I’m just a little curious about a couple of quick items/questions related to some of the changes on our basketball staff that I have not seen addressed and I wanted to revist on the blog.
I know a lot of folks over on Pack Pride’s message boards have grown to severely dislike my Internet persona…but, I feel as thought that fatigue with my internet-based opinions sometime directly impact the CONTENT of some of (important) issues that I try to discuss. I feel like the following two topics were brushed aside far too quickly by the HSSSers last week and I would like to take this opportunity to revist the topics and invite many Wolfpackers to ‘on record’ with their personal opinions.
(#1) Mark Phelps Question Never Answered
Last week when Herb Sendek announced Archie’s promotion to the staff…I asked a question on the blog (and on the boards) that I felt was insightful, but that I never saw addressed by anyone. I’d just like some clarity from anyone who may have a more educated perspective on this.
Sendek’s press release stated that “Mark Phelps, who has spent the last five years as an assistant coach for the Wolfpack, has been named Director of Scouting and Recruiting Coordinator.”
So — does this move to Director of Scouting and Recruiting Coordinator mean that Phelps has been relieved of his Assistant Coaching position and therefore State still has an open coaching position available?
Does anyone know? This statement is fuzzy and open to a lot of interpretation that certainly was never clarified in the press and I never saw addressed.
(#2) The NBA / Sidney Lowe Conversation
Shortly before the announcement became public, I posted what I felt was a pretty interesting issue related to the NC State Basketball Program’s lack of NBA success over the last decade and how it, if not addressed, will negatively impact the program’s recruiting in the future. I also proposed Sidney Lowe as the primary name that I felt could immediately help our program’s deficiency.
In the HSSS love-fest that followed the announcement of Archie Miller, it was easy for the gang to just close their eyes and ignore this issue.
Therefore, I wanted to elevate it again now that we have had some time to digest the status of our current staff. I’ve heard some really great things about Archie Miller and I think that his addition to the staff is generally a wonderful proposition.
So, the issue isn’t about Archie…the issue is about our program’s position for future recruiting success in light of our direct competition. I would like to hear your opinion on if you think Archie’s addition is enough to mitigate a 10 year problem in the program whose head guy has not changed? (and, I’m obviously wondering if the Phelps announcement is more significant than it looks on the surface). Does another position currently exist on staff that might be used to help with this problem?
So, am I off-base on the significance of our dearth of NBA success on the recruiting trail? What are your opinions about this issue and the way to remedy it (or do you not feel it is an issue at all)?
I really would like to see a lot of people go ‘on record’ about this issue. Thanks.
