ValleyFAN wrote:Sir Sci wrote:A lot of mixed feelings among Bears fans. I personally land on the side of thinking that his hire probably means that Smart and Moats struck out with their first choice (presumably McCollum) but that this is still a good hire.
We know he can win games at Missouri State and he's been to four NCAA Tournaments and a Sweet 16 since then. It's not like he's gotten worse as a coach since leaving. The disappointing part is that we were wanting a big swing or an up and comer, and as mentioned this is like reuniting with an ex who dated around before coming back. It feels weird. And yet, if he can win then that's all that will matter, and we have a lot of evidence he can win.
Cuonzo feels like a "big swing" type hire though, does it not? He's recently been the head coach at Tennessee, Cal, and Mizzou and has wide name recognition throughout the sport.
I suppose. Maybe our viewpoint is tilted, but a retread of someone who hasn't coached for a couple seasons and flopped at Mizzou doesn't feel like a big swing. Though, admittedly, I would have considered Crean a "big swing" in spite of his dismal record at Georgia and hiatus from coaching, but the difference is that he obviously wasn't here before.
It just seems like Cuonzo was a second choice after failing to snag McCollum. Even if Moats comes out and says "Coach Martin was our first choice from the beginning. We thought it was about time he came home to Missouri State" I don't think I'll believe him.
