102, I'm scratching my head trying to figure out whether you're being serious or facetious.

I said prior to the Baudinet promotion that hiring an experienced, strong assistant would be a sign that we're serious about improving the program, at a time when the Baudinet "rumors" first surfaced (one of our posters had inside info, as it turns out). While I still think that would have been the right move, I have no way of knowing what was really available to us at the time. If there are rumors in the coaching circles that DU might pull the plug on the Ferry era if we have another disastrous season, people might have shied away from getting a paycheck but going down with the ship. So I've since taken a "wait and see approach."

I have a little different take on the Lombardi hire.

This is essentially an entry level position. We hired someone who worked for Kentucky. Regardless of his title, he got to see Pitino at work every day & he got to be around world-class players. Now let's look at his pedigree (a word some of you don't like). His Dad has been an assistant at top D1 programs and Pitt (ha, ha). His record at IUP is awesome. If we stumble again this year, who's to say a guy like Joe Lombardi wouldn't be a good candidate?

Anyway, for anyone who hasn't seen Papa Joe's resume, here it is:
 http://www.iupathletics.com/staff.aspx?staff=14

ElDuque wrote:

102, I'm scratching my head trying to figure out whether you're being serious or facetious.

I said prior to the Baudinet promotion that hiring an experienced, strong assistant would be a sign that we're serious about improving the program, at a time when the Baudinet "rumors" first surfaced (one of our posters had inside info, as it turns out). While I still think that would have been the right move, I have no way of knowing what was really available to us at the time. If there are rumors in the coaching circles that DU might pull the plug on the Ferry era if we have another disastrous season, people might have shied away from getting a paycheck but going down with the ship. So I've since taken a "wait and see approach."

I have a little different take on the Lombardi hire.

This is essentially an entry level position. We hired someone who worked for Kentucky. Regardless of his title, he got to see Pitino at work every day & he got to be around world-class players. Now let's look at his pedigree (a word some of you don't like). His Dad has been an assistant at top D1 programs and Pitt (ha, ha). His record at IUP is awesome. If we stumble again this year, who's to say a guy like Joe Lombardi wouldn't be a good candidate?

Anyway, for anyone who hasn't seen Papa Joe's resume, here it is:
 http://www.iupathletics.com/staff.aspx?staff=14

I am serious. I don't necessarily hate that they picked this kid up because like you said, it is an entry level position. I'm looking at it more from the stand point that we lost a guy who had a strong recruiting reputation as well as obviously having a good enough basketball mind to be offered an executive position with one of the highest level elite sporting academies in the world and they see Nash as the guy to take them forward and run all things basketball. How did we replace that resume? By internally promoting a guy who played college baseball and hiring a kid that looks like he's in the middle of his 4 high school years. It's like you said, how are these recent events any indication that this program is improving?

I would argue it indicates the opposite, or like you also said people may be a little nervous to jump in bed with Ferry with the current state of his tenure, wither way, it's seriously underwhelming.

I think you meant he saw Calipari at work every day but regardless, yes he was around the highest level coaches and players in college basketball, but how much does that really mean for someone who is a very long way off of giving any kind of input regarding coaching or game planning amongst the other coaches, much less the players? I mean how much exposure do you really have to the day in and day out grind of a program when your sole responsibility is "coordinating video", that's basically little more than a grad assistant position.

Lastly, why would we ever hire a Division II coach with D1 assistant coaching experience and nothing else, when we have already seen what hiring a head coach from a lower level D1 school that actually made the NCAA Tourney twice will get you from a learning curve perspective, that is contradictory to things alot of people on this board have expressed about the next ideal candidate if it comes to that.
 

What does the director of player development do? 
I know-develops players-but what does he really do?  
And how does his being charge of video qualify him to be in charge of player development?

Duques102 wrote:

I agree that gems can be found that way, I just think there a lot more safe bets out there than a D2 guy.

There is no such thing as a safe bet. The guys who are the safest bets aren't coming to Duquesne. Lombardi has been an assistant at the major college level. Does becoming a head coach at a lower level invalidate that? It reminds me of Jim Tressel. Tressel was on the staff at both Syracuse, and Ohio St. He then took a 1A job, and dominated. Yet some fans felt that he was diminished by taking the 1A job. Dumb. Look at where our coaches have come from. Satalin had the best resume by far, and he came when Duquesne was still seen as a solid job. Carroll was an assistant at a bottom feeder program that had suddenly come to life. Edgar came from a lower level mid major. DAP was promoted from within. Nee came from the scrap heap. Ron came from a lower level mid major, and Ferry came from a low major. No one is beating the door down to come here.
 

AJ, the title and the "road secretary" responsibilities don't mesh. When I think of player development I think of someone making sure they get to class, that they work out, that they get any counseling/guidance that they need, etc. I think the duties you described are the "director of basketball operations."

But you're much closer to the program than me, so if I'm wrong please let me know.

PS, would like to hear you in action some time. Maybe I'll get to the 'burgh for a game this year.

Thanks Levon. P-G reported that John Rhodes is the director of basketball operations.

Can't go wrong with guys named Dominic ;-)  

 Franco's brother, Dominic, who followed, played DB for Nittany Lions.  

And, with DU Dom now on board, at the apparent de-motion of board fave, John Rhodes!  

Duques102 wrote:

SteelCityVoice wrote:

Can't go wrong with guys named Dominic ;-)  

Just out of curiosity because you have disclosed who you are, do you have to hold another job besides your duties as P.A. announcer or is that a full time gig? I'm sure you have more insight on the inner workings of the athletic department than most of us since you are an employee. Any future insights would be much appreciated.

My full time job is as a courier for Giant Eagle Headquarters.  I'm just paid as a contractor for my Duquesne announcing.  That's pretty much how it is at any other school so not unique to DU.  You don't get full time announcing gigs until you land in the major leagues.  I was a semifinalist for the gig with the Florida Panthers last year and they listed that as full time.  

Other than my dealings at the games with SID's and AD's I really don't have any insight into all the behind the scenes stuff.  The people I work with have a great passion for the university though, I can tell you that much!