Should Gary be Fired?

[vatech1994]

21 stays forever - 2 time is up, pretty close,

Again, if you want to be granted any credit for having some perspective by me, you really need to respond to the posts about how much better Williams has done at MD than any previous coach EVER. Study those links I posted and respond to them with articulate thoughts about why it doesn't matter that he took us to 11 straight NCAAs births which is BY FAR the most consecutive appearances by MD.

It would also help if you'd stop classifying the last four years as terrible. The team has averaged 20 wins per year, never had less than 19 wins in any year, is over 500 in the ACC over that span, and their worst ACC record was 7-9 during that span. That isn't terrible. To classify it as terrible justs undermines your credibility.

Finally, you should really study other schools where legends left and maybe you wouldn't think "it couldn't get worse". Look at NC State after Jimmy V. I posted that link for you too.... I understand you're young so it is tough to have a broad perspective. You're much more articulate and patient than I was at your age. However, your youth is showing right now IMHO.

[Fairfax Bird]

Why can't we just hire someone else that knows how to coach basketball but actually makes an effort in recruiting and runs a competent offensive system at this point?

We should hire Bruce Pearl, he runs a competent offensive system. They use baseline cuts like the Maryland Flex. Oh wait, they can't be competent if it is the same system. Oh wait, his team is #1 in the nation.

[inmn]

Coach K doesn't do the recruiting....A lot of coaches don't.

Not sure if this is what you mean or not but if it is, you need to get your facts straight.

SG,

That is flat out wrong. He doesn't beat the bushes but he will visit recruits and he and his wife Mickie often host recruits for a dinner in their house on their official visit. Among others he's been in FL this year to see Boynton and Memphis to see McDonald, he often speaks to recruits via phone. Couldn't be more wrong on that one.

[grady41]

K is the closer for Duke, just like Gary is for MD, yes they see recruits in person but not until the assistants see them first. This is where MD's problem has been, the 2 gym rats have moved on (Patsos and Hahn) they were the guys who found the Dixons, or Baxters.
K does have one advantage in recruiting, his butt is chapped from Vital kissing it so much, dont for one minute think that and ESPN dont help recruiting/

[Danielos38]

Next year we will have a roster with 7 Top 100 players, and 4 others in the Top 150... feel free to explain how that happens, with no effort in recruiting.

BTW, you state in the other thread that MD's entire starting 5 has NBA potential... again, how does that happen with no effort in recruiting?

Also, maybe take a look at MD's per game scoring avg's in ACC play over the last 15 years, and then we can discuss how ridiculous you sound with the 'run a competent offensive system' quip.

I think this sums it up nicely. Gary is a legend. Bryan, you will be better off when you understand that.

[Sports Guy]

K is the closer for Duke, just like Gary is for MD, yes they see recruits in person but not until the assistants see them first. This is where MD's problem has been, the 2 gym rats have moved on (Patsos and Hahn) they were the guys who found the Dixons, or Baxters.
K does have one advantage in recruiting, his butt is chapped from Vital kissing it so much, dont for one minute think that and ESPN dont help recruiting/

Correct....Wojo does all the work and K finishes it.

[inmn]

Correct....Wojo does all the work and K finishes it.

I am pretty sure Duke doesn't use a lead recruiter for all recruits but rather a team approach. I know Dawkins was the prime contact for Nolan Smith.
The ACC journal just stated that 3 out of 4 Duke coaches had contacted McDonald within the past week.

[Fairfax Bird]

Wow, looks like the consensus is that Gary has got to go.

[Sports Guy]

I am pretty sure Duke doesn't use a lead recruiter for all recruits but rather a team approach. I know Dawkins was the prime contact for Nolan Smith.
The ACC journal just stated that 3 out of 4 Duke coaches had contacted McDonald within the past week.

Dawkins has known Smith for years, which is why he was the lead guy...Wojo is the main guy.

Sure everyone helps out but Wojo leads the group according to what many people have said on TV.

[longflyball]

Wow, looks like the consensus is that Gary has got to go.

I don't know, the networks are saying it's still too close too call. Oh, wait.....they can now make a projection.....Gary Williams should NOT be fired.

Now, will Bryan demand a recount?

[Dr. FLK]

I don't know, the networks are saying it's still too close too call. Oh, wait.....they can now make a projection.....Gary Williams should NOT be fired.

Now, will Bryan demand a recount?

I find this whole thing kind of funny. I can certainly understand disagreement here. But, people get outright angry and shocked if anyone dare suggests that Saint Gary gets fired. Letting all of the local talent walk when you're winning NC's is one thing. But, when they all leave and you're NIT bound, it's another. I'm not sure many "top programs" would defend their coach this strongly with these same type of results. Just ask Tubby Smith. Either UMD is a "top program" or it isn't. If it's not, then going to the NIT a few years in a row is perfectly fine. If it is, then he most certainly isn't doing enough with his resources.

[Ruzious]

This thread pleasantly surprised me. I figured like Bryan - that a lot more people were looking to dump Gary.

I think the problem people at least used to overlook when calling for Gary to be fired was - Who do you get to replace him? The answer was assumed - "Well, MD is one of the best jobs in the country. They'll get their choice of anyone." My answer is - First - I don't think you'd have your choice of anyone if you fire one someone as successful as Gary. Second - How many great college coaches are there? Not as many as you think. And the best ones are taken.

[longflyball]

I find this whole thing kind of funny. I can certainly understand disagreement here. But, people get outright angry and shocked if anyone dare suggests that Saint Gary gets fired. Letting all of the local talent walk when you're winning NC's is one thing. But, when they all leave and you're NIT bound, it's another. I'm not sure many "top programs" would defend their coach this strongly with these same type of results. Just ask Tubby Smith. Either UMD is a "top program" or it isn't. If it's not, then going to the NIT a few years in a row is perfectly fine. If it is, then he most certainly isn't doing enough with his resources.

And look at Kentucky under Smith's replacement: 15-10 and on the bubble, having lost to Gardner-Webb and San Diego

This discussion is very similar to the discussion surrounding Brian Billick's firing. How long a honeymoon does a championship grant you? Does it make sense to fire a good coach who has recently underperformed to take the gamble that you can find someone better?

I thought Billick needed to go, but the issue was debatable. Clearly most MD fans just don't believe it is has yet come to the point where Gary's job security should be in question.

[ScottieBaseball]

I love the nice gap between give him one more year and gary should never be fired under any circumstances? What kind of crap is that? It either should have been Yes/No, or you could have at least been fair about it. No, I don't think Gary should be fired. But if 5 years from now we've had 5 straight no NIT/No Big dance seasons and finished under .500 overall every year then my mind might start changing. How you go from, give him one more year to he doesn't deserve to ever be fired is beyond me.

Wow...just abstain, then.

[bbasal]

this is the most moronic thread that i have seen posted on here!

come on for god sake!