[BigVMan23]

Ok, I have seen several posts stating "good hire" by several posters in regards to the Cordia hiring of Coach Rhodes. My question is though, what makes it a good hire? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a bad hire...heck, I have no clue, and I sure don't have any ties to Cordia so the eventual outcome has no bearing on me. But for those that think it was a good thing, tell me why? Is it becasue of the offense he will run? Does anybody even know what style he will run? Is it becasue he works well with youth? Does anyone truthfully know how he has worked with kids in the past? Maybe he is adept at defense and will press and create a lot of turnovers. Again, does anyone know what kind of defense, or heck, know anything about his coaching style/philosphy? Maybe some are saying "good hire" simply based on his UK ties? In my mind, that has no bearing whatsoever on him being a good coach or not, so lets throw that out the window. I don't think he has any head coaching experience, so one can't make any assumptions based on that.

Just what exactly makes this a good hire? Interesting hire, absolutely. Could it be a good hire? Heck, it could turn out to be a great hire for Cordia, and I hope it does. It just seems to me there is a lack of evidence to support saying "good hire" at this point in time. Or maybe I'm missing something completely, which of course is a common occurance:blabbermo

[LOOKAYANNER]

I know from seeing coaching results in the past at different programs that simply having played college basketball, regardless of what level, does not necessarily make one a good coach.

[Altro Cat]

It will definitely bring some excitement and publicity to the program so that will be a good thing.

And lets face it he has to be at least an average coach. If you look at all the high level basketball he has played he had to learn some stuff from the coaches he played for.

You could also say it is a good hire based on the other available candidates Cordia had for the job. Was there really anyone on the list that would have been better?

[zaga_fan]

I said in the Cordia Coaching Search thread that Cordia's best shot would be to go with an up-and-coming coach.
The talent pool in Lotts Creek and the current roster isn't anything that is going to drop any big name head coach's jaw.
With Rhode's they get a coach that will maybe attract talent just because he was on UK's roster.
He's been an assistant at some Division 1 programs.
The biggest thing of all is if you look at who he has played under...
Rick Pitino
Rudy Tomjanovich
Don Nelson

He has to understand the game somewhat.

[Altro Cat]

Rhodes also played under legendary high school coach Bob Hurley who is considered by many to be the greatest high school basketball coach ever.

Bottom line is Rhodes has a good understanding of the game and should do well at Cordia. The only drawback for Cordia I see is that if he has even limited success at Cordia the bigger schools will come calling.

[MVP2]

I said in the Cordia Coaching Search thread that Cordia's best shot would be to go with an up-and-coming coach.
The talent pool in Lotts Creek and the current roster isn't anything that is going to drop any big name head coach's jaw.
With Rhode's they get a coach that will maybe attract talent just because he was on UK's roster.
He's been an assistant at some Division 1 programs.
The biggest thing of all is if you look at who he has played under...
Rick Pitino
Rudy Tomjanovich
Don Nelson

He has to understand the game somewhat.

Good Post Zaga. He probably knows the game as good as anyone but you got to think at a small school like Cordia, it doesn't matter how good you know the Xs and Os, it is the Henrys and Joes. Best of luck Coach, bring success to my former school.

[LeeCoUKFan]

Anyone with NBA experience is a good hire in my book!

[NewGuy]

I believe that knowing basketball won't be his problem, its dealing with expectations that will be interesting. He struggled with that as a player at UK, and the very thing that some say are positives, to me may be negatives. I ask myself; why would a guy with his experience take a high school job in eastern KY, and at the minimum should be a small college coach? And if it's about being close to VA, then why not coach in VA. KY looks at UK and exUK players as gods, and in Jersey or VA he's just another coach. And lastly, this love for KY, this excitement that everyone is talking about is for a guy who got booed and ran off from this very state. How quickly do we forget.

[rojas]

I hope Rhodes does well at Cordia. His hiring will, without a doubt, bring a lot of publicity to the Cordia basketball program and school.

I have been told by an extremely successful high school coach that playing ()or watching) basketball for a lifetime does not prepare you in the least to coach the game. He even went as far as to say coaching basketball is so different than playing basketball that its like they are two completely different sports. He says that someone who has never played the game is equally prepared to coach as someone that has played at a high level for years.

[OrangenowBlue]

Anyone with NBA experience is a good hire in my book!

Actually I would prefer the college experience over the NBA as the coaching is vastly superior at the collegiate level. NBA coaching is a lot of babysitting with a little coaching thrown in.

[ekff]

Bobby Perry has been coaching at the middle school level for the last 3 years, just because someone played D1 doesn't really mean anything... BUT the NBA is a different story.

A person can play D1 just on talent, but not the NBA...

I'd say he knows a lot about the game, but I don't see him winning there...

Good for Cordia... Bad for Rhodes.....

[goodguy]

Good luck to Rhodes! Great publicity for the school, however...........

In my opinion, this will be short term, one year max. My first question is, "has he ever been to Hazard?" I'm not knocking Hazard (actually Cordia is not in Hazard) but Rhodes grew up in Jersey City, NJ. He went to St. Anthony Prep School, traveled all over the United States playing basketball since high school, college and in the NBA!

I believe if I were doing the hiring, I would be more interested in having a coach that will stay and build a program. Will he increase gate receipts? Yes he will for home and road games. But will it be enough to justify hiring a "one-and-done"?

Hope it works out, but I just don't see it. JMHO

[BigVMan23]

I agree goodguy...which in effect could be labeled as support for it being a "bad hire" (that being if he is just there for the short term). I say that because, in my opinion, to be labled completely as a "good hire" the person hired would have to spend multiple years at the school, working with the kids and getting the best out of them while being disiplined but fair, building the little league and elem./middle school programs, working with the kids in the summer, being an active part of the school and community. I'm not saying Rhodes won't do this, he may very well, and if he does then it may turn out very good for Cordia.

Someone else brought up a good point as well. If he wants to be closer to a daughter in VA, then why not coach there and be even closer? Maybe the same opportunities weren't there, but still raises a question.

As to his basketball knowledge, he may very well have learned quite a bit in his playing career..I sure hope he has...but that doesn't mean a a person can coach and be able to teach what he knows to others. We see examples of this all the time in all walks of life. Time will tell, thats for sure. I do agree with another post that the hire will probably generate a lot of interest/buzz and people may show up to their games initially just to see him on the sidelines. I guess that might be a good thing. Whatever happens, in the end I hope it all works out well for Cordia and the kids playing.

[Ballers]

So, BigVMan - Are you always busting people's nuts? Or is it just a new profession you have came up with?

[BigVMan23]

So, BigVMan - Are you always busting people's nuts? Or is it just a new profession you have came up with?

Sorry there Ballers, not sure where you are coming from with that comment. I'm not busting on anybody, I was just asking a legitimate question and trying to get some comments backing up the "good hire" statement. No where have I bashed anyone or been negitive in any way towards Rhodes or Cordia. I think if you re-read my posts, you will see I'm not busting on anyone.

[OrangenowBlue]

Bobby Perry has been coaching at the middle school level for the last 3 years, just because someone played D1 doesn't really mean anything... BUT the NBA is a different story.

A person can play D1 just on talent, but not the NBA...

I'd say he knows a lot about the game, but I don't see him winning there...

Good for Cordia... Bad for Rhodes.....

Are you saying players in the NBA are intellectually superior to players that only play in college. Im sorry but coaching in the NBA primarily involves babysitting and butt kissing. If playing in the NBA makes you a superior coach, then why are they more former NBA stars coaching college ball. Actually, average college players make the best coaches. Look at Mike K, Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Roy Williams and the list goes on.

[zaga_fan]

This guy DOES have coaching experience.
It isn't like he just left the NBA last week.
He's been coaching for a few years now.

[Ballers]

This guy DOES have coaching experience.
It isn't like he just left the NBA last week.
He's been coaching for a few years now.

Assistant at Seton Hall...
Which is a D1 university just as an FYI BigVMan..

Guess college coaches/assistances aren't fit for small schools like Cordia.

[Aslan]

Are you saying players in the NBA are intellectually superior to players that only play in college. Im sorry but coaching in the NBA primarily involves babysitting and butt kissing. If playing in the NBA makes you a superior coach, then why are they more former NBA stars coaching college ball. Actually, average college players make the best coaches. Look at Mike K, Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Roy Williams and the list goes on.

So Phil Jackson couldn't coach high school basketball effectively? He's an expert at kissing ass and babysitting than actually coaching basketball?

[Ballers]

So Phil Jackson couldn't coach high school basketball effectively? He's an expect at kissing ass and babysitting than actually coaching basketball?

What?? I believe there is a few typos here or I'm mis-reading Aslan.
Did you mean expert?? I think so.

[Aslan]

What?? I believe there is a few typos here or I'm mis-reading Aslan.
Did you mean expert?? I think so.

Yeah, had expect, instead of expert. Fixed it. Ty.

[Norm Stewert]

This isn't a good hire.........It's a great hire!

[allen central rebels]

Just because you have played in the NBA and Played college for good coaches and high school and so on. dont mean you can coach if you cant put it how a high school player can understand it, it wont be no good. and just because you can learn doesant mean you can teach. not sayin he will be a bad coach or anything but this is how I see it.

[Bear_Paw]

Immediately I didn't think it was that great of a hire. I think Harlan wanted him badly but at the last minute some support came his way that swung him toward Cordia...After talking to a coach I greatly respect I have changed my opinion.

He has the Athleticism to effectively demonstrate some what he's teaching, some of which requires fairly exact body motion. He has played under some of the most respected coaches in the game, some of what he has learned must have been retained. He will draw talent. I'm pretty sure he will be able to get some of his boys together and raise money. He has no pre-concieved notion of who the best teams are year in and out. Wish him nothing but the best.

[mountain hoops guru]

Have heard he has looked into opening up the dorms up in Lotts Creek already like they had in the past! He has 3 super stars already wanting to come with him, and I'm sure several others will follow. Looks like to me, another Oak Hill Academy could be forming in the Lions Den! Will sure be fun to watch, I hope the money they had allotted for the new gym, is still available, they will sure need some more seats if all works out! Going to be fun to see if it pans out as planned! :Thumbs::Thumbs::Thumbs:

Can you say Cordia Lions 14th Region Champs!!!! Who'd a thunk it??????

[MVP2]

Have heard he has looked into opening up the dorms up in Lotts Creek already like they had in the past! He has 3 super stars already wanting to come with him, and I'm sure several others will follow. Looks like to me, another Oak Hill Academy could be forming in the Lions Den! Will sure be fun to watch, I hope the money they had allotted for the new gym, is still available, they will sure need some more seats if all works out! Going to be fun to see if it pans out as planned! :Thumbs::Thumbs::Thumbs:

Can you say Cordia Lions 14th Region Champs!!!! Who'd a thunk it??????

I heard that too, I dont know if any truth in it though. It would be awesome to see him bring in some players and the school their 1st ever 14th regional title.

[Benchwarmer]

Have heard he has looked into opening up the dorms up in Lotts Creek already like they had in the past! He has 3 super stars already wanting to come with him, and I'm sure several others will follow. Looks like to me, another Oak Hill Academy could be forming in the Lions Den! Will sure be fun to watch, I hope the money they had allotted for the new gym, is still available, they will sure need some more seats if all works out! Going to be fun to see if it pans out as planned! :Thumbs::Thumbs::Thumbs:

Can you say Cordia Lions 14th Region Champs!!!! Who'd a thunk it??????

So are the parents moving into the dorms with them?

BYLAW 6. TRANSFER RULE- DOMESTIC STUDENTS
For purposes of this bylaw, a bonafide change of residence
means the moving of the permanent residence of the entire
family of the student and the student’s parents from one school
district or defined school attendance area into another school
district or defined school attendance area prior to a change in
enrollment of the student. A student who becomes emancipated
does not have a bonafide change of residence by virtue of his
or her emancipation and change of residence for purposes of
this bylaw.

[OrangenowBlue]

Good question. I have to see these transfers to actually believe it. If they are kids from urban areas, they will take one look at Lotts Creek and RUN like hell. I do not believe the Superintendant is going to allow this since Knott Central is their anchor school, her child attends KCC, her brother-in-law is the boys basketball coach, and her nephew-in-law is the athletic director. I do think they may get transfers from Hazard, PCC, and Knott Central. Kids that are disgruntled about playing time or for whatever reason. It will be interesting.

[Ballers]

I smell some jealousy going on in this thread.
Don't get mad when the transfers are dunking on people..
This is good stuff, I can't wait to see it!

[Lambert #1]

CULTURE SHOCK!!! For the coach and the transfers he's bringing with him. If I remember right Rhodes himself thought about leaving Lexington when he first came because of culture shock. Jersey City to Lott's Creek? Gonna be a hard sale for a kid that's not from Eastern Kentucky. I'm a born and raised Eastern Kentucky boy and love the way of life we have but it's not for everybody. Kid's live, think, breath according to the way of life they are used to and I can guarantee that Lott's Creek cannot provide that for a kid that's from Texas or for that fact anywhere besides Eastern Kentucky, and throw in the fact that they will be living in a dorm room????? I was never a fan of the hire because I think that Rhodes will leave as quickly as he came and leave the program worse than it was when he took over. He will spend the bulk of his time working with the transfers that will leave when he leaves and the existing and future kids that's actually from Cordia will be behind the rest of the region because of it. True Cordia kids do not transfer out but if superior kids start transferring in they will be heading out the door and going to Hazard, Perry and Knott Central. That's when we will be able to tell if it was truly a good or bad hire.