It's Official: Finney Rejoins UK Staff

[Coldstream]

http://ukathletics.com/image_lib/mbb_finneymug_150.jpg


Former Kentucky assistant and Tulane head coach Shawn Finney has rejoined Tubby Smith's staff as director of basketball operations, Smith announced Friday. Finney and Leon Smith, assistant athletics director for men's basketball, will handle administrative duties within the program.

UKAthletics.com (http://ukathletics.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=37&url_article_id=1841 0&change_well_id=2)

[Mark Blueblood]

In my opinion, this is a very good move.

[WildcatRick]

Ex-assistant Finney rejoins UK staff

By Brett Dawson
The Courier-Journal


LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Shawn Finney's layoff had been long enough.

Announced yesterday as the director of basketball operations at the University of Kentucky, the former UK assistant and Tulane head coach said he's happy to dive back into basketball.

"It sounds nice to take a year and a half off," said Finney, fired by Tulane after the 2004-05 season. "But I got tired of it. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work."

In his second stint with the Wildcats, Finney will assist with the organization of practices, making travel arrangements and other administrative duties, he said.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060923/SPORTS03/609230438/1002/SPORTS

[Will Lavender]

A funny thing I learned last year:

Basketball Operations staff cannot have any involvement with players during practices or games.

When I saw UK practice, Cameron Hill stayed off to the side and didn't do any instruction at all.

[FrogtownRoadCat]

Finney has put on a little weight and added a little gray, hasn't he?

But haven't we all . . .

I don't know yet how I really feel about this move.My initial reaction isthat a fresher approach than a recycled one is warranted here.

[Will Lavender]

FrogtownRoadCat wrote: Finney has put on a little weight and added a little gray, hasn't he?

But haven't we all . . .

I don't know yet how I really feel about this move.My initial reaction isthat a fresher approach than a recycled one is warranted here.

And his eyes are a little crazy.

That's good. We need some maniacs on this staff -- and on the team. I like it when you've got some guys who might possibly be a little crazy (as long as they aren't breaking the law). Makes it interesting.

[ukwebfan]

Finney is a well spoken, outgoing gentleman that we had the opportunity to meet in Phoenix. His enthusiasm is contagious. I agree this is a good move and can only help the program down the road.

[SCBlu]

Will Lavender wrote: FrogtownRoadCat wrote: Finney has put on a little weight and added a little gray, hasn't he?

But haven't we all . . .

I don't know yet how I really feel about this move.My initial reaction isthat a fresher approach than a recycled one is warranted here.

And his eyes are a little crazy.

That's good. We need some maniacs on this staff -- and on the team. I like it when you've got some guys who might possibly be a little crazy (as long as they aren't breaking the law). Makes it interesting.
As far as I'm concerned, if our ***'t coaching staff can't deliver on several front-line studs, Sean will make a seamless transition into a true "coaching" position. Enough is enough!

[Houstoncat]

What does he bring to the table? What will he do?

I just don't like the hire at all.

[WildcatDan]

Houstoncat wrote: What does he bring to the table? What will he do?

I just don't like the hire at all.



Expound on that a bit - what don't you like about it?

[Will Lavender]

Houstoncat wrote: What does he bring to the table? What will he do?

I just don't like the hire at all.



I'd say he'll evaluate high school talent, breakdown game tape, work on polishing schemes and reads in the offense and defense, conduct off-season individual instruction, work on the recruiting database that the coaching staff uses, organize said database, etc. etc.

It was clear last year that we weren't strategically prepared for a lot of teams. They came out, punched us in the mouth, and we had trouble climbing back into the game. I would say Coach Finney will be involved with that -- scouting and preparing for opponents, determining match-ups, stuff like that.

[DCWildcat]

I don't think most people understand how much administrative stuff goes into every facet of a basketball team. Videos, scouting, organizing recruit's contact information, scheduling...it goes on forever.

Finney, as an organized and very experienced staff member, should greatly help with this sort of stuff. It's strange that many who complain about this hire simultaneously complain about Tubby's lack of organization.

I don't know how much he can do for us, but he can't hurt, and that's certain.

[poodoo]

DCWildcat wrote: I don't think most people understand how much administrative stuff goes into every facet of a basketball team. Videos, scouting, organizing recruit's contact information, scheduling...it goes on forever.

Finney, as an organized and very experienced staff member, should greatly help with this sort of stuff. It's strange that many who complain about this hire simultaneously complain about Tubby's lack of organization.

I don't know how much he can do for us, but he can't hurt, and that's certain.

Good post, DCWildcat. It is so true that Tubby's ORGANIZATIONAL skills have been questioned. When I had read that Finney would be involved in ORGANIZING various facets of the UK basketball program, it immediately seemed to me that the Finney hire could be a positive for the program.

[bluegrassking]

Increasing organization is also my hope for this hire. There seems to be a gap in this area that affects negatively almost everything from recruiting (not having players in the data base) to in game situations (we lost track of the time and score), to getting ready for what the opposition is going to do (we weren't prepared).

While I agree from a strictly basketball standpoint, I don't see Finney as adding a lot or being a big factor/advocate for change in our strategies. I also say if he can be the one that keeps the staff on track and organized, then it will make the team better.

So, it is to be hoped that while this move isn't expected to change basketball strategy (which I strongly agree there is room for), it along with better conditioning will allow us to be more sound in a fundemental sense.

Higher levels of conditioning for the players and organization among the staff cannot help but to ease the inconsistancy, even if those are not the only areas which hold us back from being presently elite.

[BigblueDrew]

bluegrassking wrote: Increasing organization is also my hope for this hire. There seems to be a gap in this area that affects negatively almost everything from recruiting (not having players in the data base) to in game situations (we lost track of the time and score), to getting ready for what the opposition is going to do (we weren't prepared).

While I agree from a strictly basketball standpoint, I don't see Finney as adding a lot or being a big factor/advocate for change in our strategies. I also say if he can be the one that keeps the staff on track and organized, then it will make the team better.

So, it is to be hoped that while this move isn't expected to change basketball strategy (which I strongly agree there is room for), it along with better conditioning will allow us to be more sound in a fundemental sense.

Higher levels of conditioning for the players and organization among the staff cannot help but to ease the inconsistancy, even if those are not the only areas which hold us back from being presently elite.
George Felton is the guy he should bring back if he MUST bring back an old coach, IMO. I can't see Finney solving Tubby's most basic problems, Recruiting and player management.