SHAKA SMART: BEST HC in VCU HISTORY

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duncanlamb

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I have been in the J.D Barnett camp for long time; however, I switched over to the shaka smart.

J.D was a great coach but He uptight persona made VCU play tight against the Big boys during the round of 32. That's why we lost close games to Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama durnig that time.

Shake got us over the hump because he translated his quiet confidence too the team.

It's like comparing George Allen to Joe Gibbs in his first tenure with the skins. Allen was so uptight that as a fan you always had the feeling the skins were playing not to loses. Gibbs alway made you feel the game could be won.
 
Well what makes Shaka great is his ability to coach under pressure, and most of all is his recruiting skills. I mean he's done a heck of a job recruiting so far. Not to add to the fact he somehow convinced Joey and Skeen to stay after AG left. Imagine if Skeen and Joey weren't here. We'd probably be watching the 11 o'clock news or wishing AG never left.
 
Not sure I'm ready to put him above JD, but I think this season he has accomplished more with less than any of the big three ever did: JD, Capel and Grant

And anybody who says he got lucky in getting in the NCAA, that's true to a certain extent but don't confuse it with not deserving to go. He got a break with the expanded field and the committee deciding not to screw the mid-majors as badly as they usually do.
 
We'll bump this thread in 30 years when he retires and hands the reigns over to assistant coach Rodriguez so I can consider his entire body of work. I like what I see so far though.
 
He is the best HC we have right now! At this point nothing else needs to said or evaluated. Let's focus on the moment.

Beat FSU!


Go Rams Go!
 
I've had the opportunity to meet Shaka (and Will) and as an undergrad I had a brief encounter w/ JD...the JD encounter was my saying 'hello coach' in the locker room all teams shared back then and JD looking me in the eye's w/ a 'who the F are you to talk to me?'...the Shaka meeting was in the Charlotte airport right after the Union game (he and Will were making what turned out to be a fruitless trip to seal the deal w/ the JUCO kid, Carl?). He was cordial/humble and engaged me (albeit in a brief exchange re Rob).

My point is, they are two very different types of coaches who recruit different types of players...and hence two entirely different teams...but if judged upon success as it pertains to the NCAA tourney...there's no longer any question that Shaka has set the new bar for what success means...so much so he may have a challenge meeting/exceeding his own successes.

I only hope we have Shaka as long as we had JD...

PS - in defense of JD...I had just finished practice and was still in my Speedo so perhaps he thought my 'Hello, Coach' meant something else... :lol:
 
Mistachill said:
Not sure I'm ready to put him above JD, but I think this season he has accomplished more with less than any of the big three ever did: JD, Capel and Grant
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I agree with this. His tournament coaching has been superb. Really impressive. He's definitely Smart. :lol:

As for JD, I met him several times and he couldn't have been nicer. Must have been the Speedo thing.
 
duncanlamb said:
I have been in the J.D Barnett camp for long time; however, I switched over to the shaka smart.

J.D was a great coach but He uptight persona made VCU play tight against the Big boys during the round of 32. That's why we lost close games to Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama durnig that time.

Shake got us over the hump because he translated his quiet confidence too the team.

It's like comparing George Allen to Joe Gibbs in his first tenure with the skins. Allen was so uptight that as a fan you always had the feeling the skins were playing not to loses. Gibbs alway made you feel the game could be won.
Click to expand...

Let’s not jump the gun too fast. It has only been 2 years and just a month ago half the people wanted him fired. I will put him in this category if we win the championship this year or he stays and builds all these young guys into a powerhouse. Next year will be a good test if he is still around.
 
BigDaddy24 said:
He may be the best coach you had for 2 years if Tennessee has their way...
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You don't want to go to war with the Rams! Go back to your own site.
 
BigDaddy24 said:
He may be the best coach you had for 2 years if Tennessee has their way...
Click to expand...

It seems our coaching hires have gotten better and better. I would love to see what the next guy we bring in does if it comes to that. :shock: :lol:

I remember when ODU fans were saying they hope Shaka stays at VCU forever. Now they can't wait for him to go. :lol:

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/03/odus-ta ... -officials

:shock: Wyoming? bahahahahhaha
 
ram4life said:
BigDaddy24 said:
He may be the best coach you had for 2 years if Tennessee has their way...
Click to expand...

You don't want to go to war with the Rams! Go back to your own site.
Click to expand...


Ram for Life - What are you 10 years old or just too dim to realize I was complimenting your coach? My guess is the latter, but either way it's not worth going to war over.

District Baller - I don't care if Shaka stays or goes, Taylor either for that matter. It's a catch 22 in mid-major basketball, as soon as coaches get programs moving in the right direction they tend to jump at better offers. I just hope that if either leave, they are replaced by higher caliber coaches that will improve the quality of play in the CAA.

Good luck against FSU on Friday...(and no Ram for Life, this is not sarcasm)
 
No question that not all that long ago this VCU Mens Basketball program had some significate problems. Sometime before or during the CAAT, the players found a way to fix many of their problems. (I'm not talking x's and O's problems) They found a way to come together and became a team. (perfect timing) I feel we all witnessed a leader (leaders) being born. I think the same may have happend with the coaching staff. I think there may have been some issues with the coaching staff that kept them from being the best that they were capable of. Somehow they've found away to work out their problems and have become a team. I feel we all witnessed a leader (leaders) being born.

Best HC is VCU history?.....only time will tell.
 
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