Coach Conroy Press Conference

[GreenieBacker]

for those of you that failed to catch it, Tammy gives us the highlights here:

http://www.nola.com/tulane/index.ssf/20 ... d_con.html

“I am reminded of a quote now from John F. Kennedy: ‘There are no great men, just great opportunities,’ ” Conroy said from the makeshift podium. “I feel like I am sitting on a great opportunity, and everybody that decides to sign up and buy into this vision and what is going to happen here over the next few years is going to be part of this great opportunity, as well.We do expect results, but it is a process. We are going to build something that is meant to last, and you do that with hard work, integrity, working hard at the fundamentals every day and building attributes that enable us to carry on. I can’t promise you when the wins and losses will come, but I will tell you that if we focus on the every-day things that we can control, we will make this something that everyone can be proud of.”

lots of interesting stuff in the article including this tidbit:

Rice was offered the Tulane position Monday night, according to his father, a Portland Trail Blazers commentator, but declined Tuesday afternoon because of his unfamiliarity with the New Orleans area. Dickson said he didn’t offer him the job.

and a completion date for the new practice facility

The new practice facility, which could be ready as early as next fall, is part of that puzzle....

great job by Tammy Nunez

[rollwave]

It has been mentioned as one of the reasons Coach Conroy was hired was his ability to recruit around certain obstacles. At Tulane, that means grades and facilities. I thought these obstacles were being removed and I have read where Dickson got somewhat defensive when questioned about coaches turning down the job. This hiring seems to have cast a cloud over the "big announcement."

[GreenieBacker]

[long green]

I don't understand the "Dickson didn't offer him the job" thing. If we did offer the job to Floyd, Kennedy or Rice and were turned down that is not a slight against Rick Dickson or Ed Conroy. Conroy took the job because he believes in it and that is important. If Dickson offered the job to any or all of the three men mentioned above that means he was after the best coach he could find. That's his freakin' job. He should be praised for doing it. This defensiveness about the process makes the defenders look like Baghdad Bob.

[GreenieBacker]

lg, I thought that part was pretty weird, but I'm guessing its all semantics. Maybe RD didn't say the words "Coach Rice we want you to be our next HC, the job is yours.....", but the guy sure left here like he thought he had a job offer in hand.

[JKO]

This is not directed at any particular poster, but more to the general thought that the hiring of this coach and what was said or unsaid yesterday at a press conference announcing his hiring has some sort of impact on the re-commitment of Tulane --

The logic espoused is not too far off from me seeing my shoe is untied and then wondering if JTS will trip and fall in Atlanta. In other words, in my mind, we're trying too damned hard to connect dots on all of this. Could this all be lessened by the athletic department doing a better job communicating - it seems so, but I'm willing to wait to find out their reason for it (which, by all credible accounts, we will learn soon). I won't say it isn't frustrating, but will say the hand-wringing and over-(mis)analysis will only add to your frustration.

[TUPF]

JKO: your post reminds me of why I am not a fan of conspiracy theories on most levels. Most people have the hardest time just getting through the day and putting one foot in front of the other.

[rollwave]

JKO, I certainly respect your opinion and contributions to Tulane, but if you were as old as some of us, maybe you would be singing a different tune. The time that I and others have spent, economically and emotionally, following Tulane athletics, has come to a head. The persistent losing has worn most of us down. It is time for this University to act now. What I heard yesterday was not very encouraging and raised a number of red flags. Almost everyone I have spoken to felt the same way. Since the review, who is there to trust?

[JKO]

RW - I respect the commitment you and so many others have shown, and I recognize I haven't walked a mile in your shoes. I don't judge you or anyone else for being fed up, frustrated, worn out, beat down, etc. I even see a lot of validity in the positions.

My only point is that, taking a step back, the timeline here with the basketball regime change, press conference, etc., it makes some sense there are some delays (if these delays were not coming on the backs of so many other delays, it would be far more palatable for you and so many others, of that I am sure). Therefore, I am pointing out that it may be less frustrating to take this thing at face value rather than seeing something that isn't there, or straining to detect a pattern which doesn't exist. On the other hand, it may relieve frustration to vent, and I think fans are entitled to do that considering the history. I'm just trying to add some perspective to the whole thing.

I have heard many of the same things, I suspect, that had you optimistic 3 months ago, and I have only had my optimism confirmed since that time by the same sources. I'm hoping it is just a little longer, and, in the meantime, I'm hoping like hell the boys beat up Rice this weekend, and I am devastated responsibilities have me out of town during this time. Despite all of the letdowns in my relatively brief time as a fan, I still love the heck out of Tulane, and I know you and so many others do, too.