tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post1652600508905917304..comments2024-03-24T05:21:33.293-04:00Comments on Eagle in Atlanta -- atleagle.com: Skinner-St. John's talkingATL_eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16014348799382628049noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-65259917641491634352010-03-28T21:40:44.766-04:002010-03-28T21:40:44.766-04:00Darn, Darn, double Darn! We're stuck with Ski...Darn, Darn, double Darn! We're stuck with Skinner!<br /><br />Looks like Al Skinner F----ed up his interview at SJU by being a very rigid guy. Ironic that the master of the flex is inflexible. Actually, it's no surprise that he is completely unimaginative and inflexiblee, and clings to his own fixed notions b/c that's what he is all about. He is the embodiment of Emerson's "foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds"<br /><br />Basically, he appears (see below) to have insisted in bringing his NE staff and not hiring local NYC AAU connections. What a dope!! Now we are stuck with a lame duck who will be on the look out for a new job. TOB all over again, played out for 3 more agonizing years!<br /><br /><br />Here is the Globe story of this evening<br /><br />-----------------------<br /><br />Boston College coach Al Skinner has dropped behind former UCLA coach Steve Lavin in the St. John's coaching derby to find a replacement for Norm Roberts who was fired two weeks ago. Lavin will meet with St. John's officials Monday morning. If there are no snags, Lavin could be the announced as the next St. John's coach by Tuesday..<br />According to sources familiar with the search, one of the topics that St. John's athletic director Chris Monasch focused on in his interview with Skinner on Friday was who would be on his staff. Monasch felt that any new coach needed a strong link to the powerful AAU presence in New York City and wanted Skinner to hire someone with strong connections in that area. Skinner said that he wanted to bring his current coaching staff which included Pat Duquette, Mo Cassera and Bonzie Colson, all who have more New England ties than New York connections.<br />On Saturday, Monasch interviewed Siena coach Fran McCaffery, but McCaffery was in the process of finalizing a deal which sent him to the University of Iowa as its new head coach.<br />Monasch then decided to go for a victory in the "press conference'' and made contact with Lavin, who last coached at UCLA eight years ago. Monasch had the same question for Lavin, who according to sources familiar with the situation, told Monasch he had no problems in making those hires. All of it seemed to work and yesterday sources familiar with the situation said that St. John's was preparing a deal which will include Lavin as well as Dave Leitao, who had experience as not only an assistant on Jim Calhoun's staff at Connecticut as well as head coaching stops at Northeastern, DePaul and Virginia as well as Manhattan head coach Barry Rohrssen, who has strong recruiting ties in the city. An announcement could come as soon as today if details could be worked out.<br /><b>Barring any last minute snags Lavin will be the next coach. If things can't be worked out, Skinner would then become St. John's next option.</b>mod34bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18129365485893573618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-33069354134148932692010-03-28T16:16:20.822-04:002010-03-28T16:16:20.822-04:00The Globe article said that he would be back if St...The Globe article said that he would be back if St. John's doesn't work out. Uh, gee, sounds great. If he gets paid for all the fans dressed as seats, next season promises new depths if he returns after courting this job. <br /><br />St. John's with bargaining power? Puhleeze. They'd be lucky to get Skinner. It just so happens we'd be lucky if they got Skinner, too.CThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05783098791522341665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-61466501220736110692010-03-28T13:37:10.219-04:002010-03-28T13:37:10.219-04:00he is gone, SJU or nothe is gone, SJU or notBCguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10377602932041054600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-76605912939159141862010-03-28T10:16:50.641-04:002010-03-28T10:16:50.641-04:00Sounds like it's going to be pretty awkward if...Sounds like it's going to be pretty awkward if he returns...With a full boat of scholies to offer after next year, might be best if he moved on either way...From the Globe today...<br /><br />"...because Skinner’s support at BC has been eroding steadily. According to sources familiar with the situation, Skinner understood that. He also knew that BC was not willing to talk about an extension of his contract, which has three years remaining, and that an NCAA Tournament appearance next year was essential."bcmurphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01570072452009330998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-78795935855891536152010-03-28T10:13:33.395-04:002010-03-28T10:13:33.395-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.bcmurphhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01570072452009330998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-88383765691294585822010-03-28T00:08:53.640-04:002010-03-28T00:08:53.640-04:00Now NY Post says its not Skinner in the lead, but ...Now NY Post says its not Skinner in the lead, but SJU is very close to hiring former UCLA coach Steve Lavin.<br /><br />Darn it!!!mod34bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18129365485893573618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-6181855725502987532010-03-27T23:14:19.913-04:002010-03-27T23:14:19.913-04:00BC hockey beat Alaska; will play Yale Sunday at 5:...BC hockey beat Alaska; will play Yale Sunday at 5:30 for a shot at the Frozen Four.<br /><br />Let's go Eagles!BCDoubleEaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03860756154632438516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-77561959898583076912010-03-27T23:02:09.775-04:002010-03-27T23:02:09.775-04:00The projo article:
Skinner mum on St. John’s, but...The projo article:<br /><br /><b>Skinner mum on St. John’s, but it’s clear he wants job</b><br /><br />09:57 PM EDT on Saturday, March 27, 2010<br />By Kevin McNamara<br /><br />Journal Sports Writer<br /><br />Amid various reports on just what St. John’s is looking for in its next head basketball coach, one fact is clear: Al Skinner apparently wants the job.<br /><br />Skinner, the former University of Rhode Island head coach who’s gone on to become the all-time winningest coach in Boston College’s history, interviewed for the St. John’s job on Friday. He and his staff have reverted to lock-down mode ever since and were not available for comment on Saturday.<br /><br />Skinner just completed his 13th year at BC where he’s led the Eagles to seven NCAA Tournaments and one trip to the NIT while playing in both the Big East and the ACC. That would normally be a resumé deserving of plenty of security and respect but that apparently is not the case. BC signed Skinner to a contract extension in 2007 that lasts through the 2012-13 season, according to a BC athletic Web site. He earns a reported $1.1 million per season.<br /><br />Yet after a 15-16 season where some disciplinary off-court issues cost the Eagles some key players (including Pawtucket native Rakim Sanders), Skinner has decided to explore other jobs. A native of Malverne, N.Y., the 57-year-old was a star player with the ABA’s New Jersey Nets and owns the New York City roots that St. John’s covets. A change of scenery, a return home and a chance to bag a five- or six-year contract that could pay in excess of $1.25 million a year is certainly attractive.<br /><br />It would be a major surprise if Skinner met with St. John’s officials (along with his attorney, Rhode Island resident Dennis Coleman) without some assurance that he was the leading candidate to get the job. However, various press reports Saturday claimed that St. John’s was set to talk with Siena’s Fran McCaffery. McCaffery has also interviewed with Seton Hall and could be in the enviable position of weighing one Big East job against the other.<br /><br />On paper, Skinner is the most accomplished coach St. John’s has contacted. The Red Storm has already been rebuffed by Georgia Tech’s Paul Hewitt and coaches like McCaffery, Robert Morris’ Mike Rice and Cornell’s Steve Donahue lack Skinner’s experience and long record of winning at the highest level. If Storm athletic director Chris Monasch ultimately decides to interview more candidates, don’t rule out URI’s Jim Baron and former UCLA coach Steve Lavin entering the search.mod34bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18129365485893573618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-84691450943213926142010-03-27T22:58:15.575-04:002010-03-27T22:58:15.575-04:00Skinner really seems to want to leave BC -- bolt B...Skinner really seems to want to leave BC -- bolt BC!. <br /><br />I wonder what the back story is? Another similar story -- Skinner is the #1 SJU candidate at SJU and the talks btw Skinner and SJU are just about $$$ -- appeared this evening at Projo.com (Providence Journal).<br /><br />Looks like Al's Rhode Island lawyer/agent is letting someone (GDF?) know he is prepared to bolt BC <br /><br />Is this for real?, or is it a contract renewal and raise gambit ala Seth Greenberg or Paul Hewitt??<br /><br />Here's the article from Newsday, 2 hours ago, below<br /><br />...........................................<br /><br />The search to find a new basketball coach at St. John's appears to have taken a break for the weekend slate of NCAA Tournament games. Boston College coach Al Skinner remains high in contention for the job, with financial matters said to be the main issue after discussions on Friday.<br /><br /><b>Skinner isn't talking, but from their Massachusetts home, his wife, Donna, said, "Stay tuned."</b><br /><br />Someone familiar with the situation said Skinner would not have engaged in the interview process with St. John's if he did not think he was the Red Storm's top candidate.<br /><br />For example, Tom Pecora, who was hired by Fordham this past week, effectively became the Fordham coach the moment athletic director Frank McLaughlin called Hofstra to seek permission for an interview. Pecora set those parameters. In turn, Fordham wanted to make sure Pecora would accept the job before inviting him to tour the campus.<br /><br />That desired scenario took a detour for St. John's in the pursuit of Georgia Tech's Paul Hewitt. Permission was granted to speak with Hewitt before St. John's learned of the coach's desire to remain at his school. Hewitt did not stay in the conversation long enough to get a contract offer.<br /><br />An official request also was made to speak with Skinner. If the sides cannot agree financially, expect Skinner to withdraw his name. St. John's will not put him in the position of being rejected.<br /><br />"Athletic directors usually want to know [if a coach] is interested so that they don't get, quote, 'turned down,' " an athletic official in the ACC said, adding tongue-in-cheek: "I have been taught you never offer the job to anybody until you have them standing next to you before the press conference is to begin. That way you've never gotten turned down. Any time you have a coach in a high-powered program or high-powered league where the recruiting is always impacted, if they [the school] are going to make the call, they [the coach] want to know they have it before they get there."<br /><br />St. John's continues not to comment on its search process, which could include more interviews in case a deal with Skinner cannot be reached.mod34bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18129365485893573618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-15704117491001911202010-03-27T17:58:41.901-04:002010-03-27T17:58:41.901-04:00Billy Donovan is not leaving the SEC for St Johns ...Billy Donovan is not leaving the SEC for St Johns and Pearl is not leaving the SEC for BC. The SEC is printing money left and right these days. I heard a rumor that Billy D may get a monster offer from Oregon with Nike Money attached. I doubt that he will leave Florida but people here have to be realistic.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-25592912773124127052010-03-27T17:48:21.151-04:002010-03-27T17:48:21.151-04:00Pearl strikes me as the guy who just never left co...Pearl strikes me as the guy who just never left college. After his divorce a couple of yrs back, his ex-wife opened a salon and named it "Alimony." Nice touch. Makes you wonder about all those rumors about his extracurricular activities. Think Bruce has garnered a reputation for being quite the ladies man. <br /><br />http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=3634<br /><br />Nice job, Coach Pearl! Ever to excel! <br /><br />He had the one problem with four players this year, but I'm not aware of anything else...just innuendo on message boards. BC has had it's fair share of problems with bball players, too, so it's hardly a Pearl thing. I'm not aware of Skinner getting his guys to graduate at a high level, but we never talk about that--only about others who don't. I don't know where you get your 70% "feeling" about regressing for a decade, but the program is completely different now than it was. There are other coaches who can get us to the tourney 7 out of 13 yrs. Pearl has 3 Sweet 16s in 5 yrs at UT and yet there is no way he will ever coach at BC. The backstory on the guy is too shady.CThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05783098791522341665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-89997983323491211892010-03-27T17:32:41.393-04:002010-03-27T17:32:41.393-04:00Pearl has no academic or moral norms? A lot of un...Pearl has no academic or moral norms? A lot of unsubstantiated claims sir.Bravesbillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18132085833230451082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-28456950724673779722010-03-27T16:10:36.641-04:002010-03-27T16:10:36.641-04:00Let's be real about Bruce Pearl. He has no aca...Let's be real about Bruce Pearl. He has no academic or moral norms. He is in the Calapari/Pitino mold of college coach. BC wants nothing to do with that.<br />It's unclear that Pearl has the slightest interest in coaching BC. What would he gain from that?<br /><br />I love the way his teams play, but BC wants nothing to do with that kind of coach. They want somebody like Skinner: classy, low-stated, intelligent, content with where he is.<br /><br />Tennessee is a lot like BC: bball is second fiddle, in a good conference but a traditional lower-tier team (before Skinner). Not a lot of expectations. The difference is the academic standards and the role of college sports in the town. The only coach in New England who has transformed the culture of sports is Calhoun. And you could argue that Calhoun is the only coach in the last thirty years to make a non-power into a powerhouse, and to stay there.<br /><br />If Skinner leaves, BC needs a coach who can generate enthusiasm, play within the rules, recruit a bit better, and coach players up. <br /><br />If Al leaves there's a 70% chance that the team has a decade more like the 90s (3x dancing) than like the last decade (7x dancing, one 3 seed, two 4 seeds)G.A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03582983958877803395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-46166977272796886002010-03-27T15:47:14.617-04:002010-03-27T15:47:14.617-04:00Going back as an alumn to coach your school is alw...Going back as an alumn to coach your school is always a big factor. That said, Pearl makes too much money and Tennessee is a much better program than BC currently. BC would need to do something miraculous in order to pry Pearl from Tenn.Bravesbillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18132085833230451082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-63074063858192447642010-03-27T15:27:26.712-04:002010-03-27T15:27:26.712-04:00bruce pearl made $2.3 million per season before a ...bruce pearl made $2.3 million per season before a contract extension a year or two ago and is likely making more than that.<br /><br />al makes $1.1 million.<br /><br />while i think Gene would spend more than what he spends now, i don't see him more than doubling the salary.<br /><br />if al goes, i am a big fan of coenRyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14768915293598447957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-74687643469586834962010-03-27T15:13:37.523-04:002010-03-27T15:13:37.523-04:00Please leave for St. John's Al....really I am ...Please leave for St. John's Al....really I am thankful for your service but I am begging you to go...I will donate to the Flynn Fund the minute we have a chance to get an enthusiastic coach for our program. <br /><br />Bruce Pearl in the Elite 8 this year plus 2 other Sweet 16s in five years....warrants mentioning.70sGuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02269396098623925148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-67895347057193971692010-03-27T13:06:44.965-04:002010-03-27T13:06:44.965-04:00Nice feature on Shinskie in the Globe. He appears ...Nice feature on Shinskie in the Globe. He appears to actually have a very reasonable self-image of his season last year, which I think bodes well for '10<br />http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/baseball/articles/2010/03/26/shinskie_knows_hell_get_the_ball/?page=1blisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17738621049003351937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-26875659549400235302010-03-27T10:42:27.065-04:002010-03-27T10:42:27.065-04:00Ry -- future recruits will now be concened that th...Ry -- future recruits will now be concened that the coach that recruited them won't be around very long...<br /><br />Openly allowing Skinner to interview injects unneeded uncertainty into the BC hoops program.<br /><br />Rival coaches will certainly point that out to the recruits. Skinner's recruiting is anemic to begin with, and this makes it worse.<br /><br />What I am saying is that both Skinner and GDf know that Skinner's flirting with other schools is bad for BC, and this strongly suggests that Skinner's days are coming to an end.mod34bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18129365485893573618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-58153657442947770312010-03-27T10:34:04.126-04:002010-03-27T10:34:04.126-04:00for those with comcast in boston, that's chann...for those with comcast in boston, that's channel 48Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11693529719993652184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-41552499262400969812010-03-27T10:25:42.883-04:002010-03-27T10:25:42.883-04:00FYI, for those of you in New Wngland, the hockey g...FYI, for those of you in New Wngland, the hockey game will be broadcast on Comcast Sportsnet this afternoon at 1:30.Nick P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18440562436630430871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-46835016911913164342010-03-27T09:27:04.201-04:002010-03-27T09:27:04.201-04:00"One big point not discussed: this interview ..."One big point not discussed: this interview is gonna be a big negative for recruiting kids to bc"<br /><br /><br />ahhahaah Skinner recruitingClaver2010https://www.blogger.com/profile/15415082560035841418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-4502577377502447192010-03-27T07:45:54.585-04:002010-03-27T07:45:54.585-04:00al skinner is a brutal in game coach and the lazie...al skinner is a brutal in game coach and the laziest recruiter in the history of the world. he's also dumb enough to suspend his best players and not just let them slide like a normal d-1 program. good riddance I say, I'd rather have lou holtz coach the basketball team, at least he's got some friggin enthusiasm.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17869578812892354137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-80847094144511965762010-03-27T07:27:52.394-04:002010-03-27T07:27:52.394-04:00Harry! Better, but No teenage boy insults. Geez.
...Harry! Better, but No teenage boy insults. Geez.<br /><br />"chinless!" as George grabs his chin. Now I am channeling George.mod34bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18129365485893573618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-28429598732633772432010-03-27T05:35:46.551-04:002010-03-27T05:35:46.551-04:00Mod, I know a few born and raised Manhattanites wh...Mod, I know a few born and raised Manhattanites who would flick their cosmopolitans in your face in a huff for that comment...<br /><br />In NY, the feeling is St. Johns has no idea what it is doing. It literally seems they have made a list of every decent D-I coach who grew up on Long Island and are trying to get them to take the job. billy donovan turned them down, Ga Tech's Hewitt turned them down, etc. A lot of downside, to SJUblisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17738621049003351937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9512562.post-9676066769356594322010-03-27T01:22:08.984-04:002010-03-27T01:22:08.984-04:00Hey Mod, you're blowing me away with your conc...Hey Mod, you're blowing me away with your concrete jungle street cred, man you are cool. Yuppie Manhattan transient, you are not. No sleep till Brooklyn, dude.Harry Collinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09965783994076442002noreply@blogger.com