MGB: Baker press conference/follow-up news tidbits

[UNT90]

9 minutes ago, Cr1028 said:

Chill out. Darrell Dickey had .242 winning percentage after three seasons when RV walked through the door. He did not fire Dickey as most may have wanted and Dickey proceeded to roll off 4 consecutive conference championships. Baker knows nothing about Benford other than just looking at the win-loss record. He doesn't know about circumstances, style of play, level of talent, assistant coaches, or level of competition. He knows nothing. Give him some time to get acclimated to his new position. If Benford sucks, how will that be different than him sucking last year except that it will save us a buyout and give Baker more time to find a better candidate. If RV had not fired Mac, and then Baker came in and fired him now, we would've never gotten a coach the caliber of Littrell, we'd be stuck with the leftovers like UTSA was. Timing is everything. Let Benford finish out this year, good or bad, and give Baker and co the time they need to make the right hire.

Comparing Tony Benford to Dickey is probably the dumbest thing you have done on here, and that's saying something. 

If Wren Baker knows nothing about one of the big 2 programs at UNT, he shouldn't have been hired as AD. 

Good Lord. Have you had your morning coffee yet? 

Edited August 2, 2016 by UNT90

[Cerebus]

22 minutes ago, UNT90 said:

Comparing Tony Benford to Dickey is probably the dumbest thing you have done on here, and that's saying something. 

The personal attacks are getting old UNT90.  If you can't attack the argument instead of the argument then don't make the post.    

Everyone: Remain civil or you will have your posting rights suspended.  

[EagleMBA]

56 minutes ago, Graddean said:

If Benford was to be fired immediately, that should have been a condition of RV's buyout.  He should have done it.  This is the way big businesses handle things.  If I remember correctly, WB officially takes over August 22.  He has two missions.  First, he leads in developing a vision for the athletic department.  Apparently the past vision was either nonexistent or woefully inadequate.  Second, he assures all areas of the AD has adequate resources to be successful.  Once he is sure of this, he can judge the level of competency of each individual and take he appropriate action.

 

[Cr1028]

8 minutes ago, UNT90 said:

Comparing Tony Benford to Dickey is probably the dumbest thing you have done on here, and that's saying something. 

If Wren Baker knows nothing about one of the big 2 programs at UNT, he shouldn't have been hired as AD. 

Good Lord. Have you had your morning coffee yet? 

No, I have not had my morning coffee yet. The point is, Baker has a shit-ton of stuff to do in fixing our woefully inadequate athletic department before he even gets to coaches. How about getting competent administrative and ticket office staffs first. I have a feeling his first focus will be customer service and gameday experience. One more year of Benford sucking isn't going to kill you, plus, I'd rather wait until the spring to hire a grade A candidate than settling by blowing our wad prematurely on a grade D candidate(not to mention saving on the buyout money). In any event, Baker doesn't have time right now to conduct a coaching search for one of our major programs. What do you think bottom up means anyway? 

[MeanGreenTexan]

26 minutes ago, Army of Dad said:

I look forward to the night when I can sit in my seats and not see Benford coaching the home team.

Only a fool would willfully ignore the horrible record Benford has put up while here. Are you really saying Benford (and any other employee for that matter) should only be judged based on what happens from here on out with no view to what they did before WB?

No.  Not "should".  The original comments were addressing a complaint that WB did not address Benford's struggles during his introductory press conference.  Benford should not be addressed (in any kind of detail) there.  It's not the right place.

Of course WB should evaluate all coaches based on what they've done so far.   If he deems it necessary to fire Benford based off of that, he's going to have to drum up money for it somehow.  I certainly wouldn't mind, I think I'm on the record there.

However, after his evaluation, if he thinks another year of Benford is worth the additional year of setbacks, then he'll have reasons why and we should give him the benefit of the doubt instead of saying he has failed the basketball program.
 

[UNT90]

5 minutes ago, Cr1028 said:

No, I have not had my morning coffee yet. The point is, Baker has a shit-ton of stuff to do in fixing our woefully inadequate athletic department before he even gets to coaches. How about getting competent administrative and ticket office staffs first. I have a feeling his first focus will be customer service and gameday experience. One more year of Benford sucking isn't going to kill you, plus, I'd rather wait until the spring to hire a grade A candidate than settling by blowing our wad prematurely on a grade D candidate(not to mention saving on the buyout money). In any event, Baker doesn't have time right now to conduct a coaching search for one of our major programs. What do you think bottom up means anyway? 

Then don't say you are going to deal with a problem the moment you identify it, as he did to Vito. THAT is my issue way more so than keeping Benford around for a year. Say something like "I'm going to take my time to evaluate the program, top to bottom, and deliberately make changes to improve the program" if that's what you mean. This isn't hard.

Don't lie to the fan base. We had enough of that from the last AD and not a good way to start out. 

3 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

No.  Not "should".  The original comments were addressing a complaint that WB did not address Benford's struggles during his introductory press conference.  Benford should not be addressed (in any kind of detail) there.  It's not the right place.

Of course WB should evaluate all coaches based on what they've done so far.   If he deems it necessary to fire Benford based off of that, he's going to have to drum up money for it somehow.  I certainly wouldn't mind, I think I'm on the record there.

However, after his evaluation, if he thinks another year of Benford is worth the additional year of setbacks, then he'll have reasons why and we should give him the benefit of the doubt instead of saying he has failed the basketball program.
 

If you are referring to my comments, I believe Baker made those comments to Vito in a sit down interview AFTER the opening presser, which didn't include any statements about Benford.

Edited August 2, 2016 by UNT90

[Army of Dad]

7 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

No.  Not "should".  The original comments were addressing a complaint that WB did not address Benford's struggles during his introductory press conference.  Benford should not be addressed (in any kind of detail) there.  It's not the right place.

Of course WB should evaluate all coaches based on what they've done so far.   If he deems it necessary to fire Benford based off of that, he's going to have to drum up money for it somehow.  I certainly wouldn't mind, I think I'm on the record there.

However, after his evaluation, if he thinks another year of Benford is worth the additional year of setbacks, then he'll have reasons why and we should give him the benefit of the doubt instead of saying he has failed the basketball program.
 

I said WB failed the basketball program?

[FirefightnRick]

Dickey showed he at least had something.  In four years from '97-'00 he had two wins over Boise and was a last second fumble at the one yard line from beating Texas Tech three out of four times.

His recruiting class from '99 was good enough to buy him some time by Bobby Ray, and built a nationally ranked defense from that point on.

 RV's handling of the '01 season is what ultimately destroyed our program 5 years later.  So I'm glad WB is taking the approach he is at this point right now.

 

Rick

Edited August 2, 2016 by FirefightnRick

[Cerebus]

1 minute ago, FirefightnRick said:

Dickey showed he at least had something.  In four years from '97-'00 he had two wins over Boise and was a last second fumble at the one yard line from beating Texas Tech three out of four times.

[Army of Dad]

1 hour ago, Cerebus said:

The personal attacks are getting old UNT90.  If you can't attack the argument instead of the argument then don't make the post.    

Everyone: Remain civil or you will have your posting rights suspended.  

Wait, you didn't take up for Dicky?

[NT1978]

17 hours ago, emmitt01 said:

Translated: "If AD employees don't proceed EXACTLY as I personally would have them do, they are clearly failing at their jobs...other opinions be damned"

Further translated; " I have a banner and I know how to use it"

[GrandGreen]

2 hours ago, Cr1028 said:

Chill out. Darrell Dickey had .242 winning percentage after three seasons when RV walked through the door. He did not fire Dickey as most may have wanted and Dickey proceeded to roll off 4 consecutive conference championships. Baker knows nothing about Benford other than just looking at the win-loss record. He doesn't know about circumstances, style of play, level of talent, assistant coaches, or level of competition. He knows nothing. Give him some time to get acclimated to his new position. If Benford sucks, how will that be different than him sucking last year except that it will save us a buyout and give Baker more time to find a better candidate. If RV had not fired Mac, and then Baker came in and fired him now, we would've never gotten a coach the caliber of Littrell, we'd be stuck with the leftovers like UTSA was. Timing is everything. Let Benford finish out this year, good or bad, and give Baker and co the time they need to make the right hire.

I agree with your conclusion.  However, if you know Dickey and RV's history, you would know that is a horrible example.  Dickey and RV had at best a very rocky relationship.  

[Cr1028]

Quote

and the short question and answer session after where I got the key answers I didn’t want broadcast to over the internet and to every outlet on hand.

Well done @Brett Vito, well done.

1 hour ago, UNT90 said:

Then don't say you are going to deal with a problem the moment you identify it, as he did to Vito. THAT is my issue way more so than keeping Benford around for a year. Say something like "I'm going to take my time to evaluate the program, top to bottom, and deliberately make changes to improve the program" if that's what you mean. This isn't hard.

Don't lie to the fan base. We had enough of that from the last AD and not a good way to start out. 

I think this may have been more in reference to misspellings and the like.

9 minutes ago, GrandGreen said:

I agree with your conclusion.  However, if you know Dickey and RV's history, you would know that is a horrible example.  Dickey and RV had at best a very rocky relationship.  

No, I get that. My point was, RV didn't go scorched earth when he arrived which ultimately ended up being to our benefit. I know they grew to hate each other as time went on.

[UNT90]

8 minutes ago, Cr1028 said:

Well done @Brett Vito, well done.

I think this may have been more in reference to misspellings and the like.

No, I get that. My point was, RV didn't go scorched earth when he arrived which ultimately ended up being to our benefit. I know they grew to hate each other as time went on.

I think comparing where the football program was when Dickey took over to where the basketball program was when Benford took over will show your comparison to  be... Misguided (hopes to avoid ban). 

But that's just me.

Unless you believe that it was all the players' fault. The same players that had won 18 games the previous year in the same conference and were minutes away from a trip to the NCAAs. 

Sadly, important people at UNT actually believe this. 

[EagleMBA]

I get that we are all full of pent-up desire for immediate changes...and we want it NOW! As much as that would be great, the reality is that The Wren has landed on an oil tanker and is making his way to the helm. It is going to take him some time to overcome the inertia and get this thing on a different heading. The best we can do is stoke the boiler for him so he can execute his plan. JMHO.

[MeanGreenTexan]

1 hour ago, Army of Dad said:

I said WB failed the basketball program?

C'mon ArmyofDad...  do I need to hold your hand?  I'm having to weave 2 different conversations together here.

No.  You did not say that.   Mr. @UNT90 said that here:

19 hours ago, UNT90 said:

Basketball is screwed for the next 2 years, maybe 3.

Extremely disappointing. 

I hope Baker takes a good look around at the 1,000 fans in attendance. 

 

1 hour ago, UNT90 said:

Then don't say you are going to deal with a problem the moment you identify it, as he did to Vito. THAT is my issue way more so than keeping Benford around for a year. Say something like "I'm going to take my time to evaluate the program, top to bottom, and deliberately make changes to improve the program" if that's what you mean. This isn't hard.

Don't lie to the fan base. We had enough of that from the last AD and not a good way to start out. 

If you are referring to my comments, I believe Baker made those comments to Vito in a sit down interview AFTER the opening presser, which didn't include any statements about Benford.

I am referring to your comments, and it doesn't matter if he made those comments off-the-cuff directly to you right after chatting with Brett Vito.   That day/time was certainly not the right one to speak candidly/openly about Benford's failings when he likely hasn't even said 2 words to the guy.   And when asked, on the record, he has to give the "correct" answer whether you like it or not.  
Behind closed doors, at this very moment, he could be working the phones trying to get everything lined up... or, he could be telling the whole truth anticipating a completely full plate without worrying about basketball results, and not going to look at Benford until after the season.  Who knows?

[Army of Dad]

3 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

C'mon ArmyofDad...  do I need to hold your hand?  I'm having to weave 2 different conversations together here.

No.  You did not say that.   Mr. @UNT90 said that here:

 

I am referring to your comments, and it doesn't matter if he made those comments off-the-cuff directly to you right after chatting with Brett Vito.   That day/time was certainly not the right one to speak candidly/openly about Benford's failings when he likely hasn't even said 2 words to the guy.   And when asked, on the record, he has to give the "correct" answer whether you like it or not.  
Behind closed doors, at this very moment, he could be working the phones trying to get everything lined up... or, he could be telling the whole truth anticipating a completely full plate without worrying about basketball results, and not going to look at Benford until after the season.  Who knows?

Oh, it's my bad since you quoted my post and not 90s and I didn't get that you were referring to another poster? 

 

[UNT90]

10 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

C'mon ArmyofDad...  do I need to hold your hand?  I'm having to weave 2 different conversations together here.

No.  You did not say that.   Mr. @UNT90 said that here:

 

I am referring to your comments, and it doesn't matter if he made those comments off-the-cuff directly to you right after chatting with Brett Vito.   That day/time was certainly not the right one to speak candidly/openly about Benford's failings when he likely hasn't even said 2 words to the guy.   And when asked, on the record, he has to give the "correct" answer whether you like it or not.  
Behind closed doors, at this very moment, he could be working the phones trying to get everything lined up... or, he could be telling the whole truth anticipating a completely full plate without worrying about basketball results, and not going to look at Benford until after the season.  Who knows?

You can only take people at their words. The 2 things he said were diametrically opposed to each other, meaning one isn't true.

He shouldn't have done that.

He should have been more sensitive about the lies told ny the previous administration. It makes me wonder how much he truly knows about the situation he is inheriting. 

Edited August 2, 2016 by UNT90

[MeanGreenTexan]

3 minutes ago, UNT90 said:

You can only take people at their words. The 2 things he said were diametrically opposed to each other, meaning one isn't true.

He shouldn't have done that.

Understood.   He's still a man.   Not perfect, obviously.  I'm not going to hold this against him, and it doesn't mean he's off to a terrible start.  I bet he would like to rephrase it if he could.  But I also bet he doesn't really care about that right now either.  
Point is, he can't come out and say "I don't like the job coach Benford is doing right now and I'm looking at ways to get rid of him" at/after his introductory press conference.  Even if he believes it, it's not the time for that.   So he has to say some PC BS to move on from that question.

[MeanGreenTexan]

15 minutes ago, Army of Dad said:

Oh, it's my bad since you quoted my post and not 90s and I didn't get that you were referring to another poster? 

 

My mistake was obviously not quoting UNT90 upon my initial post in this thread.   The very next post was you replying to me... hence, I have 2 different people I'm talking to now.

Time to take a break today.

 

[Cr1028]

2 hours ago, UNT90 said:

I think comparing where the football program was when Dickey took over to where the basketball program was when Benford took over will show your comparison to  be... Misguided (hopes to avoid ban). 

But that's just me.

Unless you believe that it was all the players' fault. The same players that had won 18 games the previous year in the same conference and were minutes away from a trip to the NCAAs. 

Sadly, important people at UNT actually believe this. 

I get your point and enjoy your "hopes to avoid ban". I'm saying that Baker likely hasn't had time to evaluate what Benford had when he took over 4 years ago. More importantly, I think by waiting until mid-season or season's end, we will find a better candidate than we would if we were to conduct a search now.

Also, as you said, Littrell could never hope to be successful as a head coach because RV would hold him back. Could the same case not be made for Benford?

[UNT90]

No. RV didn't hold JJ back. I have also watched a full season of Benford. He doesn't know what he is doing. Plain and simple.

And it's painfully obvious to anyone who has played ANY form of organized basketball. 

Again, the most disappointing thing is not Benford still being here, but the new AD making a statement that is blatantly false according to a statement he made minutes earlier. It reeks of the last AD. 

Just be freakjng honest 

[FirefightnRick]

4 hours ago, Cerebus said:

Here.....does this help?

 

Rick

[Ryan Munthe]

[wardly]

What is the real significance of Baker's title if V.P.? Does it really mean anything, or is it just a way to create a new job description so we can pay him more money ?[i.e., Associate Head Basketball or Football Coach]