An Ethical Dilemma

[cernjSHU]

Were we all not happy when he left? It meant we could get Shaheen. Then Sha goes to the Final Eight and we could care less about Willard. Consistently, I could care less about Willard.

As far as his legacy goes, he was saved by the Whitehead, Delgado, Carrington and Rodriguez class. He then goes on to underperform with that group of very good players. Then he lucks out and gets Powell. His last shot at an NCAA run ends with CoIvid. Also, I really never did forgive him for never having a real point guard on the team once Whitehead left. It hurt the team. Please don’t tell me Madison Jones and Quincy McKnight. Don’t you see a difference in having a real point guard on the team? But he never delivered post season.

 

[HallGuy2323]

Were we all not happy when he left? It meant we could get Shaheen. Then Sha goes to the Final Eight and we could care less about Willard. Consistently, I could care less about Willard.

As far as his legacy goes, he was saved by the Whitehead, Delgado, Carrington and Rodriguez class. He then goes on to underperform with that group of very good players. Then he lucks out and gets Powell. His last shot at an NCAA run ends with CoIvid. Also, I really never did forgive him for never having a real point guard on the team once Whitehead left. It hurt the team. Please don’t tell me Madison Jones and Quincy McKnight. Don’t you see a difference in having a real point guard on the team? But he never delivered post season.

Bruh. Just say you don’t Willard.

What kind of asinine takes are you ranting about

 

[Silkcity Pirate]

I will probably clap when they announce him, but usually the opposing coach staff is kind of an afterthought in the intros, as they already begin dimming lights & start the intro music for Seton Hall at that point.

What will be interesting is will they have a tribute video, that has become very common in professional sports these days.

Tribute video is way over the top for Mr. Personality for me .

 

[HALL85]

Willard always seemed to me like a good dude with eyes on a bigger prize. I never got the sense he wanted to be here, even though this job was probably best suited for him.

Regardless, it was a marriage of convenience that benefited both sides, and I certainly didn’t take his time here for granted. Those were some fun years.

This. He took over after the Gonzo mess, learned on the job here, made some significant course corrections and had a very good run (which were fun).

Also thought he was a decent guy but also had an awkwardness about him especially early in his career. He has moved on to what are considered more attractive jobs and has had success.

A pre-game video that will get polite applause seems appropriate. Then he’s like any other opposing coach.

 

[HallLine69]

Tribute video is way over the top for Mr. Personality for me .

I was no Willard fan by any means, but a video tribute to him seems appropriate and the polite and classy thing to do. Glad we are taking the high road in this situation. Once the video ends I hope we beat his a** to a pulp.

 

[HALL85]

Were we all not happy when he left? It meant we could get Shaheen. Then Sha goes to the Final Eight and we could care less about Willard. Consistently, I could care less about Willard.

As far as his legacy goes, he was saved by the Whitehead, Delgado, Carrington and Rodriguez class. He then goes on to underperform with that group of very good players. Then he lucks out and gets Powell. His last shot at an NCAA run ends with CoIvid. Also, I really never did forgive him for never having a real point guard on the team once Whitehead left. It hurt the team. Please don’t tell me Madison Jones and Quincy McKnight. Don’t you see a difference in having a real point guard on the team? But he never delivered post season.

His exit was certainly not elegant but getting Sha off that E8 run virtually eliminated any sting. IMO you are being harsh here.

Willard was an ok recruiter which probably contributed most to his coaching ceiling here. He made a deal with the devil to get that class but he did get them. He also benefited from Sha being a salesman and delivering recruits (some that he could close but too many that he couldn’t).

showing the video before the crowd completely files in is a good idea. I doubt a lot of fans will go early just to see that anyway.

 

[cernjSHU]

Bruh. Just say you don’t Willard.

What kind of asinine takes are you ranting about

Do tell what’s not true.

 

[HallX2]

I was no Willard fan by any means, but a video tribute to him seems appropriate and the polite and classy thing to do. Glad we are taking the high road in this situation. Once the video ends I hope we beat his a** to a pulp.

I’d like a compilation of his best clapping moments.

 

[SPK145]

I can't stand Willard personally or for how he left, he's another ******* minor league basketball coach,

But he did good things for Seton Hall and a tribute video and polite applause (nothing more) is fine.

 

[HallGuy2323]

Do tell what’s not true.

1 - not everybody was happy he left, not even close.

2 - He wasn’t “saved” by the whitehead class. He did exactly what coaches at that time did to obtain players. Therefore he had a plan and he succeeded at doing his job.

3 - He won the big east title with that group and was consistently in the top 25. That’s not underperforming.

4 - Lucky with Powell? You mean taking an overweight recruit and coaching him into an all American? Wtf?

5 - Uh Quincy McKnight was outstanding for us and at this point probably better than Budd.

so yeah, every point you had was wrong.

 

[Halldan]

Then he lucks out and gets Powell.

Just a small correction.

It was 100% Sha who got Powell. Willard at the end like all head coaches had to close the deal. But by that time it was a done.

 

[Halldan]

2 - He wasn’t “saved” by the whitehead class. He did exactly what coaches at that time did to obtain players. Therefore he had a plan and he succeeded at doing his job.

Understandable take. He did what he had to do to have success so I have no issue with the above opinion.

But I just want to add something I was told years later by someone VERY, VERY high up at the school. Isaiah Whitehead saved Willard from being fired. I was stunned that this person used those words.

 

[Silkcity Pirate]

Understandable take. He did what he had to do to have success so I have no issue with the above opinion.

But I just want to add something I was told years later by someone VERY, VERY high up at the school. Isaiah Whitehead saved Willard from being fired. I was stunned that this person used those words.

Halldan what is your take on this pre game video on Mr. Personality.

 

[Halldan]

I'm between a rock and a hard place.

It's no secret that Willard did not like this board from day one and made my job in all those years very difficult. That said I had to deal with him the best way (for this site) I could and at times that was not easy. So clearly from a personal standpoint he is no friend of mine.

But most fans are not aware of that and the important thing is appeasing the fanbase. And it seems they they want to thank Willard for what he accomplished and forget about how and why he left.

So just like I put aside my feelings and concentrated on supporting the program I'll do the same here.

 

[catholicman]

I'm between a rock and a hard place.

It's no secret that Willard did not like this board from day one and made my job in all those years very difficult. That said I had to deal with him the best way (for this site) I could and at times that was not easy. So clearly from a personal standpoint he is no friend of mine.

But most fans are not aware of that and the important thing is appeasing the fanbase. And it seems they they want to thank Willard for what he accomplished and forget about how and why he left.

So just like I put aside my feelings and concentrated on supporting the program I'll do the same here.

I have a hard time letting go of how and why he left.

I hope he gets the uniquely subdued golf clap from our fanbase.

 

[Silkcity Pirate]

I'm between a rock and a hard place.

It's no secret that Willard did not like this board from day one and made my job in all those years very difficult. That said I had to deal with him the best way (for this site) I could and at times that was not easy. So clearly from a personal standpoint he is no friend of mine.

But most fans are not aware of that and the important thing is appeasing the fanbase. And it seems they they want to thank Willard for what he accomplished and forget about how and why he left.

So just like I put aside my feelings and concentrated on supporting the program I'll do the same here.

I support the program but do not support showing the video at all . Over the top and NOT necessary .

 

[Piratz]

Very rare to have a coach leave without hard feelings. Sha departing St. Peter's was unique, plus moving up to the alma mater. They and their agents are always up to something.

He did what he had to do with Tiny and Antigua. Not a stretch to say it saved his job considering those first 5 seasons.

I’m grateful to the guy for good basketball and a lot of fun. Surprised it’s even a debate.

 

[Pirates94]

Very rare to have a coach leave without hard feelings. Sha departing St. Peter's was unique, plus moving up to the alma mater. They and their agents are always up to something.

He did what he had to do with Tiny and Antigua. Not a stretch to say it saved his job considering those first 5 seasons.

I’m grateful to the guy for good basketball and a lot of fun. Surprised it’s even a debate.

The reason some like myself are not for a tribute is that he has no class. If it weren't for the school sticking with im afte a very bad start he's be coaching back at Iona if they'd have him back or the MEAC. Showed zero loyalty to the school who stuck with him for what? $1million a year? He was a below average recruiter, a good defensive coach and awful offensive coach. The only offensive success he had was when he had a player to carry the team. BTW he also mailed it in for the TCU game.

 

[Seton75]

nm

Understandable take. He did what he had to do to have success so I have no issue with the above opinion.

But I just want to add something I was told years later by someone VERY, VERY high up at the school. Isaiah Whitehead saved Willard from being fired. I was stunned that this person used those words.

I suggest Steve Lavin saved KW's job.

 

[Seton75]

Pj left after every decent coach on the market had new jobs. Do we get Gillen if he left earlier, or Willard Sr? That hurt us more than how KW left us.

He took a bigger job for more money. (I know none of us would consider such a thing.) It sucked how it went down but we got the one guy i wanted to get if kw did leave. and today i am pretty damned happy. i am not sure i will stand. but i will show ny appreciation with my applause

 

[radecicco]

Just a question, what coach at a high level is a good offensive coach who doesn’t have good players? A close by example at a lower level is Princeton. They lost their two best players from a 20+ win team (one of whom, Lee, is the starting PG at Florida) and they’re are 3-11 despite Henderson’s coaching acumen.

Yes Willard didn’t have as much NCAAT success as we would have all liked. But two BE banners and 5/6 NCAAT banners and the longest period of sustained success outside of PJ in the last half century.

Met him in the Virgin Islands and yes a bit awkward but was very nice in person. Polite applause would be appropriate tonight IMO.

 

[HALL85]

Willard did a lot of crappy things, like the way he treated Dan in this board. Some of those same things that our current coach does though.

loyalty only goes so far. As Dan said if he didn’t get Whitehead, he would’ve been fired. You are what you are. He was an imperfect coach that won the second most number of games of any Seton Hall coach and brought the program back to relevance.

Not the guy I would want to hang out with if I got an invitation to his dinner table. But you can’t dispute his results.

 

[HallLine69]

The reason some like myself are not for a tribute is that he has no class. If it weren't for the school sticking with im afte a very bad start he's be coaching back at Iona if they'd have him back or the MEAC. Showed zero loyalty to the school who stuck with him for what? $1million a year? He was a below average recruiter, a good defensive coach and awful offensive coach. The only offensive success he had was when he had a player to carry the team.

The best way to deal with a no class person is to treat them with the class they themselves never displayed. Nothing is gained by stooping to their level.

 

[Seton75]

nm

Willard did a lot of crappy things, like the way he treated Dan in this board. Some of those same things that our current coach does though.

loyalty only goes so far. As Dan said if he didn’t get Whitehead, he would’ve been fired. You are what you are. He was an imperfect coach that won the second most number of games of any Seton Hall coach and brought the program back to relevance.

Not the guy I would want to hang out with if I got an invitation to his dinner table. But you can’t dispute his results.

Dan is my friend and i dont like how he was treated. But Sha likes how he was treated. And a Westfield neighbor of his that i know could not speak more positively about him.

And i wonder if any those taking offense at how he treated Dan were one of the many here who constantly whined that Dan knows more than he told us and i want to know it all now.

 

[HALL85]

nm

Dan is my friend and i dont like how he was treated. But Sha likes how he was treated. And a Westfield neighbor of his that i know could not speak more positively about him.

And i wonder if any those taking offense at how he treated Dan were one of the many here who constantly whined that Dan knows more than he told us and i want to know it all now.

If a HC thinks that much about 50-100 or so fans on a message board (who are some of the most passionate supporters of the program) to ignore them that’s a bigger problem. Dan was/is a promoter of the program and did it remarkably well give the challenges any message board brings. Do we forget how much time he spent raising money and championing the AD’s initiatives?

 

[Seton75]

If a HC thinks that much about 50-100 or so fans on a message board (who are some of the most passionate supporters of the program) to ignore them that’s a bigger problem. Dan was/is a promoter of the program and did it remarkably well give the challenges any message board brings. Do we forget how much time he spent raising money and championing the AD’s initiatives?

i would bet the list of likeminded coaches is rather long. Dan loves SHU and didnt let that effect his feelings. That is something i admire

 

[MichiganStoleTitle]

Appreciate what Willard did for the program. But a video tribute goes too far. It’d be like a video tribute at your second wedding to your ex-wife who left you for another guy. Sad!!!

 

[CaptainHook68]

I'll be on my feet cheering. He brought us a long way. Imagine how far we would have gone if it wasn't for Covid!

 

[The_Hall]

he's on nova now. i wouldn't cheer or boo him. SHU saved his career as far as im concerned.

 

[HALL85]

i would bet the list of likeminded coaches is rather long. Dan loves SHU and didnt let that effect his feelings. That is something i admire

Two things can be true:
1-Admire Dan on how he ran this site…second to none.
2-Critical of coaches who are short sighted and don’t appreciate people like Dan who do so much for the school.

 

[SHUSource]

I'll be on my feet cheering. He brought us a long way. Imagine how far we would have gone if it wasn't for Covid!

The way that season was finishing, probably another one-and-done in the NCAAs … a typical Willard March.

 

[radecicco]

The way that season was finishing, probably another one-and-done in the NCAAs … a typical Willard March.

And you know this how?

 

[lloyde dobler]

And you know this how?

You don’t, but too many people have assumed the opposite as well.

 

[radecicco]

You don’t, but too many people have assumed the opposite as well.

I haven’t seen that. The only thing I remember is SHU fans assuming the worst.

 

[lloyde dobler]

I haven’t seen that. The only thing I remember is SHU fans assuming the worst.

Yes ..… after the fact. Too many assumed a nice run was a given. So, an odd form of negativity in that they were deprived of something.

 

[HallX2]

Appreciate what Willard did for the program. But a video tribute goes too far. It’d be like a video tribute at your second wedding to your ex-wife who left you for another guy. Sad!!!

Can’t imagine any of the top programs doing that.

 

[Piratz]

It was a nice gesture for a guy who spent 12 years here. And it was not the kind of big deal that I think people may be thinking of it.

It was not a dedicated segment during introductions where everyone was focused on it like a Senior Day or something, it was basically 30 seconds while the teams were warming up on the court before they cleared for the National Anthem. There wasn't even an announcement, it just played and most people who noticed stood at the end and gave him an applause and he waved to the all sides of The Rock while all the players were still on the court warming up.

 

[Hall1996]

It was a nice gesture for a guy who spent 12 years here. And it was not the kind of big deal that I think people may be thinking of it.

It was not a dedicated segment during introductions where everyone was focused on it like a Senior Day or something, it was basically 30 seconds while the teams were warming up on the court before they cleared for the National Anthem. There wasn't even an announcement, it just played and most people who noticed stood at the end and gave him an applause and he waved to the all sides of The Rock while all the players were still on the court warming up.

Exactly it had started before I realized it was going, not big deal at all. No announcement or honoring of Willard, was just a 30 sec video. Frankly remember little of video other than listing of BE championships which seemed to get the most applause. Some people clapped, some stood, some did nothing and a few booed.

This has become common place in professional sports, even when player leaves for free agency. There was talk on sports radio if the Mets would have video tribute for Edwin Diaz when he came back to Citi Field with Dodgers, and the hosts seemed to agree there would.

 

[Bud Boomer]

It was a nice gesture for a guy who spent 12 years here. And it was not the kind of big deal that I think people may be thinking of it.

It was not a dedicated segment during introductions where everyone was focused on it like a Senior Day or something, it was basically 30 seconds while the teams were warming up on the court before they cleared for the National Anthem. There wasn't even an announcement, it just played and most people who noticed stood at the end and gave him an applause and he waved to the all sides of The Rock while all the players were still on the court warming up.

Yea they did a good job toeing that line. Funny, one guy screamed f*** you Willard (or something to that effect) at the end of the national anthem. He definitely heard it and kind of laughed it off. He was smirking at a few courtsiders a minute or two later. The courtsiders are Willard's people.

 

[Halldan]