RSS
MAAC Monday
If you're a fan of conference play -- and I don't think I've ever met anyone who isn't -- tonight is your kind of night.
All 10 MAAC teams are in action, and all 10 are involved in conference games. A Games of the Week post will be up later in the day, but for now, a few links to go with your morning coffee and bagels:
With at least a few blog commenters reportedly looking into the availability of the domain name "firetommydempsey.com", the Broncs look to return to the win column tonight at Manhattan. How far has Rider fallen? The Crew in Cranberry is a one-point underdog against the Jaspers, who, in case anyone forgot, just lost to Marist.
(Just kidding about the domain name, though it does seem some fans want Dempsey to be tarred and feathered. ... Remember folks, this is Rider, not North Carolina, and he won 42 games over the past two years. This clearly hasn't been a good stretch for him, but Jim Zorn getting a contract extension would be as likely a scenario right now as anyone in Lawrenceville so much as thinking about making a coaching change).
Anyway, speaking of the Red Foxes, Mike Benischek writes that Chuck Martin and Co. are in search of a two-game winning streak against Saint Peter's.
And hey, there have been teams who have started out worse than the Foxes and achieved big things.
Last but not least in the link department, Pete Iorizzo writes that after almost losing to Mount Saint Mary's, then hearing the list of out-of-town MAAC scores Sunday, Siena won't take Loyola lightly tonight in Baltimore.
All 10 MAAC teams are in action, and all 10 are involved in conference games. A Games of the Week post will be up later in the day, but for now, a few links to go with your morning coffee and bagels:
With at least a few blog commenters reportedly looking into the availability of the domain name "firetommydempsey.com", the Broncs look to return to the win column tonight at Manhattan. How far has Rider fallen? The Crew in Cranberry is a one-point underdog against the Jaspers, who, in case anyone forgot, just lost to Marist.
(Just kidding about the domain name, though it does seem some fans want Dempsey to be tarred and feathered. ... Remember folks, this is Rider, not North Carolina, and he won 42 games over the past two years. This clearly hasn't been a good stretch for him, but Jim Zorn getting a contract extension would be as likely a scenario right now as anyone in Lawrenceville so much as thinking about making a coaching change).
Anyway, speaking of the Red Foxes, Mike Benischek writes that Chuck Martin and Co. are in search of a two-game winning streak against Saint Peter's.
And hey, there have been teams who have started out worse than the Foxes and achieved big things.
Last but not least in the link department, Pete Iorizzo writes that after almost losing to Mount Saint Mary's, then hearing the list of out-of-town MAAC scores Sunday, Siena won't take Loyola lightly tonight in Baltimore.
posted by Ben Doody at
4:16 AM
7 Comments:
No one's asking rider to be North Carolina. Why can't we be siena? Why can't we be VCU? all I', asking is to be an upper level mid major program. If this team is talented enough to beat a top-25 SEC team on the road, they shouldn't be 8-7. It is all the coaches fault.
Bryan,
I love the fact that Rider fans are fired up about this, and that they want someone held accountable.
And you're right, fans of teams who return four starters from a 19-win team SHOULD have the expectations you're talking about.
But Dempsey is NOT on a short leash.
It's true that they're not Siena, VCU, Northern Iowa, or fill in whatever mid-major program you want.
But they never HAVE been on that level, and the program has been in better overall shape over the past three years than at any time in recent history.
Even if the wheels totally fall off the bus and this team ends up going, say, 6-12 in the MAAC, Dempsey's job won't be in jeopardy.
So Ben, if the head coach isn't accountable, who is? Tommy Boy may have won 42 games in the last two seasons, but what is the post-season record? 3-4. And, as our Siena "friends" would point out, the schedule has not been terribly difficult. The bottom line is Tommy Boy is a very good recruiter, but he has not grown as a head coach. His offensive game plan leads to too many 3 pt. attempts, his defenses are soft and his game coaching is a joke. Plus, he put himself on the line by voting his team first in the preseason. This season is on him and he is failing terribly.
As a history lesson Ben, Kevin Bannon and Don Harnum rebuilt this program from the ruins of the Carpenter era. They are the only reason that this program is in the MAAC, and not in the NEC (or worse). As I remember, Donnie was the head coach when JT arrived on campus. Tommy Boy played a big part in that, but as an assistant. Don't act like the regular season success of the last two years is his and his alone.
TMD,
Like I said to Bryan, I love the fact that you're fired up and have high expectations.
But I think you're missing my point. I'm not SAYING that Dempsey shouldn't be held accountable. Of course he should be, and you're right, if there's a single person responsible for the season getting off track, it's him.
What I'm saying is that there is a ZERO chance Harnum will even consider firing him at the end of this season.
Doesn't mean Dempsey gets all the credit for the last two years, but it does mean his job is not in jeopardy and won't be any time soon. Trust me.
I guess I don't understand why Dempsey is so safe? No NCAA appearances, no NIT appearances and he's been 1 and done, twice, in the CBI/CIT. Plus, Donnie, of all people, should be able to see the lack of progress as a head coach.
I agree that Dempsey, or someone on the staff, is a good recruiter. We get some good talent here, especially considering our high school size arena. But it also falls on that coach when you have alaent and can't finish with better than 17-13 type seasons.
Ben, I hear what you're saying about rider never being at that top level, but why can't we get there? the school should not be content with being good-but-not-great, we should strive to be great.
Rider never gets rid of coaches. I was there during the Carperter years in the early 80's. They had some excellent talent, out of Phily and NY City. The players could not stand playing for him, they never won, and were always out coached.
Being a coach at Rider in any sport, is a lifetime job if you want it. Look at the Russ Fager (soccer coach). I don't think he ever had a winning season and he been there over 20 years. I wish I could go to work, never achieve anything and get raises.
Tommy Boy, seems to be a good recruiter but is a terrible game coach.
Post a Comment
<< Home