I believe this is a question that maybe Gabe or Mitchell could answer. However, I asked Dave Matter of the STL Post Dispatch about whether Cuonzo was too nice of a guy and didn't hold his assistants accountable for identifying and evaluating players. I claimed that I don't remember him firing any assistants during his various stints at Missouri State, Tennessee, California and at Mizzou. He got me with his counter that he fired Michael Porter, Sr. However, I'm not sure if I'd count him since his contract expired and plus everyone knew that was a package deal. However, he alluded to other staff changes he made in the past. I guess that's possible, but I'm not aware of it. He also said past players would dispute my notion that he's nice in their dealings, which I'll acknowledge since he's way closer to the program than I am.
However, I know the relationship dynamic is likely different between a coach and his players than a coach and his assistants. But here's my problem with the assistant coaches. Didn't Cuonzo say that he relied on his Purdue network to pursue Boogie Coleman and didn't Boogie say that Mizzou never saw him in person? Or did I get that wrong? I believe I heard him say before how he's relied on his contacts to acquire players. I guess my problem is why aren't our assistants doing the legwork to reach out to potential players, if true.
It's just night and day with Drinkwitz, who obviously is passionate about recruiting and does the "dirty" work. On the other hand, I get the impression that both Cuonzo and Barry Odom during his stint at Mizzou just don't share the same passion for recruiting. I actually respect the coaching acumen of both Cuonzo and Barry, but high stakes college football and basketball is all about recruiting. If you can't cut it, then drop down to G5 or below. Or I'm sure Cuonzo could be a high-level lead assistant on a P5 team, just like Barry.
However, I know the relationship dynamic is likely different between a coach and his players than a coach and his assistants. But here's my problem with the assistant coaches. Didn't Cuonzo say that he relied on his Purdue network to pursue Boogie Coleman and didn't Boogie say that Mizzou never saw him in person? Or did I get that wrong? I believe I heard him say before how he's relied on his contacts to acquire players. I guess my problem is why aren't our assistants doing the legwork to reach out to potential players, if true.
It's just night and day with Drinkwitz, who obviously is passionate about recruiting and does the "dirty" work. On the other hand, I get the impression that both Cuonzo and Barry Odom during his stint at Mizzou just don't share the same passion for recruiting. I actually respect the coaching acumen of both Cuonzo and Barry, but high stakes college football and basketball is all about recruiting. If you can't cut it, then drop down to G5 or below. Or I'm sure Cuonzo could be a high-level lead assistant on a P5 team, just like Barry.
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