Hiring Process Discussion with CC

[kso_FAN]

CC, I appreciate you coming here and explaining some things, even if you aren't able to answer every question we have and even if we don't agree with all that you say.

I don't agree with Currie's rationale for this hire, but I can see the process he used. You've outlined that he wanted experience, I can handle that, but I think its clear he also wanted "clean image" and that will be a point of contention. At the end of the day while not completely conventional, the hire is a very safe one. After getting turned down by Boyle (and I would guess Alford) he eventually settled on what he thought was the best he could find under that criteria. Currie has to deal with that in the end and we can disagree with what K-State needs, but I do believe you that in his mind Currie did a thorough search even if it was quick.

I outlined in another post my biggest issues with Weber. I think his style at Illinois was a fairly non-agressive one and I think he must change that here. I don't completely downplay the early success he had there, even if he didn't recruit all those players, and he should get some credit for that. But for whatever reason he had plenty of downs mixed with decent (but far from great) results his last 6 years. His recruiting was up and down, but for the most part solid toward the end. If anything, Weber recruiting fairly well and then losing his team last year (with 8 Top 80 HS players!) is just as much as a concern to me as his inability to recruit. I think watching not only his initial press conference here, but others at Illinois, shows that he can be pretty poor in front of the microphone/camera. For basketball at least, we have come to enjoy what Frank (and Huggs) brought in those situations (good and bad) and that's going to be a big change.

All that said I will give Weber a chance. I listened to both of his interviews today, and he came across much better than in the initial press conference. I appreciate him immediately going hard after the current roster and trying to keep them here. I believe he is making a good effort there. I also believe he knows recruiting is important and is trying to put together his staff that way. I think its possible that he can have success here, but we'll see about that.

[CHONGS]

What makes me mad (and maybe others I don't know) is that I lived through and saw k-state abandon basketball.  It took it for granted that anyone could take up the reigns and win, and then eventually it didn't even try anymore when it dug itself into a hole.  If K-State is really shitty job our AD seems to think it is (or eveyone seems to think it is) then it takes a ballsy move to stay competitive.  If it is really so undesirable that only fired coaches are willing to listen to an offer then at that point in time you MUST take a risk.   

My anger is that I don't think John Currie cares about winning basketball at Kansas State.  He cares about non-losing basketball and there's a really big difference between the two.

[kso_FAN]

What makes me mad (and maybe others I don't know) is that I lived through and saw k-state abandon basketball.  It took it for granted that anyone could take up the reigns and win, and then eventually it didn't even try anymore when it dug itself into a hole.  If K-State is really shitty job our AD seems to think it is (or eveyone seems to think it is) then it takes a ballsy move to stay competitive.  If it is really so undesirable that only fired coaches are willing to listen to an offer then at that point in time you MUST take a risk.   

My anger is that I don't think John Currie cares about winning basketball at Kansas State.  He cares about non-losing basketball and there's a really difference between the two.

I agree, a Weber hire is essentually a belief that we can be fairly competitive, go to regular postseasons (NCAAs and NITs), but never really be a true player to win league titles (or more).

[Barry McCockner]

Agreed, but I'll take it a step further (and I know I'm repeating myself).  This was a rough ridin' once in a lifetime opportunity where everything was aligned to make this happen.  Mens Bball and football were winning and profitable.  We had a pile of cash.  We had a great returning roster.  The BBPF is being built.  We have recent success top recruit off of.  Nike.  Things have never been better, and we have a coaching vacancy.  Opportunity of a lifetime for K-State - and that fuckstick selfishly hires this guy.

[DH]

Why was the press conference held with little to no heads up from the athletic department?  Why Saturday?

[kso_FAN]

Why was the press conference held with little to no heads up from the athletic department?  Why Saturday?

Weber did say today that he accepted the contract Friday night around midnight. I suppose Currie decided to do it Saturday to avoid time for leaks.

[williamthewildcat]

You're a good company guy CC. I'm glad you post here.

But this hire is terrible. oscar Weber is terrible. And in the end when it's proven correct, then you have to ask yourself: Who actually did more damage to KSU?

A guy who broke a sink or organized a protest banner? Or the guy who hired the guy who sent KSU basketball back to the shitter?

I know the answer already.

[Big Sam]

Snyder is building that expansion.

Okay, I'm not pleased with the Weber hire.  It was a safe move for Currie to build the resume before moving on.

That said, to think that the West Side expansion would have happened without Currie is just ludicrous.  Heck, we won't even get into the Basketball Training Facility.

Snyder had amazing success his first go round.  It took forever for Max Urich to f'ing build the East Side expansion - and oh, no restrooms and no glitz to build off of.  He thought small.  He under estimated what KSU fans would pay to see the 'Cats.  He didn't think the big revenue picture.  Instead, we sat through utter minimalism.  No movement on a basketball training facility for over 20 years.  A baseball stadium project that was handled in a way that would embarrass an NAIA Div II program.

Weiser sort of got it (just a bit), but even then he didn't think big.  For that he couldn't handle the politics and took off when he could.

And, if Bob Krause had stuck around, the only money he would have raised would have been to provide gold leaf to gild his and Ron Prince's turds.  It sure wouldn't have gone to something like a West Side Expansion of this magnitude, nor a BTF.

The reality is, if Currie had been around in the midst of Snyder 1.0 and its greatness, and the way the economy was going, KSU would be in a far different facilities environment.  It wouldn't have been about cobbling together to create almost nothing in the end and acting like it was awesome.  Considering where the economy has been since he has been at KSU, it is all the more impressive what he has been getting done.

Yes, I'm p.o.ed about the hire of Weber.  There were better people to at least explore.  Yes, my guess is Currie will head over the hill in the next 3 years for "bigger and better" things.  However, I will support Weber (as I would any 'Cat coach until they screw the pooch) because that is who we got for at least 3 more years (that is my guess, even with a worse case scenario).  But in the end I'm not going to ignore the past and pretend Currie hasn't done S for this university and its athletic programs.  He is an f'ing ninja compared to what has gone on since Steve Miller left over the hill to build Nike into the brand it is after hiring LHC Bill Snyder.

[RU4KSU2]

What makes me mad (and maybe others I don't know) is that I lived through and saw k-state abandon basketball.  It took it for granted that anyone could take up the reigns and win, and then eventually it didn't even try anymore when it dug itself into a hole.  If K-State is really shitty job our AD seems to think it is (or eveyone seems to think it is) then it takes a ballsy move to stay competitive.  If it is really so undesirable that only fired coaches are willing to listen to an offer then at that point in time you MUST take a risk.   

My anger is that I don't think John Currie cares about winning basketball at Kansas State.  He cares about non-losing basketball and there's a really difference between the two.

I agree, a Weber hire is essentually a belief that we can be fairly competitive, go to regular postseasons (NCAAs and NITs), but never really be a true player to win league titles (or more).

Sounds like Schultz is expecting Championships... all we have to do is just rally around Weber.  If he does not win does that now make it our fault? 

K-Staters - now it is time to rally around Coach Weber and help him win our first Big 12 Championship in MBB!

[Dugout DickStone]

I would also say that if you truly feel your voice isn't being heard, tell JC or KS that. Not so much about BW specifically, but about the things you guys have complained about before -- that you feel like you're in the dark on things, no one sits down and explains things, no way to interface with the AthDept monolith. There's a chance to start progress toward improvement there, but not if you clothe it in hatred and anger. Just some advice.

Literally my biggest concern towards Currie in particular is the platform of "transparency" he ran on when he arrived and now not only do we have the most cloistered AD I have ever seen but JC has lied to our faces on few occasions. 

Quite simply, he is a LIAR.  Dishonest.  Not truthful.  How do I put that in a letter? 

Dear John, please top lying to us because the things you say are written down and we can easily compare your statements to the facts and see that your statements are lies? 

Dear John, please stop denying the media's KORA requests because it looks like you are hiding something?

Dear John, please don't edit the transcript of a PC that was audio recorded because we can see you are editing it to mislead the fans to what was actually said.

I can't see it getting better until someone yells a bit.  We are marginalized thought the AD would be surprised that there are some pretty damn good donors.

Want to bet that donations will be down for the year from 03/31/12-03/31/13 from the previous year?  I will take that bet and put a grand on it.

[Barry McCockner]

Why was the press conference held with little to no heads up from the athletic department?  Why Saturday?

Weber did say today that he accepted the contract Friday night around midnight. I suppose Currie decided to do it Saturday to avoid time for leaks.

"accepted" the contract.  Sounded like they agreed in principal Thursday, saw a contract Friday during the day, and signed it that night.  ALL DONE OF COURSE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STUDENT ATHLETES!!!  eff him.  It was done as fast as possible and as covertly as possible so no one influential ($$$) could find out and say "WHO the eff did I hear you were going to hire?!?!?"  Currie knew what the reaction would be, just as he knows what the result on the court will be down the road....and he doesn't give a eff, because he won't be here.

[kso_FAN]

What makes me mad (and maybe others I don't know) is that I lived through and saw k-state abandon basketball.  It took it for granted that anyone could take up the reigns and win, and then eventually it didn't even try anymore when it dug itself into a hole.  If K-State is really shitty job our AD seems to think it is (or eveyone seems to think it is) then it takes a ballsy move to stay competitive.  If it is really so undesirable that only fired coaches are willing to listen to an offer then at that point in time you MUST take a risk.   

My anger is that I don't think John Currie cares about winning basketball at Kansas State.  He cares about non-losing basketball and there's a really difference between the two.

I agree, a Weber hire is essentually a belief that we can be fairly competitive, go to regular postseasons (NCAAs and NITs), but never really be a true player to win league titles (or more).

Sounds like Schultz is expecting Championships... all we have to do is just rally around Weber.  If he does not win does that now make it our fault? 

K-Staters - now it is time to rally around Coach Weber and help him win our first Big 12 Championship in MBB!

You can always hope, and Schulz has to tout that mantra, even of its clear Weber's last 6 years show otherwise. Plus if brought up, he'd point out that Weber has won 4 conference titles as a head coach.

[Rage Against the McKee]

I agree with the people saying that the facility upgrades would not have happened without Currie. He is very good at fundraising, maybe BITB. The thing is, you use those facilities to lure good coaches and in turn get good recruits so your teams can win. If oscar Weber is the best John Currie can get with his shiny new BBTF, then maybe all the K-State fans who donated to build that facility would just be better off with the money. We could have landed oscar Weber without a BBTF.

[CHONGS]

Midmajor conference titles should NEVER count. The statistics showing how irrelevent they are is staggering.

[CHONGS]

Anyoen could have landed Weber, that's the problem.  He would have accepted any offer from any midmajor school.

[DH]

Why was the press conference held with little to no heads up from the athletic department?  Why Saturday?

Weber did say today that he accepted the contract Friday night around midnight. I suppose Currie decided to do it Saturday to avoid time for leaks.

Maybe so, but why not just release a statement saying that oscar Weber has been hired and that a press conference will be held in a day or two.  Isn't that the normal process?  It just seems like they were afraid of the reaction of the fans so wanted to get past it as soon as possible.

[Dugout DickStone]

...and the line of crap that he keeps spewing about how he couldn't find anyone that could point out one negative thing about Weber is just a blatent rough ridin' lie.  The guy just got FIRED.  rough ridin' FIRED.  Fired for performance.   If he didn't find any negatives it was because he never picked up the phone.  Even the people I've heard give the most glowing opinions of him readily admit that he can't recruit, among other things.  That foxsports article was dead on.  This hire was all about Currie, and putting someone in place that isn't going to get his ass in trouble in the next 2 years while he shops for his next job.  Currie could give a eff about K-State.  He's building a resume.  I'm leaning that way on Schultz more every day.

No big time program will ever hire John Currie as their Athletic Director.  He has shown himself to be poison for the talent.  Couple that with his outright dishonesty towards the fans and the big time Athletic Programs will pass on John Currie (if they know what is good for them).  We are stuck with him until he makes a lateral (at which time he bad mouths us) or we can can his ass.

[kso_FAN]

Why was the press conference held with little to no heads up from the athletic department?  Why Saturday?

Weber did say today that he accepted the contract Friday night around midnight. I suppose Currie decided to do it Saturday to avoid time for leaks.

Maybe so, but why not just release a statement saying that oscar Weber has been hired and that a press conference will be held in a day or two.  Isn't that the normal process?  It just seems like they were afraid of the reaction of the fans so wanted to get past it as soon as possible.

Good point. I think Currie wanted an "announcement" of sorts, with his face on it.

[DQ12]

Snyder is building that expansion.

...That said, to think that the West Side expansion would have happened without Currie is just ludicrous.  Heck, we won't even get into the Basketball Training Facility.

I reject this completely.  We did build in Snyder v.1.  We built the current press box, in '93, which was a respectable structure for a program that was in its infancy.  We put up the the north jumbotron which was state of the art for its time.  We expanded seating to its current capacity.

It was time for an upgrade, no doubt, but let's not pretend like without Currie we'd still be stuck with what we had in '89.

[AppleJack]

I am very curious to know if JC thought the fans would think this was a homerun hire, I bet he did.

I am afraid he has absolutely no pulse on the fan base, or even if he feels he needs to. I also have no idea what I'm talking about. Go cats.

[star seed 7]

I am very curious to know if JC thought the fans would think this was a homerun hire, I bet he did.

I am afraid he has absolutely no pulse on the fan base, or even if he feels he needs to. I also have no idea what I'm talking about. Go cats.

this is what i'm most curious about as well.

[pissclams]

I am very curious to know if JC thought the fans would think this was a homerun hire, I bet he did.

I am afraid he has absolutely no pulse on the fan base, or even if he feels he needs to. I also have no idea what I'm talking about. Go cats.

I wonder that too.

The idea of transparency that Limestone brought up, and the half-truths.  Does he think we believe that he and Frank had a good relationship?  Does he think we believe the trashcan/floor/etc made up lie? 

Did he actually think we would agree with this hire? 

He's in a really bad place right now having pissed off a lot of people.  Should be interesting to see how he works his way out of the doghouse.

[Dugout DickStone]

I am very curious to know if JC thought the fans would think this was a homerun hire, I bet he did.

I am afraid he has absolutely no pulse on the fan base, or even if he feels he needs to. I also have no idea what I'm talking about. Go cats.

I wonder that too.

The idea of transparency that Limestone brought up, and the half-truths.  Does he think we believe that he and Frank had a good relationship?  Does he think we believe the trashcan/floor/etc made up lie? 

Did he actually think we would agree with this hire? 

He's in a really bad place right now having pissed off a lot of people.  Should be interesting to see how he works his way out of the doghouse.

He lied in his letter to the fans about Jamar.

[kougar24]

2 things:

1. Was Pastner contacted?

2. Michigancat is absolutely right in the fact that Currie's main consideration was HC experience so a guy could "step right in and win with no learning curve" is the smoking gun. That points to one thing, the thing we all suspected anyway: Currie just wanted the current roster mostly intact so Weber could make the tourney and take all the heat off his and Currie's backs. Meanwhile, Currie starts pimping his resume around the NCAA and hops a train outta Dodge just before oscar starts doing what oscar does with his own roster: losing.

This thread has doubled my hatred for John Currie.

[catzacker]

I'm sorry, CC, but you couldn't be more condescending in this thread.  To act as if the avenue for change is through email is utterly patronizing.  To act as if decisions are or will be made because I can press "send" is insulting.  This isn't about Frank Martin, this isn't about a TV analyst, this isn't - necessarily - about oscar Weber.  From the moment that the Administration brought in Bob Huggins, the KSU fan base laid it on the f'ing line for KSU.  I'm sorry if this sounds a bit overly important, but once it appeared that there was a commitment to WINNING, regardless of the perception or how straight a tie was, we did everything a fan base could.  We filled up that rough ridin' place, we took part in branding that rough ridin' place the OOD, we supported a goddamn assistant who hadn't done sh*t his entire life because we recognized that this was OUR RISK.  OURS.  Frank's failure was ours.  But we were fine with that because at least the Administration was taking a risk to be excellent.   I'm furious becuase we laid it on the line for KSU and Currie didn't.  He simply didn't.  We gave, Currie took.