NMSUPistolPete
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RE: Menzies' firing
Given that UNLV hired a coach like Otzelberger as Menzies' replacement, the Administration should have given Menzies one more season to build the Rebel program. Menzies would have returned virtually his whole roster. And, in his 4th year, would have positioned his Rebel squad to compete for a MWC championship; given that all of Nevada's 5th-year seniors are now gone.
I guess with Utah State's immediate success hiring the former South Dakota coach (Craig Smith), the UNLV AD thought she would follow suit by hiring the South Dakota State coach; hoping to catch lightening in a bottle in the same fashion. Unless TJ Otzelburger has a "Nemmias Queta" up his sleeve like Utah State's Craig Smith, I doubt UNLV will see similar results.
Menzies is a good hire for a mid-major school who is patient/willing to give Menzies the time to build the program; about four to five years to see positive results. He will not build a top 25 program (i.e. Buffalo, Wofford, or Nevada) but he will bring in above average talent (for a mid-major) to a program and build a perennial 20-plus win team each season which can compete for conference championships.
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03-30-2019 02:48 AM |
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Trod0
2nd String
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RE: Menzies' firing
(03-30-2019 02:48 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote: Given that UNLV hired a coach like Otzelberger as Menzies' replacement, the Administration should have given Menzies one more season to build the Rebel program. Menzies would have returned virtually his whole roster. And, in his 4th year, would have positioned his Rebel squad to compete for a MWC championship; given that all of Nevada's 5th-year seniors are now gone.
I guess with Utah State's immediate success hiring the former South Dakota coach (Craig Smith), the UNLV AD thought she would follow suit by hiring the South Dakota State coach; hoping to catch lightening in a bottle in the same fashion. Unless TJ Otzelburger has a "Nemmias Queta" up his sleeve like Utah State's Craig Smith, I doubt UNLV will see similar results.
Menzies is a good hire for a mid-major school who is patient/willing to give Menzies the time to build the program; about four to five years to see positive results. He will not build a top 25 program (i.e. Buffalo, Wofford, or Nevada) but he will bring in above average talent (for a mid-major) to a program and build a perennial 20-plus win team each season which can compete for conference championships.
In his final year here he didn’t make the tournament and he was established here for 9 years. If he was still out coach, we wouldn’t be competing for the wac title. I don’t think he could turn a mid major program around. NMSU did more for his resume than what he really is. He’d make a great school counselor, but as far as a head coach he doesn’t have it. I’m sure he’ll get hired again somewhere just because his resume but he will never see the NCAA tournament again as a head coach.
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03-31-2019 03:50 PM |
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NMSUPistolPete
All American
Posts: 4,335
Joined: Jun 2005
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I Root For: NMSU
Location: AZ
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RE: Menzies' firing
(03-31-2019 03:50 PM)Trod0 Wrote: (03-30-2019 02:48 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote: Given that UNLV hired a coach like Otzelberger as Menzies' replacement, the Administration should have given Menzies one more season to build the Rebel program. Menzies would have returned virtually his whole roster. And, in his 4th year, would have positioned his Rebel squad to compete for a MWC championship; given that all of Nevada's 5th-year seniors are now gone.
I guess with Utah State's immediate success hiring the former South Dakota coach (Craig Smith), the UNLV AD thought she would follow suit by hiring the South Dakota State coach; hoping to catch lightening in a bottle in the same fashion. Unless TJ Otzelburger has a "Nemmias Queta" up his sleeve like Utah State's Craig Smith, I doubt UNLV will see similar results.
Menzies is a good hire for a mid-major school who is patient/willing to give Menzies the time to build the program; about four to five years to see positive results. He will not build a top 25 program (i.e. Buffalo, Wofford, or Nevada) but he will bring in above average talent (for a mid-major) to a program and build a perennial 20-plus win team each season which can compete for conference championships.
In his final year here he didn’t make the tournament and he was established here for 9 years. If he was still out coach, we wouldn’t be competing for the wac title. I don’t think he could turn a mid major program around. NMSU did more for his resume than what he really is. He’d make a great school counselor, but as far as a head coach he doesn’t have it. I’m sure he’ll get hired again somewhere just because his resume but he will never see the NCAA tournament again as a head coach.
If perennially average coach Ritchie McKay (former Lobo coach) can make it to the NCAA tournament this season with Liberty (29-7) and actually win a round of 64 game, then Menzies is capable of taking another mid-major program to the NCAA tournament as well.
There is no denying the rest of the WAC had caught NMSU in Menzies final season. NMSU still had the best talent in the conference but Menzies could be out coached. If he had stayed at NMSU, he would have had difficulty keeping NMSU above the fray. The timing of his departure benefited NMSU.
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03-31-2019 10:12 PM |
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Trod0
2nd String
Posts: 438
Joined: Mar 2016
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RE: Menzies' firing
(03-31-2019 10:12 PM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote: (03-31-2019 03:50 PM)Trod0 Wrote: (03-30-2019 02:48 AM)NMSUPistolPete Wrote: Given that UNLV hired a coach like Otzelberger as Menzies' replacement, the Administration should have given Menzies one more season to build the Rebel program. Menzies would have returned virtually his whole roster. And, in his 4th year, would have positioned his Rebel squad to compete for a MWC championship; given that all of Nevada's 5th-year seniors are now gone.
I guess with Utah State's immediate success hiring the former South Dakota coach (Craig Smith), the UNLV AD thought she would follow suit by hiring the South Dakota State coach; hoping to catch lightening in a bottle in the same fashion. Unless TJ Otzelburger has a "Nemmias Queta" up his sleeve like Utah State's Craig Smith, I doubt UNLV will see similar results.
Menzies is a good hire for a mid-major school who is patient/willing to give Menzies the time to build the program; about four to five years to see positive results. He will not build a top 25 program (i.e. Buffalo, Wofford, or Nevada) but he will bring in above average talent (for a mid-major) to a program and build a perennial 20-plus win team each season which can compete for conference championships.
In his final year here he didn’t make the tournament and he was established here for 9 years. If he was still out coach, we wouldn’t be competing for the wac title. I don’t think he could turn a mid major program around. NMSU did more for his resume than what he really is. He’d make a great school counselor, but as far as a head coach he doesn’t have it. I’m sure he’ll get hired again somewhere just because his resume but he will never see the NCAA tournament again as a head coach.
If perennially average coach Ritchie McKay (former Lobo coach) can make it to the NCAA tournament this season with Liberty (29-7) and actually win a round or 64 game, then Menzies is capable of taking another mid-major program to the NCAA tournament as well.
There is no denying the rest of the WAC had caught NMSU in Menzies final season. NMSU still had the best talent in the conference but Menzies could be out coached. If he had stayed at NMSU, he would have had difficulty keeping NMSU above the fray. The timing of his departure benefited NMSU.
Very true about McKay, I just don’t think MM has it in him to pull it off.
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03-31-2019 10:45 PM |
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