Who do you want?

[grizz32]

You must be out of your mind if you think Katz will not take this job. This is in his hometown and his alma matter. He without a doubt wants it and in my mind will get it!!!

 

[TheMayor]

The AD will only interview three people unless the guy he picks (cough "Marcopulos") takes a different opportunity. The three finalists thing is known according to insiders. I don't know Katz and I'm sure he's a good guy based on his track record but with 15 years in a JC the chances of him leaving before 20 are slim to none unless his family just inherited a few producing oil wells in Alaska. He's not the right guy anyway because he hasn't recruited outside California in at least that long. Dollar just about got canned in his current job for NCAA violations so he isn't very likely to get the nod either. He's too young and risky. It's all over but the announcement IMO.

 

[bball06]

Mayor, I don't know who you are, but all of these "facts" you are claiming, that are in fact just claims. No one has any way of knowing who the AD will pick except the AD himself, so while your opinion is obviously welcome on here, I think that you should not boast about things that none of us, INCLUDING YOU, could ever know.

 

[superhornet]

BTW, the UOP and BW boards, citing a report in the Record, are also stating that these three are indeed "finalists."

 

[TheMayor]

Yes, my post is my opinion. That's why I ended it with "IMO", or "in my opinion". I think there is a small chance he could pick Katz but it's very small. Dollar has no chance. I'll call you and raise you TM's 12 years of D1 experience to Katz's 3. It just makes no sense except that he's popular. Wanless has got no head fake but just goes straight up everytime apparently. I hope he can sign him.

 

[SactoHornetAlum]

At this point, since the interviews start today, anything is possible. Let's just wait and see and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[Kadeezy]

I've been going back and forth, but I've finally settled on my selection. I would like to see Tony Marcopulos as the next head coach at Sac State. He has the DI experience, nor cal ties, and is experienced at turning crappy programs around (all things we're in desperate need of). Sure, Katz is the local guy who's been successful at a notoriously successful JC, but Marcopulos helped turn around a DI program that was one of the worst in the country. He also has put together a rather nice JC program from one that REALLY sucked.

Marcopulos is the guy.

 

[Kadeezy]

Stan Morrison
Athletic Director
FROM Cabrillo Athletics Page



UC Riverside
"The manner in which Coach Marcopulos has improved the program year after year at Cabrillo College does not surprise anyone who has ever known him as a coach and man. He has a plan and is willing to pay a great physical and emotional investment to see the plan through to a championship conclusion. I would have wanted my son to play for Tony Marcopulos. I cannot pay him a higher tribute."

Read the rest of Stan Morrison's comments

Bob Thomason
Head Basketball Coach
University of the Pacific
"Tony (Marcopulos) was a great asset to the University of the Pacific during his 11 years as my assistant (coach). He truly understands the game of basketball, but more importantly he understands the players. Tony is a great communicator which has helped him get the most out of each and every player. Tony is also a tremendous worker. He puts 100% into everything he does. Whether it is changing a flat tire in the rain or putting together a game plan to beat Georgetown, he is always working hard. Most importantly, Tony is a great person. He cares deeply about all his student-athletes and wants to see them succeed in basketball and in life.

Seth Greenberg
Head Basketball Coach
Virginia Tech University
"Tony Marcopulos is the total package. He can teach, develop players, and is committed to their fulfilling their academic potential. He has the unique advantage of having what it takes to help his players play at the next level and has the expertise to help them achieve their goals."

Jamie Dixon
Head Basketball Coach
University of Pittsburgh
“Tony (Marcopulos) has been around a successful team his entire career. He has taken programs to heights never before reached. Having known Tony since he started at Pacific, I look for the rise at Cabrillo College to continue.”


Alan Major
Asst. Basketball Coach
Ohio State University
"It is not surprising that Tony Marcopulos is doing a such a great job at Cabrillo College . His time spent at Pacific was a great training ground for him to become a Head Coach. I'm sure that Cabrillo Basketball will continue to rise to another level."


Randy Bennett
Head Basketball Coach
Saint Mary's College
"Tony Marcopulos is a tireless worker. His work ethic and persistence as a Head Assistant in Division I have translated well as Head Coach. He is a rare commodity in this day and age, and I am excited to witness the progress of his committment at Cabrillo College."
Stew Morrill


Head Basketball Coach
Utah State University
"I have known Tony Marcopulos for a long time and I have watched him grow as a person and a coach. He has always impressed me with the way he teaches his philosophy of the game of basketball. His players have always demonstrated a great deal of discipline on the court and in the classroom."

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

It just makes no sense except that he's popular.

That's what we need, someone who is a people person who can raise funds, charm the recruits and build a program. Marcopulos HELPED build a program while at UOP, Katz built a successful program that has proven itself over a decade.

 

[Kadeezy]

It just makes no sense except that he's popular.

That's what we need, someone who is a people person who can raise funds, charm the recruits and build a program. Marcopulos HELPED build a program while at UOP, Katz built a successful program that has proven itself over a decade.

You really think Katz would be that much better than Marcopulos. Neither guy is a household name. No matter who gets the job, it's going to be a struggle to keep/add boosters. Katz may pick up a couple more initially if he had the job, but it's not like we're choosing between Bob Knight and Tony Marcopulos.

I could be totally off base, but I'm just not thrilled with the prospects of Katz at the helm of a DI program.

 

[SactoHornetAlum]

You know what will sell the program: wins. That will raise funds quicker than shaking a stick.

 

[Kadeezy]

You know what will sell the program: wins. That will raise funds quicker than shaking a stick.

EXACTLY. Which is why I think we should worry about who will be the best COACH. Not the nicest guy, or the most outgoing fundraiser. We could have the ugliest, nastiest coach in the land, who knows nothing about Sacramento but if he wins games, the money, attention, and fans will all come.

 

[TheMayor]

Sac State can't win unless it lands a lot more players like Vinnie McGhee. That means going out of state. Look at the rosters of the successful Big Sky teams. California is too competitive. You have to go where the other Cal schools at this level don't need to go. I seriously doubt a guy who hasn't left the state in 15 years can get that done.

Look at St. Marys. RB is going to Australia to get players and he was still one and done. Raising money and still losing will be worse than not raising it at all. The new coach will have to start winning before the money starts rolling in. See Herb Sendek at ASU and his new practice facility. How did Herb do it? He recruited a package deal from Artesia HS with James Harden, Derek Glasser, and their coach Scott Pera as an assistant. That is how to jumpstart a program.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

California is the largest state, even with competition there is tremendous talent locally. That's like saying we can't recruit football local b/c it is too competitive. I agree though, having interstate selling experience is a plus.

We have to recruit out of state because all of the local's know what a circus facility we call our gym. Finding someone in Michigan who has never heard of Sac State, much less heard the negative rumors while growing up, is more apt to agree to come play in the 'sunshine'.

I don't know enough about any of these coaches, so like SHA, I am going to defer the decision to Wanless/Gonzalez. I like Katz because he publically asked for the job and he is a successful alum.

 

[grizz32]

Marcopolis website is the most self promoting thing I have ever seen. Do you really think and Division 1 Coach would say something bad about a coach if they asked them to write something for there own website?? No way they need these people in case they ever need a player from them. And furthermore does anyone really think phony Tony would put it on his own website if someone did say something bad. As was said in his own paper over a year ago this may look good to someone on the outside but with people that know this is just self promoting garbage!!!!

 

[duke51]

Marcopolis website is the most self promoting thing I have ever seen. Do you really think and Division 1 Coach would say something bad about a coach if they asked them to write something for there own website?? No way they need these people in case they ever need a player from them. And furthermore does anyone really think phony Tony would put it on his own website if someone did say something bad. As was said in his own paper over a year ago this may look good to someone on the outside but with people that know this is just self promoting garbage!!!!

The quotes from D1 coaches are simply there as a recruiting tool. It shows potential players that Coach Marcopulos is well-connected and well-respected withing D1 coaching circles. Prospective players are interested in that because they all hope to go on to play at the D1 level.

But I know that you are rooting for Katz to get the job... so I'm guessing you don't really care why those quotes are on the Cabrillo website... you are coming across as though you just want to bash Katz's competition.

 

[grizz32]

Marcapulos Camp has caused this by saying "Katz does not want the job" and acting as if what he has done at Delta was easy. I was holding off on this but if you want to see what Marcopulos own newspaper says here you go. http://www.santa-cruz.com/archive/2006/February/25/sport/stories/04sport.htm this will give you all you need to know about his website and what his own area coaches think of him.

 

[duke51]

Marcapulos Camp has caused this by saying "Katz does not want the job" and acting as if what he has done at Delta was easy. I was holding off on this but if you want to see what Marcopulos own newspaper says here you go. http://www.santa-cruz.com/archive/2006/February/25/sport/stories/04sport.htm this will give you all you need to know about his website and what his own area coaches think of him.

Grizz - I think it's odd that you link to that article while acting like it's gonna hurt Marcopulos' reputation. You suggested that we read it to find out about the Cabrillo website and what area coaches think of him...
- - all the article says about the website is that it's "geared toward recruitment and promotion." Why
wouldn't a coach/program do everything possible to make the school attractive to prospective players?

- -I don't see anything in the article that indicates what area coaches think of him, I just here the
complaining voice of a local sports writer who wants more local kids on the team.

My guess is that when the regular readers of this board (the Sac St. fans) read that article, they'll recognize that Marcopulos is a hard-working, driven coach that is determined to build a winner (which he did -- this article was written the season before back-to-back conference championships).

Conley obviously had an agenda when he wrote the article... to make an argument that there should be more local kids on the roster. Here's a quote in that article from Marcopulos regarding this issue:

"My take is that my job is to get the best basketball team together that gives us a chance to win. First and foremost I'm going to look at local kids, if I think they can help us win a championship," he says. "This is not a club thing, like a lot of people like to think. My team shouldn't be made up of kids in this area just because they're from this area."

If I'm a Sac State fan, I'm thinking "That's what I want, a coach that is determined to get the players needed to WIN."

 

[grizz32]

We will just have to disagree here as that is not how I read it.
First if you can't get along with the local media at Cabrillo how are you going to do it on a larger scale at Sac St.
second even the sports writer thought his own website was over the top and self promoting.
Third I think Sac St is saying they want someone who is going to do well in the Sacramento area from this article it seems Tony does not care about that.
Fourth why does he need quotes from others on his website can't he sit down and convince people he is the best place for them to play. I can guarantee you that Roy Williams, Be Howland, Bill Self, Bobby Knight and any other great coach does not have this on there website!

 

[duke51]

Since Grizz is rooting for Katz and I'm rooting for Marcopulos, perhaps we're not the most objective observers...

To all of you Hornet fans who are regulars on this board, I'd love to hear your take on the article and how it impacts your interest in Marcopulos. To me, the article only gives me reason to want a coach like that in charge of a basketball program.