We have not heard one iota from Lyons regarding our basketball program. It is now being reported that HE is responsible for Willard's extension. I am furious at the present lack of accountability. This clown makes more money than Julie Herman at Rutger's who has a Big Ten football program under her tutelage. He makes way more than the athletic director at Kansas State. I believe that he also is way over his head with his present position. He and Willard should both be shown the door.
Lyons : THE MASTER OF INEPTITUDE
- Thread starter SOSHU
- Start date
I'm not taking sides in this dispute over who did what with Willard's extension or any of its contract terms until someone definitively tells me who did what and what the numbers are. If they are as draconian as they are reported to be then I'll render my views and pull no punches with them.
I am very much in line with you on this but we need to have an organized and open meeting with the key decision makers to discuss these issues and request action.
Speaking for my self, I have not been a huge contributor director to Pirate Blue but have raised thousands for Pirate Blue through planned activities and my many relationships. I recently sent in my last check for $500 and will be withdrawing from any future fund-raising for them. However I am in no way withdrawing my support of Mother Seton Hall and will re-direct that support to the general alumni fund. that is, of course, unless Pat Lyons or his bosses come out and speak on this issue and make some sense. I agree with SOSU but still hoping that we hear from the AD.
Speaking for my self, I have not been a huge contributor director to Pirate Blue but have raised thousands for Pirate Blue through planned activities and my many relationships. I recently sent in my last check for $500 and will be withdrawing from any future fund-raising for them. However I am in no way withdrawing my support of Mother Seton Hall and will re-direct that support to the general alumni fund. that is, of course, unless Pat Lyons or his bosses come out and speak on this issue and make some sense. I agree with SOSU but still hoping that we hear from the AD.
With the kind of season we had I did think it was important for Lyons to have some sort of statement. You can't have the team collapse like that AND the swirling reports of strife, now with two starting players having departed. Not good.
I didn't think such a statement would be anything declarative, but something to at least be responsive to the fan base. Something simple that there's disappointment but they believe in KW and the players and believe they will see improvement. Sort of like the Giants have done with Tom Coughlin.
But they've done nothing of the sort and know he looks like some pawn of Willard. That's what happens when you allow the story to dictate you.
I didn't think such a statement would be anything declarative, but something to at least be responsive to the fan base. Something simple that there's disappointment but they believe in KW and the players and believe they will see improvement. Sort of like the Giants have done with Tom Coughlin.
But they've done nothing of the sort and know he looks like some pawn of Willard. That's what happens when you allow the story to dictate you.
Lets see in the last 3 months.....
- Sina abruptly leaves team after Georgetown game.
- team loses 11 of its last 12 in the league
- we get absolutely embarrassed vs. Marquette in the 1st round of the BE tourney
- Gibbs now leaving the program.
The fan base is absolutely annoyed and ticked off with this basketball program and rightfully so. The AD is now where to be found. Again, the men's program is the moneymaker at the university. I'm tired of the AD hiding and thinking this is going to blow over soon. It's not. Say something, anything. Looks pathetic that nothing is said.
- Sina abruptly leaves team after Georgetown game.
- team loses 11 of its last 12 in the league
- we get absolutely embarrassed vs. Marquette in the 1st round of the BE tourney
- Gibbs now leaving the program.
The fan base is absolutely annoyed and ticked off with this basketball program and rightfully so. The AD is now where to be found. Again, the men's program is the moneymaker at the university. I'm tired of the AD hiding and thinking this is going to blow over soon. It's not. Say something, anything. Looks pathetic that nothing is said.
or thats what happens when you allow wild internet rumors and people take them for the truth.
Form a PR standpoint SHU is doing it by the book.
Form a PR standpoint SHU is doing it by the book.
I'm not sure what Lyons could say at this point. Guy should and probably does realize the program is not in a good way right now, but knows if next year is another underperformance he'll have no choice but to make a coaching change.
Right now, he's got take a glass half full outlook and keep pressing with his agenda. Even if you wanted him to fire Willard today, where would that leave us for next season?
Right now, he's got take a glass half full outlook and keep pressing with his agenda. Even if you wanted him to fire Willard today, where would that leave us for next season?
I am not sure what people want Pat to do at this point. The decision has been made to keep the coach in place for at least one more year. While many of us believe this is the wrong approach it is the decision that was made. There is nothing to be gained by the AD by saying you are keeping your coach in place so there is no announcement to be made. The other programs especially the women's teams are all getting better and my hope is that eventually the men's team will get better. I believe that means that we will have to get rid of the current coach but I am willing to let it play out. I have been a fan of the pirates since the 1960s and have seen it all, the good times and the bad. I waited a long time for the ride I was on with PJ and then again under Amaker and Orr and I will wait again until we are back on top and I believe that Pat Lyons is the guy to get us there.
There's no point for Pat Lyons to say anything. What would've changed if he made a statement? Do you think Gibbs would've stayed? Would we have had better recruits? Even if he made a statement, outside of him saying Willard will be removed as head coach, whatever he said would not placate those fans who so want him to say something. Unless you believe that season tickets and donations will be down significantly due to the AD not commenting on the basketball program, there's little reason for him to do so.
I would hope that the AD has some sort of EXIT interview with Gibbs to hear him give the reason(s) he decided to leave the HAll. This would help him clarify some of the rumors that swirl around our program at this time.
I am not sure I totally agree. Lyons didn't have to say something substantive but he is the head of athletics and a year end statement is not an unreasonable request. To be sure, he would be criticized no matter what he said but getting the word out via FoxSports announcers, background statements from the beat writers and that ridiculous News12 segment with Hobbs has not been a successful approach. The lack of any communication from him has made him seem disconnected from the program. We will know a little more about just how seriously dissatisfied the fans really are after the donation challenge .
Record speaks for itself. The less said, the better. People over analyze tweets. Wonder how they'd react to an "official statement?"
If Lyons made a statement it would show he understands the frustration the loyal supporters have.
If I were Pat I'd send out a release that says something like: : " The disappointment with the men's basketball program is understandable. Many loyal fans and alums have called for coaching changes. This is also understandable given the past few seasons and in particular the downturn at the end of lastseason.
Rest assured no one at Seton Hall is happy with this. However at this time we are reluctant to make any staff changes because:
1. Our contractual obligation to the head coach is such that it does not make sense financially.
2. Our returning sophomores and incoming freshmen who were recruited by the current staff give us cause for optimism about the upcoming season.
We thank you for your patience and continued support. Like you , I continue to strive for success on the basketball court in 2015/16 and beyond. "
Go Pirates !
Pat Lyons
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THIS. Have to believe the AD supported or proposed the WILLARD extesnion to the SHU admin and BOR. Did that extension occur last year as reported by Hague. Don't care about what else Lyons has done at SHU, pretty clear he got his job on the recommendation of WILLARD and was involved in SHU giving Willard an extension. That extension is smothering this program as everyone knows Willard is a dead man walking.
If the team had stayed in the top 25 and had gone to the Dance, Lyons would look like a hero.
And we wouldn't be muttering. But the last 3 months has been the perfect storm for him. KW, the program and us.
And the damn problem is that long after KW and maybe even Lyons is gone, we will be stuck with the damn wreckage.
Yet again.
Gotta figure out how to give Tony Bozzella. more responsibility in the years ahead. Just a thought starter.
And we wouldn't be muttering. But the last 3 months has been the perfect storm for him. KW, the program and us.
And the damn problem is that long after KW and maybe even Lyons is gone, we will be stuck with the damn wreckage.
Yet again.
Gotta figure out how to give Tony Bozzella. more responsibility in the years ahead. Just a thought starter.
A statement like that would be printed and mailed to every kid we recruit. It won't accomplish anything other than eliminate whatever minuscule chance we have of signing anyone good. It's a bad situation. We don't need Lyons to tell us that.
A statement like that is not realistic. It's the same as the CEO of a cruise line saying we're going to let a damaged ship sink at sea, but please join us for our next cruise. You might as well turn the lights off and locked the doors to the gym because you'd never, ever get any coach or player worth any value to come here.
If you think recruiting has been tough in the past, just wait until you see how it goes when a statement like that is released.
Issuing a statement achnowledging the disappointment with our record this year and reaffirming ( if true of course ) the school's commitment to success of or our men's BB team would not be difficult to write at all.
It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation in terms of releasing a statement after a disappointing season. Pirate64's proposed statement would be worse than a dreaded vote of confidence.
Here's what I would have said if I were Lyons.
The 2014/2015 men's basketball season , which started out with such high expectations, was a disappointment for the players , the coaches , the athletic department , the administration but most importantly for the exceptionally loyal Seton Hall fans who deserve better. Let me reaffirm that Seton Hall is absolutely committed to achieving athletic success in its men's basketball program as it is in all its athletic teams and we will continue to work hard to achieve that goal and devote the resources to and take whatever steps are necessary to do so.
The 2014/2015 season saw us achieve that success with three of our programs receiving NCAA post - season bids beginning with women's volleyball, women's basketball and, for the second straight year, women's golf. I am committed, as is Dr. Esteban and the Board of Regents , to seeing that every Seton Hall athletic team achieves similar success and we are working toward that goal every day.
Bingo, my thoughts exactly. Everyone knows what's going on, to put it in writing and make it official serves zero purpose imo.
True, but why did Hobbs show the stupidity by being the only University official to give Willard that vote of confidence. We look like we have our head up our ass (which is what the leadership does), when the Dean of the Law School is opining on the BB HC and the AD is silent. Only at SHU.
OK. So I guess the consensus on the board is to say nothing and have it look like Pat Lyons is happy with the situation?
That's not showing leadership on his part.But maybe you're right.
Recruiting? Every decent H.S. player knows that KW is on the ropes. And so do the coaches we recruit against.
That's not showing leadership on his part.But maybe you're right.
Recruiting? Every decent H.S. player knows that KW is on the ropes. And so do the coaches we recruit against.
What Lyons or any other of our administration may or may not come out and say means absolutely nothing. They will give the standard BS. Extremely disappointed in this past season but we are very confident as we move forward in the new BEC that we will be an extremely successful program and will do everything possible under the leadership of Kevin Willard. Statements are made all the time by SHU and other schools and basically are meaningless. Actions speak louder than words and we have seen over these last few months the action that SHU has taken. NONE. Lyons has been here for 3 years which is more than enough time to evaluate the entire situation and apparently the only thing he did was give a coach who hasn't proved anything and has gotten worse in the last 2 years an incredible ridiculous extension. This action and the people involved have hurt this program now and for the forseeable future. So when lyons or a Hill or whoever says anything .... only words. Remember 2 years ago at a picnic I believe Hill said that it takes a year or two but this 2015 is the year where you will see us bring in excellent recruits. ITS ALL TALK AND NOTHNG MORE.
Remember 2 years ago at a picnic I believe Hill said that it takes a year or two but this 2015 is the year where you will see us bring in excellent recruits. ITS ALL TALK AND NOTHNG MORE.
So he was a year early? In case you haven't heard, last year's recruits were pretty damn good.
So he was a year early? In case you haven't heard, last year's recruits were pretty damn good.
Leadership we would could definitely use right now. Banal statements and window dressing... not so much.
I believe youre wrong. I was team Sina for a long while, and still am. Go look at any of my posts about him. I put Sina's production squarely on the coaches shoulders. Should not have had him playing so many minutes. I made this clear. There was sometimes where Sina didnt play well, or contributed nothing, but it was all part of the greater problem.
So that was a swing and a miss i guess.
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