would the fan base take Marty's years or post Marty years...I would rather sit through 20 mediocre seasons as a fan of the program Mullins is running, than sit through a single season of what Hinson made me put up with...
Considering they've given us nearly the exact same results (Mullins is 2-5 at the MVC tourney, one semi appearance, vs. Hinson 4-7, three semi appearances), you're nuts if you're OK with another 15 seasons like this.
You can certainly discuss the personalities of both coaches, and yes, Bryan's got the edge there when it comes to the fanbase getting behind him... at some point you HAVE to produce results, and so far, he's got five full years in and the output's been just about the same as what Hinson produced in seven seasons.
Both had their obstacles to overcome (Hinson with the dumpster fire and APR problems left by Lowery, and Mullins with COVID and the NIL), and while both have done OK with managing those hurdles... we're tired of just "OK" while other Valley teams keep going to the NCAA or NIT tourneys.
At some point, you have to pull your personal feelings about Mullins away from the record on the court, and after five seasons, we're nowhere closer to the postseason now than when we were five years ago. I think I can say with confidence you're in the minority of the fanbase if you really want 15 more years of middle-of-the-pack finishes and nothing of note in the MVC tourney.
One excellent example of a fanbase sticking with a coach they loved, despite the lack of results, was Marty Simmons at Evansville. Over 11 seasons, Marty never took the Aces to the NCAA or NIT, and had just a single MVC finals appearance. Marty ended up with a record just over .500 at Evansville (184-175), but his non-con schedule strength was miles ahead of Mullins' non-con schedules so far.
The Evansville fanbase kept giving him shot after shot, but he never could take his team to the next step. Is that what you want here, a coach that you like personally but can't produce results?
I think Ragland has them on the right path but that was always going to be a hard rebuild because they basically bottomed out by the end of the Simmons tenure.
would the fan base take Marty's years or post Marty years
Now that's an interesting question. Would you rather have Marty Simmons or Steve Merfeld?
...I would rather sit through 20 mediocre seasons as a fan of the program Mullins is running, than sit through a single season of what Hinson made me put up with...
Considering they've given us nearly the exact same results (Mullins is 2-5 at the MVC tourney, one semi appearance, vs. Hinson 4-7, three semi appearances), you're nuts if you're OK with another 15 seasons like this.
I believe you misinterpreted my words. I have been pretty clear in other posts on this board about my feelings and where I stand in regards to Mullins' performance as our head coach.
I didn't say that I am okay with 15 more years like this. I said I would prefer that to a single season from Barry Hinson. And I stand by that whether you think I'm nuts or not.
Hinson's regime was a freaking clown show. Mullins is a great guy, leading excellent young men, and has instilled a lot of things into our program that myself and the fanbase are very proud of. Proof is in the attendance. We all know that he is working tirelessly to try and do everything right and just hasn't been able to get it done. While I still lean towards a short Mullins extension, I 100% would understand and be okay with a change being made today.
But that doesn't change the fact that I am exponentially more proud to follow the Saluki basketball program right now than I was for the 7 years during Hinson's inauthentic tenure. His teams had talent, but the program was a disgrace.
To be fair, the former coach was in his third tenure as a head coach, and second as a MVC coach. 20 years of head coaching experience, most certainly assisted him in St. Louis. However, he had seven seniors on his final SIU squad, and was not able to accomplish the ultimate goal. As someone else mentioned earlier, the administration has a most difficult decision to make. I wish them the very best, and the best for BM and staff.
...I would rather sit through 20 mediocre seasons as a fan of the program Mullins is running, than sit through a single season of what Hinson made me put up with...
Considering they've given us nearly the exact same results (Mullins is 2-5 at the MVC tourney, one semi appearance, vs. Hinson 4-7, three semi appearances), you're nuts if you're OK with another 15 seasons like this.
I believe you misinterpreted my words. I have been pretty clear in other posts on this board about my feelings and where I stand in regards to Mullins' performance as our head coach.
I didn't say that I am okay with 15 more years like this. I said I would prefer that to a single season from Barry Hinson. And I stand by that whether you think I'm nuts or not.
Hinson's regime was a freaking clown show. Mullins is a great guy, leading excellent young men, and has instilled a lot of things into our program that myself and the fanbase are very proud of. Proof is in the attendance. We all know that he is working tirelessly to try and do everything right and just hasn't been able to get it done. While I still lean towards a short Mullins extension, I 100% would understand and be okay with a change being made today.
But that doesn't change the fact that I am exponentially more proud to follow the Saluki basketball program right now than I was for the 7 years during Hinson's inauthentic tenure. His teams had talent, but the program was a disgrace.
Totally agree with this. BH was a clown show and should have been fired after the epic rant at Murray State, IMO.
If they would have only hired Rodney Watson. 🙂
I'm not super impressed with Mullins resume to date either, but at least I don't have to hear, "thanks to our fans, and thanks to our listeners gosh darn it." 😶
Here are my updated, time to rest, thoughts.....................
EXTEND MULLINS (short term with an incentive laden contract).
Do a deep dive root cause analysis on the season and program overall, including DETAILED interviews with players, staff and other key personnel.
"Encourage" him to make changes to the coaching staff.
If they do the above, or honestly even if they don't, I am going to support Mullins 100% this off-season and next year. That being said, I will continue to have high expectations and those include finishing top 3 in the conference and making a post season tournament (no need to bring up the challenges of today's mid major basketball environment).
Mullins is miles better than Hucky. I think everyone would agree with that.
Regardless of what happens, I will always like Bryan and root for him where he goes unless he’s going up against us, of course.
So to start some discussion, if the administration does decide to move on from Mullins, who are some candidates you would like to be considered? Would Weber even entertain coming back here again, or is he happily retired?
Any other D1 head coaches that would be a good fit, have interest?
The MVC just announced their all-conference teams. There were 44 picks, however only two went to SIU players (Xavier Johnson, all-conference and most improved). ISUb had 11, Bradley had 7, Belmont had 6, and Drake had 5. Although Mullins coaching has been questionable at times, his greatest weakness is his ability to recruit all MVC type players.
So to start some discussion, if the administration does decide to move on from Mullins, who are some candidates you would like to be considered? Would Weber even entertain coming back here again, or is he happily retired?
Any other D1 head coaches that would be a good fit, have interest?
the list begins and ends with Devin Johnson
So to start some discussion, if the administration does decide to move on from Mullins, who are some candidates you would like to be considered? Would Weber even entertain coming back here again, or is he happily retired?
Any other D1 head coaches that would be a good fit, have interest?
I was making a list a few weeks ago but ended up deleting it because I wanted the season to play out. A short list right now for me would be:
Current head coaches looking for a jump up:
-Alan Huss, High Point (From Decatur, Illinois and was a Creighton assistant from 2017-2023. Also coached HS Basketball in Central Illinois. Has High Point at 24-7 in his first season there and they won the Big South regular season after going 14-17 last year)
-Gerald Gillion, Chicago State (Has gotten elite talent to Chicago State. Has turned a dumpster fire program into a program that goes to Northwestern and gets a win)
-Preston Spradlin, Morehead State (Has turned Morehead State into an elite low-major program in the OVC)
-Ben McCollum, Northwest Missouri State (Has won 4 National Championships at the D2 level. Would be a Josh Schertz-like hire if you're following that model)
Assistant Head Coaches looking for a HC Job:
-Devin Jones, Texas A&M Associate Head Coach (Been mentioned)
-Chester Frazier, Illinois Assistant Coach (Should be in high demand soon. Spent time at Virginia Tech and was an assistant at Kansas State under Bruce Weber)
-Ryan Miller, Creighton Assistant (The McDermott coaching tree has turned out well for Drake. Was an associate head coach at TCU and UNLV before taking this job)
-Luke Murray, UConn Assistant (UConn has had a ton of success under Hurley and he's Bill Murray's son! Imagine SIU fan Bill Murray!)
-Jerrance Howard, Southern Illinois Assistant Coach (Was he hired to eventually take over for Mullins?)
Saluki Alums (Don't think I'd go back to this well unless one blows you away):
-Brad Korn, SEMO Head Coach (Made the NCAA Tournament last year but SEMO was a bottom 10 team in the country this year by KenPom. Has connections with Bruce Weber obviously.
-Kyle Smithpeters, Mizzou Assistant (Mizzou was horrid this year but Smithpeters has been able to get talent there. Didn't have postseason success at John A Logan)
-Tyler Smithpeters, John A. Logan (Logan was the JUCO championship last year but we haven't seen if Tyler can sustain the success there yet)
-Bruce Weber, Big Ten Network (I can dream!)
So to start some discussion, if the administration does decide to move on from Mullins, who are some candidates you would like to be considered? Would Weber even entertain coming back here again, or is he happily retired?
Any other D1 head coaches that would be a good fit, have interest?
the list begins and ends with Devin Johnson
can you explain why? What makes him special ?
Because that is Lanes guy.
Because that is Lanes guy.
Lane has made improvements in other areas of the university. Idk I hope he’s actually good and not just his friend
We are pretty sure now that a change will be made. I understand but it sucks Including Lane is going to NMSU
