First let me say..

[BogeyGolfer]

I support Rick Ray but would we ever consider hiring back Richard Williams if Ray is unsuccessful? Bobby P was hired back at L'Ville, what would be difference?

[engie]

I support Rick Ray but would we ever consider hiring back Richard Williams if Ray is unsuccessful? Bobby P was hired back at L'Ville, what would be difference?

Difference is Bobby P proved himself a truly elite coach at multiple stops. Richard Williams gave us 3 great years out of 12 -- and also some really bad basketball at times.

1986-1987 Mississippi State 7-21 3-15 10th
1987-1988 Mississippi State 14-15 6-12 10th
1988-1989 Mississippi State 13-15 7-11 8th
1989-1990 Mississippi State 16-14 7-11 T-8th NIT Second Round
1990-1991 Mississippi State 20-9 13-5 1st NCAA First Round
1991-1992 Mississippi State 15-13 7-9 4th (West)
1992-1993 Mississippi State 13-16 5-11 5th (West)
1993-1994 Mississippi State 18-11 9-7 3rd (West) NIT First Round
1994-1995 Mississippi State 22-8 12-4 T-1 (West) NCAA Sweet 16
1995-1996 Mississippi State 26-8 10-6 T-1st (West) NCAA Final Four
1996-1997 Mississippi State 12-18 6-10 T-3rd (West)
1997-1998 Mississippi State 15-15 4-12 5th (West)
Mississippi State: 191-163 89-113
Total: 191-163

If Ray goes 13-15 next year, I'm going to be ready for him to go. If he goes 16-14 in year 4, I'm going to be ready to burn the place down to get him out of there. That said, he's going to win more than that -- and this isn't the same job that it was when Williams inherited it the first time. It/we have passed him by at this point. It is great to have him back around though...

[HailState39110]

No. That would be a similar hire to Polk Part 2 .

[Schultzy]

Williams wouldn't want to at this point. No way he'd want to get back into that business after all these years.

[Coach34]

15 years later? No thanks. And I love Richard Williams

[gravedigger]

Not under Keenum.

The conditions surrounding why he left are simply the kind of thing that Keenum will never allow on any level. He can take any amount of criticism from our fans for our teams only being marginally good, but he will NEVER tolerate a coach of any team embarrassing the school without serious ramifications, and hiring the wrong guy will cost the AD his job. Stricklin tows a line.

To Keenum, MSU is far more than an athletic program funding a university. He's worked in Washington and understands the game perfectly. It wont always be advantageous to our athletic fan base. But he will make MSU better in the long haul. Stricklin and his coaches know, under no uncertain terms, that any national negative publicity towards MSU threatens Keenum's credibility as a leader.

[MarketingBully01]

If Ray turns out not to be the right hire, I doubt Stricklin will lose his job....