Martin ends up getting the job

[jficke13]

Honestly I have the feeling that the top MU people looked long and hard in the mirror and decided that they don't aspire to being a final-four competitive program. They took their run at Smart, but when it didn't work they're sitting around thinking "we spend so much $ and who are we going to get? What are we going to win for that $? Anything?" And now are going to hire someone who will have us in the running for the NCAA every year and every once in while luck our way into the 2nd weekend.

Really, if the university aspires to greatness then there are a big list of coaches that should never have been considered. Those coaches are being considered (per Goodman). That leaves me with the feeling that the school is trying to find a way to dial back the commitment to nationally competitive basketball.

[TVDirector]

"2. Martin's job is safe, but will he stay put?
This tournament run was Cuonzo Martin's vindication. More than 36,000 fans had signed an online petition to remove the Tennessee coach in favor of the man he replaced, Bruce Pearl. There were rumblings of buying out the final $1.56 million on his deal.

But that was before the First Four win over Iowa, a second-round victory vs. UMass and ripping Cinderella Mercer by 20 to reach the Sweet 16.

Athletic director Dave Hart has yet to offer any statement on whether Martin will be retained, though he offered his coach a congratulatory postgame hug after beating Mercer.

Now, Vols fans have created a new petition, this one calling for Martin to get a raise and an extension. He certainly would seem in line for both of those things. The question is, will he bite? Will the lack of public support before the tournament lead him to look at openings at Boston College, Marquette or Wake Forest?

Suddenly, Martin's future looks to be in his hands, a change in the narrative from before this tourney started."

[Pakuni]

Honestly I have the feeling that the top MU people looked long and hard in the mirror and decided that they don't aspire to being a final-four competitive program. They took their run at Smart, but when it didn't work they're sitting around thinking "we spend so much $ and who are we going to get? What are we going to win for that $? Anything?" And now are going to hire someone who will have us in the running for the NCAA every year and every once in while luck our way into the 2nd weekend.

Really, if the university aspires to greatness then there are a big list of coaches that should never have been considered. Those coaches are being considered (per Goodman). That leaves me with the feeling that the school is trying to find a way to dial back the commitment to nationally competitive basketball.

Pretty much what the doomsayers were saying six years ago. Couldn't land Miller or Bennett, so the administration threw in the towel on the program and settled for an unknown assistant.
Wrong then, wrong now.

[mechaghidorah]

This is a post on Scout from RynoVol and gives a perspective from a Tennessee fan...

"If I may, as one Vol fan who would not be crushed to see you get Martin, I want to explain why.  His time has been up and down.  He overachieved the first season, but didn't make the dance.  He underachieved last season and we embarassed ourselves by losing to Mercer in an NIT game the players had no interest in playing.
This season we underachieved until the last quarter of the season.  We had a roster of three players who had made an all-SEC team in McRae, Maymon, and Stokes but was sitting at 7-7 in a weak SEC (after the big three) in mid February.  We could beat Virginia by 35 in December, but we were swept by Texas A&M.  You really never knew which team would show up.
This team was pegged for the top 25 preseason, but I don't think we spent any time ranked.  We were a bubble team from the start, which is underachieving.  Only the four game winning streak at the end of the conference season got us in the tournament in a play-in game.
I don't think beating a free falling Iowa, an overrated UMass, and a lesser talented Mercer team totally makes up for a regular season of double digit losses, but it has probably bought Martin an extension, which he didn't get last year, and a raise.  The question is, does he want to stay?
Pearl's style of play and ferocious marketing of the program and himself won him a lot of fans in Knoxville, and Martin is the polar opposite in every regard.  We keep waiting for Martin's first technical, and he's had plenty of opportunities to show a little fire and have his players' backs.
Martin may say he was immune to the criticism, but when the heat got the hottest, the team suddenly developed consistency.  Many players complained about the fans' criticism of the team, but turned it up when they realized Martin was in serious trouble.  I don't think it's outrageous to say that had Iowa gotten one more point in regulation last week, that Martin would probably have been let go.  It's been like that all year, and he may just decide to get out while he's on a high note."

[jficke13]

Just don't have a good vibe that's all.

[Tums Festival]

Landing two 5* players at UT in a three year tenure isn't high level recruiting? What am I missing?

Not when the rest of his recruits were 2 and 3 star guys.

[NotAnAlum]

That leaves me with the feeling that the school is trying to find a way to dial back the commitment to nationally competitive basketball.

None of us really have a handle on what the admin is thinking.  That said I would really doubt that you are correct.  For one thing from a business standpoint its very difficult to put the genie back in the bottle.  Even if MU hires some lesser known they will be likely to pay him well over 1M.  Even when Mr Unknown Buzz was hired we paid him just shy of $1M (I remember guys on this board were shocked at what we paid).  The issue is that if you under pay just because you can get away with it you set yourself up for the guy to look at other jobs if he is successful because he feels he was taken advantage of.  Of course if he is a bust that doesn't happen but I hardly think Cords is planning for a Bust.  All the other trappings of the program are probably in place to stay.  What are they going to tell the new coach.  "We expect you to win BUT we're not going to give you any of the perks like assistant pay, charter flights, private plane access that we gave Buzz".  They might dial it back a little but I can't see them canceling all their momentum because they suddenly want to save a few bucks.  We may end up with a what we view as a lesser hire but it won't be because MU suddenly decided to go on a saving spree.

[Golden Avalanche]

This is a post on Scout from RynoVol and gives a perspective from a Tennessee fan...

"If I may, as one Vol fan who would not be crushed to see you get Martin, I want to explain why.  His time has been up and down.  He overachieved the first season, but didn't make the dance.  He underachieved last season and we embarassed ourselves by losing to Mercer in an NIT game the players had no interest in playing.
This season we underachieved until the last quarter of the season.  We had a roster of three players who had made an all-SEC team in McRae, Maymon, and Stokes but was sitting at 7-7 in a weak SEC (after the big three) in mid February.  We could beat Virginia by 35 in December, but we were swept by Texas A&M.  You really never knew which team would show up.
This team was pegged for the top 25 preseason, but I don't think we spent any time ranked.  We were a bubble team from the start, which is underachieving.  Only the four game winning streak at the end of the conference season got us in the tournament in a play-in game.
I don't think beating a free falling Iowa, an overrated UMass, and a lesser talented Mercer team totally makes up for a regular season of double digit losses, but it has probably bought Martin an extension, which he didn't get last year, and a raise.  The question is, does he want to stay?
Pearl's style of play and ferocious marketing of the program and himself won him a lot of fans in Knoxville, and Martin is the polar opposite in every regard.  We keep waiting for Martin's first technical, and he's had plenty of opportunities to show a little fire and have his players' backs.
Martin may say he was immune to the criticism, but when the heat got the hottest, the team suddenly developed consistency.  Many players complained about the fans' criticism of the team, but turned it up when they realized Martin was in serious trouble.  I don't think it's outrageous to say that had Iowa gotten one more point in regulation last week, that Martin would probably have been let go.  It's been like that all year, and he may just decide to get out while he's on a high note."

So, when the pressure rose and expectations got higher Cuonzo found a way to breakthrough to his team and get them to rally together to accomplish something of note not often accomplished in the history of Tennessee basketball? Jesus, he is a terrible coach.

[willie warrior]

Perhaps a silly question...but would it be possible they would approach current players/future recruits and gauge their interest in the next candidate?

Seems like they would want to get a feel for what the players/future players would want.  Give a different perspective and allow for the maximum stability following a hire.  Plus get an indication on what future players may be looking for.

Combine that with whomever aligns with the administration/University needs/wants...and go after that person hard.

you're right--silly question.

[willie warrior]

Honestly I have the feeling that the top MU people looked long and hard in the mirror and decided that they don't aspire to being a final-four competitive program. They took their run at Smart, but when it didn't work they're sitting around thinking "we spend so much $ and who are we going to get? What are we going to win for that $? Anything?" And now are going to hire someone who will have us in the running for the NCAA every year and every once in while luck our way into the 2nd weekend.

Really, if the university aspires to greatness then there are a big list of coaches that should never have been considered. Those coaches are being considered (per Goodman). That leaves me with the feeling that the school is trying to find a way to dial back the commitment to nationally competitive basketball.

If they are thinking that they do not want to be "final four competitive", might as well pack it in now and try D-3 BB. Most fans want them to be that competitive.

[willie warrior]

This is a post on Scout from RynoVol and gives a perspective from a Tennessee fan...

"If I may, as one Vol fan who would not be crushed to see you get Martin, I want to explain why.  His time has been up and down.  He overachieved the first season, but didn't make the dance.  He underachieved last season and we embarassed ourselves by losing to Mercer in an NIT game the players had no interest in playing.
This season we underachieved until the last quarter of the season.  We had a roster of three players who had made an all-SEC team in McRae, Maymon, and Stokes but was sitting at 7-7 in a weak SEC (after the big three) in mid February.  We could beat Virginia by 35 in December, but we were swept by Texas A&M.  You really never knew which team would show up.
This team was pegged for the top 25 preseason, but I don't think we spent any time ranked.  We were a bubble team from the start, which is underachieving.  Only the four game winning streak at the end of the conference season got us in the tournament in a play-in game.
I don't think beating a free falling Iowa, an overrated UMass, and a lesser talented Mercer team totally makes up for a regular season of double digit losses, but it has probably bought Martin an extension, which he didn't get last year, and a raise.  The question is, does he want to stay?
Pearl's style of play and ferocious marketing of the program and himself won him a lot of fans in Knoxville, and Martin is the polar opposite in every regard.  We keep waiting for Martin's first technical, and he's had plenty of opportunities to show a little fire and have his players' backs.
Martin may say he was immune to the criticism, but when the heat got the hottest, the team suddenly developed consistency.  Many players complained about the fans' criticism of the team, but turned it up when they realized Martin was in serious trouble.  I don't think it's outrageous to say that had Iowa gotten one more point in regulation last week, that Martin would probably have been let go.  It's been like that all year, and he may just decide to get out while he's on a high note."

taking this guy appears to be settling like some say about Wardle.

[NickelDimer]

So, when the pressure rose and expectations got higher Cuonzo found a way to breakthrough to his team and get them to rally together to accomplish something of note not often accomplished in the history of Tennessee basketball? Jesus, he is a terrible coach.

Yeah I couldn't quite figure out how he tried to spin that as a negative

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Didn't have the patience to read through 9 pages of thread so apologies for any repeats.

I like Cuonzo and here is why.

1. Turned an awful Missouri State team into conference champions in two years
2. Knows the Chicago area
3. Handled Tennessee post-Pearl extremely well
4. Will bring a fantastic set of assistants with him, John Harris and Tracy Webster
5. Has some recruits we could poach
6. Younger energetic coach who is known for his ability to connect with players
7. Strong development from players
8. Passes the sniff test with flying colors
9. Head coaching experience
10. Think he manages to hold onto most of our recruits

[Silkk the Shaka]

Pretty much what the doomsayers were saying six years ago. Couldn't land Miller or Bennett, so the administration threw in the towel on the program and settled for an unknown assistant.
Wrong then, wrong now.

My thoughts exactly. And I was one of the people unhappy with Buzz' hiring at the time. I was wrong.

[Warrior_2002]

That earlier post from the Tennessee fan forum bugs me when it talks about Cuonzo's lack of fire on the sidelines and in the game.  I could see us all getting upset if we don't see passion on the sidelines.  I am one who likes to see it at least a little. It bothers me to see a coach with no emotion on the sidelines.  Maybe that's just me.  I was swinging Martin's way but that's a red flag for me.  I guess others are that way too like Bennett but for whatever reason I like Bennett better.  Wish we could get him.  Not going to happen.

[MUWeb7]

you're right--silly question.

Care to expand?

You think these kids have been living under a rock?  They hear what you hear.  They know who is being talked about and you can guarantee several of them (especially recruits) will leave if x coach is hired vs y coach.  I'm not saying allow them to chose a coach.  I'm saying, just talk to them.  See what they are feeling.  Don't give them a list and have them choose or rate coaches.

Understand what players want and future players want, if you hire someone that no recruits are interested in, we slip to mid-major status quick.

[keefe]

Goose .... i wasn't speaking only of you, and I'm not trying to be jag here, but since you responded .... over the past couple years, your insider information has told us that the MU administration intended to scale back its commitment to basketball,  had a handshake agreement for Buzz to leave after the 2012, then 2013, seasons, and that Shaka was the guy (among other claims). NONE of these things occurred.
So, perhaps you'll forgive my skepticism.

Geese flock to MU
Better Goose than a Ganzer
For sources of note

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

That earlier post from the Tennessee fan forum bugs me when it talks about Cuonzo's lack of fire on the sidelines and in the game.  I could see us all getting upset if we don't see passion on the sidelines.  I am one who likes to see it at least a little. It bothers me to see a coach with no emotion on the sidelines.  Maybe that's just me.  I was swinging Martin's way but that's a red flag for me.  I guess others are that way too like Bennett but for whatever reason I like Bennett better.  Wish we could get him.  Not going to happen.

Cuonzo is fool's gold.  Look at last night's game.  Tennessee looked lost on defense the first half.  You could tell they weren't prepped for the game.  They reminded me of Crean's 1 and done MU teams.  Of course, after Tennessee's back is against the wall, they play like gangbusters in the 2nd half.  Had Cuonzo gotten his team to play any defense in the first half, Tennessee wins the game.  

You can apply the same inconsistency to his recruiting.  Sure, he nabbed a couple of top 100 recruits.... but (1 of which gets an offensive foul with the last shot last night)  then he gets 2 star recruits as well.  After he loses his seniors this year (4 of them, mostly Pearl recruits) there isn't much left on the team.

Cuonzo, at his best, is MU caliber, but once you throw in the frequent lows of coaching and recruiting, you get a bad taste in your mouth.  He's a hot name right now, but if you truly know X's and O's, he's not your guy.  

[klyrish]

Just got notified from the Score Center app that he's our #1 target.

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

Just got notified from the Score Center app that he's our #1 target.

ESPN just confirmed:   

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10694221/cuonzo-martin-target-marquette-golden-eagles

[Gopher+RamFan]

@GoodmanESPN: Marquette is targeting Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin, multiple sources told ESPN. Ben Howland also in the mix: http://t.co/XRMo3GDv6G

[Windyplayer]

Cuonzo is fool's gold.  Look at last night's game.  Tennessee looked lost on defense the first half.  You could tell they weren't prepped for the game.  They reminded me of Crean's 1 and done MU teams.  Of course, after Tennessee's back is against the wall, they play like gangbusters in the 2nd half.  Had Cuonzo gotten his team to play any defense in the first half, Tennessee wins the game.  

You can apply the same inconsistency to his recruiting.  Sure, he nabbed a couple of top 100 recruits.... but (1 of which gets an offensive foul with the last shot last night)  then he gets 2 star recruits as well.  After he loses his seniors this year (4 of them, mostly Pearl recruits) there isn't much left on the team.

Cuonzo, at his best, is MU caliber, but once you throw in the frequent lows of coaching and recruiting, you get a bad taste in your mouth.  He's a hot name right now, but if you truly know X's and O's, he's not your guy.  

I want a coach that won't recruit a top 100 recruit that commits an offensive foul, down 1 in a Sweet 16 game. Is that too much to ask for?

[Eldon]

I want a coach that won't recruit a top 100 recruit that commits an offensive foul, down 1 in a Sweet 16 game. Is that too much to ask for?

You, too, have a great signature.

[WadeATKBurton]

I want a coach that won't recruit a top 100 recruit that commits an offensive foul, down 1 in a Sweet 16 game. Is that too much to ask for?

You want a coach that doesnt play his best players too huh? Lol

[MikeDeanesDarkGlasses]

You want a coach that doesnt play his best players too huh? Lol

How about a coach that doesn't give the ball to a moron to take the final shot?!!