Hobbs Must Go

[UKManGillispieFan71]

Anyone here that has read any of my previous posts knows that I am a staunch supporter of OTS. I do not think UK could find a finer coach anywhere on earth. However, even the most loyal of fans must admit that somethinghas been missing from the program over the past several seasons. That missing something has a name and it is called "OffensiveCohesion".Tubby can handle preparing the team to play tenacious defense (It is still early this season, naysayers) but he is never going to be accused of masterminding a high octane offense. Is that an unacceptable weakness for a head coach? Absolutely not. The problem with UK's stale scoring attackcould be traced back to a currently filled position on the coaching staff. His name is David Hobbs, and he needs to go. When is the last time a school with a coaching vacancy sought out UK's permission to speak with Hobbs? Can anyone point to a significant contribution that Hobbs has made during his tenure as Tubby's "Yes" man?I have never heard anything negative about Hobbs and from all reports is a man of uncompromising integrity. But the fact of the matter is, I am not comfortable with a man that is perfectly content to be an assistant (associate if you prefer) coach for the remainder of his carreer. UK needs a young fire breathing assistant that lives for the game and is eager to prove himself in hopes of getting his own program. I am far from being a fan of Slick Rick, but I will grudgingly admit that he learned long a go that the most efficient means of achieving success at the highest level is by surrounding yourself with incredible coaching talent as well as great players.Tubby needs to find someone to bring a fresh perspective on the game and who has an absolute passion for offense that can jump start the Cats rusty scoring machine. And he needs that personnow.

[Stretch]

The Bogans-Daniels-Hayes teams had more "offensive cohesion" than any UK teams in recent memory. Also, how much of that do you expect any team to have in mid-November playing four freshmen? Did you watch UNC last night?

[MSU Cat]

Stretch wrote: The Bogans-Daniels-Hayes teams had more "offensive cohesion" than any UK teams in recent memory. Also, how much of that do you expect any team to have in mid-November playing four freshmen? Did you watch UNC last night?

Yes, and I also watched a Gonzaga team without it's returning Player of the Year dismantle a very talented UNC team. Mark Few is a great coach. His teams are fun to watch, they play very hard, the offense flows very nicely, and he has a decent defense. Can that be said about our program of late?

[UKcat]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Radiated]

I think it might be Hanson and Rigot as well.

Rigot was brought in as an ace recruiter. Hanson is with the big men.

[phoenix]

Radiated wrote: I think it might be Hanson and Rigot as well.

Rigot was brought in as an ace recruiter. Hanson is with the big men.


Well then what about Holsopple? We weren't supposed to be fatigued as a team this year? What the heck? They are going to have to take the statue down and it aint even finished yet...:lol:

(BTW, Kietley should have used better stickum on the soles of the tennis shoes, I saw several people slip.)

[CATS and PATS FAN]

Super Post, Tubby continues to let this guy coach the offense,WHY ????

It is also very scarry that he(HOBBS) isin charge ofthe Major Wooing of Patrick Patterson, recently He talked of Text messaging Patterson Weekly. YIKES !!!

[FatCatDaddy]

I don't understand why I constantly see Hobbs telling Tubby what to do and I see Hobbs doing all the talking during some of the time outs. This guy is not a top notch coach.

[ukbob]

CATS and PATS FAN wrote: Super Post, Tubby continues to let this guy coach the offense,WHY ????

It is also very scarry that he(HOBBS) isin charge ofthe Major Wooing of Patrick Patterson, recently He talked of Text messaging Patterson Weekly. YIKES !!!


Hobbs is keeping in touch with Moses, not Patterson. Moses likes Hobbs. I hope he likes him a lot.

I think we are overreacting about who runs the team. Tubby Smith runs it, not Hobbs. It is the job of the Assts to give stat updates, defensive situations and general info to the coach during the timeout before he addresses the team. It is done with every major staf out there. Not defending either, just making a point.

I have great issues with our assistants as far as recruiting goes, but that is for another thread. Hobbs is not a primary recruiter. Hanson and Rigot are...but I digress.

[kyjohn]

Hobbs is not the problem.Lack of recruiting athletes is.Look at the senior and sophomore class and you will see prime examples.And the way Bradley is playing,I'm not so sure about him.

[catfando]

The Bogans-Daniels-Hayes teams had more "offensive cohesion" than any UK teams in recent memory. Also, how much of that do you expect any team to have in mid-November playing four freshmen? Did you watch UNC last night?
Actually, I think the freshmen have way more cohesion than the others. And the team does have cohesion, they have spent all summer preparing together under Holsople. What is lacking is the same thing that is lacking every year.......Execution of the simple fundamentals. Passing the ball on offense, movement without the ball, setting solid screens and picks, and not forcing passes but making good ones. On the defensive end, we don't do a good job at stopping the opposing players from penetrating by simply cutting off the lane to the basket (staying between your man and the basket). We give up the baseline too much and we don't hit the board like heat seeking missiles. We don't get good rebounding position. Have I left anything out? Oh yeah, we struggle getting the ball in bounds, because we don't set good screens and move with a sense of urgency.

All that being said, Tubby has got to figure something out to get this through to his players. I am positive he teaches these things. But I don't know where it gets lost between teaching and executing. All I know is, he needs to get it fixed quick, or move on and let us hire somebody who can. The state of UK basketball is unacceptable right now. Especially considering that we supposedly have one the best coaches in the country and definitely one of the highest paid coaches. GO CATS!

[BIGBLUEFAN4LIFE]

kyjohn wrote: Hobbs is not the problem.Lack of recruiting athletes is.Look at the senior and sophomore class and you will see prime examples.And the way Bradley is playing,I'm not so sure about him.
I am so glad to see someone else say this...We do not have the ATHLETES to compete right now!!! Hopefully Harris and Stewart are the athletes people say. Moses looks to be! Athletic teams will kill us all year long.

[BigblueDrew]

David Hobbs is NOT the problem at the University of Kentucky. Firing him however is much EASIER and gives the illusion that something is being done, rather than actually solve the problem.

[bcbaxter10]

phoenix wrote: Well then what about Holsopple? We weren't supposed to be fatigued as a team this year? What the heck? They are going to have to take the statue down and it aint even finished yet...:lol:



3 games in 3 days, and a total of 5 in 8 is tough for any S&D coach to prepare for. They aren't going to see that kind of action even in the Dance.

I bet this team last year would have been gassed in the UCLA game.

[UKManGillispieFan71]

BigblueDrew wrote: David Hobbs is NOT the problem at the University of Kentucky. Firing him however is much EASIER and gives the illusion that something is being done, rather than actually solve the problem.
You are absolutely right, Hobbs is not the problem. My point is that he has never been and never will be part of the solution. How many of you know why Hobbs is here and what his connection to Tubby is? Hobbs, like Tubby, cut his teeth under Coach JD Barnett. This is where they both learned the famous (infamous?) Ball Line Defense. When Wimp Sanderson stepped down (was removed) at Alabama, Hobbs took over the program and made defense his signature. When Tubby extended the invitation to Hobbs for him to join the staff, many people saw it as a means for Hobbs to rejoin the ranks of college coaches.But even a long lost best friend or cherished relative can over stay their welcome. What I have suggested is that perhaps Hobbs has lingered on past his. The greatest coaches in all the land can not run a perrenial powerhouse by themselves. The job entails much more than recruiting players and coaching them during games and practice. How many of you out there think Denny Crum was solely responsible for the success Louisville enjoyed in the 80's? Perhaps a young(er) pistol of an assistant by the name of Wade Houston may have contributed to that success just a bit. Would Pitino have rebuilt a struggling UK program single handedly, or do you think Herb Sendek, Tubby Smith, Billy Donovan, and Ralph Willard may have played a small part?Speaking from my own experiences as a coach of multiple sports,a truly great assistant is worth his weight in gold. A great Assistant can bring out the best in a Head Coach, bringing a fresh perspective on strategy and pushing the man to work even harder to match the outputand dedication of those he mentors. A great Assistant is an invaluable liason between the Head Coach and player. When a head coach rips a player for deficiencies in his play, it is much more effective when he has anAssistant that can followit up with a "Coach would not be so hard on you if he did not see the potential inside of you" type of talk. The worst part of having great assistants is that sooner or later they are going to be noticed by other programs that want what they have to offer in the capacity of a Head Coach. The best part is that you reap the benefits until they are noticed.

[phoenix]

bcbaxter10 wrote: phoenix wrote: Well then what about Holsopple? We weren't supposed to be fatigued as a team this year? What the heck? They are going to have to take the statue down and it aint even finished yet...:lol:



3 games in 3 days, and a total of 5 in 8 is tough for any S&D coach to prepare for. They aren't going to see that kind of action even in the Dance.

I bet this team last year would have been gassed in the UCLA game.
It has already been pointed out by so many on this board that other teams were also playing 3 in 3 days and had played games before coming down to Maui

[cnice11]

I agree with your post. I watch our offense and we always shoot with someone on us. I never see people setting screens. Plus, even Traitor Rick would run a special play every now and then and it always seem to work. All I see this team do, Tubby's fault?I don't know, but the standing around against top notch athletes on other teams defenses can't continue. He had it briefly with Daniels, hayes, and bogans. I love Morris's attitude, but I think he really is a liability sometimes to this team. If he isnt making shots on offense, he definitely can't play defense against top big men; without getting into foul trouble.

[bleedbluelady]

cnice11 wrote: I love Morris's attitude, but I think he really is a liability sometimes to this team. trouble.
:shock: Mercy, I sure can't agree with that. I don't even want to think of this season without Morris. :?

[bluegrassking]

bleedbluelady wrote: cnice11 wrote: I love Morris's attitude, but I think he really is a liability sometimes to this team. trouble.
:shock: Mercy, I sure can't agree with that. I don't even want to think of this season without Morris. :?

Randolph and Joe are good offensive players but their defensecan bea liability and we don't have enough talent to mask them and clearly we need them on the floor.

Everyone isn't going to be great on both ends-that's what seperated Jordan from other star players. Guys like Mercer, Mash, andAntoine Walker weren't standout defenders but the system they played in and the players that surrounded them kept that from being an issue. We can't say that right now.

[bluegrassking]

I also agree Hobbs is not a part of the solution, he like all of our assistants is an echo chamber yes man for Tubby.

Maybe with better and more diverse talent (like someone who can communicate with the average teen or an offensive mind) surrounding him Tubby could get over the hump but we won't find out because Tubby won't make substantive changes.

[katfever]

I find it amusing alot of reasons or excuses are put forth on the boards on the state of the programwhen there is simply one reason the program is where it is at- Tubby Smith. I just got back from Maui and alsowent to 2 exhibition games, and it looks worse in person. The freshmen are the real deal but overall, the difference between the talent and coaching between UK and UCLA and Memphis is embarrassing. And the buck stops at Tubby Smith- look no further. What made it even worse was talking to the fans of the other teams-especially the Memphis fans. So to answer the initial post, getting rid of Hobbs does NOTHING.

[catfeverintennessee]

Just an observation from Maui... During a timeout of both Tuesday and Wednesday games, Tubby was chewing Hobbs up one side and down the other. Can't remember what happened prior to the timeouts but Tubby was very hot about something and was letting Hobbs have it especially on Tuesday. He was in his face and pointing at the floor and stomping his foot. He was a little more subdued on Wednesday. He did not get in his face but was side by side and pointing again at the paint and eyes were bugging. :shock:



So what happened that was Hobbs' job that did not get done or get done right?

[Will Lavender]

katfever wrote: I find it amusing alot of reasons or excuses are put forth on the boards on the state of the programwhen there is simply one reason the program is where it is at- Tubby Smith. I just got back from Maui and alsowent to 2 exhibition games, and it looks worse in person. The freshmen are the real deal but overall, the difference between the talent and coaching between UK and UCLA and Memphis is embarrassing. And the buck stops at Tubby Smith- look no further. What made it even worse was talking to the fans of the other teams-especially the Memphis fans. So to answer the initial post, getting rid of Hobbs does NOTHING.
Not sure the talent argument flies with UCLA. They won that game by 5 points, and we had a shot at the very end to tie or win. Not necessarily a domination.

Memphis was certainly quicker and more athletic, but Randolph Morris, for my money, was the most "talented" player on the floor in that game.

If we come to the end of the year with 10 or more losses and we get beat early in the NCAAs, then there are some undeniably serious issues. But I've seen this team practice and seen them play live, just as you have, and I don't see too many glaring talent deficiencies...except maybe at the 4. Right now, we just can't guard anybody. That's a coaching issue, not a talent issue.

But I agree with the tenor of your post: firing Hobbs is crazy. If you fire anybody, it's going to be the head man. And if we suffer through another season like last year, then it will be the head man AND his assistants.

As it should be.

[wildcatcrazy]

While I have not read all of these posts, it seems most are in agreement--firing Hobbs gets us nothing.

I was one of many that was hoping Rigot would be gone this year. I attended the UK father-son camp two summers ago (when Morris and crew were freshman) and Rigot added nothing at the camp and as far as I can tell (although no personal contact) he has very little personality--not good for a recruiter. He certainly stands out in no way--on the bench, etc--and you NEVER hear a word from him.

On the other hand, Hanson is full of personality--but that has not translated into a good recruiter. (If he is in charge of the big men--he gets a D grade for those results!)

Problem is, heads needed to roll this past off season IMO-starting with Rigot--and that did not happen. If things don't improve through the season, the question is "who do you fire first?" (Those that want Tubby fired are fooling themselves IMO-he will leave when he chooses to leave--and will leave only if the program falls on its face.)

I would fire Rigot tomorrow if it were me--and Hanson by the end of the season-which leaves Hobbs as the third choice to fire IMO.

If I had my way, we would hire Pelphry as our assistant head coach and head recruiter, fire Rigot and Hanson and groom Pelphry for the head job five years from today. Won't happen but.....................

My biggest fear is that Coach Smith doesn't "get it". Business as usual seems to be the order of the day. As an example, we continue to substitute "five on five" and do not currently have ten D-1 talent players on the roster IMO. (Plus, his recruiting is up for discussion if Patterson AND Lucas don't sign with us.)

It will be interesting to see how all of this falls out. Rough sailing ahead as far as I can tell. I hope I am wrong!

[BigBlueTude]

IF Tubby leaves.......I am all for a Mark Few as our next head coach. He just gets it done every year!