The Craig Smith era begins

[LAUte]

No need to speculate any more. He’s on the job. Here’s a place to discuss the early days of his program as it unfolds at the U.

[LAUte]

Here’s some high praise for the Smith hire:

CBS Sports analyst Matt Norlander confirmed the report from sources. He believes that Smith will be a significant hire for the Utes program.

“ Craig Smith was a home run hire for Utah State,” Norlander reported. “Now he’ll head to Salt Lake City and take over a program that, historically, is among the 20 best in the history of college hoops.”

[LAUte]

Three Takeaway From Craig Smith's Press Conference As New Utah Head Coach -...

[Ma-ake]

@sancho

I’m excited that, for the first time since Giac, we have a new coach inheriting a good core of players. We’ve given him a huge head start over what most new head coaches have to start with.

In this era he first needs to recruit the existing players, including an attempt to change Timmy Allen’s mind, and even maybe Battin, but I agree, there’s reason to be hopeful.

[ironman1315]

There a South Dakota kid he coached that’s transferring.

[oldstandingUte]

@LAUte

I am starting to feel better about Craig Smith. There are signs that he knew how to overachieve at a small, out of the way mid-major. A low mid-major at that. He failed in the big dance because he simply didn’t have the talent to move forward, it seems to me. Maybe in a P6, PAC-12 job he can work a few small wonders. I’ll bet that is why he is probably celebrating this morning, that’s all that knowledgeable Ute fans really hope for, when you think about it.

To close the deal for Ute fans all he has to do is to get Queta to enter the portal & make him a Ute.

[Ma-ake]

@oldstandingUte

To close the deal for Ute fans all he has to do is to get Queta to enter the portal & make him a Ute.

Not sure if you were tongue-in-cheek, if this happens, I’d be worried about dirty money. Seriously.

There’s no coherent reason for Queta to remain in college. His value would decline in the PAC.

One player who potentially could come back is Gach. (1 in 10 chance, if that.)

Apparently he was always talking about USU and how they played a type of ball he liked. Sam Merrill talked up what was happening in Logan.

[SeattleUte]

@LAUte

I thought of you and the “swish” that you would say this is. I think it is indeed a swish. I also think that back in the day, many of us thought Larry was a swish as well, especially after the Wright/Poeltl seasons. College basketball is such an interesting and unpredictable creature.

Don’t ever say that Utefans.net doesn’t matter. We can change the tide of history. Social Media is a powerful thing.

[UtahFanSir]

@LAUte

I am starting to feel better about Craig Smith. There are signs that he knew how to overachieve at a small, out of the way mid-major. A low mid-major at that. He failed in the big dance because he simply didn’t have the talent to move forward, it seems to me. Maybe in a P6, PAC-12 job he can work a few small wonders. I’ll bet that is why he is probably celebrating this morning, that’s all that knowledgeable Ute fans really hope for, when you think about it.

This^^

Why Craig Smith is the right hire for Utah Basketball

Everyone needs to read this 247Sports article posted by Steve Bartle today. If the record at three successive programs is not enough, the final two paragraphs nicely sum up a glaring issue we have all grappled with for a few years now.

[RedDon]

I like the Smith hire. Always liked AJ as a player but have questioned his being a successful college coach. A big part of being a successful college coach is recruiting, and a big part of being a successful recruiter is personality. AJ has always seemed like a rather quiet person and not like a guy who would light it up in a recruit’s house with his parents. Anyway, makes no difference now. Get Timmy back, and hold on to the others. And I guess, start working on that in-bounds play.

[LAUte]

@RedDon

And I guess, start working on that in-bounds play.

Also on maintaining composure and poise during the final minute of a close game.

[LAUte]

So, if you are advising Craig Smith, do you tell him to keep Henry Martinez and Chris Jones on the staff?

[LAUte]

[NewbombTurk]

@LAUte

So, if you are advising Craig Smith, do you tell him to keep Henry Martinez and Chris Jones on the staff?

Yes. Like was mentioned, otherwise you are starting completely over unless Carlsen, Larsson, and Jantunen stay. And even then, 3 guys isn’t deep enough.

[ironman1315]

@LAUte

We’re gonna get audited now.

[UteBrave]

@ironman1315

We’re gonna get audited now.

Imagine the audit we would have if we stole a byu signee.

[NewbombTurk]

@UteBrave

Imagine the audit we would have if we stole a byu signee.

Boy, no kidding.

[LAUte]

@UteBrave

Imagine the audit we would have if we stole a byu signee.

LOL

[UTEopia]

@LAUte

So, if you are advising Craig Smith, do you tell him to keep Henry Martinez and Chris Jones on the staff?

I don’t know. I looked at the Bios of his assistants. The two who came with, Eric Peterson is the international recruiter and also works with bigs. The other , Austin Hansen, works with guards. The third assistant is the only African-American and joined him from Valpo. He is also a midwest guy. His Director of Ops, Director of Player Personel and Special Assistant to HC don’t appear to have any longtime connection to Smith. It was reported by Josh Newman that LK’s pool for staff was about $450k with Connor getting about $400 of that. I was surprised the pool was so low.

[UTEopia]

i would also say that they need to cap the proliferation of staff. I know that staff other than the assistants and graduate assistants cannot do any on-field coaching during games or at practice, but they certainly have the ability to work with players in film study, etc.