We're about to blow it and hire Doc Sadler. Unbelievable how stupid our athletic department is.

(04-11-2021 01:03 PM)STexMiner Wrote:  

(04-11-2021 11:41 AM)chrisattsu Wrote:  

(04-11-2021 01:28 AM)Wiessman Wrote:  I am a Rice alum, and I spent a few years of my life in El Paso way back when. UTEP was consistently ranked in basketball during those years, and weekday nights at the SEC (that's what it was called back then) were often electric courtesy of the Miners. Duels with the hated BYU Cougars and New Mexico Lobos (both of whom were also ranked on occasion) whipped UTEP crowds into a frenzy, and those games often turned into tense and rancorous battles for pole position in the WAC.

Also, John Thompson honored Don Haskins in the 1980s by giving UTEP a home-and-home series when Georgetown was THE major power in college basketball. Thompson did that for few of his colleagues, but he respected Haskins and the history of the UTEP program just that much. The first game of that agreement occurred in El Paso when Georgetown was ranked fifth, and UTEP ran Georgetown out of the gym in front of a full house.

El Paso used to be such a great college basketball town, and this is why I desperately hope that UTEP finally finds a coach that can sustain some success there. Unfortunately, I agree with what Tim Floyd said on his way out: UTEP needs to be in a conference in the western U.S. Until this happens, I think UTEP will continue to struggle in most sports, even the ones the school has the potential to do well in. Here's to hoping that UTEP's next hire in basketball proves me wrong.

UTEP fans, would a western conference (MWC and 1+ other Texas schools) be preferable to a CUSA that stretches to the Atlantic?


Edit i am going to stay on topic,
would your basketball program see higher attendance and be more successful in a regionalized conference or one that provides national exposure?

I don't think it's a geographical issue. It's a winning issue. The old guard fans don't think we should be fighting tooth and nail to get into the conference tournament each year, and the younger fans only know UTEP as a mediocre program. North, east, south, or west, win and people will start coming back.

Thanks for the response. I agree winning solves everything.

(04-12-2021 05:34 PM)STexMiner Wrote:  Been percolating on our Rivals board, but Doc Sadler might be the frontrunner.

I am curious why the hate for Doc? I’m not familiar with him but just looking at his head coaching record he seems to be a builder that has previously had success with UTEP. Don’t roast me lol, I’m genuinely interested why everyone is upset.

(04-13-2021 09:48 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  I am curious why the hate for Doc? I’m not familiar with him but just looking at his head coaching record he seems to be a builder that has previously had success with UTEP. Don’t roast me lol, I’m genuinely interested why everyone is upset.

Doc Sadler is a retread. It's not hate. But any school wanting a fresh start typically likes to avoid retread hires when possible.

(04-13-2021 09:48 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  I am curious why the hate for Doc? I’m not familiar with him but just looking at his head coaching record he seems to be a builder that has previously had success with UTEP. Don’t roast me lol, I’m genuinely interested why everyone is upset.

Most of us see this as a golden opportunity to really upgrade the position. Sadler is 60 and opted out of head coaching a few years ago. He is not going to energize the fanbase like some other candidates would and while we see him as a good x and o coach, he is not a very good recruiter. He has not helped Nebraska as an assistant much so I think he has passed his prime.

Golding or Tang would be better. Much better.

(04-13-2021 12:23 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Golding or Tang would be better. Much better.

No way. Sadler was able to get Southern Miss to the first round of the CBI and it only took five years. His record improved every year and definitely would have had USM in the 1st round of the NIT in four or five years if he had stayed

I think Doc is a good coach. I don't think he would have the energy, drive, or determination a younger coach would. I think he would improve things some at UTEP, but don't think he would get the Miners where they want to go. Though, he would get 3 or 4 NAIA cupcake wins every year to help the record if the AD allowed him to.

I'll answer Doc questions later. Latest info is that it's down to Golding or Sadler. Basically the fans #1 choice vs the least desired candidate.

MAN. What an easy choice. Golding with more upside.

What a roller-coaster ride. UTEP will hire Golding. Solid imo.

Great hire and the west is becoming a lockdown defensive division (mostly)...

UNT
Tech
UAB
UTEP

all four school have very good defensive coaches. I'm jealous of this hire because I love the mindset Joe Golding teaches on defense. Not only teaches but gets his players to buy all in. Same can be said for the other 3 on the list when it comes to defense.

(04-13-2021 09:48 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  I am curious why the hate for Doc? I’m not familiar with him but just looking at his head coaching record he seems to be a builder that has previously had success with UTEP. Don’t roast me lol, I’m genuinely interested why everyone is upset.

Sadler inherited a tournament team from Gillispie, took that team to the tournament again, and then bolted for "greener" pastures after a serviceable second season. In his two years at UTEP, Sadler looked to be a decent coach, but he wasn't going to be able to maintain the standard that Gillispie set there, and I think he instantly knew that. (I get leaving UTEP for a P5 job, but for Nebraska? In basketball?)

That was, what, 15 years ago? So Sadler wasn't really a good fit for UTEP then, but he would be now? In the intervening years, UTEP has had at least one genuine top-25 team (the Barbee one led by Caracter that lost to national runner-up Butler), so given that season and UTEP's history, it should be possible to do more than tread water there. I think that hiring Sadler would ensure that UTEP would be treading water for the foreseeable future.

As for winning curing everything, sure it does, but that is much easier said than done. A part of winning is generating a buzz around a program by having opponents that fans care about, and I don't think UTEP's fans care about many of their opponents in CUSA right now. The whole vibe around UTEP's program was different in the old WAC; it felt as if all of those schools had some common geographic and cultural ground, Hawai'i notwithstanding. Unfortunately for the Miners, they have almost no options now to get back into a more suitable conference. I don't think they are welcome in the MWC (though they should be), and they aren't going to return to a heavily neutered WAC. So their only option right now is to win where they are; that's why this next hire is so crucial. UTEP needs a really talented and inspired coach to revive that program.

Edit: Golding gives UTEP some hope. Very good decision IMO.

Golding is what the fan base needs and I'm so happy UTEP made the right decision.

Congrats UTEP, good hire. This might swing the balance in our mildly disdainful rivalry.

CONGRATS to all the UTEP fans!!

(04-13-2021 09:58 PM)mturn017 Wrote:  Congrats UTEP, good hire. This might swing the balance in our mildly disdainful rivalry.

This hire can only fire up the 2000 miles of indifference!

Congratulations on the hire. I think Golding looks like a really good choice.

This was the right hire here. Good job UTEP AD.