Did Jerome Jenkins deserve one more year...?

[Kadeezy]

Now, I know many folks weren't happy with the direction the program was headed at the time, but in retrospect (understanding that there's nothing that can be done), did Jerome Jenkins deserve one more year to turn things around?

Going into his final season, Jerome Jenkins' squads had posted 5 consecutive double-digit win seasons, including 6 consecutive 6th place or better finishes in the BSC (one second place finish and a third). He also was in line to have a returning Freshman of the Year (Vinnie McGhee), a lethal scorer (Loren Leath), and a quality big (Justin Eller)...

Sure 4-24 was a rough final year, but there was a lot going on with that team that people don't know about. Graduation rates were already improving under Jenkins, attendance wasn't nearly as feeble as it is now, and his teams were athletic and played at an entertaining pace.

I'm not saying two-years is a large enough sample size to evaluate Katz, but he gets a D grade thus far in my eyes. Predictable offense, disturbingly stuborn game management, and the inability to bring in quality talent (I'll give him Dickson, though I think he's pretty equivalent to the SFs during the Jenkins era; Justin Williams, Davon Roberts, Jason Davis, Jason Gilzene, Clark Woods, Donald Thomas mold...).

Again I ask, would a one-year extension have been a prudent decision at the time?

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Considering that once again we are stuck in idle three years later, yes, he should have been given another year. Plus, he was making roughly $26,000/yr. less than Katz now. That is 3 scholarships and a trip to play UNC or Duke as a bodybag game.

 

[SDHornet]

Great topic K, but you are right 2 years is not enough, let’s look at the whole body of work. In hind sight it’s easy to say he should have had another year. It probably wouldn’t have been as bad as his 4 wins in his last year here. The other question is would Jenkins have accepted a 1 year deal? If I were in his shoes I wouldn’t have taken less than a 3 year deal given the way the hoops program became relevant and garnered some national attention on ESPN for non-PAM related incidents.

Jenkins: ’00-’08 Record: 80-147 (37-81 BSC)

• • 2000-01: 5-22 (2-14)
  • 2001-02: 9-19 (3-11)
  • 2002-03: 12-17 (5-9)* BSC Tournament Win
  • 2003-04: 13-15 (7-7)* BSC Tournament Appearance
  • 2004-05: 12-16 (8-6)* BSC Tournament Appearance
  • 2005-06: 15-15 (5-9)* BSC Tournament Win
  • 2006-07: 10-19 (5-11)
  • 2007-08: 4-24 (4-14)

Katz: ’08-Pres Record: 17-64 (7-36 BSC)

• • 2008-09: 2-27 (1-15)
  • 2009-10: 9-21 (3-13)
  • 2010-Pres: 6-16 (3-8)* 5 BSC and 1 OOC game remaining

Jenkins did appear to be on a downward spiral but who knows if he could have turned it around. Given what he did on the court for this program, he at least deserved a chance at redemption. :twocents:

 

[Kadeezy]

Jenkins did appear to be on a downward spiral but who knows if he could have turned it around. Given what he did on the court for this program, he at least deserved a chance at redemption. :twocents:

Agreed. At the time, I didn't think much of it I suppose. But in retrospect, we've been a complete trainwreck ever since... The BSC record is downright putrid. 7 wins in three years!? We've become the basketball version of Idaho State's football program unfortunately...

If Katz doesn't make the BSC next year, his hiring has been all for naught IMO.

 

[StungAlum]

In hindsight, yes. But I seem to remember just about everyone (including myself) saying it was time for a change, and we got it. Unfortunately, the only change we've seen is the coach, the teams record is the same essentially.

I liked Jeromes fast paced style...and that's about it.

I think Katz is doing his best, however, he doesnt appear to be improving in the win column. I know, I know, he's done a lot more, I just want to see more wins. :twocents:

 

[williestarbuck]

SD is right. One year would have resulted the same thing. He needed a real contract and real support. I heard his recruiting budget was cut. Winless was clear in his lack of support for Jenkins and the whole coaching community knew it and they would make that a part of their pitch to any recruit who showed interest in Sac State, "Why would you go there? Jenkins is a lame duck. You'll be there longer than he will." They might have even fed them some line about the program ending. Who knows. But without a real contract, it would have be useless to come back, unless, of course, he just needed a job.

As a fan, I know we all think we can coach, but I'm surprised what Katz either don't know or won't do. I won't rehash anything cause I've posted it before. Coaching aside, I do know this, Katz has the budget and the freedom to recruit. If Jenkins had that same budget and the freedom Katz has, we'd be no worse than middle of the conference each year.

Katz is getting guys from Ill. Conn, Israel. Come on. Jenkins was left to use his LA connects and some tounaments in AZ and NV.

Jenkins has a 6'8'' PF, DeShawn Stevens going to San Diego State. Here's a piece of an article on Santa Monica's 5 game win streak:

Now, led by head coach Jerome Jenkins, the former coach at Sacramento State, the Corsairs are 10-5 entering their WSC schedule and very much in the hunt for a playoff berth.
Harris, who transferred to SMC from Hill College in Texas after a prep career at Morningside High in Inglewood, is averaging 12.1 points, 7.1 assists (currently third-best in California) and 2.6 steals per game. He had a season-high 33 points in the win over Diablo Valley.
The 6' 8" Stephens is averaging 12.1 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game. The 6' 7" Sinclair, who played alongside the likes of Texas' Jordan Hamilton and Oregon State's Omari Johnson at Dorsey High in Los Angeles, is averaging 9.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game has drawn interest from Big Sky Conference schools.
The Corsairs also boast a pair of top-scoring guards in freshman Lee Lark and sophomore Everett Brown. Lark leads the team in scoring, averaging 12.5 points and 2.4 steals per game. One of the best long-range shooters in California, Brown averages 12.1 points per game and has made a team-high 44 three-pointers (38.6 percent from outside).

 

[SactoHornetAlum]

You know what, we just need to let it go. Actually, Katz does more in-game coaching than Jenkins ever did. Just watch him...he is a far better X's and O's coach the Jenkins. It takes time to build. BTW, when Jenkins got up to a 13-5, 4-0 (Big Sky) record 05-06, the wheels then fell off. He went 16-53 after that. A change was clearly needed, and after 8 years, I agree.

Lets just move on and support Katz and the rest of the guys right now. They are playing better and we are still young (5 years total D-I experience on this year's roster).

 

[williestarbuck]

I think we should let it go too, but not on that last comment. I'll support Katz, and I have. His 1st year I didn't see anything at all. I was not impressed. Now, I see his effort, but I still can't say I'm impressed. Jenkins, I wouldn't call an X and O's coach either, but at least you could see what he was trying to do. Now, done with Jenkins.

Katz is NOT and X and O's coach. As I've said before, I see no pick and roll, no back door cuts, no weak side screens, no cutter to the basket (other than Dixon). He won't play his back up point guard who could probably be a capable slasher and penetrate a defense, giving a weak offense another dimension. PLUS, he hasn't won enough close games to earn the X and O's coach title.

If you want to credit him with something, I'd say he's a work in progress, the team presents well and he's probably a strong disciplinarian. I think the team is finally, hopefully coming around--hopefully, finally. And I do see potential, if not progress. But it's clear that under Katz the program has more recruiting resources and support than it ever had and you have to wonder if the resources and support was there before where would the program be.

If I'm wrong about Katz in your opinion, please enlighten me.

 

[Kadeezy]

I'm pretty much on board with Willie...

Though, the purpose of this topic isn't to spur some Egriz-esque recurring theme of "bring back Jenkins!"... Because, you're right I was one of the people who didn't have a problem at the time with the program going in a different direction after 2008.

During a dreary season of futility, I brought it up simply to give us all a little hindsight, to remind us that things may not always be so cut and dry.

Plus, it's just fun to talk about.

 

[SDHornet]

Katz is NOT and X and O's coach. As I've said before, I see no pick and roll, no back door cuts, no weak side screens, no cutter to the basket (other than Dixon). He won't play his back up point guard who could probably be a capable slasher and penetrate a defense, giving a weak offense another dimension. PLUS, he hasn't won enough close games to earn the X and O's coach title.

This is exactly my concern. Katz is just not learning how to coach at the D-1 level and that is going to be a big issue moving forward. We are losing a lot of close games again. He had a lot of close losses last season to learn from and he hasn’t.

Lets just move on and support Katz and the rest of the guys right now. They are playing better and we are still young (5 years total D-I experience on this year's roster).

Yes we have few players with D-1 experience, yet Katz has not allowed the younger talent to get significant playing time to gain experience and allow the players to develop. Aside from Carbajal, Katz favors playing the JC guys instead of Rak and Groom and it makes no sense. I just think a coach building for the future would give more playing time to freshman recruits. Katz had 2 of his JC guys flame out this season (Nelson & Proctor) that should have easily opened up some playing time for Rak and Groom.

I agree about supporting this program, I always have and always will.

 

[SactoHornetAlum]

The only thing we probably don't know is how hard Groom and Rakocevic do in practice. Katz is all about how well you do in practice is how you will get your playing time. Also potential matchup problems is why they arent playing. From what I have seen in Groom, he has the deer in the headlights look everyone he is out there.

 

[SDHornet]

Probably so and to a certain extend giving PT based on practice is fine. We don’t know what is going on behind the scenes so no one may know why Katz is doing what he does. I just feel Katz could be more proactive in preparing these younger players for next season and beyond.

The problem with the “deer in the headlights” issue with Groom is that he won’t get over that by sitting on the bench. Katz could have used this season to allow Groom to get adjusted to the D-1 game so that he will be ready to hit the ground running next season. Right now he will be the only true point guard heading into next season and Katz should have gotten Groom ready to fill that role with some significant experience this season.