Good Article on Hoiberg

[Dieselbound&Down]

I'm so sick of hearing about Hoiberg and I'm probably a bigger fan than most everyone here being that I grew up in Des Moines (Ames is in the conference). He was class of 91, and I was class of 92. Hell, I almost went to Iowa State, but got a free ride to Northern Iowa instead.

But damn, we have a great coach under contract right now and the play-offs are starting soon. WTF....

I was a year behind you and grew up right outside Ames. A little younger but played against a few guys from that class in summer leagues and tournaments. Seems like only yesterday. . . And for whoever posted disgust for Ames, I'm with you. Wasn't ever a fan of what that town offered.

FWIW, I think Hoiberg has a much more "NBA" approach than your average college coach. He brings in whatever bodies he can, has a fairly high turnover but gets them all to compete. He seems willing to change his starting line up over a season as players progress or become eligible and relates well enough to keep issues/distractions out of the press. His teams play hard and smart for the most part. He also worked his was around NBA franchises and always seemed very motivated, like he had bigger plans and an idea of how he wanted to get there. I think he will do well in the league when he does decide it is time to move on to a new challenge.

[Nucky Thompson]

I might be more interested in UAB's head coach TBH...seriously though **** Fred Hoiberg.

[kingkirk]

I don't see that as a good replacement. You know who would make a lot of sense? Doug Collins. Then you get a new studio guy who has PBP experience and then that guy does studio stuff for home games and calls road games with Doug calling home games and doing studio stuff for the road games. Doug agrees because it cuts his travel down.

Obviously have to replace Neil, maybe get a young guy with PBP experience in the NBA who also has TV experience. Like Spero Dedes maybe?

Not a Hubie fan? If not, shame on you.

I'd love to hear, "Now, there you go" each game when we execute a play properly.

If no Hubie, then Doug is a great fall back option. Both are legends.

Simmons did a pod with him a few weeks back. Was good listening.

[kingkirk]

Re Messina.

He has clearly come to the NBA to be part of the Spurs in particular. That was a calculated move on his part, as it was there's.

He is a name that exists, but it's not a realistic one.

If he wanted to be a HC in this league, he would have tried years ago.

He was waiting for the right opportunity. The Spurs are that.

It took Bud and Brown years to finally leave the nest. Doubt Messina walks away from learning under the games best and a place where he is likely being groomed as the next HC.

[DanTown8587]

I don't see that as a good replacement. You know who would make a lot of sense? Doug Collins. Then you get a new studio guy who has PBP experience and then that guy does studio stuff for home games and calls road games with Doug calling home games and doing studio stuff for the road games. Doug agrees because it cuts his travel down.

Obviously have to replace Neil, maybe get a young guy with PBP experience in the NBA who also has TV experience. Like Spero Dedes maybe?

Not a Hubie fan? If not, shame on you.

I'd love to hear, "Now, there you go" each game when we execute a play properly.

If no Hubie, then Doug is a great fall back option. Both are legends.

Simmons did a pod with him a few weeks back. Was good listening.

I love Hubie but I fear getting him to do 82 games. I think Doug would do 82 games and stay in Chicago full-time. I kind of imagine that Doug stays at ESPN because he wants to stay in on coaches circle though.

[Leslie Forman]

Based on my criteria? The following names would apply:

Thibs
Budenholzer
Mark Jackson (I see you listed him as being terrible, and you might not have liked his style, but in three seasons his team won 23 games, then 47 games, then 51 games. He doesn't get to be counted as a contrary example.)
Jason Kidd
Steve Kerr
Jeff Hornacek
Brad Stephens
Kevin McHale
Dave Joerger
Dave Blatt
Erik Spoelstra

There's probably more than that. And I won't list Del Negro simply because watching him up close in person, I know he was a poor coach. But he's posted a reasonably good record as NBA coach regardless. The bottom line is that the NBA has been going a different direction with its coaching hires in the recent years, and a lot of it is working out.

As such, knocking a potential Hoiberg hire on some antequated notion regarding coaching experience rings hollow. If Thibs leaves, Hoiberg absolutely should be on the Bulls' list for consideration.

I was clearly basing it on this:

even no coaching experience at all whatsoever, succeed splendidly

I mean, no crap there have been a bunch of former highly regarded NBA assistants do well. That's what I've been pushing for if Thibs does get the sack. Jackson, Popovich, Riley, Daly, Carlisle, Tomjanovich - all of them were once assistants. If you want more than just an "okay" coach that is where you are most likely to find that guy.

A former player who wants a head coaching job right away without even putting in a year or two as an assistant doesn't seem like a good sign to me. The only time that seems to work is when it's an open minded collaborator-type who relies heavily on assistants. The exact opposite of Mark Jackson, who was in fact an atrocious coach, no matter what his record was.

Sure a bad coach will still get you wins if there's talent on the roster, but if you are a contender, just like you wouldn't want to rely on rookies in your top six-seven rotation, you certainly don't want a coach that has never even been an assistant coach in the NBA or at least coached pros before. Guys like Kerr have always existed. It's hardly anything new. Just look at Larry Bird or Danny Ainge or Billy Cunningham. It just seems like some amazing new idea because you're more likely to get a Vinny del Negro or, god forbid, Isiah Thomas.

[kingkirk]

I love Hubie but I fear getting him to do 82 games. I think Doug would do 82 games and stay in Chicago full-time. I kind of imagine that Doug stays at ESPN because he wants to stay in on coaches circle though.

My post was tongue in cheek. Hubie can't do 82 games. He can't even do regular spots on national games at this point. He is great, though.

You're right, though. Doug could handle it, but he has the profile that lets him do his national gig. He would be great, though.

Don't the Nets have Fratello? That's a good get.

[Pnjguy]

Scouting college coaches for NBA jobs based on tournament success is beyond stupid.

[unknownnewbie]

Every time Hoiberg is interviewed, he talks about how much he loves Iowa State & Ames. And about how much his family loves Ames. Call me crazy, but I have never heard him indicate that he has any real interest in leaving Iowa State. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he stays there until his kids are much older. The school and community loves him, he just got a contract extension that pays him good money (esp considering the fact that it is fairly inexpensive to live in Ames, Iowa) and he still doesn't have a ton of pressure on him to win NCAA titles (although 1st round exits like this yar are probably not acceptable to most fans). He also has had health issues. So unless he simply decides he needs an entirely new challenge, I don't see any indication that he's leaving ISU for the NBA anytime soon.

[Rerisen]

Re Messina.

He has clearly come to the NBA to be part of the Spurs in particular. That was a calculated move on his part, as it was there's.

He is a name that exists, but it's not a realistic one.

If he wanted to be a HC in this league, he would have tried years ago.

He was waiting for the right opportunity. The Spurs are that.

It took Bud and Brown years to finally leave the nest. Doubt Messina walks away from learning under the games best and a place where he is likely being groomed as the next HC.

Well if we can't get Messina, how about.... ?

[kingkirk]

Well if we can't get Messina, how about.... ?

Chicago isn't big enough for both Becky & Jen.

[BR0D1E86]

Every time Hoiberg is interviewed, he talks about how much he loves Iowa State & Ames. And about how much his family loves Ames. Call me crazy

Based on that, I would call him crazy.

[FreakMaster]

Just say "No" to Fred