(02-14-2018 07:01 PM)CG_Hawk06 Wrote:  We often give a lot of the credit to the previous coaching staff, but Keatts wouldn't be making millions of dollars if it weren't for players like Talley that bought in regardless of who was at the helm, played every night like it was his last, and set this program back on a path to success. Enjoy the end of your senior season young man, and have fun out there!

Really good points. Keatts certainly had these things going for him:

1) Buzz Peterson left the program in better shape than it was before his arrival. Our APR issues were in the rear view window, and the talent he left behind was pretty good for a first-year HC.

2) Craig Ponder, a Hargrave Military kid who was familiar with Keatts, likely played a key role in keeping his teammates from transferring out.

3) Talley, as Keatts' first recruit, was the perfect new face to start his tenure with. He may not have been the best player on the floor in any of his 4 years here, but he was arguably the most IMPORTANT player from the Keatts' tenure.


Obviously, it was Keatts himself who brought in Talley, so only 2/3 of those things were ones he walked into. But getting his tenure off on the right foot helped set the table nicely for the following 2 seasons.