(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.