Ass Coaches of All-Time

[nomad]

Since I’m having withdrawls from college basketball....I wanted to see who were the Meanest College Basketball Coaches considered. (Inspired by Dester30’s thread yesterday) “Ass Coach Candidates"


1. Bob Knight

2. Matt Doherty ( via North Carolina players)

3. John Cheney

4. Dave Bliss

5. Frank Martin (not really, but some people might think this)

[BlueOrion]

Bob Hurley (Sr.) at St. Anthony N.J...I saw that ESPNU special last night and this guy was the biggest egocentric, controlling, intimidating, ass-flamer that I've ever seen as a coach at any level..made Bob Knight look like Mother Teresa and Frank Martin like he was the captain of the good ship lollipop..my wife made me turn it off because it turned her stomach how he treated those kids...

[snp6636]

Originally Posted by BlueOrion

Bob Hurley (Sr.) at St. Anthony N.J...I saw that ESPNU special last night and this guy was the biggest egocentric, controlling, intimidating, ass-flamer that I've ever seen as a coach at any level..made Bob Knight look like Mother Teresa and Frank Martin like he was the captain of the good ship lollipop..my wife made me turn it off because it turned her stomach how he treated those kids...

Blue...were you talking about the documentary (The Street Stops Here)? I hear you that Hurley sr is one tough SOB...but he seems to be trying to break the cycle of poverty through his approach. I guess that doesn't change the fact that he comes across as mean...but I'd bet dimes to dollars that almost every coach does that behind closed doors with their team.

But you might be talking about something else that I haven't seen...

[Hawksfan32]

Originally Posted by BlueOrion

Bob Hurley (Sr.) at St. Anthony N.J...I saw that ESPNU special last night and this guy was the biggest egocentric, controlling, intimidating, ass-flamer that I've ever seen as a coach at any level..made Bob Knight look like Mother Teresa and Frank Martin like he was the captain of the good ship lollipop..my wife made me turn it off because it turned her stomach how he treated those kids...

Wow. I don't think you know who your talking about here. One of the most legendary coaches in basketball at any level. Only person to have never coached or played in college to be enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame. If he had the drive to coach in college, he could have had any job he wants. He is tough on his kids, but they're better for it.

I understand how you could get the wrong impression if you just saw a snippet of him, but he has literally given his life to helping inner-city kids make it. The documentary about his program called, "The Street Stops Here," is incredible.

[BlueOrion]

Originally Posted by Hawksfan32

Wow. I don't think you know who your talking about here. One of the most legendary coaches in basketball at any level. Only person to have never coached or played in college to be enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame. If he had the drive to coach in college, he could have had any job he wants. He is tough on his kids, but they're better for it.

I understand how you could get the wrong impression if you just saw a snippet of him, but he has literally given his life to helping inner-city kids make it. The documentary about his program called, "The Street Stops Here," is incredible.

I'm aware that the kids he deals with need a certain amount of tough love. I just think he crosses the line with the controlling aspect..(example: getting into direct conflicts with opposing fans in front of his team)..sometimes when you spend too much time reading your press clippings you begin to believe them (something he routinely admonishes his kids for)..my position comes from a perspective where I have worked directly with at risk youth for the last 15 years..so I'm not being critical from a vacuum..I admire that he has given so much of himself but IMO he crosses the line to the point where it is more about him and his image rather than about the needs and the long-term interests of the kids. And it was absolutely an incredible documentary...however, I would not let a son of mine play for him...understanding that many of the kids on his teams do not have the luxury of a strong parental influence...

[Hawksfan32]

Originally Posted by BlueOrion

I'm aware that the kids he deals with need a certain amount of tough love. I just think he crosses the line with the controlling aspect..(example: getting into direct conflicts with opposing fans in front of his team)..sometimes when you spend too much time reading your press clippings you begin to believe them (something he routinely admonishes his kids for)..my position comes from a perspective where I have worked directly with at risk youth for the last 15 years..so I'm not being critical from a vacuum..I admire that he has given so much of himself but IMO he crosses the line to the point where it is more about him and his image rather than about the needs and the long-term interests of the kids. And it was absolutely an incredible documentary...however, I would not let a son of mine play for him...understanding that many of the kids on his teams do not have the luxury of a strong parental influence...

Fair enough

[fplvieyra]

Originally Posted by BlueOrion

I admire that he has given so much of himself but IMO he crosses the line to the point where it is more about him and his image rather than about the needs and the long-term interests of the kids. And it was absolutely an incredible documentary...however, I would not let a son of mine play for him...understanding that many of the kids on his teams do not have the luxury of a strong parental influence...

I'm really surprised that the documentary gave you that impression. I came away from it with the opposite opinion - I was really impressed by Hurley, Sr., how much he cares, and how well he coaches and teaches his players. I know for a fact that guys all over NYC (and Jersey, obviously) would kill for the chance to play for him and that other coaches at all levels have the utmost of respect for him and the program he leads.

Maybe it's just a matter of how thin the documentary is though. Don't get me wrong; it's a good documentary but certainly not a great one. I'd recommend the book The Miracle of St. Anthony: A Season with Coach Bob Hurley and Basketball's Most Improbable Dynasty by Wojnarowski over the documentary any day. It's much better than the documentary and, I think, shows in a clearer and more comprehensive manner how much he does to try to help his players.

[lMrokkenAmullet]

Originally Posted by BlueOrion

Bob Hurley (Sr.) at St. Anthony N.J...I saw that ESPNU special last night and this guy was the biggest egocentric, controlling, intimidating, ass-flamer that I've ever seen as a coach at any level..made Bob Knight look like Mother Teresa and Frank Martin like he was the captain of the good ship lollipop..my wife made me turn it off because it turned her stomach how he treated those kids...

there are guys who give tough love (Hurley Sr.) and there are guys who stroke egos and tell a player everything they want to hear (Calipari). we know where your loyalties are.

[nomad]

Here are the rankings so far:

1. Bob Hurley (new add)
2. Bob Knight
3. Matt Dohetry
4. Dave Bliss
5. John Cheney
back up: Frank Martin

[knsbecker]

Thought we were talking about Bernie Fine when I saw the title. Did I take that too far?

[shinanigins]

Originally Posted by knsbecker

Thought we were talking about Bernie Fine when I saw the title. Did I take that too far?

Nope.... Nailed it

[nomad]

1a. Bob Hurley
1b. Bernie Fine (compliments of knsbecker)
2. Bob Knight
3. Matt Dohetry
4. Dave Bliss
5. John Cheney
back up: Frank Martin

[nomad]

Hurley has never been a teacher at or a full-time employee of St. Anthony. For most of his career, the coach was employed as a probation officer.

[Rh61791]

Calipari

[nomad]

Updated List:

1. Bernie Fine (compliments of knsbecker)
2. Bob Knight
3. Matt Dohetry
4. Dave Bliss
5. John Cheney
Reserve: Frank Martin
Reserve: Bob Hurley

[nomad]

I'm going to throw another name out there: Frederick Mitchell "Mysterious"Walker college basketball coach. He coached baseball, football & basketball.