With the completion of this season, I can't help but look forward to what lies a head with the program. Its the first significant 'changing of the guard (no pun intended)' this program has had in some near 20 years. Losing a centerpiece like Jacob Pullen is never easy, and is irreplaceable in what he has meant to this program. In short he will be missed, but never out of mind, because we should be able to look up and see his jersey in the rafters one day not too far away. This program is continuing to grow in the right direction, and I just hope it does. I just want to break down certain elements of the program and see what people think. (this is my opinion and feel free to disagree if I am way off base with anything.)
First, the administration. So far I think the work Currie has done as AD has been great. We've had our doubts at times, but I think most would agree he is a more than capable AD, and we're in good hands. Still has yet to make a significant hire...yet, and let's hope the first big coaching hire is for football, not basketball.
Next, the facilities. I don't know the projected completion date of the basketball facility, but whenever it is done, it's only going to help this program and show that K-State is serious about basketball. Hopefully, will make us more attractive to recruits.
Frank Martin.... the vital cog to it all right now. I don't anticipate Frank leaving anytime soon, at least not for a couple years, but you just never know. My thoughts are that within the next 2-3 years Frank will begin to know how much he wants to really be here. If the next couple years prove to be a challenge in duplicating the success he had years 1-4, he will start to develop a wandering eye.
Essentially, if recruiting and making a run at the Big 12 title and the NCAA tourney prove to be more difficult I could see him starting to think about leaving, and when the right opening came along, he'd take it. Right now Frank is a 'name' coach, I mean not even LHC Bill Snyder got the publicity Frank gets now in the national media. Obviously, Frank is a touch more charismatic than Snyds. The publicity Frank has earned needs to be capitalized because we saw how quickly the tide turned on Frank when the team was losing. He went from fiery, lovable, and quirky; to crazy and unstable within a couple weeks.
If he leaves I just wonder who'd they find to replace him. I don't see any big names running towards this job, so it would have to be a unproven or mid major guy... or someone on the staff, like Underwood. Underwood is K-State through and through, so I don't want to rip him; however, at this point in time, he's not who I want running the program. He's earned respect from me this year for helping Frank adjust the offense mid season, so maybe there is hope yet for him.
Now I didn't mention Dalonte because I can't help but wonder how long he'll stick around for. He just doesn't strike me as wanting to be here forever. Also, his recruiting feels like it has tailed off as of late. Now I am far from a expert on the matter, so correct me if I say something inaccurate. The Hill recruits aren't as prevalent as they once were. McGruder, Southwell, Samuels, JO, Irving and Russell are the only one's I see that Hill either directly recruited or helped in recruiting. Gipson and Diaz I couldn't find lead recruiter for. It just doesn't feel like Hill is bringing in as much as we all thought he would, and it feels like I see Underwood and Figger's names attached to a lot more recruits than Hill.
Plus, he's just near impossible to read. He always is so straight faced, and essentially from what I have seen from a distance, never seems to be "enjoying Manhattan." Obviously, that is just my observation from the games cause I never see him otherwise. So I just wonder how long he stays.
Figger, not much to say other than it feels like he's making progress in recruiting, so hopefully that is a good sign. Seems like a good member of the staff.
I thought about breaking down the players, but ran out of steam. Maybe I will later. Let me hear your thoughts and critiques... am I way off with my assessments?
