MikeHamiltonFan
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Before the ball bounces in a game 6 months from now, I suspect we will already have several reasons to cheer for Coach Martin.
1. Retain, retain, retain, retain.
If Tobias does not seem likely to be a lottery pick after his workouts, I think it is likely that Coach Martin will be able to have Harris and Hopson and Ware and Jones all a part of the team next year.
2. Reenergize. Some have argued that Peyton Manning would struggle as a coach because he cannot relate to someone who lacks his gifts. Coach Martin made it in the NBA so he can relate to extremely talented athletes, but he grew tremendously as a player in college. He went from not hitting a single 3 pointer his freshman and sophomore years to hitting tons at a 45% clip as a junior and senior. If he can get guys like Woolridge, McRae, Maymon and Hall to realize all their opportunities to play and star, he can get the whole team working incredibly hard to defend and learn the offense he wants to run.
3. Recruit. Tennessee needs at least 1 big man in this class. If Coach Martin brings in a solid guy for that spot it will be a nice first step. He was heavily involved in bringing in the studs (Moore, Johnson and Hummell) that Purdue used to win lots of games.
4. Win the press conference and then win the fanbase. Bruce Pearl sold himself and he sold Tennessee basketball. He sold it to the fanbase, and he sold it to the student body. Coach Martin is a well spoken guy and he is also passionate. He is not going to paint his chest, but he should take full advantage of Big Orange Caravan type events and opportunities to address the Student Body as he seeks to build support for the team.
5. Restore Reputation. He can point to his role as a disciplinarian in assuring our fanbase that no Pilot's will be robbed, no bouncers will be attacked, no police officers will be stomped by his players. He will not bring a Ramar Smith into our program and let them deal. He is from East Saint Louis and is not going to get played by anyone.
6. Settle in. In part this means appreciating the history of UT basketball, and speaking positively about the contributions of Coach Pearl, Coach Devoe, Coach Mears etc. It means meeting Ernie and Allan and the few other folks who really matter historically in the life of the program. It means finding a good place to live, a good place to worship, a good school for your children. Bruce Pearl put down roots in Knoxville. Lane Kiffin never did. I think Coach Martin can take us to new heights, and I hope he settles in for what could be a strong decade of working in Knoxville.
I cannot wait to welcome him to Knoxville and I will be supporting him 100%.
If you have not read it, check out:
http://www.missouristatebears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13800&ATCLID=204998082
and watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxkKbjSrASE
1. Retain, retain, retain, retain.
If Tobias does not seem likely to be a lottery pick after his workouts, I think it is likely that Coach Martin will be able to have Harris and Hopson and Ware and Jones all a part of the team next year.
2. Reenergize. Some have argued that Peyton Manning would struggle as a coach because he cannot relate to someone who lacks his gifts. Coach Martin made it in the NBA so he can relate to extremely talented athletes, but he grew tremendously as a player in college. He went from not hitting a single 3 pointer his freshman and sophomore years to hitting tons at a 45% clip as a junior and senior. If he can get guys like Woolridge, McRae, Maymon and Hall to realize all their opportunities to play and star, he can get the whole team working incredibly hard to defend and learn the offense he wants to run.
3. Recruit. Tennessee needs at least 1 big man in this class. If Coach Martin brings in a solid guy for that spot it will be a nice first step. He was heavily involved in bringing in the studs (Moore, Johnson and Hummell) that Purdue used to win lots of games.
4. Win the press conference and then win the fanbase. Bruce Pearl sold himself and he sold Tennessee basketball. He sold it to the fanbase, and he sold it to the student body. Coach Martin is a well spoken guy and he is also passionate. He is not going to paint his chest, but he should take full advantage of Big Orange Caravan type events and opportunities to address the Student Body as he seeks to build support for the team.
5. Restore Reputation. He can point to his role as a disciplinarian in assuring our fanbase that no Pilot's will be robbed, no bouncers will be attacked, no police officers will be stomped by his players. He will not bring a Ramar Smith into our program and let them deal. He is from East Saint Louis and is not going to get played by anyone.
6. Settle in. In part this means appreciating the history of UT basketball, and speaking positively about the contributions of Coach Pearl, Coach Devoe, Coach Mears etc. It means meeting Ernie and Allan and the few other folks who really matter historically in the life of the program. It means finding a good place to live, a good place to worship, a good school for your children. Bruce Pearl put down roots in Knoxville. Lane Kiffin never did. I think Coach Martin can take us to new heights, and I hope he settles in for what could be a strong decade of working in Knoxville.
I cannot wait to welcome him to Knoxville and I will be supporting him 100%.
If you have not read it, check out:
http://www.missouristatebears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13800&ATCLID=204998082
and watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxkKbjSrASE
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