What is wrong with D'Argenio?

[gosaints]

I read several articles in the past day where John goes on about how the "bar" was set unrealistically high for Mitch. and now we have IORIZZO chiming in that "The bar has been reset." I strongly disagree with both of these statements. I believe most of you will agree with me when I say that all the Siena faithfull wanted was for Mitch to put a team on the floor that was well coached, competitive. contended for MAAC championship and was in postseason play, either the NCAA or NIT tourney on a regular basis. For D'Argenio to not make this expectation clear to a prospective coaching candidate would be disastrous. John should be sending candidates the message that in year one he needs to reestablish Siena as an exciting team to watch and get the fans back into attending/wanting to go to the games. In year two he needs to have them contending for the MAAC championship and in year three he better be winning it. If he isn't doing this then maybe there ought to be a different AD heading up the search committee.

[nolesaint]

Agree completely and will take it a step further - that is NOT the message he should be sending the C7 and A10.

[MTS]

While I have concerns about D'Arg being AD overseeing the men's basketball program - I would not read too much into it. As I said in another post, the day of Mitch's firing they weren't going to kick him while he was down.

D'Arg laid out the goals... very high expectations. Siena expects to be a top mid-major program and contend for the MAAC championship EVERY season. Doesn't mean win it every year but be in the mix. We weren't for three straight seasons.

[Tony]

I know I wasn’t happy with D’arg and his mixed message. As for the bar being set unrealistically high- give me a break- if expecting more than finishing 8th, 6th and 9th, posting 3 straight losing seasons, recruiting down and program tying single season loss record , Mitch tying 3 year loss record and numerous records for home losses than I am following the wrong program

[gosaints]

Mar 13, 2013 9:08:11 GMT -5 MTS said:

D'Arg laid out the goals... very high expectations. Siena expects to be a top mid-major program and contend for the MAAC championship EVERY season. Doesn't mean win it every year but be in the mix. We weren't for three straight seasons.

He did in his message for the next coach? Guess I missed them

[siena86]

The same message was sent after Lanier. If basketball was such a big part of "strategic plan" at Siena you would think they would plan better, take some responsibility in the hiring. It was nepotism. Mitch was liked, it was the easy path.

John does a nice job for a Division II or low level D I. If John is your man please put Siena back in the Arc.

John has been placed on these NCAA rides by other people(coaches and players), not the other way around.

All this pipe dream talk of moving up in conference....with John at the helm? Are you serious?

[Tony]

If Darg is the one who gave Mitch a 4 year guranteed contract...wow.. Mitch and his lawyers should have kissed D'arg cause he sure as hell got screwed

[musicman]

I never understood the four years. Mitch would have jumped at three and with his age factor was a very small risk of leaving if successful. John had all the chips with negotiations. 4 never was necessary.

[MTS]

Mar 13, 2013 10:43:16 GMT -5 musicman said:

I never understood the four years. Mitch would have jumped at three and with his age factor was a very small risk of leaving if successful. John had all the chips with negotiations. 4 never was necessary.

Exactly. In fact, Mitch should have only been give a two year contract. If he didn't like it - there's the door - go to Iowa. Tony - who said the last year was guaranteed ? I'm sure they owe him something but I can't imagine it's his ENTIRE salary? Maybe $100K? I don't think it will affect who we go after or what Siena will be able to offer.

Well it's in the past. Let's just hope the Siena admin learned a hard lesson from this debacle. Next coach is the most important hire in Siena history. If you want to get a Paulsen or Toole then Siena will have to give a guarantee five year contract.

[gorvy]

I agree with everything mts said in both posts except his last sentence. Can't repeat the same mistake-- that would be a death blow. Going back to johns comments, I think Pete led him and the last thing John wanted to do was talk to Pete. So in sure he just said what Pete wanted to hear to get out of there. He knows what we want, and that is what we are paying for--a winning program that contends for maac regular season titles and post season play. He did say that he wants to be on top of the league.

[MTS]

Mar 13, 2013 12:03:27 GMT -5 gorvy said:

I agree with everything mts said in both posts except his last sentence. Can't repeat the same mistake-- that would be a death blow. Going back to johns comments, I think Pete led him and the last thing John wanted to do was talk to Pete. So in sure he just said what Pete wanted to hear to get out of there. He knows what we want, and that is what we are paying for--a winning program that contends for maac regular season titles and post season play. He did say that he wants to be on top of the league.

The thing is Paulsen, Toole etc are in good spots at their current schools so to get them to leave you have to be willing to give them a solid commitment (4 probably 5 years). They have MUCH better resumes than Mitch. It's hard to believe they would not win big here. I'd say there's no chance they'd take a 2-3 year contract unless the money was like $750K a year and that won't happen. There's always SOME risk. What if Fran put his feet up (not saying he would) once he got the 8 year contract and stayed?

Mitch was different. He had no other HC options. Reportedly didn't want to leave the area and wanted to be a HC again.

Siena is a business school so you'd think they would run the program more like a BUSINESS. Whoever did give Mitch a four year guaranteed commitment (if it indeed was) should be fired too.

[section2]

I'm not sure the contract was guaranteed but Mitch said they are honoring it, so he's sitting home and collecting a years pay.

[SIENA1971]

Let the process play out ... The new coach selected will be the best indicator as to where the program is heading ... Siena wants to greatly improve and expand its athletic facilities ... They cannot do this without a successful men's bball program ... A lot is riding on this selection (Note: an on-campus arena is not in the plans)

[grascandunk]

I'm curious - what's everyone's impression on whether or not this board seems to directly impact real decisions made by administration? There seems to be remarkable overlap between what folks have been saying here for months and what has only just recently made its way into popular press, which makes one wonder if one directly influenced the other.

[MTS]

Mar 13, 2013 15:17:24 GMT -5 grascandunk said:

I'm curious - what's everyone's impression on whether or not this board seems to directly impact real decisions made by administration? There seems to be remarkable overlap between what folks have been saying here for months and what has only just recently made its way into popular press, which makes one wonder if one directly influenced the other.

I don't know if it influences the administration but the media definitely picks up things from there. The coaching list they compiled yesterday was basically a collection of names being mentioned at Sienahoops.com for the past three months!