BB decline and Harlan.

Your argument means absolutely nothing when you start defending LK. The dude was a dumpster fire and was only here because of the ridiculous contract he swindled out of Chris Hill. What support is Craig Smith not getting that you think he should be getting?

If Harlan is the problem, how can the Women’s team be so successful but the men’s team can’t? 

I don’t know the answer to that question and I don’t know if Harlan is a good AD or not. Aside from scheduling some good football games like Florida and LSU, I can’t tell how good he is at his job.

Is there any evidence to date that indicates Harlan is anything more than a sustainer? He hasn’t done much of anything transformational (see transformation under Chris Hill). Perhaps he hasn’t had to, but I would be a lot more comfortable with Chris Hill and Pres. Randall navigating realignment than I am with Harlan.

Don’t know Harlan but the football team, WBB, and other sports seems to be doing just fine. As for MBB, Larry had the time to evaluate and I agreed with the change. As to Craig, his progress from the time he walked in the door thru 2 season is as good as can be expected. At the mid point in league play we bounced between 2nd and 3rd place before the two starting guards went down. What team have you seen play well without their starting back court? They were back on the court for the conference tournament but they were not back with their game.

Smith may or may not be the guy to satisfy us, however, he is off to a good start. Two years starting at rock bottom is not enough time but for only wild guesses. Next he needs to bring in a number of new players like last year. If he can do that he stays on schedule. He is likely to do better next year with the injury bug. We are anxious because we don’t see names. The portal and international players are a mystery at this point but we would like to see a HS guy like Keita. I expect that there is interest because Utah’s arrow is pointing up. Oddly, Brandon’s decision is big so I would consider him Smith’s most important recruit. Either way, I expect next years finish to improve from #7.

As for Harlan, I am not seeing an issue. As for other schools, I covet their resources but I am not coveting others ADs.

We are very fortunate to have Harlan. The trajectory of the athletic department is all moving in the right direction. LK was awful and set us in for years of mediocrity. The downfall of the basketball program happened because of 2 MAJOR hiring blunders in Giacoletti and worse yet – Boylen.

I’m not big fan of Harlan, but there are other barometers to way an AD is measured.  First and foremost, many don’t know he was hired to raise revenue.  His business like stance, schmoozing, and adeptness in fund raising is the big reason why he is here.   Completing the SEZ fund raising, ticket price increase, campaigning, etc.  are all efforts that he is very involved.   

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As for the Craig Smith hire, there was no doubt LK had to go and there wasn’t a lot of coaches on the market that year.   That was the first major hire Harlan made since he’s been on campus.   If CS fails, he gets a second try…no biggie and very normal for programs. 

I agree with you right up until the Coach K defense.  I gave him every chance in my fandom, but his last year showed he wasn’t making progress.  

But Harlan sucks.  I’m surprised so many defend him.  He is NOT fan friendly at all. His goal is the next job and that is pretty clear.  If you are giving him kudos for scheduling his last school and Arkansa, you don’t understand the product we have here, nor does he.