While this is predominantly a football blog, I cannot help buy digress to basketball after the atrocious play I have witnessed this year, especially recently. For me, it all started with a home loss to Loyola Marymount, which is inexcusable and down right pathetic. Ultimately, I believe it begs the question, should Mike Brey be fired?
In football, like my man Swarbrick, I expect Notre Dame to be in the mix for a BCS berth every year. Therefore, in basketball, I expect Notre Dame to be in the mix for a NCAA berth every year. Reasonably, I believe ND should make the tourney every 4 out of 5 years. I realize it may seem high, but why set expectations low?
Playing in the Big East, ND has ample opportunity to make the NCAA Tournament and needs only to finish in the top 8 to do so with relative ease. Therefore, if goal #1 is to make the NCAAs, then its realistic to expect Notre Dame to be in the mix for the Big East title every few years, but annually finish in the upper half of the league. Brey's squad won the West Division title in his first season (2000-2001), and finished 2nd in 2007-2008. Otherwise, ND has finished all over the standings.
With those two goals in mind, here is the Mike Brey resume:
- 10th year as Irish Head Coach
- 287-153 career record - .652 winning percentage
- 88-60 Big East record - .595 winning percentage
- 5 NCAA berths - Sweet Sixteen (2002-2003) - .500 winning percentage
- 4-4 NCAA Tournament Record - .500 winning percentage
- 4-9 Big East Tournament Record - .307 winning percentage
- 6 20 win seasons (*Used tournament wins to reach 20 wins in season)
- 2 time Big East Coach of the Year
Record by the Years:
2000-2001: 20-10* NCAA
2001-2002: 22-11 NCAA
2002-2003: 24-10 NCAA
2003-2004: 19-13
2004-2005: 17-12
2005-2006: 16-14
2006-2007: 24-8 NCAA
2007-2008: 25-8 NCAA
2008-2009: 21-15*
2009-2010: 17-7
My biggest disappointment is the Big East Tournament record. Each and every year the Irish falter in the Big East Tournament, even when they get a first round bye. This to me, is unacceptable. If the aforementioned goal is to compete in the Big East, then Brey must get his team motivated to play on its biggest stage. Not to mention, success in conference tournaments at the end of year substantially influences, positive or negative, an NCAA Tournament invite. With Brey only making the tournament 2 out of the last 7 chances (assuming the Irish do not make the tourney this year), my expectations for the Notre Dame program are not being met.
Now, one could counter that basketball is a secondary program at Notre Dame behind football, (arguably it could be 5th behind Women's Soccer, Women's Basketball, and Ice Hockey) but that is only an excuse. I do agree that the administration needs to devote more attention and resources to the basketball program if it truly wants success. With the facilities now in place, the next step is choosing a quality, top-notch coach. Now, one could argue that no coach better than Brey wants to come to Notre Dame, but that is another excuse. How do you truly know if you don't even search? Personally, I believe Brad Stevens at Butler would be a great fit and a viable option.
And don't even get me started on recruiting. Before you play the academic card, which I absolutely despise, each year Brey is in the mix for quality, high-caliber recruits that could easily handle basketball and academics at ND. While Brey has landed heralded recruits such as Torin Francis, Chris Thomas, and Luke Zeller, he has equally whiffed on Tyler Zeller(UNC), Austin Freeman(Georgetown), Ryan Kelly(Duke) and most recently Tobias Harris(Tennessee). Not to mention that it blows my mind Brey and ND did not heavily pursue Renaldo Woolridge, son of ND legend Orlando Woolridge, now a sophomore starter at Tennessee.
There are many factors that determine a coach's success at a school. All this considered, Mike Brey, on paper, seems to be an average coach, which for Notre Dame basketball is great. But at what point, do we, as Notre Dame Basketball loyalist, start to say we can do better?
Ironically, Mike Brey reminds me of Charlie Weis. He entered Notre Dame and found immediate success, only to be followed by a steady decline. Yet when judging his resume, everyone holds firm on that early success. I believe we must look more to the present and the future. There is no reason why Notre Dame basketball should settle for average. Mike Brey has no doubt placed the Notre Dame basketball program on solid footing, but that does not entitle him to a lifetime contract. With success comes elevated expectations. Mike Brey has not fulfilled those. Therefore, I believe it is time for Brey to move on.
-DH
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Stockpiling RKGs
By the end of 2010 National Signing Day yesterday, head coach Brian Kelly had locked in his first Notre Dame recruiting class with 23 signatures. Breaking it down by the numbers:
0: 5-star recruits
Because of the coaching change and recent lack of success, I am not surprised at all. However, that does not mean the class lacks talent. The Irish gained solid 4-star prospects at critical positions including all offensive positions and defensive tackle. Not to mention, Weis had a plethora of 5-star recruits at his disposal the last three years and performed mediocre at best.
2: Signing Day Gifts
The addition of Matt James, the highest rated IRISH recruit, was a huge get for Kelly, especially based on the timing of the commit and the victory of Ohio State. Kona Schwenke keeps the Hawaiian pipeline going and fills a huge need at DE.
3: Quarterbacks
Massa, Hendrix, and Rees all appear to be solid QB prospects. Massa, orginially committed to Kelly at Cincinnati, was said at that time to be the best fit to run the Kelly spread. (Side note: Massa is an even better basketball player - are you listening Mike Brey??) As for Hendrix, I've seen his gun personally on the field. He has a true Quinnesque arm. Rees has the advantage because he is already enrolled.
4: Deflections
They don't deserve my breath. You in?
5: Early Enrollments
Great sign for the Irish as the university seems to have removed the limit on early enrollees. This is vital to attract high-caliber recruits to Notre Dame. It's amazing that so many players are excited to get to South Bend and get started under BK. Good harbinger of what's to come.
6: Greater Cincinnati Prospects
No surprise here with Brian Kelly's connection to the city and the talent rich Catholic high schools. Most colleges, Ohio State included, consider Notre Dame to have a "lock" on the area. Bottom line, Ohio is for lovers and high school football.
11: Defensive Recruits
While lacking in star power, Kelly filled some short-term needs at key positions. Louis Nix is going to be stud at DT, while Shembo, Spond, and Moore provide a trio of 4-star linebackers. Special mention should be made for 2-star DE Bruce Heggie. He's got the body (6-6, 240) and the motivation (dream school and only real D-1 offer) to really turn heads in a few years.
12: Offensive Recruits
This class is loaded with 4-star prospects at all positions. WR was the position with the least depth, so bringing in four players is great for Kelly and his options in the spread offense. I love the O-Line prospects. James and Lombard are set to be solid book ends to protect any one of the three QBs. Tate Nichols is a dark horse that physically gets bigger each time I read about him.
12: States Represented
Ohio (5 prospects) led the charge, followed by Florida (4). California, Kentucky, Illinois, and North Carolina all with two (2) each. Surprisingly, no prospects from Michigan or Texas, which has a plethora of recruits, yet has always been a tough state for the Irish.
21: Class Ranking
Even though the Irish finished 21st, I came away impressed with the class. Bottom line, I think these are the Right-Kinda-Guys Kelly and the Notre Dame program need to establish a hard working and intimidating mentality- the traditional Lou Holtz style football.
BEST PROSPECT: Louis Nix, DT 6'-2" 320
Beast player at a need position. He earned my respect when he committed to Notre Dame without a coach.
IMPACT PLAYER: Tai-ler Jones, WR 6'-4" 184
Skilled player at a need position. Plus, he's a legacy.
SLEEPER PICK: Prince Shembo, LB 6'-2" 232
Rangy linebacker that fits well in the 3-4 scheme. What a sweet name too.
-DH
0: 5-star recruits
Because of the coaching change and recent lack of success, I am not surprised at all. However, that does not mean the class lacks talent. The Irish gained solid 4-star prospects at critical positions including all offensive positions and defensive tackle. Not to mention, Weis had a plethora of 5-star recruits at his disposal the last three years and performed mediocre at best.
2: Signing Day Gifts
The addition of Matt James, the highest rated IRISH recruit, was a huge get for Kelly, especially based on the timing of the commit and the victory of Ohio State. Kona Schwenke keeps the Hawaiian pipeline going and fills a huge need at DE.
3: Quarterbacks
Massa, Hendrix, and Rees all appear to be solid QB prospects. Massa, orginially committed to Kelly at Cincinnati, was said at that time to be the best fit to run the Kelly spread. (Side note: Massa is an even better basketball player - are you listening Mike Brey??) As for Hendrix, I've seen his gun personally on the field. He has a true Quinnesque arm. Rees has the advantage because he is already enrolled.
4: Deflections
They don't deserve my breath. You in?
5: Early Enrollments
Great sign for the Irish as the university seems to have removed the limit on early enrollees. This is vital to attract high-caliber recruits to Notre Dame. It's amazing that so many players are excited to get to South Bend and get started under BK. Good harbinger of what's to come.
6: Greater Cincinnati Prospects
No surprise here with Brian Kelly's connection to the city and the talent rich Catholic high schools. Most colleges, Ohio State included, consider Notre Dame to have a "lock" on the area. Bottom line, Ohio is for lovers and high school football.
11: Defensive Recruits
While lacking in star power, Kelly filled some short-term needs at key positions. Louis Nix is going to be stud at DT, while Shembo, Spond, and Moore provide a trio of 4-star linebackers. Special mention should be made for 2-star DE Bruce Heggie. He's got the body (6-6, 240) and the motivation (dream school and only real D-1 offer) to really turn heads in a few years.
12: Offensive Recruits
This class is loaded with 4-star prospects at all positions. WR was the position with the least depth, so bringing in four players is great for Kelly and his options in the spread offense. I love the O-Line prospects. James and Lombard are set to be solid book ends to protect any one of the three QBs. Tate Nichols is a dark horse that physically gets bigger each time I read about him.
12: States Represented
Ohio (5 prospects) led the charge, followed by Florida (4). California, Kentucky, Illinois, and North Carolina all with two (2) each. Surprisingly, no prospects from Michigan or Texas, which has a plethora of recruits, yet has always been a tough state for the Irish.
21: Class Ranking
Even though the Irish finished 21st, I came away impressed with the class. Bottom line, I think these are the Right-Kinda-Guys Kelly and the Notre Dame program need to establish a hard working and intimidating mentality- the traditional Lou Holtz style football.
BEST PROSPECT: Louis Nix, DT 6'-2" 320
Beast player at a need position. He earned my respect when he committed to Notre Dame without a coach.
IMPACT PLAYER: Tai-ler Jones, WR 6'-4" 184
Skilled player at a need position. Plus, he's a legacy.
SLEEPER PICK: Prince Shembo, LB 6'-2" 232
Rangy linebacker that fits well in the 3-4 scheme. What a sweet name too.
-DH
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