Answers, Part V
Here is the fifth set:
If Howland stays at UCLA for another decade or more, do you think he will develop a coaching "tree" of assistants who go on to be successful head coaches? One thing I remember about Harrick is that a lot of his assistants (e.g. Romar, Gottfried) did that.
I think that has a possibility of happening. He already has three assistants out there in Kerry Keating (Santa Clara), Ernie Ziegler (Central Michigan) and Chris Carlson (UC San Diego). And don’t forget about Jamie Dixon at Pittsburgh.
Read a stupid comment posted on ESPN's article on Howland. Basically he said that Howland isn't able to develop talent. I can run through a whole list of disappointments and nobody's that became someone after Howland got a hold of 'em, but I'd like to get your take on it.
Well, Arron Afflalo got better. Jordan Farmar got better, especially on defense. Kevin Love is a markedly better defensive player than early in the season. Darren Collison is better than his freshman season. Russell Westbrook is better than he was his freshman season. Ryan Hollins became a draftable player and Dijon Thompson and Cedric Bozeman each were markedly better in their second year under Howland than the first year. Need I say more.
do u know of any players, coaches, or even any kind of famous person that check this blog regularly? if so, can u name them, or maybe give some hints?
I know many members of the UCLA athletic department and coaching staffs read the blog, as well as parents and players. As far as famous persons, I don’t have any names, but if someone wants to spill the beans about “celebs’’ checking in, feel free to do so.
since there has been so much complaining about things on this blog... do u think youd be happier or just as happy with reporting on another team, or would u consider reporting on ucla your "dream job"?
I’m love covering UCLA. The passion of college sports is so much different than pro sports. It goes with the territory. I’d say 99.9 percent of the posters and readers are excellent, but a few knuckleheads who like to partake in name calling and have agendas make it frustrating, at times.
Who is the new assistant coach assigned as the recruiting coordinator for football?
I’m not sure they have one at this point, or whether or not there will be a designated recruiting coordinator or whether the position will be shared.
Who are the new graduate assistants and what are their responsibilities?
Decisions on those positions are yet to be made, I am told.
haha.. i saw that comment on ESPN too.. i don't think that guy ever watched a ucla basketball game. For those that are interested, the article is about Ben Howland being inducted onto the list of the Best Coaches never to have won a National Championship. His SN was something like bluebruin.
Basically, he felt Howland is a good coach, but not as great as everyone pegs him as. His reasoning is that as a control freak, he forces his players to do it his way rather than teaching them the right way, like John Wooden once did. Also, he doesn't think Howland makes adjustments and, as was said, his players don't develop. He examples were as such: Collision was always known for his speed but his talent has gone down since Howland no longer allows him to play fast (huh?), Westbrook is being targeted for his athleticism but not for offense thanks to Howland, Aboya and Mata-Real totally have no offensive skills whatsoever (he might have even mentioned keefe too, but i think that was before the WKU game). and players like Farmar and Affalo were going to get drafted anyways.
Is there anyone else in this planet and doesn't wear red agree with these "obvervations"? It's one thing to not think Howland is a great coach (everyone's entitled to their opinions), but I haven't seen anyone give such bad analysis since I tuned into ESPN today and saw Bob Kinght.