for those who think crean is a bad recruiter

[Henry Sugar]

I'm not quite sure what's going on with this thread anymore.  All I know is that it won't die.

[ecompt]

OK, Murff, I get it now. We're not supposed to listen to what Al said was his reason for retiring--the reason he gave me in a one-to-one interview and he one he gave to thousands of journalists over the years. You know better. Oh, by the way, you still haven't backed up your claim that Iman said he didn't come to MU because of the lack of a big man. Show me that quote, please.

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I'm not quite sure what's going on with this thread anymore.  All I know is that it won't die.

hahaha... nicely put.

[Murffieus]

Ecompt----I was Al's broker for 12 years---talked to him several times a week----sometimes at length-----he never ever mentioned anything to me about not likeing the trend in recruiting----never. What he did say (and this was several months before he won the NCAA) that he was "tired of coaching kids in short pants"----that everyone should have several careers (things like that). But the main reason for leaving MU was he was offered vice-chairmanship of Medalist Industries, which was a huge sporting goods manufacturer at the time (and did BB game braodcasts on NBC/CBS) where combined he was making a lot more money than coaching-----a lot more.

The main reason he left coaching was MONEY----he said a lot of things to the media for public consumption. Al didn't like recruiting or practice (loved the showmanship opportunity of the games though)-----actually he always was a lazy recruiter-----Hank did most of the leg work and he exposed his players a great deal to recruits, but he was the CLOSER-----he ALWAYS said the right thing to them-----he could sense what they wanted to hear----what buttons they wanted pushed!

That worked back then and it would work today----because pushing the right button today works just as well as it did back then!

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Ecompt----I was Al's broker for 12 years---talked to him several times a week----sometimes at length-----he never ever mentioned anything to me about not likeing the trend in recruiting----never. What he did say (and this was several months before he won the NCAA) that he was "tired of coaching kids in short pants"----that everyone should have several careers (things like that). But the main reason for leaving MU was he was offered vice-chairmanship of Medalist Industries, which was a huge sporting goods manufacturer at the time (and did BB game braodcasts on NBC/CBS) where combined he was making a lot more money than coaching-----a lot more.

The main reason he left coaching was MONEY----he said a lot of things to the media for public consumption. Al didn't like recruiting or practice (loved the showmanship opportunity of the games though)-----actually he always was a lazy recruiter-----Hank did most of the leg work and he exposed his players a great deal to recruits, but he was the CLOSER-----he ALWAYS said the right thing to them-----he could sense what they wanted to hear----what buttons they wanted pushed!

That worked back then and it would work today----because pushing the right button today works just as well as it did back then!

Murf, do you think there is a coach in the NCAA today that "operates like Al" as you seem to keep saying Crean should do? Seriously, is it?

Obviously, I know Al was a fantastic coach, but the landscape of college hoops has changed greatly, and while some of Al's techniques are timeless, some others probably wouldn't work well in today's game.

Everybody loves the story of Al and Toone getting in a fight. Do you think Crean should punch DJ at halftime to try and motivate him?

You can't just act like everything Al did would work today.

[🏀]

In the book, "I remember Al McGuire..." it is clearly stated that Al did not like what was becoming of the recruiting atmosphere. It talks of kids were recruited too young, schools giving 'gifts', and a general sleazy attribute.

Also states that Al hated to recruit, and having to sell himself to a 17 year old kid is not what he wants to do.

So there ya go, in printed words, Al saying recruiting was changing, and he didn't like it anymore. Not saying that's why he left, but an attribute to it.

[Murffieus]

The chief attribute of a recruiter is salesmanship-----and the chief attribute of a salesman is knowing what to say-----to push the right buttons. Al could do that----how in the world do you guys think he built the program from the 4 & 25 team he inherited-----by saying the wrong thing to recruits?

Today recruiting is STILL all about salesmanship-----and the MU program has a great deal more going for it today to sell------than in Al's day!

BTW Marqptm-----as i mention above, Al would embellish to the media to build a story -----he would never tell the media the real reason he left coaching-----which was MONEY. Also as I mention above Al NEVER liked recruiting (but there is something about every job that someone doesn't like----but that doesn't mean you quit because of it, that is unless it's unbearable)!

[🏀]

Oh I agree with you Murff. I was just saying, it was stated that he thought recruiting was changing.