This article hits home for me.............

[futaba.79]

it's a long but good read.

Here's a quote: "The Bruins' struggles tell a cautionary tale of the risks of recruiting
hyped players, the challenges of managing recalcitrant teenagers and the
consequences of letting discipline and accountability break down." <div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;">
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/magazine/02/28/ucla/index.html#ixzz1nmsH8jNo
</div>

 

[DawgatAuburn]

Truth be told, you could probably write a negative expose about any team in America if you talked to the right people.

It appears from the story that part of UCLA's problem is Howland's disconnect from his players. I work with college students every day. Even though they work for me, most of them need someone to invest in their lives and not just be a supervisor (coach). The question is asked about Duke and could you see that stuff happening under Coach K. I'm sure their program is not perfect and Duke has had their share of guys transfer out, but what you mostly hear about Coach K from his former players is how much he makes them better men. I know that's easier for some people than it is for others, but I think it's a necessity for a coach to be successful.

 

[futaba.79]

that Coach Stansbury enjoys showing up for practice and coaching the games. He interacts with his players but doesn't get overly involved - he leaves that to assistant coaches. I understand he'll try to bring in what he considers a less talented 'team' guy to balance out the recruiting risks he takes. It just hasn't worked out the past few years and if he doesn't have strong team leaders, then the team will have problems.

 

[Shmuley]

nm

 

[Irondawg]

and yeah, while you could probably find some crap on any program, what determines the fate of the team is how the leader handles the situation. For instance when stans got rid of Sharpe it helped Rhodes and we saw him grow up after that freshman year. Lately though it seems the discipline has been lacking.