This is NOT a Bad Hire.

#1
Ravenheart

Ravenheart

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#1
Although I'm sure we could have done better, I must say that the hiring of Cuonzo Martin as our new basketball coach is a nice step in the right direction.

I will admit that I had never heard of Coach Zo until tonight. But after doing some research on him, I am impressed with him and what he brings to the table. Here is the press release from utsports.com. Apologies if this has already been posted.

UT Names Cuonzo Martin Basketball Coach University of Tennessee Athletics

As you can see, Missouri State's teams were abysmal before Zo's arrival. Overall, he was 61-41 in three seasons there, and improved his teams from 3-15 in MVC play in his first season to 15-3 in his third. Not too shabby, in my opinion. That goes without saying, his teams look impressive; very sound, hard-nosed, and disciplined. How his schemes will fare here at Tennessee and in the SEC remains to be seen, but for the most part, I like what I see so far.

He is also a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1997, but he is in full remission. He has worked tirelessly to raise awareness for cancer research. One can bet that the annual OUTLIVE game will have much more meaning than ever before.

I am not disappointed. Could we have done better? Possibly. But right now, I offer no complaints.

Welcome to Rocky Top, Coach Zo! Big Orange Country is behind you every step of the way! :rock: :loco:
 
#3
#3
There's no reason to complain. He's here and he's our coach. Might as well back him. Same as with Dooley. Go Coach Zo!
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#7
#7
Glad to see some fans are finally realizing this is a very good hire for UT basketball.
 
#8
#8
Haters quit hatin' now it is all about the "ZO SHOW" in Knoxville. And the ZO will bring it....believe that!

uthoops_cuonzo_martin_t300.jpg
 
#9
#9
Looking at the program at Missouri State, this likes like a pretty good hire. Certainly seems like he turned around their program. He is up for the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award, which is for the best Mid-Major Coach and the Ben Jobe Coach of the year, which is for the best Minority Coach of the year. When you just like at the numbers of 61 and 41, that doesn't look real good, but he is 50 and 21 over the last two seasons. Good numbers there! He was also 36 and 3 at home over that last two years! I like that too!

Here is another plus maybe. He played pro for four years with short stints at Milwaukee and Vancouver. He also played in the Continental League and over in Italy. Just maybe he can get Tobias and Hopson to stay.
 
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#15
#15
With AA situation couldn't really expect a "name" coach. I'm not disappointed because my expectations were never as high as most on this board. TN has always went cheap and easy when it comes to hiring. I hope we have found a diamond in the ruff. GO VOLS!
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#17
#17
This is a terrible hire, due to timing more than anything. The same caliber coach as Cuonzo could have been had in two weeks; why the urgency to get him? Moreover, why the ludicrous sum of money we are throwing his way (someone posted $1.3-1.5M)?

Making this hire now proves that Hamilton not only never felt we could get a Shaka, Stevens, Manning, or Larry Brown type of coach, it shows that he did not even feel like trying.

The only way this looks like a good hire is if Hamilton had made it a week or two after the tournament, after being publicly rebuffed by a more proven coach.

* Apparently, being a cancer survivor is a coaching qualification, according to the OP? This guy isn't winning any Tour de France's anytime soon.
 
#18
#18
oklavol said:
I looked it up, Missouri State made 5 out 6 NCAA tournaments from 87-92 and the sweet 16 in 99. They have had success in the past.

Missouri State Bears - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Click to expand...

Tenn Ted said:
Looking at the program at Missouri State, this likes like a pretty good hire. Certainly seems like he turned around their program. He is up for the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award, which is for the best Mid-Major Coach and the Ben Jobe Coach of the year, which is for the best Minority Coach of the year. When you just like at the numbers of 61 and 41, that doesn't look real good, but he is 50 and 21 over the last two seasons. Good numbers there! He was also 36 and 3 at home over that last two years! I like that too!
Click to expand...

Good information, guys. Hopefully, Zo can reestablish that home-court advantage at "The Summitt.".
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#21
#21
not a bad hire, a TERRIBLE hire.

WE ARE TENNESSEE. We don't hiring rising stars, we hire PROVEN WINNERS.
 
#22
#22
therealUT said:
This is a terrible hire, due to timing more than anything. The same caliber coach as Cuonzo could have been had in two weeks; why the urgency to get him? Moreover, why the ludicrous sum of money we are throwing his way (someone posted $1.3-1.5M)?

Making this hire now proves that Hamilton not only never felt we could get a Shaka, Stevens, Manning, or Larry Brown type of coach, it shows that he did not even feel like trying.

The only way this looks like a good hire is if Hamilton had made it a week or two after the tournament, after being publicly rebuffed by a more proven coach.

* Apparently, being a cancer survivor is a coaching qualification, according to the OP? This guy isn't winning any Tour de France's anytime soon.
Click to expand...

Heck we may have been able to even get Kansas HC Bill Self as well after that performance today right? :birgits_giggle: :cray: :lolabove:
 
#25
#25
therealUT said:
This is a terrible hire, due to timing more than anything. The same caliber coach as Cuonzo could have been had in two weeks; why the urgency to get him? Moreover, why the ludicrous sum of money we are throwing his way (someone posted $1.3-1.5M)?

Making this hire now proves that Hamilton not only never felt we could get a Shaka, Stevens, Manning, or Larry Brown type of coach, it shows that he did not even feel like trying.

The only way this looks like a good hire is if Hamilton had made it a week or two after the tournament, after being publicly rebuffed by a more proven coach.

* Apparently, being a cancer survivor is a coaching qualification, according to the OP? This guy isn't winning any Tour de France's anytime soon.
Click to expand...

Whyumad?
The fact that he is a cancer survivor provides for a great story about his life. Anyone who can beat this disease the way he did has to have an extraordinary amount of will and strength. For all we know, it could be a large part of what makes his teams tough and focused; his players could be inspired to play with such toughness and intensity.

I agree that Hamilton is inept, but that does not mean tha Zo's hiring was terrible. So far, there are lots of things that I have seen that has convinced me and others here otherwise.

He's here, and he's our coach. Let's get behind him.
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