But expecting instant gratification or near instant gratification should be the expectation at certain schools. Not at Bethune Cookman or UWGB. we did it with Odom. We did it with Lindy. Our own backyard. And within our limits. Good hires, obviously.
And there’d be far more rope if there is actual GROWTH, not microscopic, debatable growth. There’s a huge gap between instant gratification and the slow growth that you allow. Fisher had a slow growth, but it was absolutely measurable growth. Fans will have patience when it’s not a nanometer per year. They have to see it, they have to feel it. You cannot reasonably expect fans to rally around the same old, same old every year. I don’t know what OU’s Y2Y attendance has been. At UNLV, we see the results of “slow growth” or more aptly, stagnancy.
I’d much, much, much rather UNLV has a “we get it” moment and has a sudden and sustained resurgence under Kevin. Without playing the “maybe, well if this happens…” game, in your gut, do you see KK having this major change/epiphany? I don’t see it. I hope for it, but have seen zero evidence that it’s a possibility. I base that on very bland and rather unimpactful recruiting, a stubbornness to schemes that just aren’t working. That’s what I see when I try to assess it objectively.
I don’t like changing coaches, I can’t stand it, it all feels like setbacks unless you have the cash to hire a difference maker. I’d much rather it be KK who succeeds from here on out. I just have incredibly low confidence in that based on the results we’ve seen. Losing Odom sucked, but I’d much rather lose a coach because of success instead of failure.
Because of our history, our draw, the city, perceptions, etc, etc, etc - UNLV is one of those schools that can be bludgeoned to death by low expectations, patience, slow growth. Kevin has had four years so far - that’s patience, imo. 1 NIT in four years doesn’t get it, neither does two. Seems Poser is on a similar path in a similar situation (but they have much better resources/$$$ that UNLV, so they shouldn’t have stepped into the mistake in the first place, imo).
If it doesn’t work out, we will see if we get a good hire here. If it doesn’t work out for OU, my guess is they will stray from their last formula and take a far less risky hire. And if it doesn’t work out at OU, without knowing any OU fans but understating their history, I have a feeling a large percentage of their fanbase will call it their “worst hire ever”. Without looking at their message boards, I have confidence that fans are not very happy with the current state. You cannot change the mindset of a fanbase, you have to satisfy them. If you don’t, sure, you’ll lose them and you’ll grow a smaller, new fan base that has lessened expectations (that’s where we are now). It’s not good for the program.
And if it still sucks for UNLV, there’s always football.
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