Dave Leitao

[Westbrook#36]

It is clear, and has been for quite some time, that the administration doesn't know how to do that and can't figure it out. The conference, and its members, should not be tolerating and complacent of them bringing down what is becoming of the top basketball conferences in the country.

I think it's about time the presidents of the rest of the BE at the next formal function or meeting have a very stern talking to with DePaul's president. This is no longer tolerable, it's been how long since DePaul has been constantly competitive? Is it time for an ultimatum?

[DemonLS]

Yes, I agree that the Big East Conference heads should have a serious heart-to-heart talk with DePaul to put MORE pressure on them to succeed.

The stadium is a huge move already.

[DemonLS]

Nova,

If the players dribble the ball off their feet and have unforced turnovers, then its the coach's fault???

What planet are you on?

[Edrick]

Every conference has programs that have no chance of competing. For every Michigan State there are is a Penn State. Every Kentucky has an Auburn. Etc. Etc. Of course DePaul has no chance and because programs tend to just continue being what they are, it will probably just going on being the case. It's just how conference dynamics work out. The same can be said of every conference in the country.

[Westbrook#36]

Every conference has programs that have no chance of competing. For every Michigan State there are is a Penn State. Every Kentucky has an Auburn. Etc. Etc. Of course DePaul has no chance and because programs tend to just continue being what they are, it will probably just going on being the case. It's just how conference dynamics work out. The same can be said of every conference in the country.

Except those schools try to get out of those holes, Penn State has Patrick Chambers one of Jay's top assistants from our F4 run. He has just brought in back to back excellent recruiting classes(next year's is ranked in the top 12), with his ties to Philly. 90% of nights Penn State is competitive, they only get blown out 2-3 times a year instead of 10-12. There is a night and day difference between him and the Ed DeChellis regime. Auburn just hired Bruce Pearl, at least those schools are showing a commitment to fielding competitive teams at a minimum, that can't be said about DePaul.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Yes, I agree that the Big East Conference heads should have a serious heart-to-heart talk with DePaul to put MORE pressure on them to succeed.

The stadium is a huge move already.

You said it yourself, Demon. Fans will show up once they start winning. If DePaul continues not to win (which appears like it will be like once Big East play begins shortly), who exactly will be showing up to these games at the new DePaul arena? In the past 25 years, DePaul has reached four NCAA Tournaments. What will it take for them to not just to make the NCAA Tournament, but rather just be a competitive program that won't be the conference doormat year-in and year-out?

There is no reason that program can't be just a threat to be competitive every now and then. They haven't been in a very long time.

[NovaBall]

What separates the big east from other conferences is that we have teams fully focused on hoops, so this idea that every conference has bad teams so we can't complain about DePaul is wrong.

It's okay to have a bad team or two. For example, St. John's made the tourney last year, totally re-vamped their entire roster and coaching staff. They are allowed to be bad. Mcbuckets graduated two year ago, Creighton is allowed to struggle last yr. those type of bad teams are fine.

But to have one team that simply doesn't care or try or hired Dave Leitao as coach is unacceptable in a ten team conference with a priority in hoops.

[Demon22]

Except those schools try to get out of those holes.

You mean, like, by spending crap loads of money on new facilities? Did that.

When he was hired, Oliver Purnell was one of the Top 10 highest paid coaches in all of College Basketball. The guy was making better than $2 million/year.

They interviewed Bobby Hurley, and they interviewed Bryce Drew. It didn't work out. Leitao wouldn't have been my first choice, but people weren't exactly beating down a path to Lincoln Park to interview, either. What were they supposed to do? There isn't a school in the country that would give final approval on their hires to other schools in their conference.

I've seen Dave Leitao coach for a while. He's a decent coach. But with the lack of talent on the roster, the margin for error is very small. DePaul's not a team that can afford to have too many things go wrong, and they'll look really, really poor on an "off" night. It is what it is. And it'll be that way until he can figure out a way to attract some better players.

[NovaBall]

The fact that DePaul thought Dave Leitao was a good hire shows the problem with that program. He's terrible.

How much are they paying him?

[Westbrook#36]

Except those schools try to get out of those holes.

You mean, like, by spending crap loads of money on new facilities? Did that.

When he was hired, Oliver Purnell was one of the Top 10 highest paid coaches in all of College Basketball. The guy was making better than $2 million/year.

They interviewed Bobby Hurley, and they interviewed Bryce Drew. It didn't work out. Leitao wouldn't have been my first choice, but people weren't exactly beating down a path to Lincoln Park to interview, either. What were they supposed to do? There isn't a school in the country that would give final approval on their hires to other schools in their conference.

Just spending money doesn't do it, most schools spend money, you have to just to stay afloat let alone play catch up. What are they suppose to do? ... Show some tangible results. So you probably can't get a big sexy name to take the gig, how bout doing due diligence and hiring a young hungry up and comer with something to prove.