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Post by Pounce Needs Pals on Dec 27, 2010 11:30:44 GMT -6
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Post by PantherLou on Dec 27, 2010 11:35:15 GMT -6
I have to say - I think this is a GREAT hire.
He really, really impressed me. He is going to be a good fit for what we all want and need in the department.
And for the naysayers who say we need a guy who will clean house, I can say with conviction that if he thinks it is needed, he will do it.
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Post by Pounce Needs Pals on Dec 27, 2010 11:41:02 GMT -6
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Post by JG Panthers on Dec 27, 2010 12:00:59 GMT -6
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Post by yuhayden on Dec 27, 2010 13:31:00 GMT -6
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Post by BBFran on Dec 27, 2010 14:11:47 GMT -6
I like Lou's report but I have had no chance to meet or speak with the man, so I too will reserve judgment. The thread yuhayden linked is certainly a good indication of how enthusiasm can run ahead of the evidence in hires like this. I note that my comments in that thread about George were very, very cautious. That's because quite honestly I thought at the time that he was a ridiculous choice with by far the weakest resume of all the candidates. But once he was hired, what could I say but "let's hope it turns out for the best."
Costello's resume is immensely stronger than George's. He may be a great AD for us and he may not, but at least I don't have any gnawing fear, as I did last time, that he might be a train wreck. I guess that's progress.
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Post by Hack on Dec 27, 2010 14:15:08 GMT -6
The thread yuhayden linked recruitment forum is certainly a good indication of how enthusiasm can run ahead of the evidence in hires prospects like this. Amended for application in other areas. |
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Post by uwmfutbol on Dec 27, 2010 15:44:25 GMT -6
He has a very impressive resume; I hope this works out well in the end. The only thing that troubles me is how often he's changed jobs. Hopefully he doesn't bolt in a year.
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Post by buppie05 on Dec 27, 2010 15:54:13 GMT -6
Good point The last go around Koonce would have been my second to last choice (only ahead of sweeney). Now the acting chancellor went ahead and hired the guy I would have picked, so I hope it goes better this go around. I suppose it couldn't go worse than the last go around. Costello has a much much much more difficult task in front of him than Koonce had (some of the thanks goes to mr. Koonce for that). A lot of the issues discussed as needing to be "addressed" in the Koonce thread, IE branding, on campus arena, Jeter ect., are still issues today, and many have been exacerbated by the fact that they have been ongoing for a longer period of time now. Because of this it will be harder for Costello to make his mark on the university in a major capacity (IE a football program) until a lot of these pressing issues are handled. A football program seems so far on the horizon at this point, that its almost inappropriate to even discuss. A lot of people have raved about the efforts of the acting chancellor, so I trust he has made the decision to the best of his abilities, with the interests of UWM foremost in his decision. Best of luck Rick and welcome to the Milwaukee Panthers! |
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Post by uwm97 on Dec 27, 2010 15:57:16 GMT -6
I listened to the first 10 minutes of Costello's presentation this morning; I didn't listen to the other two candidates. He pretty much said what I figured he'd say, ie carry on great tradition, make sure the student-athletes graduate, etc. What I didn't hear anything about was the men's basketball program; granted, he can't spend his entire presentation pontificating about one sport; however, that one sport is a lot more important than all the other ones combined. So, for those of you who heard all three presentations and know a lot more about the selection than I do, why was he the best choice? How will he go about evaluating this basketball program? I don't care about swimming, volleyball, or even baseball for that matter. It's great if they do well, but I attend none of the games and neither do 99% of you guys, so let's be honest about the whole thing. How is this AD going to bring this program back to the NCAA's? I'd like to hear his plan on this. Dennis Krause asked Koonce what his goals were for the program, and I want to know Costello's.
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Post by BBFran on Dec 27, 2010 17:23:41 GMT -6
97 and I surely do not agree on some things regarding the program, but I wholeheartedly agree that men's basketball necessarily has to be the focal point for our new AD. I truly want all our sports to be successful, and I want all of our student athletes to have great experiences, in every sport. But I recognize, and our AD has to also, that men's BB is the ultimate driver of the overall program. It's the only sport on campus that has the ability to support more than itself. It's the only sport that has the ability to raise the profile of the entire University. When men's basketball is healthy and successful, it will make it much easier for all our other programs to be healthy and successful.
That's why I think addressing the arena issue is so vital. That's why the men's BB program has to be both supported and scrutinized more than any other. That's why it's so critical that we have a coaching staff that is technically good, ethically upright and fully engaged not just on the basketball side but on the marketing/promotional side also. And that's a hard trick, to be honest. None of our last three coaching staffs had it all. I like all the guys on our current staff, but they need to do some things better. It will be this AD's job to size that up, figure out where they need to improve, help them get better where they need to get better -- or, if they prove they can't get better, determine how to change it or work around it. That's got to be the focus. That doesn't mean there will be sudden changes, or should be. Impetuous changes can only hurt a program, especially a mid-major program. But Costello needs to get fully engaged with the BB program during the last part of the season.
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Post by uwm97 on Dec 27, 2010 18:31:58 GMT -6
Well said, Fran.
I'm interested to hear from those who endorse Costello why he was the best fit to lead the men's basketball program. I'm not saying he's a bad hire - I'd like to know why he was the best hire.
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Post by blackcatinorange on Dec 27, 2010 20:57:24 GMT -6
If I was highly qualified, dynamic Associate AD....looking for more challenges and opportunities as I step forward on my career path...I would absolutely love the UWM position. Rick Costello has the chance to really make an impact, and a name for himself with the situation he has in front of him. I'm sorry to read that UWM97 doesn't care about the entire athletic program at UWM....but I hope Costello does. We have many incredible athletes and coaches at UWM......and the profile of the athletic program will be enhanced if men's basketball succeeds and prospers. That should be priority #1. I hope somewhere on his list of priorities will be having UWM baseball call Miller Park home.....at least for a majority of their games. But I guess that's a discussion for another board. Like I said...he has lots of challenges and opportunities to make a name for himself here at UWM.
Good luck Rick...and welcome to Milwaukee.
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Post by PantherLou on Dec 28, 2010 8:51:46 GMT -6
My impression (based upon his direct comments) is that he is 100% committed to Men's Basketball as the flagship program for this university. Furthermore, he mentioned on more than one occasion that new facilities, in the form on an on campus arena, have to be a top priority.
Bottom line: Ii think he understands exactly what Fran and 97 are saying. Of course, the proof will be in if he can actually do it, but it sure is nice to have a guy who is excited at the helm.
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Post by buppie05 on Dec 28, 2010 13:26:38 GMT -6
My reason for backing Costello (if anyone cares  ) He has all the experience that this position requires. He has been a part of SEVERAL new arenas and sports complex being constructed, and as we know this is likely the most pressing issue we have. He has experience as a head AD, a fundraiser, a financial analyst ect. He says the right things and based on his background, I believe he isn't just blowing smoke. Like Lou mentioned, I also get the feeling that if Costello thinks a house cleaning is in order, he will clean it. Based on his resume, it seems that Costello gets things done, and in a short period of time. Finally, I don't see any way that Costello's tenure could be anything like Koonces, as this guy has the pedigree of a qualified head AD at UWM, something Koonce didn't have. No Kyle Durstein in the SA can't hurt either. There are however a couple of concerns I have. First, he has predominately worked at football schools. That being said, he has a background as a basketball coach, and I'm sure basketball is a passion of his. He must have an affinity for basketball or else I can't see why this would be the job he would go after. Finally, based on his background, I wouldn't be surprised if he was only around for a few years. He moves around a lot, but he does seem to get a lot accomplished in his short tenures. If he can stick around a few years, get an on campus arena under construction, and solidify our branding, we will be much better off for having him around, and it will make the job even more attractive for the next AD. |
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