Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Three Quick Hits



1) Don’t be surprised or alarmed if Columbia does not meet its self-imposed target of early January for hiring the new Athletic Director. Again, I don’t see this as a reason to panic. I’d be much more concerned by a rush to hire which has characterized most of our major hiring decisions in the past. Even though I am eager to see Dianne Murphy out the door literally and figuratively as soon as possible, we should take the time do this right and make sure all the best potential candidates have a chance to either be approached or approach us.

2) Columbia basketball is getting lots of attention lately thanks to good showings at Kentucky and UConn and a nice win at home vs. Hofstra. But the fans like to focus on star players, or just one star player and we really have one in junior Maodo Lo. His unconventional path to basketball and the Ivy League should serve as a lesson to the football program when it comes to recruiting. Most importantly, it’s just a joy to watch him play.


3) Classes resume on Tuesday January 20th and students will return to campus. Four days later, Cornell will come into the Levien Gymnasium for the Ivy League home opener, (the Lions play Cornell at Cornell the week before). That day and that game would be a logical time to introduce the new A.D. to the fans. A week later, the Lions have a home stand against Yale and Brown and those could be good games to introduce the new football coach. 

20 comments:

Coach said...

Would love to see Columbia hire Walt Hameline as the new AD. He has been the AD and football coach at Wagner College for 30 years, and has done an outstanding job. Very highly regarded as both a coach and AD.

Anonymous said...

It's just a very late timetable to do anything constructive for football in 2015. I know the comparison isn't an exact 1 to 1 match but UNLV is going through a similar problem. Actually they have had 30 something years of losing after doing fairly well in Division II in the 70's. Their most recent coach was run off after 1 winning season in 5. They hired a high school coach to replace him (who happened to coach a very powerful HS program for several years) but the guy is already making bad hires, retread coordinators who stunk it up at prior programs.

A little late to go out recruiting for help next season but they just landed a few JUCO guys who might help them. Columbia can't go the JUCO route so what options are there right now for a coaching staff let alone plucking a few impact guys as freshmen? It's not happening. Best case scenario is fielding a staff at all and pulling in a few backups for depth.

Coach said...

Lots of noise on the blogs regarding John Garrett- I personally think he is perfectly suited, especially in terms of experience and temperament , to be the Head Coach of Columbia.
A great person.

Unknown said...

I am glad you mentioned the basketball team. I have been coming to both football & basketball games since 1942. Coach Smith & his staff have done a wonderful job considering Alex Rosenberg, who was all Ivy, is out for the year with an injury. He will return next year to team with Lo. Grant Mullins, a starter at guard, never recovered from the concussion last year & may never play again.
Come out to the Ivy games & support this team. We could win the league this year.

I remain, very truly yours, Richard Szathmary said...

It wasn't so much a "concussion" Grant mullins suffered as it was a wicked, clearly felonious assault.

That said, Coach Smith has since "patched" his lineup up beautifully, which is the mark of a great coach. And they seem to play their hearts out for him.

Coach said...

Has anyone heard about Columbia getting a football waiver, as we were allowed in 1987, to get some kids into the program?

Chick said...

Hameline just retired as coach. Does he want to switch AD jobs at 63? But it's nice to know there are qualified people out there.

Coach said...

I am anxious to see if Taylor comments on our overall team strength. We do not look as physically strong as other Ivy Schools. I do not see many of our players "ripped up" .
A few are, like Padilla, but not many.
This looks like a very weak area for Columbia football. Bet our squat and bench numbers are not good.

Coach said...

Why hasn't Columbia hired John Garrett ? He is available right now!

Anonymous said...

AD first, has to be that way IMO

Coach said...

Columbia should take a good look at Keith Clark- OC at Dartmouth- was also the OC at Yale and coached the offensive line at Columbia- good fit/ great guy-

Jake said...

Coach! Clark has been in my top 5 choices for more than a month! :)

http://culions.blogspot.com/2014/11/start-here.html

Jake said...

Scratch that, it's been TWO MONTHS!

http://culions.blogspot.com/2014/10/our-short-list.html

Coach said...

As anybody found a Columbia alum who is a college AD?

Jake said...

Yes: John Robinson. Written about him before.

Coach said...

Where is Robinson at?

Coach said...

Where is the buzz about our new AD? Why don't we hear about some exciting candidates? Where are the prospects that have been involved in top football programs?

Coach said...

The AD at Bates is a Columbia graduate and was a wrestling champ.
Wonder if he is in the mix. Weak football program at Bates.

Coach said...

If Robinson comes, he could bring Tony Levine , the former football coach at Houston. Excellent Coach

Coach said...

Any sign of the Taylor report?
Did the report go out to the football alums?