Sorry to bring a personal topic to the table, but as boosters on this forum I am curious for your take on this and if you had the power how quick would you pull the trigger:

Just found out a coach that recruited my sister to go play D-2 college basketball has been fired after two years. It wasn't like anything outrageous like NCAA Violations or shenanigans on a road trip. Just some players feeling like they should have gotten more than what was honestly given to them in terms of playing time and such.

The question I want to ask is, how long should a coach be given before a verdict has been reached on whether to keep him or fire him? Because I sat there and watched as he only got two years, barely any of his recruits in, and yet the holdovers dictated the terms of the program and got him fired. Whether this is a John Groce like situation at Illinois or a Larry Hunter, what is your guys' take on how long a coach should be given before a verdict is made on whether he can coach and recruit or not.

At least a full recruiting cycle so that coach can get his/her own players, IMO. And that's the bare minimum. I think there is more leniency when it comes to basketball compared to football, but they may be catching up.

A lot depends on the direction of the program. My typical answer would be 5 years. Give the guy or gal a chance to get all his/her players in there. But 5 years is also typically the length of the entry contract for most coaches. Meaning that after year 4 you are forced to either extend him or fire him. 2 years without a big personal scandal is outrageous especially when it's players griping about playing time.

Agree with this unless it becomes painfully obvious it is not working out. Like a 5-20 hoops season or back to back 1-10 football seasons with no better recruits on the way.

It is easier for the AD to side with students and their helicopter parents and get rid of a coach. Whether they are right or not. Especially with an out-of-the-spotlight sport like D2 womens basketball. Not saying I like that. But, I'm guessing it happens more than we think.

I guess I'm kind of shocked that kids and their helicopter parents would still be a problem in college. Particularly when the issue is playing time and not coaching abuse (mental and otherwise). I mean can you imagine Saul getting fired because Ellis Dozier and Khari Harley not getting enough playing time?

I don't think there can be a blanket answer to this. If there are serious concerns with coaching, player development, recruiting, personal relations, public relations, then I think you cut your losses when you're certain. I don't think somebody should be given X number of years if faith has already eroded between administration and coaching due to many concerns. I can't imagine many other jobs having a guaranteed amount of time locked in when you start. If you aren't showing growth in the direction of the program or if you struggle to identify a vision, I say it's time to part ways no matter the time frame.

Conversely, if this is happening in multiple sports within the same school, then the fault has to lie in the hiring process and the AD.

I think a coach should be given some time to develop his/her recruits ( 3-4 years), unless it becomes apparent that some moral/ethical problems exist. You also need to look at the history of the program and the direction it seems to be going with a new coach. One thing I notice is player interviews, you can tell a lot about the leadership of a coach based on what players are saying.

Jeepers

I clicked on this thinking it would be a philosphical question on recruiting taller players that dragged their knuckles.

I was wrong.

Interesting that this was a D2. Usually do not see short chains like that in lower levels. A little distressing that residual athletes that may have had an affinity with the previous coach may have undermined and sabatoged the new coach.

I have a part time college student at work that was an OWE student in HS. SHe was recruited and enrolled at a local U to play ball this year. The coaching change left students on the roster who were tied to the previous coach. She quit just before the season and is concentrating on her nursing degree as the team dynamic was toxic and holdovers were making rough on the new coach. She said she would rather give up hoops than honor her commitment with team mates who were trying to destroy the new coach. Not sure if your situation is similar but listening to how girls handle situations along with their parents.....I am glad i had 4 boys