Quote Originally Posted by slickdawg View Post
Listening to Bo Bounds this morning, Alabama's AD had a $20 million SURPLUS this year ($120m total). They can't spend it faster than they are making it. That's roughly a third of State and Ole Miss' entire athletic budget.

When Byrne hired Mullen, he distinctly said "we want to hire them on their way up", meaning rising stars in coaching. Not some used up has been, a youthful coach that can relate to the kids and coach well. Mullen had a losing season his first year as our head coach, and he walked in with a 75% full roster. Ray came in after an F5 had already leveled the program. He's had to clean up a lot of issues with personnel that he inherited. Next year is when I start the coaching clock with Ray, he got a two year free pass from me. The team is better, the effort is there, the depth is coming. I think 2014-15 is a chance for the NIT for Ray. The next year should be NCAA's with Ware, Thomas and Chicken all seniors.
Yes, everything is okay. It's normal to take five years to build back a basketball program. Especially when perinial doormats like USC and Auburn make hires like Frank Martin and Bruce Pearl. Yes, both programs which will make if to the NCAA tourney before we will. Yes, everything is fine nothing to see here. While we are at it, let's give Ray a 4 year pass just for the heck of it.