Official Maryland Terps Thread 2.0

[Silvie Lysandra]

By that logic, you'd turn down prime MJ, prime Kobe, and even LBJ to play for the Wizards because of character issues?

Fact is, the NCAA rules are archaic and in many cases illogical, and put artificial restrictions on the distribution of talent, and while some of them like scholarship limits help college basketball, others actually hurt it (for example, if you cracked down on college contacts with AAU, then recruits would just go to big name schools).

That's why guys like Calipari and Calhoun don't get me bent out of shape.

[Halcyon]

First of all, I want to say that the reason I went to MD was probably because of Gary Williams. As a fairly young guy (24 now) the MD championship was really the only winner that I have ever been able to watch and root for. He made Terps basketball matter again, and I appreciate him greatly for that.

With that said, we have to think of his replacement, asap. My #1 choice right now is Sean Miller from Arizona. Stellar recruiter, supposedly a great Xs and Os guy, and has won in two different places (Zona and Xavier). There's some rumblings that he would be interested in the job.

[MF23]

It's going to be strange watching games and not seeing coach Williams on the bench. He's been at UMD since I was a conscious fan. I would love to watch him in a luxury box during a Maryland game. Just to see if he would throw a fit or start sweating.

Analyzing a coaching career and performance at a place you have to ask is the program better off than when said individual took over? I think it's fair to say nobody wanted the job accompanied with the sanctions as was the case when coach Williams was hired. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if Brad Stevens who's the most sought after young coach in America took over at UMD. That program has everything a basketball coach could dream of and coach Williams work ethic is the #1 reason that is the case.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I wonder if Maryland can give him anywhere near the contract and job security Brad Stevens already has at Butler.

Stevens signs 12-year extension

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5068230

Brad Stevens is content to keep coaching the Butler way.

The 33-year-old coach, who came within a buzzer-beating shot of winning the NCAA men's basketball championship, signed a 12-year deal [April 2010] that extends through the 2021-22 season.

Team spokesman Jim McGrath declined to say how much the deal was worth, though Stevens had a total compensation package of $750,000 last season. Athletic director Barry Collier acknowledged [iApril 2010] that Stevens was in line for a pay raise.

I would love for the Terps to sign a coaching prodigee like Stevens or Shaka Smart of VCU, but those guys are sharp enough to know they might fare better where they are than they would at an ACC school, or other big school, where all the best players leave early for the NBA.

The Terps missed out IMO on an excellent older coach, Jim Larranaga. I wish they knew Gary might be stepping down before George Mason's coach took an ACC coaching job down at Miami.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

As for missing Gary, I think he's had a very nice run. He brought the program back from the worst of times post-Bias' death, and post-NCAA sanctions after Rudy Archer and Bob Wade. (UMCP Chancellor John Slaughter made his own school's punishment than it had to be--it would take too long and make me digress off Gary's leaving to get into.) Gary inherited a program that couldn't and wouldn't recruit Baltimore for another 15 years after all that.

Williams really won me over over the years. For years and years I didn't get his yelling at his own players. I was really disappointed with how he coached the year Francis came from junior college and he had Terrell Stokes at PG. But then came the class with Blake and Juan (IIRC Juan was there a year before he could play. He practiced against Francis IIRC). Gary really got a group that was like him. He coached hard and the pieces of his team all came together. Williams really got the most out of unheralded players. Baxter was not the star on his HS team. Korleone Young was supposed be a one and done NBA superstar. Gary got the lesser player and won with him. Same with guys like Chris Wilcox and Steve Blake. (Even years earlier he got Joe Smith when others hadn't heard much about him).

So, the thing I'll say for Gary is he won with underdog players.

What I want next is a coach who is not only a good coach like Gary, but I want him to be a big time recruiter. I think the circumstances of Gary leaving are unfortunate, but it is time. I saw Lefty go out, (nice man, too) but this isn't like that. It is a good time for the Terps to move forward.

[Wizardspride]

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http://www.cbssports.com/#!/mcc/blogs/e ... 4/29091989

Gary Williams is retiring as Maryland's basketball coach, a source confirmed to CBSSports.com on Thursday.

Williams subsequently confirmed the news with a released statement.

“It’s the right time,” Williams said. “My entire career has been an unbelievable blessing. I am fiercely proud of the program we have built here. I couldn’t have asked any more from my players, my assistant coaches, the great Maryland fans and this great university. Together, we did something very special here."

Williams spent 22 seasons at Maryland and led the Terrapins to the 2002 national championship while making 14 NCAA tournament appearances, seven Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights and two Final Fours. In recent years, though, he struggled recruiting the Washington D.C./Baltimore area and had grown tired of the summer culture where most high-major recruiting now takes place, a source said. Williams had not made the Sweet Sixteen since 2003. The Terrapins were 19-14 overall, 7-9 in the ACC last season. Their best player, Jordan Williams, announced on Wednesday that he is hiring an agent and staying in the 2011 NBA Draft.

The Maryland job is now the biggest available job from this offseason.

Coaches widely consider it to be one of the nation's best jobs because of its natural recruiting base.

"The right guy there will kill it," a source told CBSSports.com. "If they get the right guy, they'll win really big."

[Rafael122]

Notice it says it's the best job because of the area, not because of the University. Williams was sitting on a gold mine of talent and he never got any of them. That's the root of my issue with the guy. You've got All-Americans coming out the wazoo and you see these guys go to places like Kansas State or further up north. It's ridiculous.

[REDardWIZskin]

I agree raf, we have seen traditional coaches bend on their unwillingness to recruit one and done players namely coach K. The college game has gone through rapid changes since the age minimum was put in place which indirectly has a lot to do with his decision. We are in an era of college hoops where guys like Calipari and the Longhorns coach (who are both average at best) can consistently have competing teams solely on the basis of recruiting players to get them to the NBA as fast as possible. I think it was time for a change at UMD he had a great career and will be one of the icons in DC area sports for years to come.

[Ruzious]

By that logic, you'd turn down prime MJ, prime Kobe, and even LBJ to play for the Wizards because of character issues?

Your point might have some merit, except that it doesn't.

[Rafael122]

I agree raf, we have seen traditional coaches bend on their unwillingness to recruit one and done players namely coach K. The college game has gone through rapid changes since the age minimum was put in place which indirectly has a lot to do with his decision. We are in an era of college hoops where guys like Calipari and the Longhorns coach (who are both average at best) can consistently have competing teams solely on the basis of recruiting players to get them to the NBA as fast as possible. I think it was time for a change at UMD he had a great career and will be one of the icons in DC area sports for years to come.

The program will benefit in the long run. If you can get a coach who is more than willing to get 1 and done or 2 and done players, it will be good for the university. Look at Coach Cal, in the next 2-3 years (counting last year as well), this dude might have 8-9 of his players taken in the first round. You don't think a top notch recruit will be looking at that? He had Patterson/Wall/Bledsoe/Cousins/Orton all taken in the first round, you have Jones and Knight 1st round picks this year, then you have Anthony Davis and 1 or 2 other guys next year? I forgot the Liggins kid who might be a 1st round pick as well? It's sick.

[Wizardspride]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/6925 ... er-the-man

Don't worry about Sterling Gibbs or Nick Faust going elsewhere. I have it under good authority from very good sources (current and former players) that Gibbs and Faust will be wearing the red, black and gold next season.

They'd only ask for a release from their LOI if the school definitely came up very short in their next coaching search.

Which it appears that they won't.

It appears that upon hearing that the Maryland job was opening, current Arizona coach, Sean Miller, called Kevin Anderson about the opening. So obviously Miller is interested.

Jay Wright from Villanova is the alleged number one target on that list. Jaime Dixon from Pittsburgh and Shaka Smart from VCU round out the top four.

Brad Stevens? He seems happy where he is at currently, just signed a huge extension and mostly seems to be the fans' pipe dream.
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Not a bad dream to have.

One of those guys is going to be the coach, they are going to have large shoes to fill, but they will do an admirable job.

I'm honestly pulling for the hiring of Sean Miller. He will most likely keep Bino Ranson on staff and this is bigger than most people think. Bino recruits the hell out of the DMV, Miller recruits the hell out of everywhere he goes. It's a win-win for everyone.

Plus if you want a coach that is going to be just like Gary Williams in his passion for the game, the way he prepares for a game, the way he gets maximum effort from players that other teams have already rejected or did not want.

Sure Miller finally has a class of players coming into Arizona that would make most coaches salivate and with this class he should be a top five team here in and here out and compete for a national championship.

Unless he comes to Maryland and brings Josiah Turner and Sidiki Johnson with him and then pair them with Gibbs and Faust and we have ourselves a national champion

.

[Higga]

I'd LOVE Miller, and I heard Mike Brey would be interested too(he's from the D.C. area and sources say MD is his dream job). I don't care for Wright, I think he's a little overrated.

[Wizardspride]

This is a post from an Arizona Wildcats message board.

http://forum.goazcats.com/showthread...=109900&page=5

Hey guys,

Maryland season tix holder here and just coming on to let you guys know what we have heard. Word is that Miller is one of two finalists and decision will be made in a few days. Other finalist seems to be Jamie Dixon from Pitt. This from our moderator on our rivals premium board who is usually tied in pretty well. Board sentiment seems to be behind Miller most.

Dont want to get into a beef about your school versus ours, both are great jobs and miller is obviously a great coach and I wouldnt want to lose him if I was in your shoes either.

As for Maryland being his dream job, we also have heard it said by several sources. I didnt know it but Sean actually used to perform his dribbling act at Cole Field house when he was 8 yrs old. I probably saw him do it (yep, thats how old I am). He's apparently originally from Pennsylvania.

From what we have heard from our moderator, he would give his left you-know-what for the job. Since I havent spoken to him, who knows. We also heard, he contacted the AD here, not vice versa. If true, I guess his interest is genuine. Or, he's looking for leverage in the salary game with UofA.


As for $, apparently, they are ready to pay whatever it takes for a big name coach. GW makes about 2 mill a year so it will be at least that and probably more if it takes it.

GW has been great for Maryland and its good for him to go out on his terms. A lot of fans have been getting after him because he refuses to recruit the big name recruits but theres no denying his ability to coach x's and o's and to motivate. Nothing finer than to knock off the Dukies like you guys did last year and we have done it as much as anyone other than UNC.

Anyway, thats what we know over here and it looks like things will be settled quickly. Will make for a long week-end for you guys and us too. Sounds like they want it done by Monday if possible but these things tend to drag on when the lawyers get involved with the contract. Anyway, if we get Sean, I know it will sting but you have to have confidence in your situation to get a good replacement. If he stays, then great for you guys and us cuz we will get a good coach too. I root for anyone that knocks off Duke. Good luck either way.

y

[Wizardspride]

http://forum.goazcats.com/showthread.php?t=109918

InsideMDSports has confirmed through multiple sources that three of Maryland’s top targets to succeed Gary Williams -- Sean Miller, Jay Wright and Jamie Dixon -- have all told those close to them that they would accept if offered the job.

Arizona’s Miller may have emerged as a favorite for the job, sources said, and has had what were characterized with serious discussions with Maryland officials -- likely athletic director Kevin Anderson -- about the job. Miller, one of the nation’s hottest young coaches, has told several sources that Maryland is his “dream job.” A Pittsburgh native, he has family in the Washington, D.C., area, and has long coveted the job.

Wright, who has rebuilt Villlanova into a national-caliber program, has the strongest relationship of the three to Williams. It remains to be seen how much of a role that will play in the selection process. He, too, would love to have the job.

Dixon has a pre-existing relationship with Anderson. His sister Maggie Dixon, who passed away in 206, was hired by Anderson in 2005 as Army’s women’s basketball coach. Sources said Wright would be unlikely to leave Pitt for many jobs, but Maryland is one of them. Wright is also among the nation’s most highly respected coaches, but some question whether his team’s Big East-oriented, rough-and-tumble playing style would be well-suited for the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Miller, Wright and Dixon are the likeliest candidates to get the job. Butler coach Brad Stevens has also expressed interest, but unlike the aforementioned three, he has little if any ties to the area -- where as Miller, Wright and Dixon all have longstanding ties to the major players in the area’s high school and AAU basketball scene.

Stay tuned for more exclusive news on this constantly developing story …

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I like all those names, but if Stevens is interested they need to pick him. He is coming off two Final Fours in a row and darn near beat Coach K to take it all last year.

[Halcyon]

:D

http://forum.goazcats.com/showthread.php?t=109918

InsideMDSports has confirmed through multiple sources that three of Maryland’s top targets to succeed Gary Williams -- Sean Miller, Jay Wright and Jamie Dixon -- have all told those close to them that they would accept if offered the job.

Arizona’s Miller may have emerged as a favorite for the job, sources said, and has had what were characterized with serious discussions with Maryland officials -- likely athletic director Kevin Anderson -- about the job. Miller, one of the nation’s hottest young coaches, has told several sources that Maryland is his “dream job.” A Pittsburgh native, he has family in the Washington, D.C., area, and has long coveted the job.

Wright, who has rebuilt Villlanova into a national-caliber program, has the strongest relationship of the three to Williams. It remains to be seen how much of a role that will play in the selection process. He, too, would love to have the job.

Dixon has a pre-existing relationship with Anderson. His sister Maggie Dixon, who passed away in 206, was hired by Anderson in 2005 as Army’s women’s basketball coach. Sources said Wright would be unlikely to leave Pitt for many jobs, but Maryland is one of them. Wright is also among the nation’s most highly respected coaches, but some question whether his team’s Big East-oriented, rough-and-tumble playing style would be well-suited for the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Miller, Wright and Dixon are the likeliest candidates to get the job. Butler coach Brad Stevens has also expressed interest, but unlike the aforementioned three, he has little if any ties to the area -- where as Miller, Wright and Dixon all have longstanding ties to the major players in the area’s high school and AAU basketball scene.

Stay tuned for more exclusive news on this constantly developing story …

You guys should really get on the InsideMDSports message boards. It's buzzing like crazy right now.

[Wizardspride]

Click on the link to read the rest.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/terp ... 8143.story

Is it going to be Miller's time at Maryland?
Arizona coach appears to be the front-runner on a short list

At the University of Arizona, Sean Miller's recruiting talents and coaching acumen have brought the Wildcats from turmoil to the brink of the Final Four.

Now it appears the 42-year-old coach may drop what he built in Tucson to return to his East Coast roots and replace Gary Williams at the University of Maryland.

Miller, who currently earns a reported $1.4 million in a five-year deal that might soon include a two-year extension, has quickly emerged as the front-runner for the Maryland job, sources close to Miller and familiar with AAU teams in the Baltimore-Washington region said Friday.
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Miller lost star Derrick Williams to the NBA draft but will add what is rated as one of the top 10 recruiting classes in the country to a 30-8 team that reached the Elite Eight last season. So after resurrecting Arizona's program following Lute Olson's retirement, why would Miller want to replace another coaching legend in Williams?

It may come down to family and recruiting ties to the Baltimore-Washington area for Miller. He and his wife are from Pittsburgh. As an assistant at North Carolina State and later as head coach at Xavier, Miller recruited players from AAU teams in the region and nearly got one of this year's top players in Oak Hill (Va.) point guard Quinn Cook, a Bowie native who signed with Duke.

"He nearly got one of the top players in the country being almost 3,000 miles away. I can't imagine what he would do if he was at Maryland," said Damon Handon, one of Cook's coaches on D.C. Assault.

Said Keith Stevens, coach of the region's top AAU team, Team Takeover: "He would be a great hire."

According to those in the AAU community who know him, Miller is "definitely interested" in talking with Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson about replacing Williams, who announced his retirement after 22 seasons at his alma mater Friday. Anderson declined to talk about the search, saying "This moment is for Gary. I won't be discussing that."

[sashae]

As good as a coach as Gary was, I'm excited to see some new blood in town -- and the options look pretty appealing, thus far. Fingers crossed...

[Silvie Lysandra]

By that logic, you'd turn down prime MJ, prime Kobe, and even LBJ to play for the Wizards because of character issues?

Your point might have some merit, except that it doesn't.

I don't see where it doesn't. MJ and Kobe have been called "scumbags" at various points in their career, as do Calhoun and Calipari. All of them win a lot.

So the logical conclusion of "lose with Gary > win with Calhoun" is the same as say, "Lose with Mitch > win with C-Webb."

[Ruzious]

By that logic, you'd turn down prime MJ, prime Kobe, and even LBJ to play for the Wizards because of character issues?

Your point might have some merit, except that it doesn't.

I don't see where it doesn't. MJ and Kobe have been called "scumbags" at various points in their career, as do Calhoun and Calipari. All of them win a lot.

So the logical conclusion of "lose with Gary > win with Calhoun" is the same as say, "Lose with Mitch > win with C-Webb."

That's just stupid, chaos. So what if somebody was called a scumbag. If I call you a ****ing idiot, does that make you one? Calhoun and Calipari have gotten ahead by cheating. That's why I don't want them as head coach's of my team. There's nothing to read into that - other than what it is. There's no analogies to be made. It stands by itself, period. End of conversation.