I don’t think that’s the case if we’re honest. Was the fan base upset, for sure. Was Thad having serious medical issues hindering his coaching and recruiting abilities, absolutely.
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- Thread starter ScriptOhio
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I want to win EVERY game. That's not realistic though. Not one fan wants to win more than the 18 or 19 guys in that locker room though. And I think that perspective is lost on this fanbase too.
I try to temper things with a sense of history, both recent and overall. I don't think Holtmann is John Wooden, or Fred Taylor or even Thad Matta but he's also not Randy Ayers or Jim O'Brien. Not being Matta or Taylor isn't a sin despite what the fanbase expects.
The timeframe from about 2005 through 2016 or so was the literal golden age of Buckeye athletics. Football was in National Title contention almost every year, basketball was at its absolute historical peak, the wrestling program was great with several all-time greats, Tennis was great, baseball even had a couple decent to good years, etc.
However, I do think parts of this fanbase has delusions of grandeur when it comes to basketball. I swear some people (not necessarily you) think it's footbal - its not - and no, you just can't fire a well-respected coach (and he is, you can't deny that) one year after an extension and after making the tournament in every year but 1. And do that and think you're going to get some sort of coaching upgrade at a school where basketball is a distant 2nd fiddle, in a city/state that does not care that much about basketball, in a state that overall also doesn't produce as much home-grown talent either - it's just not realistic at the moment.
So, yes, careful what you wish for. And I've posted it multiple times already so I won't, but CH is right at the program's historical norms. While not my standard, part of that being realistic (and therefore refusing to be miserable about something I can't and won't be able to change) means I am inferring that he's almost certainly making his goals for the one person whose opinion actually matters and that is Gene Smith.
In the end, you can choose to be miserable and bitch about something you have literally not one iota of a chance to change or affect, or you can shrug your shoulders and hope they bounce back next year and yes, if this hasn't turned around at all, its time for a new voice. However, of the two choices, I choose the latter. There are far larger things going on in this world than a top-25(ish) all-time basketball program's issues in any case.
As I said the other day, it is what it is.
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The cycle will repeat probably.
Well, actually what will happen is most of the Matta-era bandwagon will depopulate and people won't complain as much because they won't pay attention.
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LIke hell it wasn't. The all time winningest head coach for the program was mocked and made fun of by "fans".
Case in point: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...in-first-round-of-big-ten-tournament#comments
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I’ve been here since the Fred Taylor days. Watched him lay an egg with one of the best tOSU rosters ever.
Gary Williams was the guy who was really starting to build a program here. Unfortunately his alma mater came calling. Can’t blame him for going home.
I don’t think it’s just about Thad.
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Thad was in pain and couldn’t coach anymore . He should’ve walked away. Him going was inevitable at that point.
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Matta's end didn't have to be so derisive. More to the point, that was year 3 of extreme and increasing toxicity from the "fan"base. The cycle is repeating now.
And yes, it's about Thad. The program didn't have near the attention on it before the Thad-5. So long as CH is going to be held to some nebulous standards that only Matta met, it's about what Thad did. That's what following the program's best coach ever is about.
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Your perspective of tOSU basketball history and your hill. Enjoy it. Personally, I appreciated Thad’s teams and what he did here. I think without the medical issues things would’ve been different.
However, sorry/not sorry that some of us believe that tOSU basketball can be more than what it is under Holtman. With the resources that tOSU has, what’s going on under Holtman is criminal.
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Those resources have been around for 60 something years. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it.
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Or you can challenge the status quo that you’re so fond of lamenting and chart a new course for the program. Might take some balls, definitely fakes leadership and vision.
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I swear it's like you haven't read anything I said about it taking time and understanding what the historical norm is, so you can build upon that. I AM saying that someone meeting those norms aren't doing a "bad" job, which so many "fans" are currently saying. Yes, THIS year is bad. There's no one remotely denying that. It doesn't change the original point.
It's also like you completely glossed over my saying how it's not MY standard, but the standard of the one person on the planet whose opinion matters. In the meantime, feel free to remain miserable. I get the feeling you secretly enjoy it.
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I’m not miserable but thanks for the concern. I’ve read and I comprehend everything you’ve written over the season. I get what you’re saying, I just disagree that it has to be this way. History be dammed. It will continue to repeat if you don’t aspire to more. Cooper is a football example of that.
Yes, Gene doesn’t see things in the same light, and it’s unfortunate for the program and the fanbase of the largest University In the country. Gene made a huge mistake extending Holtman, not because of this season, but because of the warning signs that were there ahead of it.
Can I change it no, but it’s an Internet forum and just like you I can express my opinion. I get the feeling you secretly enjoy the argument.
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My first move to a winning program, get out of the Schottenstein Morgue and build a 3-4 story vertical arena that seats 11-13,000 where every side hangs over the court.
Think St. John’s but steeper!
Think St. John’s but steeper!
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otisu
Senior
College basketball success is about the head coach. Look at Gonzaga, UF, UConn, etc. Look at the "blue blood" IU the past 20 years without RMK. Name me a program that has just plugged in a coach and continued rolling other than those that poached a proven elite coach. All this to say, OSU has the name and resources to bring in a coach that will have them in contention for the conference title and the round of 16 on a consistent basis regardless of the shadow of the Horseshoe and the so-called basketball fan base.
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