MBB: OSU @ USC 2/3/24

Didn’t reply to your long post above because I think we’re going around in circles on a lot of the points, so for the sake of the board I think we should just agree to disagree on a lot of that. As to this point, I really don’t see the uncertainty having that much of an impact. From OSU’s perspective, biggest thing is probably how much to pay. We know it won’t be Tinkle money and likely in line with WCC salaries, but I’d guess on the higher side since I believe Barnes said sports would continue to operate as if it were a P5 school. I honestly don’t think we’ll get back to that level and would hope Barnes is on the conservative side when it comes to salaries for any new HC.

From prospective coaches’ point of view, they know where we’ll be playing next 2 years and have at least an idea based on that at what level we’ll be at going forward from there. If we were likely going to be looking at a sitting P6 head coach, then the uncertainty would definitely be an issue. The guys we will (should) be looking at are talented, qualified HCs from smaller schools who have had success — and are currently getting paid less than we’d offer. As an aside, I think it was you but maybe not who at one point said you don’t want to see us hire a current assistant somewhere as our new head coach. I completely agree. With NIL and the portal, the Beavers can’t afford to hire someone who has not maneuvered in that arena as a HC already.

OK, Danny Sprinkle at Utah St has been mentioned as replacement (maybe more so because of comedic value of going from Tinkle to Sprinkle), so let’s use him as example. He was hired by Utah St this year with a starting salary of $900,000. His base salary at Montana St was under $200,000. Do you think if Utah State was facing uncertainties like OSU is that Sprinkle would have passed on a job where he’ll make more than 4 times the salary? It’s not like the Beavers won’t be playing basketball in 3 years. The question is will it be back at the highest level or in a conference a step below.

. If I were a successful coach at a smaller school looking to move up, I would only take the Oregon State job, considering all that is going on, if I couldn't get a better one.

Doesn't that apply to everyone, not just us? No one is going to take one job is a better one is available and offered. 

Just saying,  there's going to be dozens of head coaching hires in about 6-12 weeks (it was 5-6 dozen last year). Are we likely to get the cream of the crop considering OSU's history and the fact that there's no knowing what conference we're in 3 years from now?  Several people seem to think we will.

Regarding our "move" to the WCC; There is a real possiblity that things could change dramatically in two short years. We just DO NOT KNOW. Do we WAIT? DO we NOT?
Ya got me.

Curious... how does one judge "cream of the crop" before they actually take a job and you see the recruiting, players development, schemes, team development and discipline, etc etc etc in the job they were just hired for??? I'll assume the OSU hiring process will vet and get great candidates, so their b=past body of work gets them in the door. What we all care about is what they do at OSU. As what happened at Montana really hasn't mattered at OSU??

Any coach interested, and there will be plenty, and then vetted and selected for an interview will be highly thought of by enough of the right people to make the actual interview list. The may not be a "name" to have credentials that "we" recognize as substantial, but the hiring process and people in charge will say otherwise. 

Now, if you do not trust the hiring process and people in charge of that to find those potential "cream of the crop" guys, that is another issue entirely. No one says there is some magic formula, or OSU is an elite, well respected program that will draw NCAA tourney vets as candidates. Nor that there is guarantees. But, after 10 seasons of completely erratic on the court play, recruiting, and what we've seen since the E8, it is time. Pretty simple.

I'll not make a guarantee, but by the some of the metrics used here to support WT the bar will be very low. Of course for the WT deniers it will be "I told you so... watch what you wish for" if there isn't significant improvement. As the new hire will not get the courtesy of all the excuses. However, I feel very confident (Extremely) that new blood, a new message from a new hire/staff will bring new excitement inside and outside og Gill. No doubt OSU can hire a quality new HC and staff for less than JUST WT's salary and be at least 25-60 over the their first 85 games and spend less than half what we are now for the staff and perk/bennies.

On pace for the worst 3 season run of ANY OSU HC (in modern times... did not check the oldies??) and that is after a supposed program building, HC affirming E8 run?!

Had to look at just conference 3 year stretches:
WT      9-42 (17.6%)    thru games of 2/3/24
Payne 10-44 (18.5%) his first 3 seasons
*McKay 8-28 (22.2%) only 2 seasons
Craig   16-38 (29.6%) middle 3 seasons
John   16-38 (29.6%)  last 3 full seasons... 8-34 (19%)   in his last 2.3 seasons
Gill      15-33 (31.3%)  seasons 23, 24, 25 (1950-53)
Jimmy 17-37 (31.5%) his last 3 seasons
Ralph  19-23 (45.2%) his first 3 seasons
Valenti 20-22 (47.6%) his last 3 seasons


FWIW... if WT can go 3-6 over the remainder of the Pac12 regular season he will squeak past Eddie for the worst 3-year conference stretch. So there's that!!