I think 12th or 13th) but they are 19th this season. Also, recruiting got alot harder. Mase is the 2nd best recruiter in Utah(God is #1 and Jason Lamb is #3, both working for the Cougs). Alot of the top kids that would have gone to the U are going to Westminster where they are Virtual Varsity. Bottom line, whomever gets that job will have a tough row to hoe.

[lollygagger]

So what the U did last year was underachieve? How was this year different than any other year? They beat some good teams. they lost to some good teams. Just like every other year. They lost in the 1st round of the RMLC playoffs. Just like every other year. They didn't make the initial selection to the national tournement. Just like every other year. Yes, they did make it to nationals a few years back, but that was after CSU was forced to drop out. I do not remember where they were ranked( I think 12th or 13th) but they are 19th this season. Also, recruiting got alot harder. Mase is the 2nd best recruiter in Utah(God is #1 and Jason Lamb is #3, both working for the Cougs). Alot of the top kids that would have gone to the U are going to Westminster where they are Virtual Varsity. Bottom line, whomever gets that job will have a tough row to hoe.

I think my point was lost. When I said the U has to be sick of underachieving I was absolutely including their history of underachievement. The U's formula each season has essentially been to knock off a couple of top 10 teams while losing some pretty bad games. Those big wins, that seem to happen each season in varying quantities, are the indicator of the level of play they are capable of. Any new coach will have to be able to sustain that level of play for a whole season and/or to get a win in the RMLC playoffs and/or a berth to the national tournament in his few years. It's the inconsistencies that are frustrating, and that's where coaching comes in. Being the biggest school in the state and with one power house rival and one growingly successful rival, the Utes will undoubtedly have big expectations for the new coach. The biggest problem with the U hasn't been attracting athletes, it's been retaining developing those athletes once they've arrived, which is another thing on the head coaches shoulders.

[Has No Left]

(God is #1 and Jason Lamb is #3, both working for the Cougs)

- Maybe the best line in Cougar lacrosse history! It will definitely make todays season wrap-up podcast!