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Is it too late?

Halldan1

Moderator
Moderator
Jan 1, 2003
190,241
106,161
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One of my favorite sayings in sports is the following...

Athletes learn to say hello when it's time to say goodbye.

Can these words be modified to describe Kevin Willard the coach?

Willard has never been the warm fuzzy type. His communication skills, not always the best with the media and fan base have been well chronicled in his 5 years here.

When those ills are combined with 5 mostly unsuccessful seasons as the Hall's leader it's not surprising that many are calling for his head. But early in this preseason I am starting to get feedback that there is a difference in Willard's approach. Some of which I have seen and others passed on to me by word of mouth.

1. At the Beefsteak Thursday I have never seen Willard more accommodating or at ease with the fan base. The Kevin Willard I personally saw and spoke to for an extended time was one I have never had the pleasure of meeting, in person, in press conferences, at practices, anywhere for that matter.

In fact I saw him do something I have never seen him do before. Walk around to the individual tables and take time to talk to everyone seated.

Now I understand this is a very small part of his job and in the long run what I saw Thursday is not going to make or break the season But it was a start.

2. I have not yet attended a practice but I have talked to various people who have and to a man everyone told me that Willard is a different person this year than at any time since he has been at the Hall. And what that means is simple, KW has not always been balanced when it comes to treating his star players. Seldom do they hear the same criticism as do the non stars.

That's not to say that he doesn't point out issues in their games. But clearly not with the same fervor.

Now I have been told that is changing. With Whitehead, Carrington, Angel, whomever. Maybe the first visual proof of that was this Saturday. Willard took the microphone between halves of the scrimmage and gave a great speech, but did so with a horse voice. I have rarely seen Willard raise his voice in practice. But that seems to be changing.

Maybe it's something he should have done sooner, especially as regards to his better players. But at least he is doing something now that is different than in the past.

3. Recruiting hasn't always come naturally for Willard. In fact there have been times where I have heard he "could have put more effort into it." But that's no longer the case. My non SHU contacts have told me they have seen a difference this summer in KW. He's worked harder than ever before. In fact he will soon be going overseas to check out a big man in Europe.

Also, Sha is clearly the man when it comes to Aiken. But more and more I am hearing how involved Willard has become. To the point that he will deserve a lot of credit if the deal gets closed.

Again, many will say he should have been doing this from day one. And I am not going to debate that valid point. But as I see it better late than never.

Can a leopard change his spots? Can someone involved in athletics learn to say hello before it's too late? We'll see. The proof is in the results.

So far those results have gotten us Myles Powell and may also bring in a running mate for him in Bryce Aiken.

But as we all know nothing short of sucess on the court will change anyone's mind about our head coach. And for the first time ever he has set a goal and verbalized it to the fan base. He has said this team is worthy of Dancing.

Willard has never done that before. Instead he has always taken the safe route predicting minimal sucess.

Now, are these the words of a man who feels he is cornered? Probably. But to date he is taking the proper approach. He is doing what a strong leader should do.

Now let's see if that brings the Hall to the place where we all want them to be.
 
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