Comments on: IS TCU a good fit?

By: ohiowa3

ohiowa3 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:22:50 +0000

Just to note, Sullinger is a 4 year player, not a JUCO. He went to prep school, but that does not count against eligibility.

By: ACF Good

ACF Good — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:34:16 +0000

It was inevitable the Jim Christian would leave. TCU may be in the same position as Kent. JUCO players may provide them with a quick burst that could allow Christian to develop relationships with Texas and Oklahoma high schools. Two more things about Christian, he needed to develop the bigger, upfront players and he didn't seem to have his two teams prepared for the NCAA tournament.

By: GJGood

GJGood — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:39:10 +0000

I hear what your saying but my thought process was more along the lines of Ford bolting for OU after a successful season or two at KSU if their job opens up. If the job in Athens opened up in say 2010 or 2011 don't you think he would listen and consider the move? It is his alma mater, and the people at OU will be able to see him first hand with regularity since he is the head man at another MAC East school.

By: FlashFan

FlashFan — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:22:08 +0000

I don't think that's going to be a problem – he's smart enough to know who's signing his paycheck.

If you follow that scenario through, should we have been concerned in the past if we were recruiting the same player as OU? I don't think so….

By: GJGood

GJGood — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:23:17 +0000

My concern with Geno Ford would be…What will he do if Ohio University comes calling somewhere down the road? I generally don't think it is a good idea to hire coaches whose alma maters are your league opponents. That is not a knock on Ford and his abilities but a concern I would have no matter who the person involved might be. Every coach's "dream job" should be to be at his own school.

By: TK

TK — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:57:19 +0000

JRid,

Singletary is only a sophmore…he has two years left. Second, the MAC has been upgraded…you need to fill it consistently first. Did you know average attendance this past year was under 4000…it holds what 6200?

But a first rate practice facility would help

By: JRid

JRid — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:31:46 +0000

I don't know if Singletary would follow Christian because it would leave him with just one season of playing time (since he would have to sit out next season), plus he would be going from a MAC and NCAA tournament contending team to a MWC doormat and one that will likely take at least take 2 years to build up.

Of note, Laing Kennedy has talked about one of his goals being to build a practice facility similar to what TCU has just built. First, though, the MAC Center needs some more upgrades or a replacement if Kent wants to be able to continue to compete not only in the MAC but also outside of the MAC. I love the MAC Center, but it is currently not at the same level as other D-I arenas (though it is much better than Anderson Arena at BG…soon to be replaced…and the JAR Arena in Akron). Get the donors ready!

By: Happy in Hartville

Happy in Hartville — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:11:21 +0000

As an Akron Alumni (not KSU) I want to wish Jim Christian the best of luck at TCU in the future. He was a successful coach and one of the best the MAC had. The money, the facilities, and the potential tournament bids are very potent incentives to move on. Kent will continue to be successful, and hopefully Jim can build the same type of team at TCU.

Good Luck Coach Christian!

By: TK

TK — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:26:45 +0000

Look at TCU's current roster and you will already see many JUCO's (by the way Julian Sullinger is not a JUCU or transfer, and Quintance and Woods are transfers). So a few more will not be a big deal. I would be VERY surprised if Singletary does not follow him really leaving the cupboard bare.

I think that it will be difficult for Christian in that part of the country too. Gary Waters found out how difficult it was to recruit outside his geography and in the shadow of the Big East coaching legends.

I do believe the conference, the facilities, the weather, and quality of fans are HUGE factors beyond the money. Other than 4 or 5 games (bracket buster, Akron, and Ohio) only 2500 fans show up for games. Portage county is depressed and not known for supporting the team.

A five year, $3 million opportunity, even if he fails, on top of what he has made at Kent he last few years, he will be pretty well off financially.

By: FlashFan

FlashFan — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:41:26 +0000

I have another question to add on a purely Kent State level – what happens now to any recruiting that has already taken place?

As for Christian; I think his reasoning is embedded in your column – first, salary; second; multiple bid league; third, facilities. I don't think he necessarily was "bolting" from Kent (after all, he was quoted as insisting that he loves Kent) but I wonder if he was frustrated with the MAC's inability to better itself and thought it was now or never.