Chris Jans - New Head Coach

[Aargh]

Speaking of that, what is your opinion of Devon Smith? Do you think he's a more likely candidate to join Jans or stay at Wichita? He seems to have been passed over for the last couple assistant openings you've had.

I have no personal knowledge or opinion of Smith. What I can find out about him is that he communicates well, is outstanding at player development, and has never recruited. Smith has been out of college nearly 20 years and has spent most of that time working with player development.

It's been said that he'd make an outstanding salesman. It would seem he has the tools to recruit. I can't find anything that even suggests or hints of anything negative about his career or personality. Perhaps the reason he's never become an assistant is that he prefers working on player development.

His lack of recruiting experience probably makes him a non-candidate for the open position at WSU.

[mscarn]

His bio says he's recruited at Oakland University (under BG's own Greg Kampe) and a couple other places.

I thought he'd get bumped up to assistant coach after KT Turner left but it's tough to argue against hiring someone with Steve Forbes' resume.

[mscarn]

Blast from the past: Jans was looking at Jehvon Clarke back in 2009!

https://twitter.com/MichaelDuncan12/status/4714026899" target="_blank

http://shockernet.net/forum/archive/ind ... -6179.html" target="_blank

[mscarn]

Coach on Toledo Fox Sports radio:

http://www.1230foxsports.com/media/podc ... -24572689/" target="_blank

Overall a good interview with some new ground finally covered towards the very end:

-Process still a bit overwhelming
-Kingston a huge selling factor; continues to be impressed
-Other coaches said a good coach/AD relationship was critical...has that here
-Kingston initially reached out to Gregg Marshall to get the process going
-Said he "started at the bottom" at Wichita...cupboard was bare
-Made steady progress year to year: winning season, NIT, NCAA, Final Four, #1 Seed
-Called Marshall a "genius" in coaching
-Was offered the top assistant job at Winthrop by Marshall years ago, stayed in touch
-His BG staff: "unbelievable" number of people have expressed interest in joining
-Quality of applicants= "awesome"
-Hasn't made any hires yet, says building a staff is like building a roster: need various strengths, skills, recruiting backgrounds
-Outside perspective on MAC is positive
-Noted MAC RPI was 12th last season, Missouri Valley was 11th with Wichita propping that up
-Knows most current MAC coaches, says they run great programs and he's eager to compete against them
-Will attend Final Four this weekend

[mscarn]

The interviewer said something interesting at the beginning in regard to who reached out to whom to schedule the interview.

There are a ton of radio shows in cities and markets across the state of Ohio, not to mention southern Michigan and Indiana. These interviews should be happening EVERY DAY.

We have a brand new coach who just came from the most discussed program in college basketball which narrowly lost to a team currently in the Final Four. There has never been a time more ripe to PROMOTE THIS PROGRAM and get the word out. There is NOTHING going on right now that could be more important than making this urgent necessity happen.

That it all

[transfer2BGSU]

There is NOTHING going on right now that could be more important than making this urgent necessity happen.

That it all

So says you....

Coach Turner would probably disagree with you as she has three ladies participating at regionals at LSU this weekend.

Coach Roos would probably disagree with you as she just finished one of the best seasons in women's hoops (longest post-season run for WBB)

Coach Babers would probably disagree with you as the football team prepares to defend the MAC Championship and host the spring game this weekend. Have to keep the excitement up for the fall season.

Coach Schmitz would probably disagree with you as the baseball team has played all 27 games away from home (after this weekend) and prepare for their home opener and the opportunity to defend its MAC Championship

Coach Salsburg would probably disagree with you as the softball team looks to a brighter season than last year where they seemed to split every series.

Coach Snelling would probably disagree with you as Brooke Pleger looks to continue her run through the BGSU and MAC record books towards another NCAA Championship appearance.

[mscarn]

Coach Calipari might disagree too as he's got something going on this weekend.

What does any of that have to do with scheduling interviews to promote the new basketball coach? How would any of that preclude the scheduling of interviews for said basketball coach?

The fact we have a baseball series this weekend and Coach Roos finished her season a few days ago means Coach Jans can't spread his message across the state of Ohio over as many radio stations as possible? Terminus promotes itself in the zombie apocalypse more than BGSU basketball does now.

Continually making excuses for why things can't and shouldn't be done is not the way the department works anymore to the delight of people who have expectations beyond the mediocre.

[AyZiggy97]

The interviewer said something interesting at the beginning in regard to who reached out to whom to schedule the interview.

There are a ton of radio shows in cities and markets across the state of Ohio, not to mention southern Michigan and Indiana. These interviews should be happening EVERY DAY.

We have a brand new coach who just came from the most discussed program in college basketball which narrowly lost to a team currently in the Final Four. There has never been a time more ripe to PROMOTE THIS PROGRAM and get the word out. There is NOTHING going on right now that could be more important than making this urgent necessity happen.

That it all

Should he just force his way onto various shows in the Midwest? Gregg Marshall would be an interesting interview. Hopefully after a lot of BG wins, Chris Jans will be too.

We're all excited here about the change in leadership, but that doesn't necessarily mean everyone else is paying attention. The only way to change that is with wins and there are still a few months to go before that can happen.

[factman]

I would much prefer he get his staff together and start recruiting, than being on a bunch of radio show. If they work into the schedule, fine, but that sure isn't the highest priority right now.

[BGWriter]

I would much prefer he get his staff together and start recruiting, than being on a bunch of radio show. If they work into the schedule, fine, but that sure isn't the highest priority right now.

I'm guessing this is where all his energy is focused right now. Probably most of the better coaches in the country are going to be at the Final Four, including a lot of up and coming assistants; so what better place to work rooms and get a feel for who you might want on your staff (beyond those he's already got in mind)?

Also, I've got to believe he is making at least some player contacts when he's able, or working up a recruiting strategy that he can implement just as soon as he has someone on board who is going to be in charge of recruiting.

All of that needs to come first -- ahead of any PR work on behalf of the program (and I say this having worked in PR basically most of the career).

When he makes his coaching hires, there will be plenty of media interest and opportunities to get the BG brand out there via interviews (both by he and the new hire). What's even better will be the fact that some of those hires are bound to be in the MAC footprint but not directly in Ohio, so it will help get word about the great things happening in the program out into areas where there may be recruits listening.

I think we've got a pretty savvy coach on-board, and I doubt he's going to let any opportunities go by that will give him ANY advantages in recruiting -- and that would include chances to promote BG and the program.

[FalconTurf]

I would imagine the short list is made for assistants, if not decisions, with contact being made this weekend with the opportunity to directly speak to references. Just because an announcement hasn't been made doesn't mean it's being ignored. I would imagine he needs a break from contacting assistants and recruits with an interview, promotional spot, blog entry, tweet or some other PR sprinkled in between serving as a break. I can't imagine he can sit at his desk contacting assistants for 8-16 hours a day everyday of the week - must be a little time in there for other activities. He may even sit down for lunch with the AD or a booster.

[mscarn]

I would imagine he needs a break from contacting assistants and recruits with an interview, promotional spot, blog entry, tweet or some other PR sprinkled in between serving as a break. I can't imagine he can sit at his desk contacting assistants for 8-16 hours a day everyday of the week - must be a little time in there for other activities.

Exactly. Five 10 minute interviews a day takes less than an hour and is well worth the investment. Perhaps a recruit or the coach/parent of a recruit would be listening. Pick an angle to pitch to content-starved bookers: new BG coach, Wichita State connection, Wichita State/Kentucky connection...

The hire gave us the momentum and it's unfathomable to not capitalize on it at this time more than any other.

[mscarn]

he looks so much like Joe Pesci....

Another doppelganger: NFL Network's Brian Baldinger: