MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[True Basketball Fan]

I hear Raridon is NOT taking the IWU job.  Great news for Cardinal fans! 

I'm not saying you are wrong or right, but to go this far and not take the job (if it is going to be offered to him) is strange.  I don't think any decisions have been made based on the the article about Dennie being "mum about his decision".  I may be wrong, but I think Dennie is checking on some other candidates.  If he really liked one of the four that came in last week, wouldn't he have offered one of them by now?  Wouldn't most AD's?  

[Knightstalker]

No really, I heard this from the guy in India that I was talking to when I was ordering from the White Castle drive through, Dick Vitale is the next IWU coach.

[matblake]

I heard that too when I was in the Waffle House in Moss Point, MS.

[diehardfan]

No really, I heard this from the guy in India that I was talking to when I was ordering from the White Castle drive through, Dick Vitale is the next IWU coach.

ROFL! 

k+ for you buddy! 

...though apparently you and matt have forgotten that the cool conversations about random food chains belong on the MWC board

Coach Raridon to IWU. Just heard it today from a very reliable source over in the next cubicle. Raridon spoke to his team today and made the announcement today.

My son, and I, appreciate what he has done for our institution. You are getting quite a coach down there.

NCC dad, not sure what rock you crawled out from under, but the NCC Alumni nation would appreciate you not spreading lies on this site about our program.  We also would appreciate if you took your BS elsewhere!   

I think that you're responding to a rather clever piece of trolling, cardinalpride. Note the name and the e-mail address of the person to whom you responded. Also note that this person mentioned that he heard the news from someone in "the next cubicle" -- at midnight at the end of a weekend.

Someone was clearly having a laugh at the expense of our friend Augiedad.

Nice catch Greg! Between this and the hope assistant, Pat should give us badges for the posting up faker police.  8) 

[emeritusprof]

If I should ever try to fake diehardfan, I'd have to break my own rule and use smiley faces.

That can't happen.

[martin]

I am having a hard time with all this uninformed rumor mongering about the IWU position.  Here is the real honest to goodness scoop -

Q is just covering for Dennie Bridges by saying he is in Lincoln, NE this week.  Bridges is actually in Knoxville, TN meeting with the coach of the Lady Vols, Pat Summitt.   Summitt has never been able to get an interview for a men's D1 coaching job.  Half of the women's D1 coaching jobs are held by men.  To strike a blow for equality, Summitt has agreed to take the job of coaching the absolute very best, no other like it, close to basketball heaven, D3 men's program, IWU.

Right now, Bridges and Summitt are working out the details including the return of Candace Parker to her home state where she would play for the men's team at IWU.  Parker, a good student,  was named to the SEC all-academic freshman team so she could add to the ever growing list of IWU academic all-Americans.

By the way, I know this board is not to be used for commercial purposes but I have a property that I really have to sell and am willing to let go at a fire sale price.  So Pat please indulge me.  It is in New York city and connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn.  If anyone out there needs a bridge, just make me an offer.

[Knightstalker]

I don't know how you can sell what I already own.

[markerickson]

As much as I laugh at and with Homer Simpson, I tip my hat to Ted Knight for being a better actor.  That said, has anyone noticed how close Knightstalker's output is to Greg's?

Did Raridon bring any assistants from NWU to NCC?

[carlweathers]

There was a very funny episode of "Night Court" having to do with a joker legally buying landmarks from a cash-strapped New York City. I think the show closed with Harry on the Brooklyn Bridge.

MW

There was a funny episode of Night Court?

[augiedad]

Consistent with what has already been posted here, I have heard that Todd Raridon removed his name from consideration for the IWU job.  After his trip to Bloomington Tuesday, NCC officials met at length with him and he withdrew from the IWU running on Friday - word is a pay raise for his troubles (gas must have been expensive for that Bloomington trip).  Not a big surprise to any here probably.  Raridon has a good thing going at NCC, a school with an athletic dept/basketball program on the rise.  Then there is the issue of his son at NCC, his wife has a good teaching job in Naperville - not sure taking the IWU job made a ton of sense.

Sounds like it is coming down to Ron Rose and John Tharp, with John Baines still in the picture.  Hearing that Lawrence is having similiar conversations with Tharp that NCC had with Raridon, hoping he will stay.   If IWU can get Tharp, my guess is they will hire him, but it is not a lock they can get him.

Grey Giovanine is very good friends with Ron Rose.  They were assistants together at Wichita State.  Giovanine speaks very highly of Rose as does the guy Rose worked for at Olivet Nazarene, Ralph Hodge.

[Mr. Ypsi]

IF Augiedad's post is correct, it jibes with the cynical side of me - that Raridon's application was actually a bargaining chip with NCC (I hope that Coach Raridon was not consciously being so cynical, and the application was for real).

I would hate to see direct raiding of coaches by CCIW teams (Trost and Bosko obviously don't count, since there was separation between CCIW jobs).  I like to think of the CCIW as a family - obviously a contentious one, but not to the point of 'stealing your brother's wife' (please pardon the lousy analogy!).  We'll fight like hell among ourselves, but woe to the outsider who tries to beat a 'brother' (I root for any CCIW team against any 'outsider']!  Transfers (whether athletes or coaches) within the conference threaten that spirit.  They should not be prohibited (clearly athletes and coaches have a higher right to attend or be employed by whomever they wish), but they should be discouraged.  There is a one-year sit-out rule for athletes; if it would be legal, I wonder if there shouldn't also be such a rule for coaches.

[LU_nut]

I for one really hopes that LU does what it should to keep Tharp.  Given the lack of historical support for the b-ball team at LU, I am sure he is undercompensated.  If he really is in the IWU process and LU sweetens things up to keep him, I"d say good for him.  People are worth what someone is willing to pay them.  I think the new AD is smart enough to be creative and hang onto thim.  I hope LU does not forget that they had 26 straight losing seasons not too long ago.....facilities have not changed, entrance standards have not changed...it was the coach that changed.

LU nut

[augiedad]

Most here would probaby be surprised to know that the IWU job pays just about the same as the Lawrence job.  I know I was surprised when I recently heard what IWU pays. 

If Tharp is offered to job, his decision will not be about money, but rather about where he wants to work, raise a family, etc.  A decision to change jobs, especially one that requires moving away from family, friends, and what has become "home", is not easy for any of us.  That is why I feel in the end, Tharp will decide to stay in Appleton.  Just my gut feel.  He has a great thing going up there.

[CardinalAlum]

Consistent with what has already been posted here, I have heard that Todd Raridon removed his name from consideration for the IWU job.  After his trip to Bloomington Tuesday, NCC officials met at length with him and he withdrew from the IWU running on Friday - word is a pay raise for his troubles (gas must have been expensive for that Bloomington trip).  Not a big surprise to any here probably.  Raridon has a good thing going at NCC, a school with an athletic dept/basketball program on the rise.  Then there is the issue of his son at NCC, his wife has a good teaching job in Naperville - not sure taking the IWU job made a ton of sense.

Augiedad,

What you posted is exactly the same version I got.  Kudos.

[diehardfan]

Most here would probaby be surprised to know that the IWU job pays just about the same as the Lawrence job.  I know I was surprised when I recently heard what IWU pays. 

Call me crazy, but wasn't the pay for the coaches in the CCIW posted at some point? I just remember seeing somewhere that Harris made somewhere in the ballpark of 50k, and the IWU job was significantly less, which makes sense thanks to cost of living differences.

Either way, for making that salary, you have to know that these guys who are lifetime d3ers are doing it for the love of the game... gosh I love d3 sports! 

So, am I totally off base, or does anyone else remember this?

If Tharp is offered to job, his decision will not be about money, but rather about where he wants to work, raise a family, etc.  A decision to change jobs, especially one that requires moving away from family, friends, and what has become "home", is not easy for any of us.  That is why I feel in the end, Tharp will decide to stay in Appleton.  Just my gut feel.  He has a great thing going up there.

Interesting insight... Though I think anyone would be crazy not to want Tharp as a coach, this whole time I've just kept coming back to the fact that for the long term of the program, IWU should really consider hiring an alum who is attached to the area. Between Baines and Rose, it's not like they won't get a great coach anyway... in addition to all the the invaluable ties of loyalty and history they would bring if one of them were hired.