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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 14:57:06 GMT -5
Dunlap is the new LMU coach.
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Post by paperclip on Mar 12, 2014 15:05:09 GMT -5
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Post by vadlion on Mar 12, 2014 15:21:37 GMT -5
Let's hope he can keep our current players and recruits. This was in the works for a while to announce a hire this quickly.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 15:52:51 GMT -5
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Post by ALioninWinter on Mar 12, 2014 16:22:19 GMT -5
For those fans who have spent the past 5 years wishing for a coach who knew his x's and o's, you've now got what you wanted .... in spades.
Only time will tell if Dunlap is a good hire. Anything said now is merely conjecture. I did find it interesting to watch LMU's games over the past month. Once I found out about the hire, I started watching the games with an eye to how Dunlap probably would have prepared the Lions for each game. Dunlap is certainly a student of the technical aspects of the game and I understand his basic offensive and defensive mindsets. Especially on defense I watched the Lions get penetrated time after time and thought, "that probably would not have happened with a Dunlap defensive scheme." While we will probably see some significant personnel changes before next November, it would be really interesting to see how "Good's team" could perform under Dunlap.
Dunlap is a good coach and has a good track record. We will certainly see a more methodical approach to the game. Expect to see a very aggressive defense that will then key the offense. That's actually the premise Coach Good used. Unfortunately, Good didn't seem to have the ability to turn that idea into successful execution. Dunlap will know how to do that. On offense, we can expect to see a lot more offensive sets and methodology versus a free-wheeling approach. I think the days of a guy dribbling around for 20 seconds and then making a mad dash for the basket are over...........thankfully.
Will our current players and recruits want to stay? As I stated in a post last night, that's a decision each player will have to make. Each guy will assess how he thinks he can get along with Dunlap, and how we might fit into the way Dunlap plans to play the game. He's not going to be an easy coach to play for. He will demand a lot ... really A LOT. Are the guys ready for that commitment? Very few high school players and even a lot of college players don't understand the level of effort it takes to be truly successful in basketball. Dunlap understands and will be looking for guys who have that level of commitment. Guys like Elijah Stewart see the NBA as their ultimate goal. Dunlap is a coach who can help them get there. Hopefully, some of our better players recognize that their chances of "making it" have just improved.
Dunlap has a history of being too aggressive and downright abrasive. Hopefully, he has learned from past mistakes and now knows when to turn up the volume and when to turn it down. In addition to his players, a successful coach has to work with the AD, the university administration, alumni, parents and close relatives, AAU and high school coaches, the media and a whole bevy of other folks who have the ability to influence the coach's level of success or failure. That always involves varying degrees of diplomacy. Can Dunlap execute? Personally, I think that is where he will succeed or fail as LMU's coach.
Dunlap was let go in Charlotte after only a year in large part because he was too harsh on the players. Four and five hour practices do seem rather extreme. However, I believe he tripled the Bobcats' win total in the short time he was there. The NBA is different from college ball. It's loaded with prima donas who know they've already got it made; and the Bobcats were loaded with a virtual "NBA Prima Dona All-Star" team last year. At the college level, he will be dealing with guys who want to make it. That's a big difference. Guys will have to be committed. If they aren't they will drop out of the program, transfer, or whatever. You can expect Dunlap to put Commitment right at the top of his list of characteristics he will be looking for in his recruits.
We shouldn't have to worry about a dull off season. There should be plenty to talk about as events unfold over the next few months.
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Post by ADG'99 on Mar 12, 2014 18:32:20 GMT -5
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Post by slblions08 on Mar 12, 2014 19:34:22 GMT -5
I believe that Mike Dunlap will be rough like Max Good, but focus more on the fundamentals and be a rigid, structure oriented coach on game days. He might do some similar outbursts but it's because they'll be out there expected to do certain things.
I could see a guy like Evan Payne not wanting to play for Dunlap. Payne's game is all about dribble dribble and take a shot. He got that bad habit as a frosh by seeing how Max Good let Anthony do whatever he wanted. It was necessary because there was no offensive scheme that allowed for open shots or cuts to the basket. Payne's ability to penetrate, sort of, and take some step back shots bailed them out. However Dunlap would probably reign that in and it could disrupt what Payne wants to do. I'm also not sure about Stover, although it seems like his confidence to dribble and make offense was killed a long time ago.
I think Good's personality caused clashes and he alientated some guys, but the reason some better recruits showed up here and there was because they knew they could so whatever they wanted on the court and get away with it because there was no other option. It was the illusion of structure.
What I saw from Dunlap as the coach of St. John's when Lavin went down was impressive but he's definitely going to call a bunch of timeouts, do a lot of drawing, pointing and gesturing and maybe yelling. Kind of like Rex Walters is doing. The trick is, will Dunlap be a strong enough recruiter to get guys to come and then hire the right assistants to help mold these guys.
Definitely going to be a new look though and I'm excited and willing to give it a season or two to see what direction we're headed in. First recruiting classes were bad for both Tention and Good. I hope this Elijah Stewart kid still comes through because Dunlap showed in that on year that he could develop a scoring wing. While Maurice Harkless is bigger at 6-9, he did make him a bit more refined and had an offense that showcased his ability (got him to the NBA).
Also, expect a lot of the 1 - 1 - 3 zone on defense. This should hopefully improve our rebounding numbers, but he'll need to recruit a couple taller guards to defend the 3 that BYU and Gonzaga will bust next year.
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Post by husky on Mar 12, 2014 20:05:48 GMT -5
Great board with lots of knowledgeable posters. My first post. Staunch 30 Year Lion fan, 20 year season tickets + Lion’s Fund. User name id’s me as an over-weight U of Wash alum who, like most on the board, have suffered since the Westhead era. I realize I am not smart enough second guess Dr. Husak but I do fear we have at least a couple of disappointing seasons heading our way again. Nobody will ever confuse Max Good with John Wooden but I can’t hold him totally to blame for the past 2 years. The string of key injuries was pivotal and I disagree with posters that have him responsible for everything but the Lindbergh Kidnaping and the Chicago Fire. I believe we were finally on our best talent trajectory in over 2 decades, but se la vie. Just to reminisce, the Westhead/Gathers/Kimball era is unarguably the Zenith of Lion basketball and the benchmark for judging Lion success. Since then:
- Jay Hillock (90-92) had a hard act to follow, was slightly over 500 but dead last in WCC both years.
- John Olive (92-97) bright young assistant from a then premiere program (Villanova). One winning season, one 2nd place WCC finish, otherwise usually dead last in conference. Clearly weak recruits in the pipeline, bleak trajectory, now a HS coach.
- Charles Bradley (97-2000). Bright young successful head coach, National Div. II Champs (Metro State). Supposedly specialized in spotting “athleticism”. Relied on JUCO talent. Absolute nadir of Lion BB, dead last out of 200+ Div. 1 schools. More of same in pipeline. Now a failed JUCO Athletic Director.
- Steve Aggers (2000-05) Solid journeyman, took E. Wash to Big Sky Championship and NCAA berth, improved talent w/ Australian connection, one over 500 season (barely), dismal WCC record. Still around college athletics.
- Rodney Tension (05-08) another bright young assistant from a premiere program (Arizona). Modest early success with Aggers talent, #2 WCC, one shot away from tourney champ. /NCAA berth but a sub 500 season. Post 06 it was back to the cellar. Couldn’t id/recruit scorers, Super low talent trajectory. Resigned and returned to being a bright, not so young, assistant (now San Diego?) - Bill Bayno 08, another bright BB mind (albeit a troubled past) High expectations, “here comes the missing roar”, then WTF?
- Max Good, unknown to us, no real expectations, outstanding turn-a-round in 09-10 only 3rd over 500 year since Hillock, only 20+ win season in 2 decades (11-12), plagued with injuries. Excellent talent trajectory.
Which brings us to Mike Dunlap a seasoned veteran so least we won’t have to suffer through another “bright young assistant”. However we are re-plowing some ground. I notice Mike had twice as many National Championships at Metro State (2) than Charles Bradley, remember him? If one enjoyed being critical of Max Good’s vulgarity, looks like they won’t have to forgo anything with Mike. I fervently hope we can keep all or at least some of the current and projected players but the talent recruited by Max probably isn’t the “X’s and O’s type reportedly favored by Mike. In the same vein, an X’s and O’s coach normally doesn’t shy from employing zone defenses, something Max eschewed almost entirely. For better or worse, I’d bet Godwin and Dejay will be sacrificed for the scholarships which will probably go to JUCO transfers. Not sure about Patson, if he can move without sitting another, he may be gone. Payne and Gabe will be highly recruited but would have to sit out a year somewhere else so hopefully one or both will stick; still I don’t peg Payne as an X’s and O’s/zone D type. I hope we place strong efforts to keep Stuart and Cartwright; hopefully local boys will want to stay local. This late in the recruiting cycle JUCO players and maybe a stray 6th year senior from another program will have to take up the slack. Whatever happens I will be back in my seat next fall cheering for the Lions and optimistically expecting Mike Dunlap can somehow, at long last, “Restore the Roar.” GO LIONS!!!
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Post by ALioninWinter on Mar 12, 2014 20:29:37 GMT -5
If nothing else, the news of the last 24 hours has brought out the posters! Welcome Husky, as well as some of the other new names I've seen last night and today. Hopefully, you stay active and contribute your thoughts.
Not sure I liked your post. I mean it was a great summation of where LMU basketball has been since Westhead left; but, boy, was it depressing to read. At this point in time, mediocrity would look like stunning success!
I suspect you're right about Godwin and Deji. I don't think any of us know what to make of Patson Siame. What exactly was his status this season? Was he a red shirt? Can he transfer? I fully agree about Evan Payne. Of the current players, Gabe is probably the main guy you'd want to hold onto. Dunlap's already been talking to Stewart. I don't know about Cartwright. Both seem to have bright futures --- but we've heard that song before. Who knows.
Like I said before -- it's going to be an interesting off season!
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Post by LIONS90045 on Mar 12, 2014 21:23:37 GMT -5
Nice thoughtful post Husky - ditto to Winter's welcome comment and I hope you continue to contribute. Regarding Payne, I'm not sure he's such a "free wheeler" on the court as some have said. He made lots of stupid plays and fouls butseemed to want to learn how to do things right as indicated by his talks with the refs afterwards. My guess is he would welcome some structured learning from a coach who knows what it takes to advance his game. Re Gabe, I'm not sure why he chose LMU but he has enjoyed success on the court. I think he also wants to advance his skills like Payne. Re Godwin and Deji, I think Deji is the more important member of that pair with his all around play, including much needed height at the guard position. So maybe Evan and Gabe will hang around and build on their already impressive records at LMU. Sitting out a year would be dismal to me if I were a player with a prime interest in basketball.
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Post by lionfan24 on Mar 12, 2014 23:50:19 GMT -5
I honestly know nothing about Dunlap other than what has been posted and. Wasn't a huge Good fan like many on this board. Regardless I think a change was needed to pump some new blood into the program and time will tell if this was the right hire.
However the main problem has never been the coaches or players but Husak and his overall leadership as AD. Our athletic program as a whole is a joke and basketball being. Our main sport should take a greater priority in terms of success on the court than it has. If we can get rid of him I think it would do wonders for all our sports programs.
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Post by fanblade on Mar 12, 2014 23:57:19 GMT -5
I think this is a great choice for LMU. Mike Dunlap has been in contention for this position since Aggers, I believe. We should have probably tapped him earlier but it's great it finally happened. A lot of the established sports talkers are high on Dunlap. Plus the NBA connections work, Bayno worked magic the couple of months we had him attracting highly rated transfers.
It was pleasing to see what sort of talent Good was able to bring to LMU but his overall record was too mediocre to ignore.
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Post by t on Mar 13, 2014 4:00:11 GMT -5
…Was desperately basketball jonesing for Corey Gaines and was in slightly less of a tizzy for Wyking Jonesing, both former Lions and Saint Bernard Vikings, so the Mike Dunlap, former Lion and Lathrop Malamute, hire leaves me skeptical but spinning like a whirling dervish never-the-less, more for the erasure of the Max Good -God almighty did they really let him coach the team to four last place finishes in six years, topping out at fourth place twice and making it seem for some like the escalator to heaven was at mid-court but really it was just the back stairs in a Flannery O’Connor short story, and you have, merely, been a corpse for 89 years or so, minus the Paul Westhead half decade, and then suddenly, WHAMO! you are a zombie, sir or mam, and you are giddy like a school girl on Guy Fawkes day and those sensations sloshing around in your Tor Johnson brain puddle and drown your zombie mind in to believing, I’m a real boy?-era. My only hope is that Dunlap’s ability to teach and develop players far supersedes his egocentrism.
His ability to convince key players (current and incoming), and there are only three, to remain will be indicative of his success. Curiously, all of the four last place finishes under the Max Good Collective were in different positions: 2008/09 8th (last) 2010/11 7th tie (last) 2012/13 9th (last) BYU joined the conference. 2013/14 10th (last) Pacific joined the conference.
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Post by pumpfake on Mar 13, 2014 10:20:59 GMT -5
Mike “RoboCoach” Dunlap is an interesting selection. I have watched a bunch of his training videos, press conferences on youtube, and read some of his blog entries. In his training videos and blog pieces he breaks the game of basketball into EXTREMELY detailed bite-sized chunks. No question that, for him, basketball is a science and it is apparent where he gets his player development/game management tag. In my mind, his success will ultimately come down to a couple things. First, will his players buy in to what he’s selling? He seems like he’d be great at a basketball camp or coaching clinic but over a whole season (or four) his micromanaging tendencies might wear thin. His players are going to have to be “all in” on his approach. Another question, and this is huge, what does he bring from a human standpoint? Will he click with college kids on a personal level? In some of his videos and blog entries, he was dryly clinical in breaking down a concept. The few hits of personality that come through on his videos and press conferences showed hints of egocentrism, condescension, and sarcasm. Hopefully, my impression is wrong and he is the next Rick Majerus whose precision Marquette, Utah, and St. Louis teams were so fun to watch AND who was revered and respected by his players. Having shared my first impressions, I will give Mike the benefit of the doubt and really do hope that he succeeds. First order of biz, turn on the charm you have Mike and keep the core of our team and recruits at LMU. Onward Lions.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2014 10:52:06 GMT -5
I hope be brings in some assistants that can recruit. So far all I have heard from So CAL AAU folks is that his pompous character makes him not very well liked.
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