Whalen out at U of M

[jbjack]

Count me in the camp that does not believe that the U of M will hire a man for the highest profile women's position on campus. Even if it would, I also believe that it would not and could not pay any more to AJ or another male coach than it paid Whalen. That effectively doubles AJ's salary but let's not pretend this is on the scaleof the men's side of the ledger, where even an entry level contract like Ben Johnson's (whose buyout is currently in the realm of $7,000,000) contract makes it difficult or impossible to say "no." A five year contract for $500k/year at a dumpster fire? Or a lifetime gig where you've spent a quarter century? The Big 10 isn't life changing money.

All that said, AJ deserves a raise.

[salemjack]

Something that hasn't been mentioned anywhere on here for the case of him staying at SDSU. He recently built a new house and his in-laws just moved to Brookings. Sounds like they are keeping their roots firmly planted in Brookings.

Smitty. The voice of reason.

[SmittySDSU]

Something that hasn't been mentioned anywhere on here for the case of him staying at SDSU. He recently built a new house and his in-laws just moved to Brookings. Sounds like they are keeping their roots firmly planted in Brookings.

[OldHare]

can i like your comment a lot more than once. there are a LOT of other costs too. the dollars is probably the least of it. obviously, for some people there are valuable payoffs too. at some point AJ and his family will decide if those payoffs are enough to make them endure the related costs

The base pay seems to be a bit more than the $250K. It does not address the bonus structure within the contract. I am guessing that those steps should sweeten the pot in addition to the basic coaches shows and/or other spiffs. There seems to be the social media explosion that continues to grab ideas before facts to keep information in front us to keep clicking the links.

[LetsGoRabbits]

$250,000 in SD > $500,000 in MN

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can i like your comment a lot more than once. there are a LOT of other costs too. the dollars is probably the least of it. obviously, for some people there are valuable payoffs too. at some point AJ and his family will decide if those payoffs are enough to make them endure the related costs

[LetsGoRabbits]

Said every coach before he accepts a few weeks later.

yes well it is not like he said, I am not going anywhere, or there is no chance i am leaving, or anything like that. he simply said that the things currently being said have no basis in fact. they are strictly social media speculation. so what he said is true but does not seem to stop him from looking or going, if he is inclined to do either

[BitsTD]

$250,000 in SD > $500,000 in MN

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[goon]

Before you guys send Coach Johnston a fair well card, check this out- https://twitter.com/mcfeely_inforum/...X_dK9U6Q8Vy8Gg

Said every coach before he accepts a few weeks later.

[LetsGoRabbits]

Before you guys send Coach Johnston a fair well card, check this out- https://twitter.com/mcfeely_inforum/...X_dK9U6Q8Vy8Gg

to be clear and i think i already have been
i am DEFINITELY NOT leaning toward him going. i am HEAVILY leaning toward he stays, but not gonna say there is no chance.

did, however, think it was a reasonable time to wonder who potential next person up would be. particularly i am interested about Coach Thielbar. I am afraid we will probably lose her at some point, but that is what happens when you have a good head coach and a good program. eventually good assistants get hired away

[salemjack]

Before you guys send Coach Johnston a fair well card, check this out- https://twitter.com/mcfeely_inforum/...X_dK9U6Q8Vy8Gg

[jakejc795]

Emilee Thiesse at MN State-Mankato ?

I didn't realize she was Amy Williams' sister.

[jakejc795]

I don't even want to go down this road, but I wonder if Macy Miller would return as an assistant, if AJ left (or be hired at U of M as one of his assistants there).

[bigticket1]

i cannot say what AJ will do but i sure hope he stays!!

in the unfortunate event he leaves, obviously the jacks would get plenty of good candidates!

the most recent marquee sport hires came from within. would the jacks consider the same strategy? it definitely seems they like to hire people familiar with the SDSU way of doing things. they always have

i could go back further but going back to the 70s, Zulk played for the jacks before he coached the jacks. Thorson worked for Zulk, nagy worked for Thorson, hendo worked for TJ

AJ worked for both Nagy and Nancy

I think without question Coach Thielbar is respected, is she ready to be HC? i dont know but you would think she is gonna get a shot, if she wants one, fairly soon. i imagine that her bio says, but i am thinking between her 2 stints with the jacks she has been with AJ somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 years

I dont think Rotert has enough experience yet? no? yes? would they go that route?
what about Lori Fish at SCSU

does someone else, with or without Jackrabbit ties, come to mind?

Emilee Thiesse at MN State-Mankato ?

[bigticket1]

With the talent Minnesota has in WBB, Johnston would have Minnesota in the top 10 within a couple years, I would guess. I am going to guess he isn’t going to leave if he hasn’t already, but who knows? Would cheer him on just like with Scott Nagy, who has done great things for Wright State.

That talent has a history of going to U Conn and other very good programs. That isn't going to change overnight, regardless of who they hire.

[LetsGoRabbits]

Here are a few

1). And the likely of doubling/tripling his salary is significant wealth

2) The chance to make the tournament as an at large consistently. Yes, it can be done here but it takes a perfect schedule.

3) and maybe the most significant, the changing of college athletics. They money gap between B10 teams and SDSU (think private planes recruiting; additional staffing, NIL/outside money) is very real and appears to only be getting bigger.

I hope he stays, he obviously loves it here and likely has had multiple chances to leave but #3 is a relatively new factor….maybe the new arena is enough to get him to stay but I wouldn’t fault him for going. It would be hard to lose both him and Stig in the same year.


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1. obviously if money is the key, no matter how much the jacks might raise AJ salary UM could top it
i DO NOT believe this is the top priority for AJ but that still does not mean there is not a number that might turn his head. i just think there are other factors that mean significantly more to him

2. i almost completely disagree with this. yes it is easier to be an at large from the big 10, but i think the jacks have crossed this hurdle and put it in the rearview mirror! we already get excellent teams to come to brookings and very quality opponents schedule us to come to their place. there is no reason to expect any change in this!! as long as we have good teams and we take care of our business (again NO REASON to expect any change in this) we will have a great shot to make the tourney

i have said it often before. the jacks are on the verge of being a top 20-25 team or better on a yearly basis

3. i think most people are in agreement that NIL is going to be regulated sooner than later. i also think that AJ kind of enjoys the challenge of going against teams that have some advantages, be it NIL or something else

finally, NOT that AJ thinks it is all about him and he definitely recognizes that plenty of others have had a hand in getting the program to where it is!!! BUT i also think he kinda thinks of this as his baby and i am not sure he is ready to put it in somebody else's hands. he is enjoying the challenge of seeing how high this program can go. i think this is a BIG deal to him. if he thought he had taken the program as far as it could go, i think he would be far FAR more likely to go some other place and seek a new challenge

all that said, i hope i have made it clear that i agree with you and anyone else who thinks there is at least a chance he goes. i really am NOT willing to say no chance!! but i think the fact he is really enjoying the challenge and WANTING to see how high this program can go overcomes pretty much any advantage except money. if UM or someone can turn his head with a big pile of money then that will be that, i just cannot help thinking if that was the deal, it would have happened already