The very best thing Scott Barnes can do is strong arm Dixon privately and say:

[Jeffburgh]

The thing is, objectively, as things stand right now, unless Kithcart is the second coming of Trey Burke, Manigault is ready to contribute big minutes, Artis gets his head out of his ass, and Young gets less selfish and works harder at the defensive end,. next year will be rough, and the year after that, rougher. So if I were JD, and this were really my last stand, I think I'd be pulling out some stops. But realistically I don't think his seat is really all that hot, and he could get things turned around for the better in 3 years or so--assuming he does a way better job of recruiting. Bottom line is, he'd better get to it.

By last stand, I am saying the next core group over the next three or so years.

I was hoping with the addition of the three fifth year guys and JROB as a senior this team would do some good things on the court this year to get some DESPERATELY needed positive vibes into the program.

That is obviously on a death watch, and I agree that unless there is some miracle development that alters the makeup of Young and Artis to be able to win the tough games, next year will probably look much the same.

So, to me, assuming Young and Artis return, next year is sort of a transition year to the next team - which will be Kithkart and Maginault, supported by Luther, Wilson, Cam John in front of them and the 2016-17 class behind them.

To me, these guys will be his sink or swim group.

 

[Jeffburgh]

This thread is interesting, because the OP has his heart in the right place, but fails to understand the subtleties and the nuances of this situation.

If Jamie Dixon was on the back end of a contract and hoping for an extension, then Barnes could visit with him, they could have "the talk" and Jamie could sacrifice an assistant or something. Hell, if they miss the tournament this year, Jamie still may sacrifice an assistant.

However, if they make the tournament this year well...the A.D. is actually on the bottom now.

Scott Barnes is a first year A.D., he's been here less than a year, and he's got a contract that doesn't last as long or cost as much as Jamie Dixon. Stop for a moment and let that sink in. That's why Mike Johnston gets fired while Sidney Crosby doesn't. Okay?

Barnes has to approach Dixon with a smile and a handshake, win his trust, let him know that he expects more, and they have to do the dance. Jamie asks for X, Barnes says give me Y, Jamie asks for A, Barnes says well, if we did B I could do that.

When an A.D. basically tries to force a head coach to fire anyone, or as the OP suggests the ENTIRE DAMN STAFF then he's trending his way right on to Stevie P. turf. Once you start hiring the assistants you assume the responsibility for the changes along with the coach.

An A.D. is hired to assess how the coach is doing, and to hire and fire coaches. Not to hire a coach's assistants. Once you've crossed that line, you're also on the hook for their performance. You've become part of the problem. You're to blame if it goes even further south. Pederson found this out the hard way 15 months ago. He tried to meddle in Wannstedt's staff and Wannstedt basically ran him. Steve fired him, the rest is history.

Yes, I'm sure Barnes wants to sell tickets. I'm equally sure that he understands the subtle politics involved in this situation and why it seems simple. But it's far more complicated.

Right, I think Barnes can both be deferential toward JD while also at the same time letting JD know expectations are higher than what has been achieved the last few years, say he is willing to do whatever is necessary to help JD get it turned around, but they both will know JD has a short window to get it worked out.

 

[levance2]

while also at the same time letting JD know expectations are higher than what has been achieved the last few years

Why do so many imply that Dixon likes or accepts losing? Do you really think he's just idly cashing his paychecks at this point? I really doubt he tells the team, "Hey guys, lose the last three games if you want, it gives me a shorter commute to play in the NIT!"

 

[Jeffburgh]

Why do so many imply that Dixon likes or accepts losing? Do you really think he's just idly cashing his paychecks at this point? I really doubt he tells the team, "Hey guys, lose the last three games if you want, it gives me a shorter commute to play in the NIT!"

Dude, love your work here, but ease off the gas.

That is not what I think, was no what I was "implying" and further to get that read of it is completely out of the context of what I was posting.

 

[Harve74]

Why do so many imply that Dixon likes or accepts losing? Do you really think he's just idly cashing his paychecks at this point? I really doubt he tells the team, "Hey guys, lose the last three games if you want, it gives me a shorter commute to play in the NIT!"

Exactly. I couldn't believe anybody took me seriously when I said he could just sit quietly on the bench, loose and collect paychecks. The guy works harder on the sidelines than anyone in the country.
Would that the players worked HALF as hard!

 

[levance2]

Dude, love your work here, but ease off the gas.

That is not what I think, was no what I was "implying" and further to get that read of it is completely out of the context of what I was posting.

You're implying that Barnes has to alert Dixon that potential back to back NITs is below expectations. I think back to back tournaments without a win would be below Dixon's expectations, maybe even back to back tournaments without a Sweet 16.

It is like someone (maybe Kiwi) has been posting about JRob. He reached his peak. He can't be any better than he is. You can't fault a guy for that. Maybe Dixon's time has come and gone and he'll never be that coach that had the best winning percentage in BE conference history. I really don't think it is about inspiring him or motivating him. It's just a matter of whether he can pull it off.

 

[Jeffburgh]

You're implying that Barnes has to alert Dixon that potential back to back NITs is below expectations. I think back to back tournaments without a win would be below Dixon's expectations, maybe even back to back tournaments without a Sweet 16.

It is like someone (maybe Kiwi) has been posting about JRob. He reached his peak. He can't be any better than he is. You can't fault a guy for that. Maybe Dixon's time has come and gone and he'll never be that coach that had the best winning percentage in BE conference history. I really don't think it is about inspiring him or motivating him. It's just a matter of whether he can pull it off.

No, that is 1) not what I wrote, 2) not what I am "implying," and 3) again runs counter to the context of what I posted.

I know WTF I am posting and thinking, you obviously don't.

It is a given that JD knows this, so why would there be a need to "has to alert" him?

That makes no sense.

The context of what I posted was relative to the response to the OP about laying down the law.

This is not the approach in this situation, not with a coach who has done as much for the program as JD has in a discussion with an AD in his second year at the University.

This is about taking the right tact in saying he is behind JD while at the same time letting him know he is on the clock.

I have a couple posts about this now.

 

[levance2]

At best, your post is unclear. At worst, I disagree with your opinion. No point in arguing about it.

 

[NTOP]

This thread is interesting, because the OP has his heart in the right place, but fails to understand the subtleties and the nuances of this situation.

If Jamie Dixon was on the back end of a contract and hoping for an extension, then Barnes could visit with him, they could have "the talk" and Jamie could sacrifice an assistant or something. Hell, if they miss the tournament this year, Jamie still may sacrifice an assistant.

However, if they make the tournament this year well...the A.D. is actually on the bottom now.

Scott Barnes is a first year A.D., he's been here less than a year, and he's got a contract that doesn't last as long or cost as much as Jamie Dixon. Stop for a moment and let that sink in. That's why Mike Johnston gets fired while Sidney Crosby doesn't. Okay?

Barnes has to approach Dixon with a smile and a handshake, win his trust, let him know that he expects more, and they have to do the dance. Jamie asks for X, Barnes says give me Y, Jamie asks for A, Barnes says well, if we did B I could do that.

When an A.D. basically tries to force a head coach to fire anyone, or as the OP suggests the ENTIRE DAMN STAFF then he's trending his way right on to Stevie P. turf. Once you start hiring the assistants you assume the responsibility for the changes along with the coach.

An A.D. is hired to assess how the coach is doing, and to hire and fire coaches. Not to hire a coach's assistants. Once you've crossed that line, you're also on the hook for their performance. You've become part of the problem. You're to blame if it goes even further south. Pederson found this out the hard way 15 months ago. He tried to meddle in Wannstedt's staff and Wannstedt basically ran him. Steve fired him, the rest is history.

Yes, I'm sure Barnes wants to sell tickets. I'm equally sure that he understands the subtle politics involved in this situation and why it seems simple. But it's far more complicated.

My guess is that Barnes & Dixon will work together. This is Barnes' first P5 job as an AD. He's pretty smart, and Jamie had soured on SP for FORCING him to drop Sandle. There's already enough on Barnes' plate, and you don't take on a high risk task if you can avoid it. Hopefully, Scott is too smart to screw this up.

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

The problem is that alot of fans on this board don't understand the concept of acting like adults...

I am pretty positive that Dixon and Barners will sit down at the end of the year, act like professionals and talk about the state of the program and act like, you know, adults......

Just because a minority of people on here are incapable of doing it doesn't mean men with millions on the line wont

 

[PHATWOOD]

No question, what was stated in the OP is not realistic, that's not how the world of collegiate athletics works. But Barnes is the boss, he writes the paychecks, and he seems committed to improving both revenue sports. With Dixon, I would hope he;d sit down and ask JD what he can do to help, since the issue is personnel, what resources can he give JD need that would improve recruiting performance. I'm sure that conversation has occurred, probably the first week Barnes was on the job. I'm also sure Barnes has a sharp eye on the basketball program, and he won't stand by idly and watch it founder.

I think we're going in the same direction here. The problem that Barnes has as i said is that terrible contract situation. There really isn't much that he can do save offering more help financially in assistant pay and recruiting budgets. Once he forces the head coach to make changes he had best hope they work. That's a simple reality due to the eight years Jamie has left.

At the end of the day, Jamie has to be willing to enact change. All the rest of this is just dudes on a message board talking about what they'd like to see.

 

[passedout]

Our problem were at PG and a presence in the paint. Did we address this with this class?

 

[Fsgolfdr]

An awlful lot of people on here just assume that your aspirations for the bb program are the same as the powers to be. They took a step back from the win at all cost type of institution quite a few years ago and I don't see them going back there under the new chancellor and AD. I'm sure winning is important to them because it brings in additional revenue and the notoriety it brings the university with it ,but not to the extent of undermining their integrity . We'll see how important winning is to them by how much additional money is given to the salaries and recruiting budget of the bb team. I'm sure everyone down there wants better results on the court ,but maybe they like the fact that their student athletes graduate and stay out of the negative headlines your constantly reading about. They might like the fact that there head coach is a good representative of the university. When they come out and say we want to compete with the best of the best and were willing to do what it takes to get this done is when we can hold them to those standards that some of you now currently hold them to. I'd rather see them compete and occasionally win national championships then their current level of play but until their willing to commit the assets needed to compete at that level it's not going to happen. I try and enjoy it for what it is entertainment and I maintain realistic expectations otherwise you'll become one of these fire everybody , these players are lazy ,stink,hope they all leave types of posters who are never happy or satisfied.

 

[Saboteur]

Why do so many imply that Dixon likes or accepts losing? Do you really think he's just idly cashing his paychecks at this point? I really doubt he tells the team, "Hey guys, lose the last three games if you want, it gives me a shorter commute to play in the NIT!"

Does liking it or not change the results? This has never been a question of the content of his character. That is above reproach.
In the end, winning matters. So too does losing. Intent is irrelevant.