Porter Moser hired by Majerus at SLU

[SLUDrew]

What can you guys tell me about him? From what I have gathered he is considered to be a better recruiter than he is an x's and o's coach.

http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/01953_Moser-SLU-WEB_173639.htm

[DoubleJayAlum]

What can you guys tell me about him? From what I have gathered he is considered to be a better recruiter than he is an x's and o's coach.

http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/01953_Moser-SLU-WEB_173639.htm

Well, he's a graduate of a superior Jesuit institution :naughty:

Great recruiter.

[WSUfan]

I wonder if the Redbirds will be sorry for getting rid of Porter. It would be interesting if SLU had a better assistant coach than the head coach of Illinois State. Time will tell.

[BostonBird]

He's a heck of a salesman...and really driven. I think his calling is assistant coach and believe he will be GREAT in that role.

[DannyCooksey]

What can you guys tell me about him? From what I have gathered he is considered to be a better recruiter than he is an x's and o's coach.

http://www.wjbc.com/wire2/news/01953_Moser-SLU-WEB_173639.htm


You have it about right.

Personable, good guy, approachable, enthusiastic, likable. Very good recruiter and good at identifying and projecting talent (see Levi Dyer for example).

Not strong X's and O's, poor in-game adjustments, questionable line-ups and very, very questionable substitution patterns. didn't always play the players that gave the team the best chance to win (took him too long last season to realize the value and defense of Bobby Hill for example)

His resume and his skills are best suited as a lead assistant and lead recruiter at this point in his career. whether or not his game-planning and X's and O's skills develop remains to be seen.

[Aegyptus]

Do you think that Porter Moser will make more as an assistant coach for SLU than as the head coach for Illinois State? I will tell you one thing, it is sure going to be a lot more fun going to games on those charterd flights.

[SLUDrew]

Thanks a lot for the insights. I read somewhere that he recruited two of the top four rated recruits coming into the Valley last year. Is there any truth to that? And this is a more difficult question to answer but where would he rank amongst Valley Coaches in terms of a recruiter? I know this is a very subjective question, but I would assume behind only Altman and Lowery.

[DawgieStyle]

this is a valley board, why is there all this talk of a team thats not even in our conference, and won't be in our conference...can we start talking about "real" MVC teams again.

[cufan]

I think you will see Porter as a head coach again - and a very successful one at that. This is a great move for him. He will get to learn from a proven head coach and a good X and O guy. He will also get great exposure in the A-10. Like all of us in our jobs, Porter has some stuff to learn. But, I wouldn't write him off, yet. Unless his motor stops running on high, the day may come when Ill. St. fans are saying "yeah, we ran off the coach of a final four team." Won't be in the next 5 years, but it might be in the next 15 years.

[REALBird]

I think you will see Porter as a head coach again - and a very successful one at that. This is a great move for him. He will get to learn from a proven head coach and a good X and O guy. He will also get great exposure in the A-10. Like all of us in our jobs, Porter has some stuff to learn. But, I wouldn't write him off, yet. Unless his motor stops running on high, the day may come when Ill. St. fans are saying "yeah, we ran off the coach of a final four team." Won't be in the next 5 years, but it might be in the next 15 years.

Well it's interesting to see some of the warm and fuzzy quotes, so I'll add my thoughts. When the guy first got to Illinois State he was like the energizer bunny, he just kept going and going. He promised to go to the dorms to get students to come out. He promised to go to the fraternity/sorority houses to get students to support the team. He kissed babies, he shook hands, he was about as likeable as one person can be. We all wanted Porter Moser to succeed at Illinois State.

After his first season, I told my dear wife that he's comparable to a "snake oil" salesman, or a used car salesman. Porter will tell you exactly what you want to hear, and you'll believe he's sincere in the beginning. "We have to get better, we will get better." "We need to find a way to win!" I heard all the right things, but watched him at time recruit over his head (JeKel Foster-Ohio State, Joal Batista-Gonzaga), at other times he was the victim of bad luck (Dentmon to prep, then Washington, Dunson to prep, then Iowa State). I watched players get scholarships revoked (Michael Sams), players get run off (Chris Burras, Mark Kruse, Eric Vinnauy), players who flunked out (Lorenzo Gordon), players who underachieved (Roberto Fortes), unproven players who have yet to live up to their potential (Dimna Odiakosa, Brandon Holtz, Mike Vandello), Players who thought they could get to the NBA who transferred (Marcus Arnold - Illinois). Players who left, and we still don't know if it was academic, legal, or just wanting to leave the program (Najeeb Echols). Our program is racked with rumors about player eligibility issues, possible transfers, etc,. We had rumors about players threating to transfer if they didn't get playing time. It was apparent that the inmates were running the asylum toward the end of his tenure IMHO.

Maybe with the academic standards at UALR Porter could recruit a certain type of player, and that player flourished in his system. At Illinois State our increased academic standards may not have allowed him to get the type of player who fit his coaching style. It's likely our opinions of him not being and X's and O's guy is possibly the result of not having the type of players he needs to run his system. But I digress....at the end of the day he picked these players, and if his system didn't work. CHANGE THE SYSTEM! Instead we suffered for 4 years, and suddenly we got lucky with Osiris Eldridge. Bobby Hill showed potential at the end of the season. Veterans like Levi Dyer somehow just started to GET IT, and started playing well. The result was a season that gave us some hope, still fell short of expectations, but offers a lot of promise for the future.

I never saw Porter Moser as being the guy to resurrect Illinois State basketball. Maybe in he will be a NC caliber coach in 10-15 years. I'm more concerned with how he'll handle the SLU job IF Majerus starts to have health issues. Don't look so far in the future CUFan. Porter Moser could very well be the interim coach at SLU in the next 12-24 months. I think then we'll all get a chance to see what he can do with "supposed" better talent.

[Mick Taylor]

this is a valley board, why is there all this talk of a team thats not even in our conference, and won't be in our conference...can we start talking about "real" MVC teams again.

Because SLU hired a recent ex-Valley coach. Stop being so provincial.

[Shox21]

Because SLU hired a recent ex-Valley coach. Stop being so provincial.

Actually, that's one of the nicer things that's been said about Dawgie.

[cufan]

and suddenly we got lucky with Osiris Eldridge. Bobby Hill showed potential at the end of the season. Veterans like Levi Dyer somehow just started to GET IT, and started playing well. The result was a season that gave us some hope, still fell short of expectations, but offers a lot of promise for the future.


Did he suddenly get lucky with Osiris? Or, did he figure some things out over the last couple of years that were just starting to pay off with recruiting success? Did his persistence in going after better players instead of settling for lesser players finally start to show some dividends? Did the veterans suddenly have an epiphany or did they start buying into what the coach was trying to do. I do not believe for an instance that veteran players all of a sudden "Get it". Give some credit where it is due- to the coaching staff.

Anthony Tolliver didn't suddenly "get it" out of the blue at the end of his sophomore year. Coach finally gave him an ultimatum - My way or the highway. AT took the coaches way and became a very good college player with a chance at an NBA career. It may have taken Porter a couple of years to learn some things about himself, his coaching style and how to get to these kids. He was still pretty wet behind the ears when you hired him. I believe and will always believe you guys bailed on him two years too soon. But, I do believe he has fallen into a great situation. You may have done him a great favor in the long run.

[MoValley John]

this is a valley board, why is there all this talk of a team thats not even in our conference, and won't be in our conference...can we start talking about "real" MVC teams again.

God Dawgie, take a Prozak. Your hatred for SLU is like, well, way off the charts. Did something bad happen to you in St. Louis, or is it just a fear of SLU trying to steal SIU's thunder? Do or did you have a bad boss from SLU, or do you know some total dickhead that went to SLU? Did a graduate of SLU pee in your Wheaties or beat the holy tar out of you? Something's gotta give, you are seething with hatered and it doesn't make sense.

[DawgieStyle]

God Dawgie, take a Prozak. Your hatred for SLU is like, well, way off the charts. Did something bad happen to you in St. Louis, or is it just a fear of SLU trying to steal SIU's thunder? Do or did you have a bad boss from SLU, or do you know some total dickhead that went to SLU? Did a graduate of SLU pee in your Wheaties or beat the holy tar out of you? Something's gotta give, you are seething with hatered and it doesn't make sense.

I don't hate SLU, One of my doctor's is at SLU care. Nice place. I just don't think the valley should expand what so ever. It isn't about SLU directly, but since they are the topic of conversation for expansion, my distaste for the expansion is focused on SLU.

That and their fans are arrogant, they remind of me Illini Fans. and at the SLU V. SIU game in carbondale last year, their ADULT fans were dropping F bombs in front of their own kids as well as others.

but mostly its about my opposition to any type of expansion. If it aint broke don't fix it. If you want the valley to improve and rise as conference, some of you lower tier teams:

WIN MORE GAMES

[yeager]

I don't hate SLU, One of my doctor's is at SLU care. Nice place. I just don't think the valley should expand what so ever. It isn't about SLU directly, but since they are the topic of conversation for expansion, my distaste for the expansion is focused on SLU.

That and their fans are arrogant, they remind of me Illini Fans. and at the SLU V. SIU game in carbondale last year, their ADULT fans were dropping F bombs in front of their own kids as well as others.

but mostly its about my opposition to any type of expansion. If it aint broke don't fix it. If you want the valley to improve and rise as conference, some of you lower tier teams:

WIN MORE GAMES
Is this coming from a SIU fan. Not saying all SIU fans are that way but lots of them are. I know people that sit in front of SIU fans at UE and when SIU comes to town they move for that game cause of SIU fans behind them.


Do you understand that lower tier teams will always be there?? If they win more games then some other team will just take the place of them. There will always be lower tier teams in every conf. Kind of a dumb statement.

[SubGod22]

But if the lower tier is winning more than they are now they can still stay in the lower tier. It's just about improving.

[DawgieStyle]

But if the lower tier is winning more than they are now they can still stay in the lower tier. It's just about improving.


exactly, we don't need an additional team to do that. and what guaruntee is there if SLU joins the valley that they'll be successful. blablablalblab...the last 5 years....blabllablalbalbla.....20 wins last season...blablalblablablalb......rick majerus......balblalbalblablalbalbla.....you win games on the court, not in the newspaper.

[DawgieStyle]

[/B]
Is this coming from a SIU fan. Not saying all SIU fans are that way but lots of them are. I know people that sit in front of SIU fans at UE and when SIU comes to town they move for that game cause of SIU fans behind them.


Do you understand that lower tier teams will always be there?? If they win more games then some other team will just take the place of them. There will always be lower tier teams in every conf. Kind of a dumb statement.

pointing out that there are lower tier teams in a conf. isn't arrogant...it's fact. It's only arrogance if the factual material bruises the ego of the lesser teams and their fans because they are too proud to admit they need to improve. Again, screw slu, don't add more teams, just win more.

[REALBird]

Did he suddenly get lucky with Osiris? Or, did he figure some things out over the last couple of years that were just starting to pay off with recruiting success? Did his persistence in going after better players instead of settling for lesser players finally start to show some dividends? Did the veterans suddenly have an epiphany or did they start buying into what the coach was trying to do. I do not believe for an instance that veteran players all of a sudden "Get it". Give some credit where it is due- to the coaching staff.

Anthony Tolliver didn't suddenly "get it" out of the blue at the end of his sophomore year. Coach finally gave him an ultimatum - My way or the highway. AT took the coaches way and became a very good college player with a chance at an NBA career. It may have taken Porter a couple of years to learn some things about himself, his coaching style and how to get to these kids. He was still pretty wet behind the ears when you hired him. I believe and will always believe you guys bailed on him two years too soon. But, I do believe he has fallen into a great situation. You may have done him a great favor in the long run.

Depends on how you look at it. Porter's had this thing where he felt you had to play tough defense to earn playing time. Toward the end of the 05-06 season, I think he was suddenly playing guys to see what they could do. Well toward the end of that season Levi Dyer and Roberto Fortes just went out and played ball. Roberto basically said he stopped worrying about taking a bad shot and being put on the bench, and just played his game (I'm paraphrasing of course). Levi carried his success from last year over into this past season 06-07. Roberto played with a lot more intensity this year on the defensive end, but during the end of the season his minutes were significantly reduced and Bobby Hill started getting more playing time. Rumors were that Hill threatend to transfer if he didn't see the court. FWIW... Hill played solid defense. He was at times an offensive liability.

You're entitled to your opinion about us "bailing" on him two seasons too soon, and as a Creighton Alum I'm sure Porter appreciates your support. But fact remains that when Altman left for Arkansas, how many of you guys championed the cause for Porter Moser to be the next head coach of Creighton? When McKenna left, why didn't Altman hire Porter on his staff since he had an obvious hole to fill? I think we "bailed" on Moser at just the right time. Now he can get all the on the job training he needs as an assistant, rather than at the helm of our program.

[DoubleJayAlum]

But fact remains that when Altman left for Arkansas, how many of you guys championed the cause for Porter Moser to be the next head coach of Creighton? When McKenna left, why didn't Altman hire Porter on his staff since he had an obvious hole to fill? I think we "bailed" on Moser at just the right time. Now he can get all the on the job training he needs as an assistant, rather than at the helm of our program.

We didn't consider Moser as HC because we thought we could do better. As to why DA didn't pursue him as an assistant, I think that would have more to do with the perception that Moser and DA don't get along, not because we didn't think he wasn't qualified. In fact, there were certainly CU supporters that wanted Porter to receive consideration for the open assistant job.

I think Moser is a tremendous recruiter and a not so good X and O's guy, which is essentially the same thing that people said about Les before the sweet sixteen run. I also think Moser deserved one more year to see what he could do with the highest caliber recruiting class he ever had at ISU.

[lawdawg]

This is a great situation for Porter Moser. He gets to work under a great x and o coach and maintain his recruiting connections in the midwest. If coach Majurus' health does not hold up he eventually could take over as head coach.

[brocks]

We didn't consider Moser as HC because we thought we could do better. As to why DA didn't pursue him as an assistant, I think that would have more to do with the perception that Moser and DA don't get along, not because we didn't think he wasn't qualified. In fact, there were certainly CU supporters that wanted Porter to receive consideration for the open assistant job.

I think Moser is a tremendous recruiter and a not so good X and O's guy, which is essentially the same thing that people said about Les before the sweet sixteen run. I also think Moser deserved one more year to see what he could do with the highest caliber recruiting class he ever had at ISU.


It's funny you said that. I was just thinking Moser = Les without the learning curve.

[Phantom]

Most of it has been covered, but I'll throw in my 2 cents about Porter after his 4 years here.

PROS:

- Excellent recruiter.
- VERY approachable and conversational.
- VERY passionate and enthusiastic. His positive attitude really is infectious.
- Good people skills.
- Good eye for talent.
- Not afraid to go against the "big boys" (or anyone) for recruits.
- Extremely tenastic. The guy does not quit, ever. He's a tireless worker.

CONS: (as a HC)

- Questionable player rotations.
- Inconsistent in-game adjustments. One game he adjusts perfectly, the next he dosent.
- Too much defensive focus IMHO, which often resulted in a bizarre, and not fast enough offense.

All that said, I think getting an AC job at SLU is great for Porter. I've said it before and I'll say it again here: I think we will see Porter as a HC again somewhere, and he will be very successful. He turned UALR around and tried to right the ship here but it just didnt work out. I admit that I've never seen a coach have to deal with more unforseen crap and bumps in the road than Porter did here, but sometimes thats the unfortunate circumstance. IMHO Porter is too passionate and hard working to not be a successful HC somewhere down the line.

[SubGod22]

The only thing that held Moser back at ISU is that he was young and inexperienced as a HC and learning on the fly. I think had he been given another year or two he'd have them consistently in the upper half and competing for titles. With young coaches like that it takes some time. I know things didn't go as quickly as Shocker fans would have liked with Turgeon but it was the same way. Even last year there were plenty of questions about certain aspects of his coaching/recruiting.

I think Moser will be a great AC for STL and will one day make a very good HC. Time will tell though. It always does.

[cpacmel]

It's funny you said that. I was just thinking Moser = Les without the learning curve.

All Moser had to do was bring in a more experienced staff and he would probably still be the Head Coach at ISU.

I am sure Bradley folks don't want to hear this but, Jim Les can thank his lucky stars that he brought on Chuck Buescher as an Asst coach. That has totally bad a huge difference for Bradley.

Moser was too selfish to give up any control or a more experienced assistant coach, thus his staff was filled with 'yes' men. None of which ever spoke up or against Moser.

In the end, that was his downfall, IMO.

By the way, great posts DannyC and RealBird. You guys certainly told it like it was. Job well-done.

[ValleyGuy]

All Moser had to do was bring in a more experienced staff and he would probably still be the Head Coach at ISU.

I am sure Bradley folks don't want to hear this but, Jim Les can thank his lucky stars that he brought on Chuck Buescher as an Asst coach. That has totally bad a huge difference for Bradley.

Moser was too selfish to give up any control or a more experienced assistant coach, thus his staff was filled with 'yes' men. None of which ever spoke up or against Moser.

In the end, that was his downfall, IMO.

By the way, great posts DannyC and RealBird. You guys certainly told it like it was. Job well-done.

I think BU people readily admit that it was a career-changing hire for JL to bring Buescher in.

I'd probably say that makes JL a smarter man that PM. He got over himself and brought in a coach that could help fill in where he was weak/lacking experience.

[Mick Taylor]

I'd probably say that makes JL a smarter man that PM. He got over himself and brought in a coach that could help fill in where he was weak/lacking experience.

Jim Les never gets over himself. :grin:

[brocks]

Jim Les never gets over himself. :grin:


Probably true, but why would he want to? :clap:

As others have indicated, show me a BU fan who won't "admit" the CB difference and I'll show you an idiot. That's the whole point; that's called LEARNING. I give CB all the credit in the world. But there's one decision Jim Les made that Chuch Buescher didn't: Hire Chuck Buescher!!! No credit for that? Compiling the right staff is a HUGE factor for a head coach; ask Molinari how things went after Rob Judson left.

Oh, and BTW, BU will soon announce a very good hire to fill in for Forrester.

[BTbird]

IMO Porter gets too much credit as a recruiter and not enough as an X and O guy. He brought in his first good class in his last year. That was his biggest problem. We were always competing with sunbelt teams for recruits. Levi was a success story.