ACC Coaches on the Hotseat? Debated (Updated 2:10pm)

One has to wonder what the brain trust at the News and Observer knows that we don’t:

“With at least four ACC basketball coaches in some degree of trouble — Florida State’s Leonard Hamilton, Maryland’s Gary Williams, N.C. State’s Sidney Lowe and Virginia’s Dave Leaito” — Caulton Tudor, in “Finding The Next Coach”

This list is is a case of extreme subjectivity that Tudor typically does a better job of qualifying. To use Tudor’s words, I don’t argue that Coach Lowe is close to experiencing ‘some degree of trouble’…but what the hell does that mean? ‘Some degree’ of trouble is a long way from being a large enough degree to be publicly addressed in an article.

I think that Hamilton, Williams and Leaito are all clearly a step closer to the fire than Sidney Lowe – who is in the middle of just his third year and has been responsible for only a single recruiting class while at NC State. Additionally, Paul Hewitt – regardless of Derrick Favors – also must be included in any list of ‘Coaches on the Hotseat’ that would go as far down the list as Coach Lowe.

Tudor should have either (1) included Hewitt on his list or (2) excluded Coach Lowe to comprise a list whose members were held to consistent standards. All else being equal, Coach Lowe is probably 5th on a list of “Coaches in Trouble” in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

It would be major news if Sidney Lowe were in any real trouble at the moment. Sure, there’s grousing about the play of the team on the Internet; but the reality of the situation is that no real sign of Lowe being in any trouble has leaked out of the NC State camp. 

Fans can yack all the like on message boards, in comment sections of blogs and at the water-cooler, but that doesn’t make much of a difference where the rubber meets the road: in the ‘minds’ of the folks that run NC State’s ‘esteemed’ Athletics Department.  

Tudor, it seems, forgets that Wolfpack Athletic Director Lee Fowler doesn’t ever seem to think a coach has done a poor enough job to warrant dismissal — with the most recent debacle evidenced by Fowler’s preference to give Chuck Amato another year just two weeks before the Board of Trustees told Fowler to make a choice between his job or Amato’s.

In exactly twelve months from now, if the Wolfpack Basketball Program is in the exact same position as today then the time will have arrived for a different kind of conversation. But, Coach Lowe has not had a enough time to complete even half of a friggin recruiting cycle. Barring any misconduct, its likely he won’t – nor should he – be replaced until ample opportunity has flushed through the program in which he is in charge.

Media Sidney Lowe

64 Responses to ACC Coaches on the Hotseat? Debated (Updated 2:10pm)

  1. DRW 02/02/2009 at 1:41 PM #

    I wish Lowe was/were in troule. But alas, he’s not.

  2. BAC79 02/02/2009 at 1:57 PM #

    Alpha, your right on the money. Lowe is safe for at least two years unless we go 0-16 next year.

    Our athletic department is not performance based. Its all about the money. As long as it flows, things will continue to remain the same.

    We lucked out on a football coach but failed miserably in hiring a basketball coach. No I don’t hate Sidney Lowe. He bleeds red, desperately wants to win and I’m sure our present state of affairs is eating him alive.

    None of that however makes him a good basketball coach. He has recruiting skills and motivational skills but so far I am not seeing a whole lot of coaching skills. We can talk all day long about not having this Mickey D player or not having this or that position player but lets see some evidence that we can do something with the team we have.

    Going into the Carolina Game, how many of us knew that Carolina pushes the ball up the court after a made or missed basket? Transition defense is a key against such a team. Why then did we see our team consistently getting out hustled and beat down the court by the Tarheads? Are they that much physically superior to us that we can’t get our butts back down the court and play defense. This is not rocket science but apparently getting this group of players to do it must be.

    Next is Psycho T will score in the paint unless you at least throw an occasional double team or double down. We failed on this point too. What about blocking out Tyler when he comes flying down the lane after a miss? How many put backs did he have when no one stepped into the lane in front of him.

    These are just two areas that point out potential coaching problems. Our guys just don’t seem to do the fundamental things I thought were taught in middle school basketball.

    This is my biggest gripe. Show me you can do something with the guys we have. Is it too much to ask that maybe we could see our guys occasionally overachieve rather than consistently underachieve?

    Oh, and I admit yes we have improved some this year. But what are we measuring this against? The team that finished the season 0-8 and gave up and threw in the towel. It wouldn’t take much to improve from that.

    Well thats my rant for the day. Have a good afternoon.

  3. primacyone 02/02/2009 at 1:57 PM #

    He list Sidney Lowe and Leonard Hamilton and Gary Williams, but not Paul Hewitt.

    Either Tudor is more connected than anybody I have ever heard of before, or he just lost a career’s worth of credibility with me. It’s either one of the other, no where in the middle could you justify pening something like that. Really, he just lost 100% of his credibility with me.

  4. Classof89 02/02/2009 at 2:17 PM #

    Difference between Hewitt and Lowe is that Hewitt can actually LAND top five players. Lowe merely makes it into their “zone of interest”, which is evidently enough for some of the posters on here…Given that we have plenty of people who want to give Lowe three or four more years simply because he has State on the final five list of players like Wall and Favors, how many GaTech fans must feel the same way about Hewitt because he actually GOT A COMMITMENT from Favors…

    And as for Tudor’s list, if we let Sean Miller end up at some other ACC school, someone should lead a lynch mob over to Case Athletics Center…

    Not to mention the fact that Hewitt has gotten a team deep into the the NCAA tourney, while Lowe has yet to even sniff a bid, AND (looking more short term) Hewitt has a win over a top 10 team this year, and we haven’t come within 12 points of doing so…

    Given all that, he doesn’t lose credibility with me at all over his list…looks to me like he’s just looking at the situation without the red-colored glasses many of us seem to look at the world through. Sidney Lowe has accomplished less with more overall program resources, fan support, and winning tradition than any other coach in the ACC, and richly deserves to be on any hot seat list.

  5. Mike 02/02/2009 at 2:17 PM #

    BAC79, are you saying we all know these things, and our coaching staff does not?

    Of course they know these things. They have two choices here.
    1. They can bench everyone who loafs, stands and watches, and play the walk-ons.
    2. They can put up with players who take plays off and hope these guys provide our best chance of winning.

    If 1 happens, all of us gripe about the starters sitting. if 2 heppens, we all say the coaches are so stupid they cant see what other teams do.

    There have been numerous times this season where Lowe has put in the “red team”. What happens? All of us ask who is making his substitution patterns? Maybe he pulls the starters for 4 minutes at a time to let them watch as a punishment. These are the times we complain there is no one in the game that can score. Que sara sara.

  6. Mike 02/02/2009 at 2:19 PM #

    I know Bug Eyes is going to travel and I know Lawson is going to run up the floor at 80 MPH. Does not mean I can stop them.

  7. BAC79 02/02/2009 at 2:22 PM #

    Mike, we don’t know why Lowe puts in the red team when he does. There have been many reasoned arguments made on this board in the last month or so concerning Sid’s odd substitution patterns.

    But, personally, and this is just me, I would rather have a lesser player on the court who gives it 110% 100% of the time than a “better player” who loafs 20% of the time. When you keep the loafer on the floor you send a message to all that there are not any adverse consequences to loafing i.e. performance doesn’t always matter.

    Further, Sid said himself before this year began. Its my way or the highway. What happened with that?

  8. primacyone 02/02/2009 at 2:23 PM #

    Context Classof89.

    You are saying that Sidney Lowe stands a greater chance of getting fired at the end of this year than Paul Hewitt? And Hewitt has no heat on him at all and should be excluded from Tudors list.

    That is what you are saying as it relates to Tudor’s coments and the topic of this thread.

  9. Sam92 02/02/2009 at 2:28 PM #

    yes, it’s premature to say Lowe is in trouble. he’s got at least one more year, maybe two. i have no hope for those two years, but that’s my problem.

    my greatest fear is that two years from now Lee Fowler will be responsible for picking Lowe’s replacement. our next pick needs to be imaginative – a young, talented charismatic coach who’s not afraid to butt heads with roy williams and mike k, and i just don’t think lee fowler can pull that off, alas.

  10. Classof89 02/02/2009 at 2:29 PM #

    Nope, not saying that…just pointing out that there is ample facts that would support leaving Hewitt off that list.

    Our situation is unique in that one of the main reasons a performance like Sidney’s that (for example) got Doherty canned after three seasons at UNC, isn’t going to go down the same way here because we have one of the weakest, most ineffectual AD’s in the ACC.

  11. JeremyH 02/02/2009 at 2:31 PM #

    what an irresponsible article by Tudor, separated from the reality of the matter.

  12. primacyone 02/02/2009 at 2:34 PM #

    I disagree Classof89; no way Hewitt should be left off the list in compaison to Lowe. There is no way Sidney Lowe has more of a chance of getting fired this year than Paul Hewitt.

    And as the author of the thread mentioned, there is no way Sidney Lowe should be on the list, because he has no chance of getting fired this year.

  13. Wulfpack 02/02/2009 at 2:41 PM #

    The only thing saving Lowe for another year is his connection to the university. These results are pretty darn meager. Here’s what we’ve become: we’re content showing “good efforts” against Duke and UNC and losing by 15+. It’s been that way for a while, I’m not arguing that. But we’ve settled, and it sucks.

  14. Classof89 02/02/2009 at 2:42 PM #

    I think its premature to assert that there is “no chance” of Lowe getting fired this year. Who knows what could happen…if we go 1-15, finish last in the ACC, and then some huge off-court incident happens that hits the newspapers, I could easily see a scenario happening where Fowler’s hand is forced. Do I think its likely? No (and certainly not the scenario I’ve outlined above, which would further damage the reputation of the school). But impossible? No, only stuff like getting a black guy elected president is impossible…oh, wait a minute…

  15. Alpha Wolf 02/02/2009 at 2:46 PM #

    “if we go 1-15”

    Since we have already won two ACC games, that fish has already swum up the river.

  16. Rick 02/02/2009 at 2:47 PM #

    Tudor loves to get State fans worked up.

    Reason number 237 why that rag will not get a dime of my money.

  17. primacyone 02/02/2009 at 2:52 PM #

    ^There is NO CHANCE we go 1-15. There is NO CHANCE Lowe gets fired this year.

    And to not put Hewitt on the list compaired to Lowe – is there anybody in the country doing less with the talent and stars Hewitt has?. There are to many people that actually think Lowe is doing a decent job – who in the ACC is doing more with less talent than Lowe?

  18. Wulfpack 02/02/2009 at 2:57 PM #

    I’m kind of glad Tudor wrote it. Maybe it will light a fire under his ass, under his staff’s ass, and under his players’ asses. Even though it’s highly unlikely anything will go down after this year, I still sometimes think it’s healthy for a guy to have to sweat a little bit.

    But given who our AD is, and given the fact that he’s one of our own, he’s not sweating. He’s getting nice and comfortable.

  19. Alpha Wolf 02/02/2009 at 3:01 PM #

    primacy – GT did beat Wake this weekend. That’s one point in Hewitt’s favor.

  20. primacyone 02/02/2009 at 3:11 PM #

    ^GT with top 25 talent beats a top 10 team which in turn increases the chances that Sidney Lowe should get fired this year?

    Sidney Lowe should not be on the list. He is not on the hot seat.

    Email Tudor and tell him to send you his sources. Here would be his truthful response: Um, Yea, About That. I just made it up. . . I knew people would believe it since I have such a stellar reputation. . . I’ve been here long enough to make stuff up and create stories where none exist. . . A lot easier that way. . . I can just sit at the Lake House . . . .

  21. primacyone 02/02/2009 at 3:33 PM #

    The main thread article updates are very good Alpha. Thanks for making the total effort, unlike Tudor in this case.

  22. W0LFPack 02/02/2009 at 3:44 PM #

    Some good stuff about Sidney and us fans, from an interview with none other than “Ice” Mr. Rodney Monroe, who is coaching at Lake Normal Christian Academy in Charlotte. This is a real interview for the record, not something made up by Caulton Tudor.

    “WolfpackHoops: Since you are a coach now, what would you say to this NC State Basketball Team?

    Rodney Monroe: Most of the games that I have seen it seems like they are playing 30 minutes of a 40 minute game. College Basketball is a 40 minute game. They need to buckle down and play 40 minutes. When you playing against ACC talent you can’t afford to lose your focus.

    WolfpackHoops: If you could say anything to the Wolfpack Nation what would it be?

    Rodney Monroe: You guys are great fans…some of the best fans in college basketball. You need to hang in there with the coaching staff. Coach Lowe is recruiting hard and trying to get the best players and best talent on the court for you. Your faithfulness as fans will be rewarded. You need to stay faithful because fans can either help a team win or they can help them lose. You are the 6th man on the court.

    Yes, read it again and again and again. Please. Seriously. Again.
    He says hang in there with the coaching staff. I would believe he knows his stuff. I think Lowe will be huge here if we give him time. I think we have a chance to compete, and as early as next year. People in GA are thinking Lorenzo Brown is McDonalds All American. Not just any people, a former employee at Rivals.Com who follows Georgia Hoops exclusively.
    Think about what’s lost next year throughout the ACC…
    Duke loses Singler, Henderson, Paulus, and maybe a few others (Lance Thomas maybe…)
    Carolina loses a ton but will be top 4 again.
    Clemson loses Sykes, Rivers and possibly Booker.
    BC loses Tyrese Rice, and who cares about anyone else on their team.
    Miami loses McClinton, Hurdle and Asbury.
    Who knows what Wake loses, but most likely a couple of those guys turn pro.

    The point is we’re bringing in a top 25 recruiting class already (4th overall in the ACC) and we’re probably gonna bring back Costner. If we add Cousins or Wall we jump to a top 5 team in the league, we add both I say we’re the favorite assuming no chemsitry problems arise. I say bare minimum we’re 6th in the league next year and 3rd the year after. Mays and Degand will be good next year, Zo Brown, CJ Williams and Fergs at the 2 spot (assuming Fergs comes back) Johnny Thomas at the 3, with maybe a little Scott Wood, and Horner. Costner at the 4 backed up by Horner, Tracy Smith at the 5 with Howell backing him up.

    By the way C.J. Leslie may be thinking about his recruiting and the process because some of you IDIOTS want Lowe’s head. There’s no way in hell we would have this kid if it weren’t for Sid, and if Sid isn’t here, there’s no way in hell we get him or Harrow, and we’re set back for at least 4 more years. So why not wait, AND LET SIDNEY DO HIS DAMN JOB. He WILL SUCCEED.

    FOR THE RECORD SIDNEY LOWE’S JOB ISN’T ON THE LINE

  23. Rochester 02/02/2009 at 3:46 PM #

    In this economy, Sidney Lowe has more job security than everyone posting on this board combined. Lee Fowler simply won’t fire him this year, next year, and probably the year after. Anyone else on here feel secure in their job through 2011?

    If our men’s soccer coach and women’s volleyball coach can average 1 conference win a year and not feel any heat then Sidney Lowe is clearing Fowler’s bar by a mile. Tarantini’s soccer team has won 14 conference games since 1997. The volleyball team has won 3 conference games in three years under the new coach (0-fer in her first two years, but broke through for 3 big wins this year). There is nothing occuring in our athletics department that would suggest Lowe’s job is in even the slightest bit of jeopardy.

  24. ThomYorkepack 02/02/2009 at 4:12 PM #

    It is very unlikely that Lowe is in any kind of real trouble. I agree that he should be given at least one more year given that: (1) he has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he can recruit talent into the program, (2) he is improving–albeit slow and incrementally–as a college head coach. He is doing a much better job at managing the team this year as well as demanding consistent effort out of his team.

    There is going to be a steep learning curve when an ACC school hires a guy with zero college coaching experience as its head coach. There are some indications there that say that Sidney Lowe can become a good college coach. The question is, will he win enough games to get the time to do that?

    It’s always fun to look at the college landscape to see who’s out there. Let’s just hope our AD does in fact have a ‘list’ to draw from should the occasion arise (and I have zero confidence that he does, and if even he did that he would actually be able to hire a top level coach..). Here’s a list to chew on:

    Dream candidates for any ACC school:
    Jay Wright
    Rick Barnes
    Mark Few
    Jamie Dixon

    A list:
    Jeff Capel
    Sean Miller
    Tony Bennett
    Scott Drew

    Guys that you could actually hire:
    Anthony Grant
    Brian Gregory
    Mike Brey
    Brad Stevens
    Lon Kruger
    Bob McKillop
    Stew Morrill (Utah St.)

  25. BAC79 02/02/2009 at 4:21 PM #

    “The question is, will he win enough games to get the time to do that?”

    Then the next question has to be how much time does he need? Four years, five years, six or seven years?

    I would further argue that his team has not improved incrementally. Last year was an unmitigated disaster. Last year followed year one where at least we won a couple of signature games and had a run at the end of the season. We haven’t seen anything close to that since then.

    Your list is great but you hit the nail on the head when you said “Let’s just hope our AD does in fact have a ‘list’ to draw from should the occasion arise (and I have zero confidence that he does, and if even he did that he would actually be able to hire a top level coach..)”

    I am afraid that with each passing year we get further and further behind the eight ball never to be heard from again.

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