No, I am not stalking

PhantomRam · Dec 4, 2009

Saw some of the players out this morning having breakfast with Coach Smart at a local establishment. Use to see Grant out all the time in restaurants around campus but never with the players. Good to see Smart developing those relationships. Looks like Ed and Coach have hit it off particularlly well. Kinda funny to see Larry sitting in a booth with those long legs sticking out.

districtballer · Dec 4, 2009

You could tell that Ed really appreciates Coach Smart letting him loose and play his game. I'm sure that is reflected in their day-to-day interactions as well. This team has come together better than any of us could have expected so far given what we lost in Eric. It's great to see our guys happy and excited about VCU basketball.

BigE · Dec 4, 2009

so what?
difference in personality
has nothing to do with coaching ability
don't even start acting like you wouldn't be glad if Grant had stayed :roll:

Mercury · Dec 4, 2009

BigE said:
so what?
difference in personality
has nothing to do with coaching ability
don't even start acting like you wouldn't be glad if Grant had stayed

Nobody said it had anything to do with coaching ability or about what ifs in Grant had stayed...why not just keep up with where the topic is going

Nowhereman · Dec 4, 2009

Smart is simply a better guy to hang out with than Grant. In his three years, Grant never so much as said "boo" to us in the pep band. On the other hand, Smart came up to us right before his introductory press conference and thanked us for coming out.

PhantomRam · Dec 4, 2009

BigE said:
so what?
difference in personality
has nothing to do with coaching ability
don't even start acting like you wouldn't be glad if Grant had stayed

My point was to simply say that I am glad to see the connection between Smart and the players. That's all. Was not meant to compare/contrast personalities or coaching styles or get into debate between who is better. But, the more I see of Coach Smart, the better I like. Grant is in the past.

RamChris · Dec 4, 2009

I'm not sure of this, but I suspect that Grant is at heart an introvert, and coach Smart probably more an extrovert. Nothing wrong with being either one. Grant proved himself a great coach, and I hope Smart will as well, for his sake and OURS TOO. I'm a bit of an introvert, so I can relate to that. (although you might not know it if you saw me at a Rams game)

Mistachill · Dec 4, 2009

Depending on who paid, aren't there NCAA restrictions on this? I know certain school get away with giving bags full of money to "student" athletes, but for normal schools doesn't the NCAA having restrictions that wouldn't allow a coach to buy meals for his players.

ChiaPete · Dec 4, 2009

Not stalking eh? methinks the gentleman doth protest too much.

VCUbusinessgrad · Dec 4, 2009

I'll agree that its a good thing to see the coach putting in time with the players. When you can understand what makes a person tick you can push them to become the best they can be, whether it be in a profession, a marriage, studies or sports. While you can learn alot about a players ability by watching them play basketball you may not learn as much about what makes them want to be great. I see the extra time together as especially important with a new coaching staff coming in. Consider that some guys are impacted by the change in play style negatively and positively the more time they can spend together as a team the easier it will be for them to accept the team concept, kudos to coach smart for doing everything he can to foster a great team.

MADRAM · Dec 4, 2009

Good team chemistry has to happen with the coaches too. Nothing wrong with grabbling lunch with your boss in the professional world. In fact like vcubusgrad said it builds an even stronger relationship. Regarding buying lunch for Ed, although that can be a No No I'm sure all the coaches out there does the same for their players from time to time.

row6ram · Dec 4, 2009

No one said that Coach bought their breakfast. He said they were having breakfast together.

Rambunctious · Dec 4, 2009

Upon becoming an RAF member I remember reading all the booster rules regarding providing meals for players, etc., although I am sure that Smart has to abide by another set. Some of it is plain silly though. With more than 14 years experience playing, on the recruiting trail and coaching I am sure coach knows what is permissible. If not, we have a compliance director to help him.

Smart is doing more than just coaching and that's what this thread is about...he is doing what is expected of a coach this day and age...and that is interacting with the fanbase to grow support. Grant, honestly, was not good at that part of being a head coach. The product he produced was great and it brought in donors and fans as a result of the product, but I am not sure he was as multitalented as Smart seems to be. That is where I will stop the comparisons. Grant was a great coach for us. Smart is going to be as well.

vcu_dan · Dec 4, 2009

PhantomRam said:
Saw some of the players out this morning having breakfast with Coach Smart at a local establishment. Use to see Grant out all the time in restaurants around campus but never with the players. Good to see Smart developing those relationships. Looks like Ed and Coach have hit it off particularlly well. Kinda funny to see Larry sitting in a booth with those long legs sticking out.

care to mention which establishment?

fmrick · Dec 4, 2009

BigE said:
so what?
difference in personality
has nothing to do with coaching ability
don't even start acting like you wouldn't be glad if Grant had stayed

Well, this is very welcome by me. One of the things I saw at games early, especially at WMU, was the deer in the headlights look the guys sometimes had. They would look over at the bench and look as if they had no clue what to do. Eric took care of that the last couple years. Go back and you will see where I posted these type of comments after getting back from Michigan. When they look over there when things are going wrong, they have to have confidence in the man looking back at them. They have to trust him.

To win you have to play in a system that you believe in. To believe in a system you have to trust the coaching staff. You have to be able to communicate well with the staff. You have to have faith in the staff. Teams are built, they just don't happen.

Jeff was a friend of the players. It worked for him. Grant was more a father figure to the players. That worked for him. Smart is different, younger, and more like Jeff.

I don't care what he is doing, as long as it works. So far it seems to be.