My ♥ for Iowa Basketball

[tigerhawkigirl]

I have always loved Iowa Basketball. When I was a kid it was Lute! Lute! Lute! I still have an autographed photo of Mark Gannon when he visited my hometown. I have polaroids of when I got to sit behind Bobby Hansen when he coached former Hawkeyes against my high school for a fundraiser. How lucky I was to sit behind him. I had such a crush (probably still do).

But, the best of times were when I was in college with Mr. Davis Davis as coach. Those teams were so fun to watch, and there was just something about Mr. Davis. I feel the same about Kirk Ferentz. So proud to have them as Hawkeye family.

I also love the blue sky, and there is nothing wrong with aiming for it. But, if you look at the history of Iowa athletics, most of our joyous moments and memories don't come with super heroes at the healm. So many of these names that people are throwing out there, and I include Bruce Pearl, just don't make a whole lot of sense. All excellent coaches, but they seem like very abstract and isolated.........which is part of the reason the last two didn't fare so well, and why Kirk Ferentz has done an amazing job. He had been here prior to being a head coach and understood the provincial temperament of Iowans.

This is why I think Keno Davis is what this program needs right now. It goes way beyond his philosophy on defense, and his experience (Lute Olson anyone?). Keno can reconcile my generation (35+), rejuvinate the young people, and establish a new generation of Iowa Hawkeye Basketball fans who are just in elementary school. These are important things to consider.....things that go beyond the X's and O's.

I will support the new coach, but there is something that tells me Keno is the right guy, and it would break my heart to see him at ISU someday. Go Hawks.

 

[HawkeyeShane]

I have always loved Iowa Basketball. When I was a kid it was Lute! Lute! Lute! I still have an autographed photo of Mark Gannon when he visited my hometown. I have polaroids of when I got to sit behind Bobby Hansen when he coached former Hawkeyes against my high school for a fundraiser. How lucky I was to sit behind him. I had such a crush (probably still do).

But, the best of times were when I was in college with Mr. Davis Davis as coach. Those teams were so fun to watch, and there was just something about Mr. Davis. I feel the same about Kirk Ferentz. So proud to have them as Hawkeye family.

I also love the blue sky, and there is nothing wrong with aiming for it. But, if you look at the history of Iowa athletics, most of our joyous moments and memories don't come with super heroes at the healm. So many of these names that people are throwing out there, and I include Bruce Pearl, just don't make a whole lot of sense. All excellent coaches, but they seem like very abstract and isolated.........which is part of the reason the last two didn't fare so well, and why Kirk Ferentz has done an amazing job. He had been here prior to being a head coach and understood the provincial temperament of Iowans.

This is why I think Keno Davis is what this program needs right now. It goes way beyond his philosophy on defense, and his experience (Lute Olson anyone?). Keno can reconcile my generation (35+), rejuvinate the young people, and establish a new generation of Iowa Hawkeye Basketball fans who are just in elementary school. These are important things to consider.....things that go beyond the X's and O's.

I will support the new coach, but there is something that tells me Keno is the right guy, and it would break my heart to see him at ISU someday. Go Hawks.

Nicely said THG.

 

[83Hawk]

I have always loved Iowa Basketball. When I was a kid it was Lute! Lute! Lute! I still have an autographed photo of Mark Gannon when he visited my hometown. I have polaroids of when I got to sit behind Bobby Hansen when he coached former Hawkeyes against my high school for a fundraiser. How lucky I was to sit behind him. I had such a crush (probably still do).

But, the best of times were when I was in college with Mr. Davis Davis as coach. Those teams were so fun to watch, and there was just something about Mr. Davis. I feel the same about Kirk Ferentz. So proud to have them as Hawkeye family.

I also love the blue sky, and there is nothing wrong with aiming for it. But, if you look at the history of Iowa athletics, most of our joyous moments and memories don't come with super heroes at the healm. So many of these names that people are throwing out there, and I include Bruce Pearl, just don't make a whole lot of sense. All excellent coaches, but they seem like very abstract and isolated.........which is part of the reason the last two didn't fare so well, and why Kirk Ferentz has done an amazing job. He had been here prior to being a head coach and understood the provincial temperament of Iowans.

This is why I think Keno Davis is what this program needs right now. It goes way beyond his philosophy on defense, and his experience (Lute Olson anyone?). Keno can reconcile my generation (35+), rejuvinate the young people, and establish a new generation of Iowa Hawkeye Basketball fans who are just in elementary school. These are important things to consider.....things that go beyond the X's and O's.

I will support the new coach, but there is something that tells me Keno is the right guy, and it would break my heart to see him at ISU someday. Go Hawks.

You like Keno and that is fine. But I doubt you would feel this way if he were not Tom Davis' son. I respect your opinion though.

I personally don't think he would be a good hire. We really don't know how good a coach he is....he's only been a head coach for three seasons, and this past season he lost 19 games. We also don't know how good a recruiter he is. His two winning seasons were with someone else's players.

The only reason Keno is on people's wish list is because he is Mr. Davis's son and to me that is not reason to hire him.

 

[tigerhawkigirl]

You like Keno and that is fine. But I doubt you would feel this way if he were not Tom Davis' son. I respect your opinion though.

I personally don't think he would be a good hire. We really don't know how good a coach he is....he's only been a head coach for three seasons, and this past season he lost 19 games. We also don't know how good a recruiter he is. His two winning seasons were with someone else's players.

The only reason Keno is on people's wish list is because he is Mr. Davis's son and to me that is not reason to hire him.

It is very clear that there is alot of division with Keno......but try to look at the bigger picture of what the program needs right now. He has recruited a fabulous class at Providence. I have no doubt that he is a good coach. But if you all think that we are getting some big name head coach that can cure all ills......well, good luck with that. That formula just isn't Iowa style. But you certainly can become a big name by being a coach at Iowa. That seems to work best. We need a little 'shaman' in our next coach. Whoever that is. I like alot of the candidates, but I do like Keno for the qualities he brings to the table that go beyond basketball. Iowa's issues go beyond the game.

 

[FreddyBrown]

I think I'm in love. Would you have any interest in someone who looks like Eric Cartman with a severe case of acne?

 

[TooLegit]

I have to say I was pretty anti-Keno prior to reading this. But I think I would be far less disappointed now if he would land the job. A lot of the reasons you listed translate to my personal favorite - Steve Forbes. He also answers a lot of the questions that others have asked about Keno.

He wants this job. He's from Iowa so he understands this program. He's won everywhere he's been. He's reeled in great recruiting classes. He runs an uptempo game.

The only knock on him is he's only been a head coach at the JUCO level. Where his win/loss ratio was about 3/1. Thanks for the post though. I do think Keno is someone who would "get it" and someone who could run this program.

 

[IATrainMaster101]

________________________________________
THG, I'm not in the corner of any one coach on this hire. I am torn which way to go with different candidates. I love and miss Iowa basketball so much.

As compelling as your argument for keno is, you said in the first line of your second post, "It is very clear that there is a lot of division with Keno."

To me, when I look at all of the empty seats in CHA, and I recall the division of the Fan base during the Alford and Lickliter eras. I want someone who not only has the abilities to be successful here but also someone who can unite the fan base early on.

Keno might be that guy, but he will have an uphill climb from day one. In those regards maybe a little more uphill than some others.

 

[2boys]

Excellent post Tigerhawkgirl.....I remember fondly all of those times during the Lute and Mr. Davis days. Both of those coaches handled themselves with great class and played a very exciting brand of basketball. Keno would also be a hire that I think past players would really rally around also and it would be great to have them helping support this program again.

 

[HawkI101]

You like Keno and that is fine. But I doubt you would feel this way if he were not Tom Davis' son. I respect your opinion though.

I personally don't think he would be a good hire. We really don't know how good a coach he is....he's only been a head coach for three seasons, and this past season he lost 19 games. We also don't know how good a recruiter he is. His two winning seasons were with someone else's players.

The only reason Keno is on people's wish list is because he is Mr. Davis's son and to me that is not reason to hire him.

Keno will be a good coach, will he be good for us, don't know but I wouldnt mind the hire.

Of course many people like him because of his name just like other people like Pearl because he is the coach of tennesse or people like Dixon because he is the coach of Pitt and those programs have done well recently.

We will have no idea how any of the candidates will do at Iowa.

 

[TooLegit]

Keno will be a good coach, will he be good for us, don't know but I wouldnt mind the hire.

Of course many people like him because of his name just like other people like Pearl because he is the coach of tennesse or people like Dixon because he is the coach of Pitt and those programs have done well recently.

We will have no idea how any of the candidates will do at Iowa.

Umm... Not so much because Pearl is at UT. Good coach, Iowa ties. We'd be willing to forgive him for UT. The man wins. As does Dixon.

 

[HawkI101]

Umm... Not so much because Pearl is at UT. Good coach, Iowa ties. We'd be willing to forgive him for UT. The man wins. As does Dixon.

What I am saying is you want Bruce Pearl coach of Tennessee. If Bruce Pearl coach of Miami of Ohio you wouldn't want him. If Jay Wright was the coach of Northern Illinois and not Villinova you wouldn't want him either.

 

[TooLegit]

What I am saying is you want Bruce Pearl coach of Tennessee. If Bruce Pearl coach of Miami of Ohio you wouldn't want him. If Jay Wright was the coach of Northern Illinois and not Villinova you wouldn't want him either.

If BP was still at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, we'd be interested. We were interested 3 years ago. Jay Wright wouldn't have been an assistant under McDermott. Twisting reality to make a point isn't very poignant.

 

[83Hawk]

What I am saying is you want Bruce Pearl coach of Tennessee. If Bruce Pearl coach of Miami of Ohio you wouldn't want him. If Jay Wright was the coach of Northern Illinois and not Villinova you wouldn't want him either.

Basically you are saying success at a "big name" school is better than success at a mid-major. Do you realize you just supported the argument against Keno? Thank you.

Rationalize it all you want, but Keno is only on Hawk fans' list because of his dad. Period. Would he "unite" the fan base? I agree with the poster who thinks he would be a devisive hire. There are several other coaches who could bring excitement to the program.

Keno is still an unknown commodity as a coach and recruiter. The risk isn't worth it IMO. Iowa can do better.

 

[HawkI101]

If BP was still at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, we'd be interested. We were interested 3 years ago. Jay Wright wouldn't have been an assistant under McDermott. Twisting reality to make a point isn't very poignant.

Where did McDermott come into this? You are not getting the point. People like a candidate because of certain characteristics. To dismiss Keno just because he is Tom's son is stupid. Some people think the fact that he is Tom's son is a great positive.

Pearl was still as Tennessee three years ago when we were looking for a coach, he was not at Milwaukee. If he were at Milwaukee now many people would not want him because MANY people don't want any mid-major coach and would say Iowa could do better.

 

[TooLegit]

Where did McDermott come into this? You are not getting the point. People like a candidate because of certain characteristics. To dismiss Keno just because he is Tom's son is stupid. Some people think the fact that he is Tom's son is a great positive.

Pearl was still as Tennessee three years ago when we were looking for a coach, he was not at Milwaukee. If he were at Milwaukee now many people would not want him because MANY people don't want any mid-major coach and would say Iowa could do better.

Did you read this thread? I was supporting Keno. I only disagreed with you on the idea that we wanted Pearl because he was at UT. McDermott came up because the reason we don't want a coach from UNI is because of what is happening at ISU.

 

[83Hawk]

Where did McDermott come into this? You are not getting the point. People like a candidate because of certain characteristics. To dismiss Keno just because he is Tom's son is stupid. Some people think the fact that he is Tom's son is a great positive.

Pearl was still as Tennessee three years ago when we were looking for a coach, he was not at Milwaukee. If he were at Milwaukee now many people would not want him because MANY people don't want any mid-major coach and would say Iowa could do better.

If I recall correctly there were several people on the message boards that wanted Pearl as Iowa's coach after Mr. Davis was let go.

I know how to settle this.....hire Mike Dunlap.

 

[HawkI101]

Did you read this thread? I was supporting Keno. I only disagreed with you on the idea that we wanted Pearl because he was at UT. McDermott came up because the reason we don't want a coach from UNI is because of what is happening at ISU.

No one said anything about UNI, so I was confused about the McDermott thing. I apologize, that was not what I was trying to say about Pearl. I was trying to say people want certain coaches for certain things. Not that anyone wants Pearl for being at TENNESSEE but they want him because he is a coach at a successful major university.

The Davis name to some is a big plus. I am very much for Pearl but also like Keno.

 

[TooLegit]

I'm arguing against my own point now... and in the wrong sport... but does Connie Mack have any kids? Well, probably make that great-grandkids?

 

[2boys]

The argument about Iowa not having interest in Keno IF it weren't for his Dad, is quite naive on how the world works. Of course we're interested in him because of his Dad. People get jobs everyday based on "who" they know and not necessarily on "what" they know and that isn't a bad thing.

We should be interested in Keno because we know what type of people he and his father are and were at Iowa. We know the style of play, we know his character and we also know the success he has had, the recruiting classes he has signed, etc.

In most cases, the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know. With Keno, we know exactly what we'd be getting and who his assistant coaches would be.

But, I understand that there are some who think we'd be better off taking a flyer on an assistant coach with no head coaching experience whom we'd have zero idea on who his assistant coaches might be and unsure of the style of basketball he may play.

I just think that is a huge risk for our program right now.

 

[83Hawk]

The argument about Iowa not having interest in Keno IF it weren't for his Dad, is quite naive on how the world works. Of course we're interested in him because of his Dad. People get jobs everyday based on "who" they know and not necessarily on "what" they know and that isn't a bad thing.

We should be interested in Keno because we know what type of people he and his father are and were at Iowa. We know the style of play, we know his character and we also know the success he has had, the recruiting classes he has signed, etc.

In most cases, the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know. With Keno, we know exactly what we'd be getting and who his assistant coaches would be.

But, I understand that there are some who think we'd be better off taking a flyer on an assistant coach with no head coaching experience whom we'd have zero idea on who his assistant coaches might be and unsure of the style of basketball he may play.

I just think that is a huge risk for our program right now.

Keno's success is still an unknown. He had a great year at Drake (first round NCAA tourney loss). An "ok" year at Providence (with a first round NIT loss). He just came off a horrible season with 19 losses. His recruiting is also unproven so far.

No.....Keno is too big a risk for our program right now. Hiring him because he is Tom Davis' son makes no sense. It is not wise to assume he will have the same success as his dad.....how did Joey Meyer work out at DePaul?

Bruce Pearl, Scott Drew and Jaime Dixon (all head coaches with PROVEN track records) are much better candidates. I could name a dozen others.