Does Wojo need 'Hank'?

[jsglow]

Okay, so I totally agree that much of this 'fire Wojo' stuff is frustration, growing pains, etc.  It's not even remotely plausible that he'll be gone even if they end up replicating last year's horrific 13 win season.  But unless and until we see solid growth in this team, might it be fair to ask at the end of the season whether Wojo needs to re-work his Assistant Coach group?  Might we need a solid bench coach charged with primary game day responsibility?  I'm not saying we make that determination here in November, mind you.

Al was the very first to admit that Hank was his secret weapon.  We were great in part because they made a fantastic team.  Both deservedly have their name in the rafters.  Thoughts? 

[Skatastrophy]

Should have kept Coach Wainwright.

[GGGG]

Maybe not Wainwright, but someone with more seasoning. I'm not sure what Carawell does cause I don't see him out recruiting like Nelson and the dude we just hired from ASU.

[brewcity77]

Should have kept Coach Wainwright.

+1

This staff is definitely young and I was wondering last night how much a veteran presence on the bench may have helped us. Whether it's having a Hank, a Lewis Orr, or a Jerry Wainright, I do feel young coaches benefit from having an old hand around.

[We R Final Four]

Maybe revisit if it would be fair to ask at the end of the year, hey?

[T-Bone]

Should have kept Coach Wainwright.

I agree, but it wasn't in the cards. 

[Dr. Blackheart]

Having Jerry on staff would kill Noonball, non è?

[mug644]

Speaking of cards, it's still not clear how the chips will fall in Louisville.

Maybe Wojo could hire Pitino?

[jsglow]

Maybe revisit if it would be fair to ask at the end of the year, hey?

Are you suggesting that it's not a 'fair' question at the end of an unsuccessful year, assuming that were to happen?

[MarquetteDano]

Funny when I read this I thought you meant Henry "Hank" Ellenson.   

I do think Wojo needs a "Hank" yes.  The fact that we cannot get the ball to a McDonald's all-American in a place he can do damage is not good.  I don't want to hear about double teams either.  Wojo knew all summer that double teams would be coming.

The defense is awful as well.  Too much youth in our coaching staff.  Young coaches + young team = poor basketball on court.

[jsglow]

Funny when I read this I thought you meant Henry "Hank" Ellenson.   

I do think Wojo needs a "Hank" yes.  The fact that we cannot get the ball to a McDonald's all-American in a place he can do damage is not good.  I don't want to hear about double teams either.  Wojo knew all summer that double teams would be coming.

The defense is awful as well.  Too much youth in our coaching staff.  Young coaches + young team = poor basketball on court.

Ha, sorry!  I must be a lot older than you.

[MerrittsMustache]

Okay, so I totally agree that much of this 'fire Wojo' stuff is frustration, growing pains, etc.  It's not even remotely plausible that he'll be gone even if they end up replicating last year's horrific 13 win season.  But unless and until we see solid growth in this team, might it be fair to ask at the end of the season whether Wojo needs to re-work his Assistant Coach group?  Might we need a solid bench coach charged with primary game day responsibility?  I'm not saying we make that determination here in November, mind you.

Al was the very first to admit that Hank was his secret weapon.  We were great in part because they made a fantastic team.  Both deservedly have their name in the rafters.  Thoughts?

That's a very legit point. This coaching staff has a combined 1 season of head coaching experience - Wojo...last season.

It doesn't need to be a "big name" coach but it does seem like it would be helpful to have someone on the bench who's been in charge of a program before and could help the staff through some of the growing pains.

A guy like Ben Braun, for example. He's a local guy (from Wilmette, went to Madison) and has 25+ years of D1 head coaching experience, including 12 years in the Pac-10. He's in his 60s and his days as a head man are likely over but he'd be a respected voice on the bench who's been through the battles before.

I'm not saying that Ben Braun is the answer to MU's prayers, but a seasoned coach like that could make a big difference on the bench. He'd likely be the weak link in the coaches' pick-up game though...

[JakeBarnes]

That's a very legit point. This coaching staff has a combined 1 season of head coaching experience - Wojo...last season.

It doesn't need to be a "big name" coach but it does seem like it would be helpful to have someone on the bench who's been in charge of a program before and could help the staff through some of the growing pains.

A guy like Ben Braun, for example. He's a local guy (from Wilmette, went to Madison) and has 25+ years of D1 head coaching experience, including 12 years in the Pac-10. He's in his 60s and his days as a head man are likely over but he'd be a respected voice on the bench who's been through the battles before.

I'm not saying that Ben Braun is the answer to MU's prayers, but a seasoned coach like that could make a big difference on the bench. He'd likely be the weak link in the coaches' pick-up game though...

That'st the ST John's approach. If you watched huddles last night, it was his coaches doing the coaching.

[dgies9156]

Okay, so I totally agree that much of this 'fire Wojo' stuff is frustration, growing pains, etc.  Might we need a solid bench coach charged with primary game day responsibility?  I'm not saying we make that determination here in November, mind you.

Al was the very first to admit that Hank was his secret weapon.  We were great in part because they made a fantastic team.  Both deservedly have their name in the rafters.  Thoughts?

I thought the same thing with the Hillbilly a few years back and then Coach Wainwright came in. I'd let this year play out but if things don't improve, then ABSOLUTELY! Let him do what he wants to with this year's team and coaching staff, but if we have a few nights like last night, something needs to change.

[willie warrior]

Right now, Wojo sure needs something, because whatever he is currently employing ain't working. Doesn't Wade have a year of eligibility remaining?

[NotAnAlum]

then Coach Wainwright came in. I'd let this year play out but if things don't improve, then ABSOLUTELY! Let him do what he wants to with this year's team and coaching staff, but if we have a few nights like last night, something needs to change.

I have been thinking about this same angle.  I admit I was concerned when Wojo completely filled his staff with newly retired great ball players with almost no coaching experience.  It makes for great lunch time pickup games but how much do these guys really know about how to deal with different problems a team can have from a coaching perspective.  Also its often true that guys that were the best players don't make the best coaches.  This is because basketball came so naturally to them they don't really know how to tutor someone who doesn't have as much natural talent as they did.  I think it would be very helpful to have some guy on the staff with successful head coaching experience even it wasn't at an Elite program.
I get the idea that these guys are all young and its going to be hard to be successful against experienced teams and that the jury is out on Wojo and on and on.  But little things that you would think could have been corrected in Wojo's limited tenure, like hitches on certain guys free throw strokes that makes them inconsistent or inability to get the right passing angles between guard and big when feeding the post.  These are coaching issues.
Might be time to cut loose one of Wojo's "friends" to make room for an experienced guy who might provide some alternative insight to Wojo and the team.

[bilsu]

I am not even sure his bench coaching is the problem. What I see as the problem is that the offense does not seem to have any real purpose and that hurts this team defensively. That is because our players are practicing against this offense and then do not have a clue how to defend a real offense in a real game. Our shots as a whole appear to me to be much tougher shots than the shots our opponents are taking. Some coaches you can see what they are doing. Al for example said the way to beat a zone was for the guards to shoot and the bigmen to rebound. Majerus wanted the ball passed into the bigman and if he did not have position the ball would be passed out and then they start all over again. Crean the guards would dominate the ball. Buzz was all about paint touches. I am not sure what Wojo's theory is. It certainly does not involve using Ellenson. Al always got the ball to his star and I just do not see that happening with Ellenson. He occasionally takes a three or decides to drive, but there seems to be no real effort to get him the ball in a good scoring position.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Hiring a more seasoned veteran assistant definitely makes sense to me.

[jsglow]

I am not even sure his bench coaching is the problem. What I see as the problem is that the offense does not seem to have any real purpose and that hurts this team defensively. That is because our players are practicing against this offense and then do not have a clue how to defend a real offense in a real game. Our shots as a whole appear to me to be much tougher shots than the shots our opponents are taking. Some coaches you can see what they are doing. Al for example said the way to beat a zone was for the guards to shoot and the bigmen to rebound. Majerus wanted the ball passed into the bigman and if he did not have position the ball would be passed out and then they start all over again. Crean the guards would dominate the ball. Buzz was all about paint touches. I am not sure what Wojo's theory is. It certainly does not involve using Ellenson. Al always got the ball to his star and I just do not see that happening with Ellenson. He occasionally takes a three or decides to drive, but there seems to be no real effort to get him the ball in a good scoring position.

Not just referring to 'game situation'.  Heck, Al didn't even come to practice half the time.  Let's not kid ourselves, it was Hank's team with oversight/philosophy from Al.  Al's role was to recruit and motivate. 

Look, with 2-3 minutes to go in the first half Wojo should have walked out the end of the arena and back to the locker room to wait for the team.  I was young but I still remember Al doing that against DePaul down in Chicago.

And I've kind of soured on 'lunchtime basketball'.  I could give a rat's arse about who betters who at this point.  Somebody teach Henry how to pass out of the double team, umkay?

[We R Final Four]

Are you suggesting that it's not a 'fair' question at the end of an unsuccessful year, assuming that were to happen?

No--it would be fair to ask at the end of the season.

It would be unfair to ask that question three games into the season.

[brewcity77]

I thought the same thing with the Hillbilly a few years back and then Coach Wainwright came in. I'd let this year play out but if things don't improve, then ABSOLUTELY! Let him do what he wants to with this year's team and coaching staff, but if we have a few nights like last night, something needs to change.

Buzz always had that guy on the staff. When he took over Marquette in 2008, one of his first moves was bringing Lewis Orr to the bench. Orr had just retired after 32 years as a JUCO head coach. Orr was also Buzz's first boss at Navarro College. He never had an official "assistant coach" title, but he was here with Buzz as the wiser, older head for years. He even stuck around after Jerry arrived.

[GooooMarquette]

I think a seasoned head coach could be a big asset.

As mentioned, Al had Hank and Buzz had Wainwright.  No reason to think Wojo couldn't benefit from an experienced guy on the bench.

[chapman]

Hank the dog is available, if we're going the path of marketing a cute dog to distract from the losing team.

[Newsdreams]

Not just referring to 'game situation'.  Heck, Al didn't even come to practice half the time.  Let's not kid ourselves, it was Hank's team with oversight/philosophy from Al.  Al's role was to recruit and motivate. 

Look, with 2-3 minutes to go in the first half Wojo should have walked out the end of the arena and back to the locker room to wait for the team.  I was young but I still remember Al doing that against DePaul down in Chicago.

And I've kind of soured on 'lunchtime basketball'.  I could give a rat's arse about who betters who at this point.  Somebody teach Henry how to pass out of the double team, umkay?

Sorry but Hank $ucked as a coach
Maybe he was a good bench assistant but no coach

[Newsdreams]

First and foremost we need to fix our Defense. We are giving up too many easy shots.