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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2020 18:14:00 GMT -6
I've made my choice. The next head basketball coach at UE should be women's assistant Tyra Buss. She would be the 5th woman to coach at the D1 level. All the others were assistants. Being the first D1 men's head coach would create an instant national buzz. But more than just a gender circus act, the high scoring Tyra Buss rose to Illinois high school and IU/Big Ten fame by being a tireless and dedicated gym rat. The men could learn from her work ethic. Basketball is her superpower.
Yes, she's young. After Lickliter completes his 3-year contract she will turn 27 and have had 3 years assisting the Lady Aces. With her high basketball IQ and maturity beyond her years she will be ready. Her youth would only add to the national buzz. Dane Fife became head coach at IPFW at the age of 26 and remained there for 6 years. It can be done. Instead of being stuck in the Arad glory years and expecting that to appeal to this generation of fans (it doesn't), it's time to swing for the fences. And what's the worse that could happen? An 0-18 MVC finish? Been there, did that, with two experienced, whiskered coaches just this year. Head Coach Tyra Buss! I'm ready, how about you?
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Post by austinace on Dec 6, 2020 18:30:00 GMT -6
That would be great if it turned out that way. However, for me, I need to see what she can do to turn around the women’s program first over a substained period of time. I am not even sure we can say they won this one game just because she was hired (as an assistant). A great win for sure as wins have been far and few between. But let’s see if the women can win ten games this year first. If they can, then I will revisit this topic; even then it would be early (in my eyes). But it never hurts to dream a little bit.
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Post by acecard on Dec 6, 2020 19:09:28 GMT -6
That would be great if it turned out that way. However, for me, I need to see what she can do to turn around the women’s program first over a substained period of time. I am not even sure we can say they won this one game just because she was hired (as an assistant). A great win for sure as wins have been far and few between. But let’s see if the women can win ten games this year first. If they can, then I will revisit this topic; even then it would be early (in my eyes). But it never hurts to dream a little bit. Austin, I don't think you will have to worry about the ladies getting 10 wins this year. My choice for Tyra's future would be to take over the ladies program, hopefully, next year. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2020 19:18:33 GMT -6
I would support a conversation about her taking over a head coaching job. If UE is that place, then great ... let's discuss it.
Frankly, they don't need a coach for the women's program as much as they need somebody who can drive around to 40 high schools and ask seniors if they'd like a free education at UE.
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Post by aforaces on Dec 6, 2020 23:11:08 GMT -6
I’m pretty sure Logan Baumann is in line to be the next head coach. He and his wife recently bought a house near UE - right next door to the Lickliters. During games he’s always sitting closest to Todd and in the thick of everything. Just how it looks to me.
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Post by austinace on Dec 6, 2020 23:16:24 GMT -6
Now being the women’s head coach is a completely different topic. If she is proving to be a difference maker this year and we are finally looking to hire a new women’s coach that can move this program forward in leaps and bounds I would be all for it.
Is she ready for that kind of responsibility? Of course, I don’t think she can do any worse. My gut tells me she needs a year at the very minimum in an assistant role before that would make sense. But if an opening happens for whatever reason; she definitely should be considered as AceCard mentioned.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2020 7:42:42 GMT -6
Uhhhh….NO
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Post by municup14 on Dec 7, 2020 7:57:35 GMT -6
I'm not wanting to sound like a smart ass,but winning 1 game for the ladies so far I dont think it's a season changing win.If you look Ft.Wayne shot horrible, and created 20 plus turnovers,typical lady Aces turnovers.
As far as the house Todd lives in,I believe UE might own that house.
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Post by Tom Servo on Dec 7, 2020 8:06:15 GMT -6
I’m pretty sure Logan Baumann is in line to be the next head coach. He and his wife recently bought a house near UE - right next door to the Lickliters. During games he’s always sitting closest to Todd and in the thick of everything. Just how it looks to me. This is what I've also heard could be the plan for the future - I know several people who are really high on his head coach potential. |
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Post by aceshigh on Dec 7, 2020 8:07:27 GMT -6
Being a good player and a good coach are two different things. Didn’t we see that in the women’s soccer program? I like Tyra and was excited to see her join our women’s program, but a leap to the men’s head coach is a different world. Let’s see what she can do making her own coaching decisions and recruiting ability first.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2020 8:20:46 GMT -6
I think we're probably going to disagree on the qualifications for a head coach.
So far, the UE men's model has been to either recruit the wrong players or recruit the right players who have the wrong attitude. That's the tricky part of a mid-majors program in a competitive conference. Comparing it to the restaurant business, 99 things can go right and the one thing that goes wrong puts you out of business.
Buss is a semi-local talent, which won't move the needle an iota for men's basketball. It SHOULD be the main criteria for the women's game, however. If you are recruiting for women's ball in a mid-majors league, your goal should be to promote a program that has a chance to win most games. There's no 'there' after that for women in the Valley. They ain't goin' pro! So get a dozen young women who can play competitive ball and ... be competitive. The guy who runs that team right now must have completely zero personality for recruiting.
I can see Buss taking over that role last summer and she will likely run Ruffing out of town by July.
That's not gonna get her into the men's program and it may be that if she were asked, she'd say no, maybe or ... I will think about it.
UE needs to do a lot of repair work on the men's program and these forums haven't missed any part of that. Lickliter isn't going to make the Aces rise like Phoenix and we all know it.
Whoever replaces him needs to be talking about where they are, what they want and who needs to be involved. Tara Buss is not somebody who should be excluded from that discussion, and if she's a person who can spawn more local interest in the UE program, then give her a contract. She isn't going to remain the assistant coach for a man who can't win 20 percent of his games ... and I am a firm supporter in any coup to replace him.
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Post by aces44 on Dec 7, 2020 8:46:04 GMT -6
This is an absolutely insane topic to be discussing, but given the year... whatever.
That being said, if Chris Hollender isn’t brought to campus in a Limo when TL’s contract starts to expire - I honestly don’t know what to say about the people who would be making decisions.
In fact, they should hire Chris next year and let him recruit for a year like Purdue did with Matt Painter if we are truly getting serious about Aces Basketball being good again.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2020 8:57:04 GMT -6
This is an absolutely insane topic to be discussing, but given the year... whatever. That being said, if Chris Hollender isn’t brought to campus in a Limo when TL’s contract starts to expire - I honestly don’t know what to say about the people who would be making decisions. In fact, they should hire Chris next year and let him recruit for a year like Purdue did with Matt Painter if we are truly getting serious about Aces Basketball being good again. It appears that some hiring decisions at UE are beyond the scope of discussion, if the Ruffing extension is any part of that fruit basket. Yeah, this is insanity but what isn't nuts these days? I could start another thread on something even wilder, but I feel like we've taken a trip to Mars -- and are waiting for somebody to give us a ride back home. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2020 9:04:37 GMT -6
Obviously, Tyra Buss doesn't become a viable option if the women keep putting up Matt Ruffing numbers. And obviously UE is a conservative school that is far more likely to choose a gravy that doesn't offend anyone (or impress anyone.) Logan Baumann fits that bill. I can easily see him being chosen by the ever-cautious athletic department.
I do believe that Tyra Buss must prove to be a difference maker. Duh! But so should Baumann. As of today, Tyra has a win under her belt, Logan doesn't. Early, yes, I know. I was projecting three years out. I wouldn't replace Lickliter with her or Logan today. I'm not even suggesting that we push Lickliter out the door early. I like him and I believe he will be successful, at least more so than the last three head coaches. Both the women's team and the men's will show improvement over the next few years. After all, there isn't much space below rock bottom.
I'm impressed and surprised by the responses this suggestion has received. I expected reflexive blowback to be swift. Good on all of you (uh, most of you) for being open minded. This would not have been the case even five years ago. The times they are a changin'. The Aces were bold under Arad when they wore colorful robes and sleeved shirts. They received ink in Sports Illustrated. The path forward should channel that boldness again. The mothers of potential recruits would be enamored by the thought of having their sons play for a trailblazing woman. Mamas pack clout. Safely blending in isn't a sound marketing strategy in the 2020s. Don't just think outside the box, stomp on it. Thank you all for weighing in.
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Post by evilleman on Dec 7, 2020 10:44:27 GMT -6
I'm a huge Tyra Buss fan. But, this is insanity. She has been a coach for 2 women's games in her entire career. And now she is going to take over the Men's program? I mean.... This isn't rational thinking. At all. Not to mention she is coaching under someone who may not got a head SIAC job if he was let go. Before I'm accused of being closed minded, this isn't insanity because she is a female, it is insane because she is not even close to being prepared for that type of job.
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