Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

[filbert]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

Exactly one month from when I originally started this post, I stated AJ would leave without a contract beyond the current South Dakota 1 year policy. I also mentioned Green Bay is a college that would attract AJ. I still stand by my position that it will be hard to hold on to a successful coach without a multiple year contract. Steping into Division I, means that you have to change the minds of small state thinkers. When will this happen? This may not be the main reason that AJ left, but he told me over a year ago that it was a concern of his.

I suspect we (including both USD and SDSU) will have to live through another couple of these (and the legislators and the Regents start hearing about it from John Q. Public) before they start considering changing the rule.

[CatchEmAll]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

Even if AJ had a multi year contract he probably still would have left. He's going to a well established school with more resources at his disposal than he would have gotten here ten years from now. He's not stupid. Moving from SDSU to a Big Ten type school isn't going to happen. All he had to do was look at his predecessor. UWGB to Michigan State - a Big Ten school. He's leaving at perfect time for him - a great run into DI, just had a player drafted into the WNBA, and the right job opened up that's showing him the future. If he replecates his past SDSU success and UWGB's success he'll be the Gopher's head coach in 5-7 years.

Congrats to AJ, a well deserved move on his part. Pretty good for a guy that was once the golf coach at SDSU.

[Jackrabbit]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

Even if AJ had a multi year contract he probably still would have left. He's going to a well established school with more resources at his disposal than he would have gotten here ten years from now.  He's not stupid.  Moving from SDSU to a Big Ten type school isn't going to happen. All he had to do was look at his predecessor.  UWGB to Michigan State - a Big Ten school.  He's leaving at perfect time for him - a great run into DI, just had a player drafted into the WNBA, and the right job opened up that's showing him the future. If he replecates his past SDSU success and UWGB's success he'll be the Gopher's head coach in 5-7 years.

Congrats to AJ, a well deserved move on his part.  Pretty good for a guy that was once the golf coach at SDSU.

You are right on, you have to look to see where the previous coach went, to gauge where your value will be with similar success. This a move that sets him up for his next move.

Folks, this is not a lateral move. He'll run a Big 10/12 program in a few years.

I have a feeling 10 years from now, this board will be abuzz of stories about AJ...right after he's cut down the nets to celebrate a women's basketball championship for a big-time program.

[JimmyJack]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

Even if AJ had a multi year contract he probably still would have left. He's going to a well established school with more resources at his disposal than he would have gotten here ten years from now.  He's not stupid.  Moving from SDSU to a Big Ten type school isn't going to happen. All he had to do was look at his predecessor.  UWGB to Michigan State - a Big Ten school.  He's leaving at perfect time for him - a great run into DI, just had a player drafted into the WNBA, and the right job opened up that's showing him the future. If he replecates his past SDSU success and UWGB's success he'll be the Gopher's head coach in 5-7 years.

Congrats to AJ, a well deserved move on his part.  Pretty good for a guy that was once the golf coach at SDSU.

I agree. AJ wouldn't move just because of the contract issue. Right now, you don't move from a transitional D1 to a major program. Moving to a very, very successful mid-major like UWGB makes perfect sense for a 32-year-old who undoubtedly has very high aspirations and wants to move up the career ladder. We should just be grateful to AJ (and Laurie Melum) for getting our program to this level. I'm anxious to see who Dr. Oien finds to take us to the next level.

By the way, I'm normally an openness advocate, but I do agree with Dr. Oien's comment that this search probably needs to be different than past coaching searches and we should give the administration some space to do this one right.

Lastly, anybody remember any other SDSU coach in any sport ever moving out and up based on their success? We've had people retire from coaching here successfully and we've had some leave because they had just not performed well. We've even had some leave for other reasons and later find success elsewhere.

But I can't remember a coach who was courted by a more established program or larger school because of their outstanding performance.

[JackrabbitGuy]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

The amount of interest that various coaching candidates show in this position may start to drive home the point about allowing mulit-year contracts. If they make a good hire, the impact will be minimal, but if it becomes apparent that a number of good candidates were turned away because the job situation is year-to-year then it will send a pretty clear message that changes need to be made.

[thebluehatman]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

A couple of appetizers before I roll up the sleeves and break down the departure of SDSU women’s basketball coach Aaron Johnston: He said that he did not interview at Northern Iowa as had been reported, and that he probably will not schedule games against SDSU because it would be too emotional. Even A.J. won’t schedule the Jacks. Woe, the irony.

http://blogs.argusleadermedia.com/sports/category/sdsu/

[thebluehatman]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

Campus is quiet today for the most part, except for the heavy machinary working on the new wellness center. There aresome surprised people when I mention AJ has left the girls team for another school today. Congrats to AJ, hopefully the next coach will be as fan friendly as you have been to us students. I know you won't forgot about us, and I know you are proud of this program you built.

[JacksRule]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

If multi-year contracts are not available at this time, I would think an incentive (bonus package) could be developed that would help during this coach recruiting period. I don't mean a measly few thousand dollars for post season play, it has to be significant in the $10K range or better. Maybe an added bonus of $1K for every game won over 15. I have always liked performance based pay (no offense Coach Nagy) in most any job. Food for thought, while SD works toward understanding DI challenges.

[CatchEmAll]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

If multi-year contracts are not available at this time, I would think an incentive (bonus package) could be developed that would help during this coach recruiting period. I don't mean a measly few thousand dollars for post season play, it has to be significant in the $10K range or better.  Maybe an added bonus of $1K for every game won over 15. I have always liked performance based pay (no offense Coach Nagy) in most any job. Food for thought, while SD works toward understanding DI challenges.

It's there. They know how to incentivize coaches without the multi-year deals.

[SUPERBUNNY]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

I don't know how big a factor the long-term contract is. Sure, if you were an average coach it would give some security. The only way a long-term deal is if the money is gauranteed. I'mm assuming schools have a way out if things don't go well.

If a coach is a young gun like AJ, the one year contract could be a way to give yourself a significant raise, couldn't it? An average season everything stays status quo. A great season, the offers start coming and then the coach needs $$$$$$ more to stay at SDSU. In a long-term deal there isn't a way to move up.

The Argus article said that Fred made a counter offer. If he would have signed and had another succesful season this would happen all over again and AJ could work a school pretty hard. I'm not suggesting he did but it could definitely happen. Maybe there is more to the package at UWGB than is public. AJ is the only one that knows the answer to that question.

AJ deserves to be rewarded for what he has done here and it sounds like that attempt was made. Then it comes down to where he wants to be or what he feels is the best opportunity to advance his career. Obviously, he chose to go another direction. If that has been in his mind for a while then it is best that he moves on now and we can pursue another bright young talent!

Best of luck in Green Bay to AJ! Boy, it still doesn't sound like a step ud does it?

SUPERBUNNY

[MontanaRabbit]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

I might be alone on this, but I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. It is obvious that we are losing a great coach. You have to ask the question "Why are we losing our coach?". Because he has taken this program to new heights and accomplished things that make him attractive to better programs. I'm almost glad this happened because if it hadn't we wouldn't have experienced the things we experienced this year with the WNIT and hosting the two games. They were amazing. Yeah it kind of stinks losing our coach, but losing programs don't have to worry about losing a coach (to another team anyway). I would rather worry about losing a coach every few years than have an unsuccessful program.

This is not the end of the world, we will find a new coach and maybe he/she will be even better than AJ. It will just create more exposure for SDSU within the region. This will turn out good for us in the end I believe.

[jackrabit1]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

Montana has a point... would we even be having this discussion about AJ if the Lady Jacks were hovering around .500?

As much as I'm going to miss AJ, I think he has a bright future ahead of him. My hope is that Dr. Oien and President Chiccoine brings in a good coach that pushes us even further.

[jackrabit1]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

Okay, AJ's coming back... let's push the legislature to get rid of this STUPID one-year contract rule before we lose him again!

[joeboo22]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

I think the Board of Regends needs to rethink alot of policies, at first I didn't think it was that big of a deal but I realized that with out having any kind of a buy out it opens the door for more colleges to take looks at are coaches. Womens hoops isn't like mens basketball and football where there are boosters lined up accross the road to pay the buy-out. I also think the board of regends needs to reword the alchohal on campus rule. It should be allowed in sections.. in that section you would have to be 21 to enter.. It could be an end zone end on the football field and the balcony at frost... This would allow for more money to offer are coaches, and upgrade facilties, I don't want to start anything about it though just thought I would post my proposal.

[JACKGUYII]

Re: Coach Johnston Needs 5 Year Contract

I think the Board of Regends needs to rethink alot of policies, at first I didn't think it was that big of a deal but I realized that with out having any kind of a buy out it opens the door for more colleges to take looks at are coaches. Womens hoops isn't like mens basketball and football where there are boosters lined up accross the road to pay the buy-out. I also think the board of regends needs to reword the alchohal on campus rule. It should be allowed in sections.. in that section you would have to be 21 to enter.. It could be an end zone end on the football field and the balcony at frost... This would allow for more money to offer are coaches, and upgrade facilties, I don't want to start anything about it though just thought I would post my proposal.

Everytime I think an intelligent post is coming well....