…for Bill Coen to go.

If Jim Madigan really does his job and overlook his friendship with Bill from a hockey and basketball perspective, he needs to go to the administration and buy out Coen. I know that’s two coaches they would owe money to (Shelly Morris from FH I believe is the other), but this program has become overly stale.

I mean how the hell do you not see any improvements? We’re just as bad as we were against BU in the opener. Nothing has changed and that pretty freakin’ hard to do.

If we’re going to win just 10 games a year, let’s do it with a new head coach and NONE of Coen’s assistants.

Thanks Bill for 17 years, but I’ve seen and had enough…

I'm not sure how I feel about this. He had a similar two year bad stretch ten years ago. His team brought in the top freshman class this year. I'd leave this one to Jim.

(02-25-2023 11:01 PM)NUGUY Wrote:  I'm not sure how I feel about this. He had a similar two year bad stretch ten years ago. His team brought in the top freshman class this year. I'd leave this one to Jim.

That was 4 years into his tenure. The program back then was still ascending and was still trying to find its way in this conference.

I don’t recall getting the doors blown off against the upper tier teams like he have the last two seasons.

This is so much different now. Plus he hasn’t adjusted to the portal to help get this program right.

(02-26-2023 03:14 PM)geewizNU Wrote:  

(02-25-2023 11:01 PM)NUGUY Wrote:  I'm not sure how I feel about this. He had a similar two year bad stretch ten years ago. His team brought in the top freshman class this year. I'd leave this one to Jim.

That was 4 years into his tenure. The program back then was still ascending and was still trying to find its way in this conference.

I don’t recall getting the doors blown off against the upper tier teams like he have the last two seasons.

This is so much different now. Plus he hasn’t adjusted to the portal to help get this program right.

The reason I'm torn is because of what happens these days when you fire a coach who is liked by his players.....they all leave. It's a huge decision so they better be sure that Coen is the problem.

I don't see a "portal problem." After a good 20-21 season they thrived in the portal bringing in Dgojo. Scott-Grayson, Pridgen and McClintock. After a terrible 21-22 season they made a lot of offers but no one wanted to come here.

I wish the portal never came along because we'd still have a point guard and I wish Richmond hadn't poached Weir because we wouldn't be thin up front. I also think the injury bug has hurt us more than most teams lately. This thing isn't clear cut for me.

Unfortunately, I do agree it's time. We have arguably been worse 2 years in a row at the end of the year (or at least no better). And we are getting smashed by quality opponents. These teams are not 30 points better. I feel like he has lost the kids. The prgram has no energy and the portal has been a bust, a situation that won't change. We need some new blood.

NU Guy,

Let me ask you this, did any of us expect that Coen would be the head coach this long? How many more years does he get? 20? 25?

I mean he’s only won two conference championships. He may be the winningest HC all time at NU, but he’s not the BEST HC. That still is Jim Calhoun.

This job isn’t a SCOTUS position. Even Madigan left as HC and he had just as much success in a shorter amount of time.

(02-28-2023 01:02 PM)geewizNU Wrote:  NU Guy,

Let me ask you this, did any of us expect that Coen would be the head coach this long? How many more years does he get? 20? 25?

I mean he’s only won two conference championships. He may be the winningest HC all time at NU, but he’s not the BEST HC. That still is Jim Calhoun.

This job isn’t a SCOTUS position. Even Madigan left as HC and he had just as much success in a shorter amount of time.

Well, the question of how long he would be our basketball coach never crossed my mind. I know of only one job that has term limits and although I like the idea of term limiting all politicians I wouldn't be in favor of term limits for basketball coaches.

Haven't posted in a while but read daily (no im not a troll). Geewiz hits the nail on the head, this program has been stale for a long time. He was hired and was mostly competitive during a different era of the CAA. Those good coaches and programs are long gone. Its not like Bill has been a masterclass in dominating a conference. Based on how much he is feared and respected around the CAA's fans and "Media" is his overall performance really that worthy of the praise he has received? He has the perfect job for him. He is at a school that will let you stick around if you and your players stay off the police blotter and win now an again. Just dont embarrass the U. He keeps his head down, doesn't ask for anything and just keeps moving it along. Attendance is tough all over, but Bill does absolutely NOTHING to create a buzz. He isn't incentivized to do so, but it sure doesn't help the team when the N Zone has Elementary School kids getting free tickets and a few other brave souls just sitting there to pass the time. The lighting now in the Arena is perfect to hide the sea of red seats. His inability to succeed and accept the portal as how things are done today and his reliance on a large freshman class is just poor roster management. Why would you bring in all those freshman (who all play the same position too) knowing that they could all walk at a moments notice is not a smart plan. If you ever watched Bill 's pre and post game pressers (yawn) through the years the one thing he has preached was that there is nothing like senior urgency. He doesn't have the luxury anymore of grooming kids for 4 years to get to that point. He hasn't adjusted. His staff is too insular. They were all nice players for NU, but I doubt any of them are pushing back. I think we all agree Bill's strength is identifying players, that is a blessing and a curse, better programs will take advantage and we will be left wondering why Bill is still our coach and why we are still in this conference watching games on an horrible platform. Sorry, this is a long time coming. We should expect better.

(03-01-2023 07:37 AM)Huskydog Wrote:  Haven't posted in a while but read daily (no im not a troll). Geewiz hits the nail on the head, this program has been stale for a long time. He was hired and was mostly competitive during a different era of the CAA. Those good coaches and programs are long gone. Its not like Bill has been a masterclass in dominating a conference. Based on how much he is feared and respected around the CAA's fans and "Media" is his overall performance really that worthy of the praise he has received? He has the perfect job for him. He is at a school that will let you stick around if you and your players stay off the police blotter and win now an again. Just dont embarrass the U. He keeps his head down, doesn't ask for anything and just keeps moving it along. Attendance is tough all over, but Bill does absolutely NOTHING to create a buzz. He isn't incentivized to do so, but it sure doesn't help the team when the N Zone has Elementary School kids getting free tickets and a few other brave souls just sitting there to pass the time. The lighting now in the Arena is perfect to hide the sea of red seats. His inability to succeed and accept the portal as how things are done today and his reliance on a large freshman class is just poor roster management. Why would you bring in all those freshman (who all play the same position too) knowing that they could all walk at a moments notice is not a smart plan. If you ever watched Bill 's pre and post game pressers (yawn) through the years the one thing he has preached was that there is nothing like senior urgency. He doesn't have the luxury anymore of grooming kids for 4 years to get to that point. He hasn't adjusted. His staff is too insular. They were all nice players for NU, but I doubt any of them are pushing back. I think we all agree Bill's strength is identifying players, that is a blessing and a curse, better programs will take advantage and we will be left wondering why Bill is still our coach and why we are still in this conference watching games on an horrible platform. Sorry, this is a long time coming. We should expect better.

Welcome to the board! I agree with with a lot of what you've posted but not everything which is why I'm not solid "fire Bill" guy. I kind of feel lIke you're describing Rudy Keeling rather than BIll Coen. Rudy was a nice guy and a real genteman but in his years here he never had a winning season. He was allowed to hang along too long. Coen has finished on top of.....or tied for first place.... four times and finished in second or third place a few other times. I also think that it's fair to say that he is considered among the top coaches in the league. I'm still on the fence.

(03-01-2023 10:30 AM)NUGUY Wrote:  

(03-01-2023 07:37 AM)Huskydog Wrote:  Haven't posted in a while but read daily (no im not a troll). Geewiz hits the nail on the head, this program has been stale for a long time. He was hired and was mostly competitive during a different era of the CAA. Those good coaches and programs are long gone. Its not like Bill has been a masterclass in dominating a conference. Based on how much he is feared and respected around the CAA's fans and "Media" is his overall performance really that worthy of the praise he has received? He has the perfect job for him. He is at a school that will let you stick around if you and your players stay off the police blotter and win now an again. Just dont embarrass the U. He keeps his head down, doesn't ask for anything and just keeps moving it along. Attendance is tough all over, but Bill does absolutely NOTHING to create a buzz. He isn't incentivized to do so, but it sure doesn't help the team when the N Zone has Elementary School kids getting free tickets and a few other brave souls just sitting there to pass the time. The lighting now in the Arena is perfect to hide the sea of red seats. His inability to succeed and accept the portal as how things are done today and his reliance on a large freshman class is just poor roster management. Why would you bring in all those freshman (who all play the same position too) knowing that they could all walk at a moments notice is not a smart plan. If you ever watched Bill 's pre and post game pressers (yawn) through the years the one thing he has preached was that there is nothing like senior urgency. He doesn't have the luxury anymore of grooming kids for 4 years to get to that point. He hasn't adjusted. His staff is too insular. They were all nice players for NU, but I doubt any of them are pushing back. I think we all agree Bill's strength is identifying players, that is a blessing and a curse, better programs will take advantage and we will be left wondering why Bill is still our coach and why we are still in this conference watching games on an horrible platform. Sorry, this is a long time coming. We should expect better.

Welcome to the board! I agree with with a lot of what you've posted but not everything which is why I'm not solid "fire Bill" guy. I kind of feel lIke you're describing Rudy Keeling rather than BIll Coen. Rudy was a nice guy and a real genteman but in his years here he never had a winning season. He was allowed to hang along too long. Coen has finished on top of.....or tied for first place.... four times and finished in second or third place a few other times. I also think that it's fair to say that he is considered among the top coaches in the league. I'm still on the fence.

Thank you - Rudy was super nice man but boy were his rosters awful. His 5 Seasons were a different time, place, era, school. Remember he was playing in the old AE and home games were in a pre & post renovated Cabot yuck. IIRC he was bringing in a ton of JUCO's and every year felt like a revolving door was in the locker room. Bill has had it much easier then the guys before him. He has a pristine school, larger budget a conference that is way more attractive then the regional AE and some semi recently updated facilities to sell to the recruit. Look, based on my knowledge, Bill aint going nowhere until he wants to retire. It would floor me and many others if Jim made a move here. If it happens? Look for it to come from Bill and not the other way around to save some face. Lastly, is Bill a nice guy? I guess so? He has been around a too long and is on the verge of going sub .500 for his overall career record. Its the definition of mediocrity. I just think its time for new ideas regardless of how far the program can be set back with transfers etc. I and others are ready. NU admins might not care enough though.

,quote='Huskydog' pid='18812055' dateline='1677697266']

(03-01-2023 10:30 AM)NUGUY Wrote:  

(03-01-2023 07:37 AM)Huskydog Wrote:  Haven't posted in a while but read daily (no im not a troll). Geewiz hits the nail on the head, this program has been stale for a long time. He was hired and was mostly competitive during a different era of the CAA. Those good coaches and programs are long gone. Its not like Bill has been a masterclass in dominating a conference. Based on how much he is feared and respected around the CAA's fans and "Media" is his overall performance really that worthy of the praise he has received? He has the perfect job for him. He is at a school that will let you stick around if you and your players stay off the police blotter and win now an again. Just dont embarrass the U. He keeps his head down, doesn't ask for anything and just keeps moving it along. Attendance is tough all over, but Bill does absolutely NOTHING to create a buzz. He isn't incentivized to do so, but it sure doesn't help the team when the N Zone has Elementary School kids getting free tickets and a few other brave souls just sitting there to pass the time. The lighting now in the Arena is perfect to hide the sea of red seats. His inability to succeed and accept the portal as how things are done today and his reliance on a large freshman class is just poor roster management. Why would you bring in all those freshman (who all play the same position too) knowing that they could all walk at a moments notice is not a smart plan. If you ever watched Bill 's pre and post game pressers (yawn) through the years the one thing he has preached was that there is nothing like senior urgency. He doesn't have the luxury anymore of grooming kids for 4 years to get to that point. He hasn't adjusted. His staff is too insular. They were all nice players for NU, but I doubt any of them are pushing back. I think we all agree Bill's strength is identifying players, that is a blessing and a curse, better programs will take advantage and we will be left wondering why Bill is still our coach and why we are still in this conference watching games on an horrible platform. Sorry, this is a long time coming. We should expect better.

Welcome to the board! I agree with with a lot of what you've posted but not everything which is why I'm not solid "fire Bill" guy. I kind of feel lIke you're describing Rudy Keeling rather than BIll Coen. Rudy was a nice guy and a real genteman but in his years here he never had a winning season. He was allowed to hang along too long. Coen has finished on top of.....or tied for first place.... four times and finished in second or third place a few other times. I also think that it's fair to say that he is considered among the top coaches in the league. I'm still on the fence.

Thank you - Rudy was super nice man but boy were his rosters awful. His 5 Seasons were a different time, place, era, school. Remember he was playing in the old AE and home games were in a pre & post renovated Cabot yuck. IIRC he was bringing in a ton of JUCO's and every year felt like a revolving door was in the locker room. Bill has had it much easier then the guys before him. He has a pristine school, larger budget a conference that is way more attractive then the regional AE and some semi recently updated facilities to sell to the recruit. Look, based on my knowledge, Bill aint going nowhere until he wants to retire. It would floor me and many others if Jim made a move here. If it happens? Look for it to come from Bill and not the other way around to save some face. Lastly, is Bill a nice guy? I guess so? He has been around a too long and is on the verge of going sub .500 for his overall career record. Its the definition of mediocrity. I just think its time for new ideas regardless of how far the program can be set back with transfers etc. I and others are ready. NU admins might not care enough though.
[/quote]

I suspect that you're probably right about him not leaving this year. I think that us fans rarely have the facts necessary to make the decision. Jim M has the facts and he might stage it as Coen's decision but I have no doubts that he would take action if action warranted.

I remember when Hagar was the football coach. We had one of the tailgate spots at the end of the field and got to know a lot of the players parents. Whenever the coaches name came up the conversation would usually end with, "this isn't NDSU. The players are different. He doesn't relate well to our kids." He HAD lost the team. That's an example of information that, as fans, we don't usually have but the AD does have.

God rest his soul, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around why Rudy Keeling would be mentioned in this post... Other than being nice guys, there's no comparison to what he had to what Bill has.

I really like you're comments HuskyDog and welcome.

"four times and finished in second or third place a few other times. I also think that it's fair to say that he is considered among the top coaches in the league."

Yes, without a doubt he has the respect from coaches and media around the CAA, but in 17 years... having NU tied for first place just four times and finishing in in the upper tier a few others is nice, but we should have more NCAA appearances. No?

Where's NU's 26-29 win regular seasons? Other teams like UNCW, CofC, Hofstra and Mason, ODU when they were here had big regular seasons that put you in at least the conversation for an at-large. Bill hasn't had that at NU. Why? We play tough Power 5 competition I agree, but we also lose games or play down to competition during his tenure too.

And I'm pretty sure Bill has received the Rocky Hager treatment with parents. I know for sure if you ask Jay Murphy (Tomas' dad), he won't have nice words about Coen.

At the end of the day NUGuy, I'm not trying to convince you of a change, I'm just giving you my reasons why.

(03-01-2023 08:25 PM)geewizNU Wrote:  God rest his soul, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around why Rudy Keeling would be mentioned in this post... Other than being nice guys, there's no comparison to what he had to what Bill has.

I really like you're comments HuskyDog and welcome.

"four times and finished in second or third place a few other times. I also think that it's fair to say that he is considered among the top coaches in the league."

Yes, without a doubt he has the respect from coaches and media around the CAA, but in 17 years... having NU tied for first place just four times and finishing in in the upper tier a few others is nice, but we should have more NCAA appearances. No?

Where's NU's 26-29 win regular seasons? Other teams like UNCW, CofC, Hofstra and Mason, ODU when they were here had big regular seasons that put you in at least the conversation for an at-large. Bill hasn't had that at NU. Why? We play tough Power 5 competition I agree, but we also lose games or play down to competition during his tenure too.

And I'm pretty sure Bill has received the Rocky Hager treatment with parents. I know for sure if you ask Jay Murphy (Tomas' dad), he won't have nice words about Coen.

At the end of the day NUGuy, I'm not trying to convince you of a change, I'm just giving you my reasons why.

Wiz.....I respect your opinion. I just don't agree with it. Sorry.

Geewiz - thanks. And I agree about Rudy. RIP. No knock on the man. Was a curious and lazy job by Barry at the time poaching from a conference rival. Completely agree with you on the state of this program. Your facts are undeniable. We have had some quality wins over power 5 teams through the years but cant dominate a watered down CAA. I have said it before and will again, coaches at this level shouldn't be at a program for 17 years. You win, get the next big gig and move on. If you are around this long with a .500 record you found the right place obviously. Again, attendance at NU is always hard to come by, but we are seeing NAC level attendance in the arena again and that should speak volumes. NUGUY - Hager was another nice man who was there to help force NU s#it or get off the pot with football. We all know how that went. Obviously there are things we don't and shouldn't know. Parents of the players are a funny water to navigate. I have spent time with many, their ability to separate reality from fantasy in regards to who their kid is and what they are capable of is typically littered with the blame game and whining about the coach not doing something. Jim has the facts, zero doubt about it. What is the appetite for change? What we think is really just for these boards, but I know they peek here and there. Last thing on this, Bill being here 17 years created this narrative that he is an NU man and should be celebrated because of this. He has kept the program tidy and consistent. That's nice when we are talking about the librarian or the person who ran the bookstore, not competitive sports. He has long ran his course at NU. We deserve better.

(03-02-2023 07:49 AM)Huskydog Wrote:  Geewiz - thanks. And I agree about Rudy. RIP. No knock on the man. Was a curious and lazy job by Barry at the time poaching from a conference rival. Completely agree with you on the state of this program. Your facts are undeniable. We have had some quality wins over power 5 teams through the years but cant dominate a watered down CAA. I have said it before and will again, coaches at this level shouldn't be at a program for 17 years. You win, get the next big gig and move on. If you are around this long with a .500 record you found the right place obviously. Again, attendance at NU is always hard to come by, but we are seeing NAC level attendance in the arena again and that should speak volumes. NUGUY - Hager was another nice man who was there to help force NU s#it or get off the pot with football. We all know how that went. Obviously there are things we don't and shouldn't know. Parents of the players are a funny water to navigate. I have spent time with many, their ability to separate reality from fantasy in regards to who their kid is and what they are capable of is typically littered with the blame game and whining about the coach not doing something. Jim has the facts, zero doubt about it. What is the appetite for change? What we think is really just for these boards, but I know they peek here and there. Last thing on this, Bill being here 17 years created this narrative that he is an NU man and should be celebrated because of this. He has kept the program tidy and consistent. That's nice when we are talking about the librarian or the person who ran the bookstore, not competitive sports. He has long ran his course at NU. We deserve better.

One last thought from me. Although I would call myself an optomist I'm not optomistic about the short term future of the team either. 21-22 was a horrible experience but I was hopeful that a quality PG would be available in the portal and be receptive to the "we just had one bad year/we are a contender most years argument" It didn't work. We offered a lot of PG's but no one wanted to join a team that had won a grand total o's two league games. What is our argument this year? Plus, five of the six freshmen were given plenty of time to show what they could contribute. By the end of the year the minutes for a couple of them had evaporated. Even though there is the potential for future improvement the portal is now there as an option for them.

I looked up your average home attendance in the CAA:

2005-2006: 2,009 (senior Jose Juan Barea was Player of the Year)
2006-2007: 1,274
2007-2008: 1,445
2008-2009: 2,041
2009-2010: 2,069
2010-2011: 2,281
2011-2012: 1,331
2012-2013: 2,016
2013-2014: 1,174
2014-2015: 1,254
2015-2016: 1,787 (David Walker led the CAA in scoring)
2016-2017: 1,329 (TJ Williams won Player of the Year)
2017-2018: 1,142
2018-2019: 1,115
2019-2020: 1,186
2020-2021: 0
2021-2022: 740
2022-2023: 942

You had low attendance from 2016-2017 on.