I agree with you there, some people are too quick to just say Fire Brady when really it might not all be on him. It was a disappointing year, but its not good to put too much into one year, last year included. This next year will be a good sign of where the basketball program is headed. Skip has already proved himself as a someone who won't accept mediocrity by firing Smoke although Brady has had a much longer tenure here. One reason I think Brady doesn't have much fan support is his lack of emotion as well. When you look at him during games he's always stressed out and and never smiles. From what i've seen, doens't do many interviews either. But i guess winning consistently will cure that problem...
The thing that is hillarious about LSU basketball is that after 10 years of John Brady you would think one would know know just what you are going to get. You think some kind of track record would've emerged and the mystery would be solved. I do find it hilarious how posters compare John Brady to a bunch of hall of fame coaches this season because LSU basketball is down. Like I said this year that final four probably insured Brady another 5 years. I hope John Brady stays at LSU for a long time win or lose because I'm tired of both sides of this debate. To each his own.... Btw I pretty much agree with TigerWins posts but we pretty much should keep John Brady if LSU basketball isn't going to be on the same level as football and baseball.
It will change regardless because Big Baby will be gone after next year. His conditioning doesn't support a motion type of offense.
I think you're taking a balanced view towards this, unlike others, but since you asked let me share some facts that may not be that apparent. You say, that after 10 years, you "don't know" what you're getting... Well, would it surprise you to hear amongst active SEC coaches, John Brady is number 3 in wins? That's behind only Tubby Smith and then Billy D. In ten years, his win percentage is just below 60% with many of those during probation years. Prior to this year, he had been to the post season six out of seven years (obviously now, he's going to be 6 out of 8). He's graduated 15 players during his tenure, and he's had 32 academic all-SEC honorees. Now, as this year ends up, it's certainly does seem like LSU took an unexpected turn, but over a 10 year span, I guess I'd argue that he hasn't been all that bad. Then, look at all of the other SEC teams too. I suppose, I'm not that convinced that it's such a "mystery" as to what you're getting. In sum, it's a staff that has recruited well enough to crank out an improving program coming out of the Brown era. Now, the question will be whether Brady can get us to the next level. That still remains to be seen.
I've said this all along, and I will continue to say this. LSU's fanbase has given up on CJB. The proof is in the pudding; in the midst of a 14-2, SECC, Final Four run LSU only had one sellout and they had to practically give the tickets away to make that happen. When LSU came back from the regional final, we had 1000 fans meet the team. George Mason filled an arena. He's certainly won at LSU; at a higher clip than most of the rest of the league to boot. We're just tired of his personality and style of basketball. If Skip wants to sell tickets he'll make the move. If he wants to have 5000 a game again, he'll stand pat. There are endless coaches at endless mid-majors that would do LSU better than John Brady. Let me ask you this, TGer. If Greg Monroe chooses Duke, will you change your tune?
it is probably obvious to many of you, but just so you football-first fans realize, getting a postseason bid aint as easy as it used to be. my main point is not that this years team wasnt disappointing, but not getting into the ncaa or nit isnt as shameful as it was in recent past. i remember the cj-shaq years just knowing that if the team got to 18 wins theyd be in (this years team had 17). scholarship changes and the FFFing rpi changes have really screwed major conferences. the nit has recently been revamped---used to be any team from a top conf with winning record would get invited, but now they have more automatic bids (to mid majors).
We would have made it in with a 8-8 record and that opening round win against UT, most likely.. simply off of the strength of the Final Four. Watching NW ST beat Iowa, Winthrop take UT all the way to a miracle Lofton bucket, and Vermont upsetting Kansas a few years ago, I'm all for the changes.
See my other post. Actually home paid attendance went up this year, over 10K per game, and well above the end of the Brown era. As for your question. Will I be disappointed? Yes. Will I ask to fire Brady for losing Monroe? No. Nor did I advocate firing Miles for losing McKnight to USC. If Monroe doesn't choose us to go to Duke, he's probably not right for us, and we sign Terrance Henry or some other LA kid that wants to go to LSU and rep his state. After all, LSU went to the final four without the number 1 high school kid in the country and beat Duke. If Brady doesn't consistently sign top 15-20 recruiting classes and doesn't consistently get us into post season play (in my mind that's 3 out of 4 years NCAAs at this point), I'll change my tune.
