McDermott to ISU

[bcrawf]

The Des Moines Register is reporting a 6 pm news conference to introduce Mac as the new man in Ames!!

[Miami Redbird Fan]

Wow. Figured he'd at least hold out for Iowa.

[7hottamales]

Iowa State has been the better program over the past decade. They may have more coming back as well.

[shockerfan13]

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060321/SPORTS02060101/60321006/1003&lead=1

[Miami Redbird Fan]

Iowa State has been the better program over the past decade. They may have more coming back as well.

I can't really argue with you on that, but I still think Iowa is a far more attractive. Their fans are pretty hardcore. Guess he just wanted to get out of Northeast Iowa as quickly as he could.

On a positive note for Panther fans: yes he won, but his style of play was damn boring. Maybe you can get a new coach who plays a more exciting uptempo brand of basketball in addition to winning. Obviously winning is more exciting than uptempo losing basketball, but just looking for positives here.

[DeepFreeze]

Good hire for ISU, I know K-State had contacted him as well, I am sure he will be very successful at ISU. Tough loss for the Valley to lose a coach of his caliber.

[brokeback shocker]

Ben Jacobsen will be the coach??????????????

[bcrawf]

I would imagine Ben Jacobsen will be offered this afternoon.:panthers:

[Jayman]

Iowa State has been the better program over the past decade. They may have more coming back as well.

Didn't ISU lose or is about to lose their 3 best players?

[getreal4]

bird in the hand Tough loss for the panther fans Great hire for the clones. No more top Iowa kids to UNI :no:

[gopanthers!]

Ben Jacobsen will be the coach??????????????


Ben Jacobson, the assistant coach....not Ben Jacobson the player- I assume that's what your surprise was about?

[engrshock]

Keeping Jacobsen wil help keep the incoming recruits. Don't you guys have a 7 footer coming in?

[bcrawf]

We do have a 7'1" kid, we are just hoping he doesn't head for Ames!!

[getreal4]

I think its more likely Roman Gentry goes to Iowa St.

[DUBulldog]

Just shows how clueless Steve Deace is....on his show yesterday, he reported that "Iowa State is not interested in McDermott."

[DUShock]

Just shows how clueless Steve Deace is....on his show yesterday, he reported that "Iowa State is not interested in McDermott."

Don't you just love the talking heads... :cursing:


GO BU, GO MSU, GO WSU!

Go Valley!!

Go Shocks!!!!

[7hottamales]

Didn't ISU lose or is about to lose their 3 best players?

Stinson is gone. Blalock is testing the water, but supposedly isn't hiring an agent and could return if he like the new coach. Clark is back. Taggert is back. Most all other contributors are underclassmen. They have one of their best recruiting classes ever signed up for next season if McDermott can keep them. In fact, most would say they have a better one than Iowa coming in.

Another thing, I'm really starting to wonder if Indiana is going to do the right thing and pass on Alford.

[Mecha_Bulldog]

Just shows how clueless Steve Deace is....on his show yesterday, he reported that "Iowa State is not interested in McDermott."

This just in, water is wet. :grin:

[Nyghtewynd]

Anyone who thinks that ISU will be that good next year is just spinning. UNI will probably have the best team in the state next year, and that's not really saying much. Not to mention the NCAA knocking on the Clowns' door. The state is still wide open for UNI to recruit...ISU's dirt isn't going away overnight, and Alford hasn't made a lot of friends in the state.

[7hottamales]

Anyone who thinks that ISU will be that good next year is just spinning. UNI will probably have the best team in the state next year, and that's not really saying much. Not to mention the NCAA knocking on the Clowns' door. The state is still wide open for UNI to recruit...ISU's dirt isn't going away overnight, and Alford hasn't made a lot of friends in the state.


Talk about spinning...

I owuld like for the above to be true, but it's going to take some convincing. Crawford, Jacobson, and Little are taking a lot of perimeter offense with them. I hope McKowen can buy a jumper before November. What indicates to you that UNI will all of a sudden start recruiting over ISU and Iowa?

[Nyghtewynd]

Why does UNI need to recruit "over" ISU and Iowa? Fat lot of good that did them this year.

[7hottamales]

You're the one that said it. You said the state is wide open for UNI to recruit. That would imply that they would be able to recruit over Iowa and ISU.

Now saying that they are better at identifying players is a different thing. That doesn't mean the state is "wide open" for UNI to recruit.

[Bluejay03]

Good for him, I wish he would have stayed at UNI, but its a good opportunity for him. Hopefully he gets some players like Blalock to stick around, Stinson is probably leaving for sure, I hope he doesn't steal the 7 footer who committed to UNI.

[getreal4]

Next year will be a challenge for Mac & the Clones. My guess is Carr comes back & Mac adds 2 recruits. Mac will be competitive in Ames. Huge loss for the Valley.

[StLouBlue]

If this is the case, I am glad for McDermott. It sounds like it should be a nice pay raise and he gets to stay in state which I think was very important for him and his family. I hope he encourages all of the UNI recruits to honor their commitment and attend UNI also. I would hate to see you guys lose some of your recruiting class because of his move.

Finally, who are a few of the names that will be considered for your opening. I read through your assistants and from their quick bio I don't think any are really ready to step up at UNI as the head coach. Here are some names that I could come up with: Darian Devries an asst at CU, but UNI alum--no head coaching experience though. Kevin McKenna also asst at CU with head coaching experience at UNO, most likely next in line if Altman were to leave, but if an offer from an MVC school might jump. Scott Sutton at Oral Roberts, not sure he would leave but MVC would be big step up from MCC. Jay Spoonhour, Charlie's son, head coaching experience as interm coach at UNLV and a year or two at JUCO. Has been asst at Mizz under Synder so has probably reestablished his midwest contacts. I am sure there are plenty of other names, but these are the ones that I could think of.

[7hottamales]

Scott Sutton is an interesting name and would be an excellent hire. I do wonder if he'd make that jump or wait on something else.

[getreal4]

Iowa HS Future recruiting with Mac @ Ia St

overall I'd rank the schools as follows:

Iowa State
BCS Schools
Iowa
Creighton
UNI
other D1 schools
Drake


If Alford stays, Ia St will have the upper hand. Mac makes time for HS & AAU coaches, games etc. Alford's arrogance is legendary. Mac sells well in the rural areas and will improve with Iowa St resources.

BCS schools hyped recruits will look at other offers against Iowa Bohannon is a current example signed with Wisconsin wanted no part of Alford.

Next in line would be Creighton. Until Dana Altman leaves Creighton, Iowa kids like Creighton. Altman also sells well in Iowa.

UNI with Ben Jacobsen. Don't believe he could win the battle over DA for an Iowa HS kid at this time. Give him some success and that will change.

Other D1 schools. Kids want to play for winning programs.

Drake Last on the list for good D1 prospects. First on the list for leftovers. :banghead:


It might suprise some of you, but Iowa has a very talented Junior class (by Iowa standards) :grin: Recruiting Iowa kids will be crucial for our Iowa schools.

[iSASO]

That is a blow to UNI and to the conference as a whole.

One plea to UNI: DON'T GO CHEAP! Hire the best guy you can get, regardless of price.

I said to my wife just a few minutes ago that Turgeon is getting WSU 10x the value of his salary in free advertising right now. Don't screw up a good thing, Panthers.

[getreal4]

ISASO little problem in Cedar Falls no money for basketball. New hire will be paid $200K tops.

[C0|db|00ded]

Coach Mac,

Way to show your school pride buddy. You couldn't have humiliated your loving fans worse than going to Iowa State!

Here's to the almighty dollar and to coach Mac falling flat on his face!


T


...:original:

[txsaluki05]

Ben Jacobson is rumored to take over lol? I just saw it on ESPN.com; you've got to be kidding me. Any truth to this Panther fans?

[shockerfan13]

Ben Jacobson is rumored to take over lol? I just saw it on ESPN.com; you've got to be kidding me. Any truth to this Panther fans?

Not the player....the Associate Head Coach.

[getreal4]

Coach Mac,

Way to show your school pride buddy. You couldn't have humiliated your loving fans worse than going to Iowa State!

Here's to the almighty dollar and to coach Mac falling flat on his face!

T

..:original:


Mac is a very quality guy. If it was just about $$$, he'd have left last year. If UNI fans supported their school, like Creighton fans or Wichita fans, Mac would still be in Cedar Falls. 10 years late in building a basketball arena. 3 years late in increasing salaries and still a slow multi year deal. Mac did whats best for him and his family. Way to go Coach & good luck.

[iSASO]

Given the limited interest demonstrated by the fanbase and the limited resources available at UNI, why should he stay?

What more could he accomplish there? Apparently he wants to test himself. Can't blame a guy for that.

[C0|db|00ded]

I just want to offer my condolences to Northern Iowa fans. I'm sure that many of you had hoped that Coach Mac, being an alum, would stay around for a long time and continue to build the program. For those of us that sometimes find our happiness in life dangerously connected to how our alma mater fares in college athletics, we feel your pain. Coach Mac was a god to UNI fans and now he has left their loving arms for a new family that will only love him for what he does and not what he is.

May God bring a greater coach to UNI that pounds Iowa State into the dirt each and every year from now on.


T


...:panthers:

[in the stands]

Fact is UNI doesn't have the enrollment, alumni base or community support to pay coaches at BCS conference levels.

And not many sane people turn down a $400K raise. I'd say to him "Good Luck and thanks for the memories".

[shocker3]

I thought that the UWM coach was taking the Iowa St job.

[Dawg_tired]

ISU will not be a walk in the park for Coach Mac. The squad is pretty full of undisciplined players who have talent but play street ball and very little defense. Stinson and Blalock both complained about the work ethic of the bigs during the season. On the plus side, ISU does compete with Iowa for the best players in the state. It's a beautiful campus with great facilities and pretty deep pockets for recruiting. He'll need to travel to consistently find the talent. He won't be able to get by with the slow guards he's put on the floor...he'll get out athleted. Should be really interesting. He'll have the first year coaches advantage in the Big 12 next year.

[cf panther]

Good for him, I wish he would have stayed at UNI, but its a good opportunity for him. Hopefully he gets some players like Blalock to stick around, Stinson is probably leaving for sure, I hope he doesn't steal the 7 footer who committed to UNI.

While the 7 footer has the most potential, IMHO he is far from the best college ready player coming to UNI as of right now. The PG from Minnesota, and F from Wisconsin are much more ready to contribute than him. He will be a work in progress; could be a future NBA'er, could be another Jon Godfried...:panthers:

[Yoshi]

Sorry Panther fans. I know it sucks, especially when one of your own sticks it to you. I can't believe he wants the added stress in his life right now with his wife sick, but I guess $$$ sings. :valley:

[Panthera Pardus]

I just want to offer my condolences to Northern Iowa fans. I'm sure that many of you had hoped that Coach Mac, being an alum, would stay around for a long time and continue to build the program. For those of us that sometimes find our happiness in life dangerously connected to how our alma mater fares in college athletics, we feel your pain. Coach Mac was a god to UNI fans and now he has left their loving arms for a new family that will only love him for what he does and not what he is.

May God bring a greater coach to UNI that pounds Iowa State into the dirt each and every year from now on.

This is a very true statement. Many UNI fans feel forsaken right now (myself included). I find myself rooting for Mac's failure at Iowa State. Let it be a lesson to him.

[bigdog66]

So if UNI fans loved McDermott for who he was and not what he did, then why are some fans so upset that he went to ISU? Isn't he still a Panther at heart? I think UNI fans need to step back, cool out and take a breath. Greg McDermott was and is still great for the University of Northern Iowa. That was the reason Iowa State hired him. When he has success at Iowa State, he will be a great example of the type of people that come from the Midwest, Iowa, and UNI. Don't let your momentary frustration cloud the greater accomplishments of UNI and the state of Iowa.:panthers:

[outpost]

So if UNI fans loved McDermott for who he was and not what he did, then why are some fans so upset that he went to ISU? Isn't he still a Panther at heart? I think UNI fans need to step back, cool out and take a breath. Greg McDermott was and is still great for the University of Northern Iowa. That was the reason Iowa State hired him. When he has success at Iowa State, he will be a great example of the type of people that come from the Midwest, Iowa, and UNI. Don't let your momentary frustration cloud the greater accomplishments of UNI and the state of Iowa.

I wondered the same thing on another thread last night....I think that all the UN-Ire (pun-intended) should be directed at ISU, for swooping in to steal one of your own. Mac is a good guy, and IMHO delivered more than was promised.

[in the stands]

Well said, bigdog.

Here's a little perspective - UNI was Div II for decades, and the jump to Div I was a major reach. Lots of schools the same size are still Div II, some without football. What UNI has accomplished in Div I and IAA is all out of proportion to the resources available compared with BCS schools (even some other MVC schools), and everyone should be proud of that. That said, Iowa State has always been the larger, better funded school, as well as just up the road from Des Moines. Most years, Hilton is full to the rafters. Much larger alumni base. ISU was easily able to more than double UNI's best offer. Most UNI alums will never see anything like Mac's opportunity, and anyone who claims they would have turned it down...well let's just say I hope you have the opportunity to make that kind of a decision someday.

[3baller]

I have no hard feelings at all for Mac. What he's done at this school is really hard to even grasp. I'm sure many of you guys can remember coming to play UNI, that was basically a garunteed win. Coach Mac has now turned it into a tough place to play (except for Creighton!). I think Coach Jake will maintain the program and with all the recruits looking like they're staying, I think they can get even better in the futre!

Thanks Coach Mac, keep beating the Hawkeyes!

[frontrowdrake]

We do have a 7'1" kid, we are just hoping he doesn't head for Ames!!
I talked to your "7'1" kid", Jordan Egleseder (I hope I spelled that right) on thirsday. He told me he was definitely staying at UNI. And BTW, He is a really really nice young man. I wish him great success at UNI.:panthers:

[NoPlaceLikeDome]

Well said, bigdog.

Here's a little perspective - UNI was Div II for decades, and the jump to Div I was a major reach. Lots of schools the same size are still Div II, some without football. What UNI has accomplished in Div I and IAA is all out of proportion to the resources available compared with BCS schools (even some other MVC schools), and everyone should be proud of that. That said, Iowa State has always been the larger, better funded school, as well as just up the road from Des Moines. Most years, Hilton is full to the rafters. Much larger alumni base. ISU was easily able to more than double UNI's best offer. Most UNI alums will never see anything like Mac's opportunity, and anyone who claims they would have turned it down...well let's just say I hope you have the opportunity to make that kind of a decision someday.

That was a great post. Really makes you think about how fortunate UNI is to have the great athletics it does. Shows how passionatte the students, alumni, and community is behind UNI.