I can see it coming from a mile away... if Jamie goes to TCU the local media is going to make it sounds like Jamie left Pitt and Pitt can't keep good coaches.
I don't post much on this side, but I want to calm everyone down. You have to realize that Barnes gave TCU permission to negotiate with Jamie. I don't think Barnes is very high on Jamie as a coach and realized this might be the best opportunity to part ways on the best terms for everyone. It gives Jamie an out (going home to his alma mater) and it allows Pitt to get rid of Jamie without having to deal with his huge contract.
I think Jamie is a good coach but I think his style did not adjust well to the ACC. I think the problems with recruiting have to do with Pitt's image as a 'win ugly' team. No teenage kid wants to play for a team that doesn't win and look good doing it. Barnes really understands how much perception matters and this perception of being a low scoring, win ugly program needs to go.
Finally, I think we are in really good hands with Barnes. We have an AD who is a former basketball player and chair of the NCAA selection committee. He knows basketball and he has basketball contacts and some of the names I've heard are big. We may not get them but we most certainly won't be settling or undershooting on candidates. I think similar to how big name football recruits are considering Pitt because of Narduzzi, a lot of people are looking at Pitt because of Barnes.
I don't post much on this side, but I want to calm everyone down. You have to realize that Barnes gave TCU permission to negotiate with Jamie. I don't think Barnes is very high on Jamie as a coach and realized this might be the best opportunity to part ways on the best terms for everyone. It gives Jamie an out (going home to his alma mater) and it allows Pitt to get rid of Jamie without having to deal with his huge contract.
I think Jamie is a good coach but I think his style did not adjust well to the ACC. I think the problems with recruiting have to do with Pitt's image as a 'win ugly' team. No teenage kid wants to play for a team that doesn't win and look good doing it. Barnes really understands how much perception matters and this perception of being a low scoring, win ugly program needs to go.
Finally, I think we are in really good hands with Barnes. We have an AD who is a former basketball player and chair of the NCAA selection committee. He knows basketball and he has basketball contacts and some of the names I've heard are big. We may not get them but we most certainly won't be settling or undershooting on candidates. I think similar to how big name football recruits are considering Pitt because of Narduzzi, a lot of people are looking at Pitt because of Barnes.
