Quick thoughts on Mac leaving

[Panther in Hoosier Land]

Quick thoughts on Mac leaving:

I wish him luck, but I can't stand the thought of him putting on an ISU hat tonight. That is a slap in the face. Sorry. It just is and only true UNI fans know how it feels.

It's the way of big-buck sports, but I still think it sucks. (Check out Beer and Circus by Murray Sperber.)

I take comfort in other UNI fans. While we were still hurting after Friday's lost, Mac was interviewing with other schools. I guess we need to move on too.

We will have a harder time recruiting not only because he's gone, but because ISU has just become that more attractive.

What happens to the raise from the private donor he just received?

[B.True]

sperber....haven't seen him on TV since Boeheim blasted him.....that was funny. beer and circus though....a decent read.

you are right though, after seasons move on and find out what is next, while being happy with what we got to experience...this is the same reason i posted the UNI home baseball schedule a few hours after basketball season. i understand that we need to remember what has been done and the accomplishments of the team...but i, and a lot of others out there, are UNI Panther fans...that means all sports...the men's basketball program will be in good hands with jacobson and i'll still be rooting for them.

[dragon]

I agree that it hurts to see Mac go. To me this is what makes it difficult for a smaller mid major program to build into a power because anytime one starts on the ladder of success a big money school comes and plucks them away. Mac has built the program into a success though so at least it will be easier to find a top notch replacement.

[UNIAlum95]

Probably the most painful thing about this whole deal is that despite all of the talk about playing with the big boys, we're still the red-headed step child sitting in the corner and our own coach confirmed it. All of our talk about respect for UNI and what happens as soon as an opening is made, our coach bolts. I love Mac, but this was a kick to the privates...

This one hurts a lot. I'm going to go mourn for a while now...

[BCPanther]

We should have seen this coming...

Mac has always talked about how special the state of Iowa was to him and his family. And with each passing hour it seems more and more likely that the Iowa job is not going to come open. He wanted to go big time AND stay in Iowa, this was his last chance. Alford is going to be at Iowa for years, and who's to say if ISU would have hired someone else he would not have been there for 20 years.

Its also the perfect time for his kids to change schools. He has one that will start HS next year and one that will be going to kindergarten. The only one that is affected is the oldest who will be a junior, but he will be the coaches kid in a city that loves their cyclones. Its not like CF where the Hawks still rule.

It allows he and his wife to stay close to family, and Ames is only 1.5 to 2 hours away from Teresa's doctors. She will still use her medical staff up here I am sure. Mac's salary and Shoe Deal will skyrocket. We should have known, I guess its time to become an ISU dual fan (basketball only)

[DancerHall Cat]

I agree that it hurts to see Mac go. To me this is what makes it difficult for a smaller mid major program to build into a power because anytime one starts on the ladder of success a big money school comes and plucks them away. Mac has built the program into a success though so at least it will be easier to find a top notch replacement.

I agree that it is difficult for a mid-major to become a power when larger schools can steal their coaches away. However, it important to point out that it can be done. SIU hasn't missed a beat, making the tournament 5 years in a row with 3 different coaches. UW-Milwaukee might not be as good of an example because it has only been 1 year, but they got back to the dance and won a game with a new coach and should be able to build off of that. Finally, Gonzaga was has exploded since Mark Few took over a few years back when their coach left for a bigger program.

UNI basketball will always face these hurdles, but with a new building, and a strong team coming back, I expect us to be playing deep into March next year.

[Matt Trump]

I agree that it hurts to see Mac go. To me this is what makes it difficult for a smaller mid major program to build into a power because anytime one starts on the ladder of success a big money school comes and plucks them away. Mac has built the program into a success though so at least it will be easier to find a top notch replacement.

Such is the dilema of a small, publically, funded University.
*sigh*

[MediaPanther]

I guess its time to become an ISU dual fan (basketball only)

I hope that is a joke.

[AmesPanther]

Gonzo thanks for the laugh. It lightened the mood for me today. If the 6 year number is true he must be planning to stay for a little while at least.

[Marc Wigim]

I'm wondering what will happen when McDermott is unable to turn that program around, and they can him after 3 or 4 years. Where does he go then?

[UNIAlum95]

I'm wondering what will happen when McDermott is unable to turn that program around, and they can him after 3 or 4 years. Where does he go then?

MSU of course! That's where our recycled coaches go!

[B.True]

if that happens....he'll land at a mid-major somewhere with a healthy bank account balance, still coaching and doing fine i'm sure

[UNIChippewa]

One more thing to consider;

I wonder if Mac feels that he has done everything he can at UNI. Think about it. Most of the time a "mid-major" school makes the tournament, and even with all the Cinderellas, most of the "small" schools end up losing early.

Maybe he feels he has done as much as he can at UNI and wants a new challenge.

[Panther in Hoosier Land]

Probably the most painful thing about this whole deal is that despite all of the talk about playing with the big boys, we're still the red-headed step child sitting in the corner and our own coach confirmed it. All of our talk about respect for UNI and what happens as soon as an opening is made, our coach bolts. I love Mac, but this was a kick to the privates...

This one hurts a lot. I'm going to go mourn for a while now...

I totally agree. He cofirmed what Digger, Nantz, Packer and the rest think about the MVC. And for ISU? A program in tatters. At least when he left Wayne St. and the like, it was for his alma matter. Now its for the money.
I will want UNI to stomp ISU even more.

[Blue42]

One more thing to consider;

I wonder if Mac feels that he has done everything he can at UNI. Think about it. Most of the time a "mid-major" school makes the tournament, and even with all the Cinderellas, most of the "small" schools end up losing early.

Maybe he feels he has done as much as he can at UNI and wants a new challenge.

See Bradley and Wichita State.

Each are still playing. And it is not out of the question for Bradley to make a run at this thing.