Gianinni's Faculty Activity Report - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Apr 6, 2005

Gianinni's Faculty Activity Report

Date: Apr 6, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Cox-Purvis Report
"The Cox-Purvis Report got a sneak peek at RG's FAR for Fall/Winter 2004/05. Here goes, with the winning percent of each program attached: Football: 0.5833 Volleyball: 0.2593 Soccer: 0.3235 Men's Basketball: 0.3929 Women's Basketball: 0.3214 Overall: 0.3527 The interesting thing is that Bower is the coach they would fire first (of these)."

This must mean the group over at EagleTalk are not terribly interested in winning. And all the while I had them wrong.

Date: Apr 6, 2005

Of course they're interested in winning. And sadly, a number of them are convinced that the only way for USM to "win" is to cheat.

Date: Apr 7, 2005

I post on Eagle Talk a lot and I have never seen one poster suggest that Southern Miss should cheat to win. In fact, most would prefer moderate success that is honestly earned than wild success by illegal methods. There is a strong anti-Bower contingency, but it isn't because he runs a clean program. I see it as more of a personality/interpersonal relations issue rather than that.

Date: Apr 7, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: ABD
"There is a strong anti-Bower contingency, but it isn't because he runs a clean program. I see it as more of a personality/interpersonal relations issue rather than that. "

ABD, I have two quesions:

(1) When you refer to a "personality/interpersonal relations" issue, do you mean that he does not suck up to those who want to run the show, or do you mean that he is rather quiet and not a charasmatic glad-hand, or do you mean something else? (2) Is the reason there is a strong anti-Bower contingency on Eagle Talk the same reason there was a stong Anti-Fleming contingency?

Date: Apr 7, 2005

ABD:
Could you say more about the anti-Bower sentiment? As a faculty member, I 've been highly impressed by Coach Bower's committment to his player's education. From the academic side of things, he runs a first rate program that is a credit to the University.

Is it simply an issue of not winning enough games?

Date: Apr 7, 2005

I think the latter is the case with Bower's "interpersonal relations" issue. Compared to other college head coaches, he does very little in the way of getting out to the various functions that Eagle Club chapters have, especially out of state. Many have complained about that. I also think that he just isn't a very outgoing guy. That's not his fault, but people expect a head coach to be a little more charismatic.

I respect Coach Bower tremendously. I think he does a great job managing the program. His players get an education and he recruits character. He wins, but I would like to see more wins. Many, myself included, suspect that he is intimately involved in the play calling which is why we suck hind teet in offensive performance regardless of who the OC is. That is merely specualtion, but I tend to believe it.

As far as the Anti-Bower, Anti-Flemming contingency on EagleTalk, I will say that there are a few Anti-Bower folks, and a few Anti-Thames folks that post on the board, but it is for the most part a rah, rah board and posts of that nature are blasted and criticized by other posters. I think some are Anti-Flemming, but it is really more the fact that they are pro-Thames. Personally, I liked Flemming a lot. He came to an alumni function I planned here in Montgomery and was awesome. I sent him an e-mail the day I heard about his resignation and got a nice reply the very day the rejected the one year contract offer. He was a class act and I think Southern Miss would have been better for keeping him as President.

Date: Apr 7, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: ABD
"I think the latter is the case with Bower's "interpersonal relations" issue. Compared to other college head coaches, he does very little in the way of getting out to the various functions that Eagle Club chapters have, especially out of state. Many have complained about that. I also think that he just isn't a very outgoing guy. That's not his fault, but people expect a head coach to be a little more charismatic. I respect Coach Bower tremendously. I think he does a great job managing the program. His players get an education and he recruits character. He wins, but I would like to see more wins. Many, myself included, suspect that he is intimately involved in the play calling which is why we suck hind teet in offensive performance regardless of who the OC is. That is merely specualtion, but I tend to believe it. As far as the Anti-Bower, Anti-Flemming contingency on EagleTalk, I will say that there are a few Anti-Bower folks, and a few Anti-Thames folks that post on the board, but it is for the most part a rah, rah board and posts of that nature are blasted and criticized by other posters. I think some are Anti-Flemming, but it is really more the fact that they are pro-Thames. Personally, I liked Flemming a lot. He came to an alumni function I planned here in Montgomery and was awesome. I sent him an e-mail the day I heard about his resignation and got a nice reply the very day the rejected the one year contract offer. He was a class act and I think Southern Miss would have been better for keeping him as President."

ABD - I like your attitude and your comments. Sounds like you've got your head screwed on straight and your priorities in proper perspective and thoughtfully organized.

Date: Apr 7, 2005

Nah, even a broken clock is right twice a day

Thanks nonetheless.

Date: Apr 7, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: ABD
"I post on Eagle Talk a lot and I have never seen one poster suggest that Southern Miss should cheat to win. In fact, most would prefer moderate success that is honestly earned than wild success by illegal methods. There is a strong anti-Bower contingency, but it isn't because he runs a clean program. I see it as more of a personality/interpersonal relations issue rather than that. "

ABD, I certainly respect your opinion & we have very similar views regarding USM athletics. However, I've often interpreted some folks at ET as holding the position that Bower isn't "aggressive" enough in recruiting. When I referred to "cheating to win" I was referring to exactly that -- getting marginal with recruiting.

I felt that a lot of the "enthusiasm" for Eustachy was that he was perceived as being more of a "risk taker" regarding recruitment methods.

Once a program starts "taking risks" & "getting marginal" it's on a slippery slope.

Date: Apr 7, 2005

I don't think of that as cheating but it is risky. I think Louisville took that route. They recruited players that some considered to be potential problems, partial qualifiers, etc. and won. However, I don't think that is the answer. I don't want success at all costs. Being in the same conference, I was embarassed at times by their thuggish behavior (see the stupid Liberty Bowl rap video, or the fight before the ECU game). I think we can be a winner without stooping to the bottom of the character barrell. We need to recruit players (good guys) that fit into a good system or develop a system to fit our players. Neither of those approaches seem to have been tried in the past.

As for Eustachy, I was excited about his arrival only because he had been successful at Iowa State. I knew nothing about his methods and still don't really. He says the right things and appears to have the program headed in the right direction, but only time will tell. I support my alma mater regardless of who the coach is. I like Bower, but wish he would change a few things. I will be critical of him when appropriate, but overall I am proud he is our coach. Same can be said for Corky and LE. We have some quality coaches in Hattiesburg right now. I just want to continue heading forward (admitedly on a shoestring budget).

Date: Apr 8, 2005

Jeff Bower is a class act, no wonder Thames doesn't "trust" him and has him nailed first on the hit list. Coaches and university presidents can just as quickly rise as they can fall. I'd like to see Mr. Jeff as the last man standing at USM.

R.I.P. Pope John Paul II

Date: Apr 8, 2005

Watching also. A great life. "They shall not see his like again."

Date: Apr 8, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: ABD
"I don't think of that as cheating but it is risky. I think Louisville took that route. They recruited players that some considered to be potential problems, partial qualifiers, etc. and won. However, I don't think that is the answer. I don't want success at all costs. Being in the same conference, I was embarassed at times by their thuggish behavior (see the stupid Liberty Bowl rap video, or the fight before the ECU game). I think we can be a winner without stooping to the bottom of the character barrell. We need to recruit players (good guys) that fit into a good system or develop a system to fit our players. Neither of those approaches seem to have been tried in the past. As for Eustachy, I was excited about his arrival only because he had been successful at Iowa State. I knew nothing about his methods and still don't really. He says the right things and appears to have the program headed in the right direction, but only time will tell. I support my alma mater regardless of who the coach is. I like Bower, but wish he would change a few things. I will be critical of him when appropriate, but overall I am proud he is our coach. Same can be said for Corky and LE. We have some quality coaches in Hattiesburg right now. I just want to continue heading forward (admitedly on a shoestring budget)."

To me, every time LE opens his mouth something freakish comes out (e.g. "there's a cloud over Hattiesburg and the program," etc. etc.). He's signing kids that have never seen USM's campus before, one of his assistants left him a "Dear John letter" mid-season and hasn't been heard from since, he beats LSU (only quality win) on Jasper J's back then dismisses him from the team, he left ISU a big loser (after Floyd's players all graduated), he is signing almost all JUCO players. Nothing he's doing can be considered big-time.

Date: Apr 8, 2005

I must admit, I have been surprised by some of the things LE has said in the press. I was especially concerned when he openly talked about the fact that the team wasn't very talented and many of them wouldn't be with the the team next year, and this was prior to the season beginning. Maybe it was some motivational gimmick, but I felt bad for those players and wondered what motivation they had to play hard.

As for JUCOs, he did inherit a pretty bad team and needs some players who can plug in a play immediately. I doubt that will be the norm once he is more established, but I don't know that for certain. He is apparently a strict disciplinarian and if players can't cope, they must be dismissed. Jasper had a lot of potential, but if you don't buy into your coach's philosophy, you are a barrier to success. It happens all the time (see James Green). I think Bower dismisses a fair number of players too and I have never seen one of them go somewhere else and be a standout player without behavioral problems.

In short, its too early to tell what LE will do. He was a big time coach before his problems. He knows what to do. I think he can take us to a level we have never seen, but that will take time and $$$. Those elements seem to be scarce for basketball at USM, so who knows.

Date: Apr 8, 2005

The problem with LE is that you can tell two stories using his own ISU performance data. Some are completely buying into the "he's a big-time coach" from the same data that others are using to evaluate him otherwise ("he might be an okay coach or less"). Half the time he won there (ISU) and the other half of his time there he lost. Which half is really him? Time will tell I suppose.

Date: Apr 8, 2005

If I'm not mistaken, he was a national coach of the year once, so the sports writers thought he was big time at lease for one season. Time will tell if that was a fluke. I hope not. I think Mr. G is a wise judge of character and he wouldn't take the risk of hiring LE with his baggage if he didn't think he was big time.

Date: Apr 8, 2005

Two of his ISU teams (I believe his first two) had good records, an earned #2 seeds in the NCAA tourney. The first of these advanced to the Elite 8, which is what a #2 seed is supposed to do. The fell at that point. The second of his #2 seeds has the dubious distinction of being one of only 3 (or so) #2 seeds to fall to a #15 seed since the NCAA tourney expanded to the 64/65 team format.

His last two seasons (combined) at ISU were losers. His recruiting was very suspect --- he won with other's players. Giannini is not infallible. All of his decisions aren't winners, like anyone. I suspect this was more someone else's decision anyway (higher up).

Date: Apr 8, 2005

Gianinni is a tyrant himself. He is cut out of SFT's mold, but he sends his wife to be the mouthpiece. It is not surprising that he hired Eustacy. This said, it was not wrong to give Eustacy a second chance. But it is disappointing to see that either he can't or won't life up to it.

Date: Apr 9, 2005

As one who has knowledge of the modus operandi of both Gianinni and Thames, I see very little difference between the two... other than Thames probably has a bit more brain power. Both have advanced their agenda in one way or another, but at the cost of valued personnel and to the university in general. Time will tell all...

Date: Apr 18, 2005

kickeronie

Date: Apr 22, 2005

kick