What's scaring me about this process

[BillySee58]

I keep getting the indication that RV feels he can just throw a bunch of money down and get some guy with a résumé, and that'll solve our problems. He's made it very clear recently that he doesn't feel he's at fault for his past hires because they were, as he believes, the right moves at the time. He also feels his shortcoming were due in large part to not being able to offer enough money (even though we ranked favorably against our conference mates).

Even if we can hit that million dollar mark like some feel we may at least approach, I think all that's actually going to do is open up the pool of washed up and overrated coaches who can demand high salaries, yet don't have larger programs interested in them.

I'm thinking guys along the lines of Derek Dooley and Greg Schiano. Guys who have either been in the NFL, had some success somewhere else in the past, or a combination. Not necessarily focusing on guys who translate well to THIS job in particular. That should be the main goal. This process needs to be about finding who can be the best coach at North Texas in 2016 and beyond, and not who was the best at some other school back in 2008. We shouldn't be cheap, but being smart about this is much more important than opening our wallet an extra $250K.

[eulessismore]

I keep getting the indication that RV feels he can just throw a bunch of money down and get some guy with a résumé, and that'll solve our problems. He's made it very clear recently that he doesn't feel he's at fault for his past hires because they were, as he believes, the right moves at the time. He also feels his shortcoming were due in large part to not being able to offer enough money (even though we ranked favorably against our conference mates).

Even if we can hit that million dollar mark like some feel we may at least approach, I think all that's actually going to do is open up the pool of washed up and overrated coaches who can demand high salaries, yet don't have larger programs interested in them.

I'm thinking guys along the lines of Derek Dooley and Greg Schiano. Guys who have either been in the NFL, had some success somewhere else in the past, or a combination. Not necessarily focusing on guys who translate well to THIS job in particular. That should be the main goal. This process needs to be about finding who can be the best coach at North Texas in 2016 and beyond, and not who was the best at some other school back in 2008. We shouldn't be cheap, but being smart about this is much more important than opening our wallet an extra $250K.

What scares me about this process is that it doesn't sound like a process a professional in any endeavor would wish to engage.  I mean, the President won't give the AD a public vote of confidence when asked, and says he will be involved in the process (as he should be), but this would just leave a lot of people wondering "who's really in charge" and "do I want to expose myself and my family to what appears to be dysfunctional, when the reason I'm being considered is that my star is on the rise"?

Unless, as you suggest, and I suspect, that those likely to be considered are not rising stars, but those in the twilight of "some success", and whose proximity to Denton has mostly to do with DFW Airport or the main lanes of Interstate 35.

[risinggreen]

My thoughts are that we don't want to be like someone with a bunch of money in their back pocket, who wants to go out and try and shop their way to solving their problems with a "name" hire. We need the right fit. Not just a name to appease certain people by having the appearance that we're making an effort. I'm glad I'm not the one making this decision, because it's going to be a tough one to get it right.

[BillySee58]

What scares me about this process is that it doesn't sound like a process a professional in any endeavor would wish to engage.  I mean, the President won't give the AD a public vote of confidence when asked, and says he will be involved in the process (as he should be), but this would just leave a lot of people wondering "who's really in charge" and "do I want to expose myself and my family to what appears to be dysfunctional, when the reason I'm being considered is that my star is on the rise"?

Unless, as you suggest, and I suspect, that those likely to be considered are not rising stars, but those in the twilight of "some success", and whose proximity to Denton has mostly to do with DFW Airport or the main lanes of Interstate 35.

That too. That's what is so frustrating. 

My thoughts are that we don't want to be like someone with a bunch of money in their back pocket, who wants to go out and try and shop their way to solving their problems with a "name" hire. We need the right fit. Not just a name to appease certain people by having the appearance that we're making an effort. I'm glad I'm not the one making this decision, because it's going to be a tough one to get it right.

It's easy for me to say, but I don't think it should be that tough. RV gets to interview these guys and has been here almost 15 years. He should know by now what it takes, has a candidate pool to evaluate, and gets to interact first hand with the top candidates. This also is honestly not as nearly as hard a job as he and Coach Mac made it sound. 

[HarringtonFishSmeller]

Those are some reasons why I think we need an OC this time around who has never been a head coach.  Seems that a 30ish-40ish OC would be inching to make his mark in the world.

You bring on a guy who has already done it, and maybe he looks at this job with an eye towards either:
(1) retirement money, if he's older, or
(2) if-I-fail-here-who-will-care, if he's a retread

I want this, because I think it's our reality - give me what Tulsa and Houston have:  guys succeed there, then move on; then other guys realize you can succeed there and want to coach there as well.

Being Oklahoma, Texas, or Alabama...that's not going to be us any time soon.  But, we can aspire to get to that level where coaches want to come here, win, and move on. 

 

[aztecskin]

That too. That's what is so frustrating. 

It's easy for me to say, but I don't think it should be that tough. RV gets to interview these guys and has been here almost 15 years. He should know by now what it takes, has a candidate pool to evaluate, and gets to interact first hand with the top candidates. This also is honestly not as nearly as hard a job as he and Coach Mac made it sound. 

Agree. It's a quality job for someone who wants to build something. A teacher. 

[MeanGreenHoops]

That too. That's what is so frustrating. 

It's easy for me to say, but I don't think it should be that tough. RV gets to interview these guys and has been here almost 15 years. He should know by now what it takes, has a candidate pool to evaluate, and gets to interact first hand with the top candidates. This also is honestly not as nearly as hard a job as he and Coach Mac made it sound. 

You need someone who wants the challenge. It could be a retread, or someone younger, doesn't matter but they need to really want to prove they can do it. If they are hesitant because they think it will be difficult here then they are definitely not the right person for the job.

[laxtonto]

My concern is that RV is involved in  the process

[UNT90]

My concern is that RV is involved in  the process

I'd feel more confortable if he was completely cut out of the process. 

But at the same time, if that were to be the case, why the F would he still be employed as AD? 

Now I'm sad again...

 

[BillySee58]

I'd feel more confortable if he was completely cut out of the process. 

But at the same time, if that were to be the case, why the F would he still be employed as AD? 

Now I'm sad again...

 

I don't know why Smatresk would keep him yet won't give him a public vote of confidence. 

[rcade]

I don't know why Smatresk would keep him yet won't give him a public vote of confidence. 

Maybe Smatresk wants the ability to take credit if the hire turns out good or deny responsibility if the hire turns out bad.

So he talks publicly like the hire is being made by RV, but in reality has the final say.

Then if RV is out when his current contract is up -- 18 months, by some accounts -- Smatresk can say whatever he likes about his role as we see how the coach does.

[EagleMBA]

I don't know why Smatresk would keep him yet won't give him a public vote of confidence. 

I have the same thoughts but no information to advance this discussion. Politics comes to mind, big time. The whole situation no longer passes the smell test.

[MeanGreen13]

I think Smatresk is making the best fiscal decision right now. I think you have a situation where RV is in trouble so he has lots of incentive to actually d his job. Smatresk will fire him in a couple years after his contract is a bit more manageable. I don't think we can afford to buy out Mac, Benford, and RV back to back to back.

 

[Aldo]

I don't know why Smatresk would keep him yet won't give him a public vote of confidence. 

Power move and politics. It's a public sign telling RV to step up his game because he's on his way out. (Smatresk has a very sneaky/political history, per former colleagues).

I just wish it wasn't made public, but RV pushed the button by asking for a public vote of confidence. Makes for an embarrassing (and toxic) situation which some coaches might want to avoid.

Also, Smatresk said about the "timing" wasn't right in the ntdaily article. He didn't say anything about RV being around for a long time to come.

The signs are pointing that RV has tenuous support from the administration, and he will be gone unless all three big money sports improve. Which I hope, for UNT's sake.