Coach Simmons Interview in 2002 Vice 2007

[Ace Dad]

Scenario: Jim Crews has just departed UE and the staff has to find another coach.


2002

Marty Simmons: Mr. McGillis, I would like to be considered for the Head Coach position.

AD: Marty, you will be considered.

MS: As a former player and current coach I think I can provide stability to the program. I have worked hard for UE and love the Purple Aces program.

AD: Well...............Marty..................I think you need to know up front that we may need to go in another direction.

MS: Yes, sir. But please remember that I have been an integral part of the Aces recruiting program.

AD: I know. Our recruits the last few years have not been able to be as competitive as I would like.

MS: Mr. McGillis, I have sat side by side with Jim Crews on the bench and helped him with bench coaching.

AD: I know. We have not won as many games as I would have liked to win.

MS: I have worked tirelessly in the community for the Purple Aces.

AD: I know. But, there seems to be a schism between the coaching staff and the media and community.

MS: I have been a very big part of this coaching staff and would like a chance to show you what I can do.

AD: Marty, we will look at you but I got to tell you that new blood may be needed at this time.

MS: Thank you, sir.

AD: Next! Come on in and sit down.

Unidentified Coach: Mr. McGillis, I would like to be considered for the Aces' Head Coach position.....................

2007

AD: This is Bill McGillis, Univerisity of Evansville, I would like permission to talk to Marty Simmons about our vacant Head Coach position.

SIU-E: No problem.

AD: Marty, sit down. How ya doing?

MS: Bill, great, how are you?

AD: Well, you know why you are here. I think you are the perfect coach for our team right now. You graduated from UE. You were a stellar player. You were a great Assistant Coach. You know how to recruit MVC caliber players. I loved your bench coaching when Coach Crews was here. The community has a positive vibe with you. I cannot remember why I did not hire you five years ago.

MS: I love UE. I will restore the program to glory. You have a deal


DISCLAIMER:

I like Marty Simmons. He is a good coach and an honorable man. Marty Simmons' integrity is above reproach. It killed him to have to leave UE 5 years ago. This thread is not intended as a shot at him. This thread is a shot at the "money" men in college coaching who make the back-room decisions about when a coach is fired and who is hired. College athletics is becoming a sewer because the "monied supporters" and the fan club members with the fat wallets have too much power. Why should a millionaire be able to donate $50,000 toward buying out a college coach's contract? This thread is not specifically directed at UE, but at major college basketball in general.

The boosters wanted no affiliation with Coach Crews' staff five years ago. These same boosters now want Marty Simmons back. Interesting.

By the way, I may be wrong.

[AcePurpleFan]

I understand the point of the post, but Simmons was not interviewed 5 years ago. McGillis said he had never talked to Simmons before last week. He said so on the last Aces talk (which needs to be totally revamped by the way) and he said so again at the press conference.

[Ace Dad]

Both interview scenarios are simply a vehicle for the point I was trying to make. But do not be naieve. Coach Simmons would have jumped at the chance to lead the Aces. Everyone knew that an outsider would be brought in.

[AcePurpleFan]

I know... that's why I said I understand your point. But I was just trying to be clear for those who were not familiar with what happened when McGillis hired Merfeld.

[yeager]

When a coach is fired, usually the coach's assist. or ex assist. is not going to be looked at for the head job. I think, they should have went outside the Crews "family" and hired an outsider. That did not work, so they go back to the program and find someone that has ties to UE. I don't find anything wrong with that.

[getreal4]

Excellant thread. Hopefully Simmons learns from JC's mistakes! Remember those pathetic nonconference schedules that Crews put together to enhance his win-loss record? :no: Those days need to stay behind us. :grin:

[AcePurpleFan]

Apparently the "new" model is to have as weak of a non-conference schedule you can. All I heard last week is how RPI's don't matter anymore and as proof of that look at what they do to the MVC and other "mid-majors". The NCAA selection chairman essentially confirmed this policy during the selection show.

[Ace Happy]

McGillis came into UE after Crews left. Supposedly, Crews decided to leave UE because of the damage done to recruiting by the school's decision to explore going to D-II or D-III.

Back to the point of my friend's post, it's the same in business. Sometimes the desire to get a fresh perspective/slate trumps the able people who could step up and do the job. I'm sure too that McGillis wanted to make his mark back then and it looks like this hire now is an admission that he made a big mistake. It certainly was a safe choice.

I also have learned that McGillis contacted the MSU AD for permission to talk to Hinson about the UE job. Can you believe that? If he ended up hiring Barrah, what a shock to the conference. That would have to have been a first in history where a fellow conference coach was hired for a rival program.

[indymoon]

Anyone else find it odd that McGillis would talk to Crews at length about the job? I don't have a problem with it - probably a good idea and makes me think higher of McGillis - but I was still surprised.
:aces:

[AcePurpleFan]

Anyone else find it odd that McGillis would talk to Crews at length about the job? I don't have a problem with it - probably a good idea and makes me think higher of McGillis - but I was still surprised.
:aces:



I agree Indymoon; I thought it was very odd for McGillis to eat some crow-pie. However, I also think MUCH higher of McGillis for doing so. Maybe he's learning Evansville is a little unique in some ways. Hopefully he will be much more sensitive to these types of things in the future.