AD's search is a quiet one
Trying to hire Self was logical, but Holder's next move a mystery
OSU AD's search is a quiet one

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By Andrea Cohen
Published: April 14, 2008

Last Thursday, also known as The Day Bill Self Said No, I handed Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder a list and asked him if he'd edit it. He took his time reading the names of potential basketball coaches I thought might be on the radar, smiled and handed it back. No editing.
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At the time the list included Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie, Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings, Villanova coach Jay Wright, Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon, Memphis coach John Calipari, Virginia Commonwealth coach Anthony Grant, Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery and Washington State coach Tony Bennett. If I was handing him a list today I would delete Wright and Bennett — sources have said both are uninterested — and add USC's Tim Floyd and Clemson's Oliver Purnell.

But I bet you Holder's reaction would have been the same if I had included myself on the list, or my first choice, 97-year old John Wooden.

Holder is playing this coaching search extremely close to his orange sweater vest, and he has been since it started, nearly two weeks ago. He had to wait before pursuing Self, and he knew he had to pursue Self. Said as much on Thursday, when he said "I think everybody and every Cowboy fan would have been very disappointed, as I would have been with myself, had we not given Bill Self an opportunity to come home.”

Going after Self was the most reasonable thing in the world. The question is: Did it create unreasonable expectations?

Most of the other coaches in Self's coaching tier — the top tier — are unlikely to leave their current situations. And even the tier one step below is tough to get.

The thing is, once you've had a serious flirtation with the top — literally, the man won the national championship two days before sitting down and talking to you — it's hard to accept that people below him on the food chain might spurn your advances, especially when everybody knows you can pay well.

And we still don't know. Holder could still land a Calipari or a Floyd or some other big name. But if he does end up with an up-and-comer like VCU's Grant or Southern Illinois' Lowery, both of whom are impressive coaches, just not huge names, will OSU fans be disappointed?

Fair or not, Self's involvement may have raised expectations unfairly when it comes to this coaching search. That doesn't change the fact that he still had to be No. 1 on Holder's list. The question now is: Where on the list is OSU's next coach?

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Calipari has just got a raise, cross him off too.
Barry, Fort Collins - Apr 15, 2008 6:26 PM
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Andrea, you can take Clemson's Oliver Purnell off your list. He wasnt interested in the LSU job and Terry Don is (has) got a new contract on the table for him. Purnell is a good coach for a second tier ACC program, but not for what OSU has been.
Marcus, Irmo - Apr 15, 2008 12:56 PM
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Ihad, in the beginning believed that Sean had at least one more year to generate the results desired that would elevate the program. Idi and still believe that if a coaching change would be decided that the coach needs to be someone with no ties at OSU and has the top ten way of thinking and philosophy. someone who would commit themself to several years to build the program to a height beyond the Sutton years which would make us championship contenders each year. Robert
Robert, Choctaw - Apr 15, 2008 12:14 PM
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Well, I gues Mr. Pickens dollars don't buy whatever he wants. Will be interesting if they offer or will make an offer equla what they were THINKING of offering Mr. Self. I know there was nothing mentioned but.....
Lou, Yukon - Apr 14, 2008 9:21 PM
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the 35 dollars was for the suites but the regular seating was free. the 35 dollars also covered an all you can eat buffet and there was something else i cant remember what but that has nothing to do with basketball or this article as far as the coaching search goes holder needs to get a move on it because we are losing time.....and for "ShArron" dude you are far from sharp....you are just a pathetic moron who cant seem to move out of his moms basement so you just sit around and try to make stuff up.....so how does it feel to be a loser like yourself man???
Neel, Sugar Land - Apr 14, 2008 7:22 PM
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Chris-You are absolutely right. Most of the time, I do ignore ShArron. But sometimes, I let myself get pulled into it. Hard to always take the high road on some of the ignorant statements that are made.
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 14, 2008 6:14 PM
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Patrick, if you will just ignore the ShArrons of the world they will eventually leave. Don't feed trolls.
Chris, Oklahoma City - Apr 14, 2008 6:01 PM
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You don't have to take my word for it. On this very site, go to "Sports", then "OSU Cowboys", then go to the story dated April 12 and titled "Orange/White Spring Game". On there, it clearly states "Admission:Free". If there was a price of $35 published elsewhere, it may have been for the suites.
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 14, 2008 4:50 PM
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The Oklahoman published ticket price of $35. Who you propositioned to get in for free is you business? I don't take you word for anything anyway. You sound like more of a band member than an athlete. Maybe that is why you instinctively felt bullied and wrote a book. Anyway enough of you for today, wouldn't want you to take any left over anger from being bullied out on your family.
Arron, Holdenville - Apr 14, 2008 4:42 PM
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Sorry Arron, I have to go with Barry on this one. At what university do they settle with assistant coaches after firing the head coach? OSU is allowing the coaches to continue to get paid for the remainder of their contracts, which, in Dickey's case, is up in June. Perhaps he will retain his job, but more than likely, the new coach will bring in his new staff. I'm just curious...did OU keep John Blake's assistant coaches after hiring Bob Stoops? Did those assistants demand huge settlements from the university after being dismissed? Happens everywhere, dude. Get over it.
Maggie, Oklahoma City - Apr 14, 2008 4:19 PM
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Sharron-Where in my last post did I try to bring anybody else in to help defend me? I need no help in handling the likes of you. You are the one that has made a big issue of this. I just made the initial statement that I thought you were just looking for controversy in your first message today. That's it. And you've made it into some kind of Bill of Rights issue like I'm telling you what you can and can't post. Truth is Sharron, I don't care what you think and you can never say anything that hurts my feelings or "gets to me" because you are a nobody. The point I was trying to make in my last "novel" was this: It is obvious that you want to be taken seriously and to be perceived as a "sharp dude". The way to go about that is not to constantly be confrontational and spouting inflammatory OPINIONS (since that seems to be your favorite word). That's it. Otherwise, you are nothing but an antagonizer. Now, back to the tickets. You are dead wrong about the Orange-White game tickets. I went to the game Saturday and it was FREE, as in $10 less than the Red-White game. I think OSU did have some thing where you could pay if you wanted to sit in the suites, but that was an option, not a requirement. I walked through the gate at no charge. In the future, if you are going to state facts rather than your beloved OPINIONS, you might want to make sure you at least get the facts correct.
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 14, 2008 4:05 PM
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Look at the novel you posted little girl, trying to bring someone else in to help you defend yourself--it is obvious my remark got to you. Don't cry they are just words. You charge $35 a piece for Orange white while the red-white was only 10 bucks. Patty are you sure you want to talk to me, I mean I don't care if your feeling get hurt or who you know. All I do is express my opinion and you get all upset. So I don't know what to do for you if you can't handle what one thinks. Maybe we could get you one of those chips so real adults with opinions don't hurt your feelings. I'm sorry to bring feelings from you past back--those bullies can be mean. But I will say what I feel, withour regard for your mental health. Perhaps Oprah's book club is more your speed.
Arron, Holdenville - Apr 14, 2008 3:44 PM
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I don't know Sh(arron) (since you insist on calling me a female name, I will assign you one), you seem to be the one getting touchy. You fired off two messages in response to my accusation that you are just looking for any controversy when it comes to OSU. If OSU fans on here are touchy to your messages, it is well-earned as, by your own admission, you like to come on here and stir things up. And, I never tried to take away your right to do so, so don't go all tough-guy on me. If you come on here making controversial statements when you are a known OSU-hater, then you should expect less-than-friendly responses as that is what you are looking for in the first place. On the Dickey topic, you stated your opinion, I stated mine and backed it up. What's the problem? Truth be known, I suspect you would like for OSU to hire Dickey rather than some other bigger-name, more-successful coach so you can come on here and say how pathetic it is that we couldn't find anybody else to take the job, etc. Now, ticket prices. I don't have the hard numbers, but I believe OSU's ticket prices are right about on the average for the Big 12. Your problem with that is? You say you are a "sharp dude" Sharron and you can sometimes make a lucid point, but then you follow it up with imflammatory, non-sensical tripe ala Danny from Wilson/Ardmore. If you want to come on here and have intelligent discussions, then act like a "sharp dude" and cut out the taunting, derogatory comments and I'm betting you will get responses that are more to your liking.
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 14, 2008 2:26 PM
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ST, Budke was not hired by Holder. Holder was brought onboard in his current capacity in September and Budke was hired by Birdwell during the prior summer. Holder's only hire of coaching staff has been Rich Wieligman, the softball coach, in 2006.
Barry, Fort Collins - Apr 14, 2008 1:25 PM
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Do you carry a ruler around your neighbors yards which you do not like measuring the length of their grass so you can turn them in? I wouldn't be shocked. I think you are a bit touchy about anything I say, and I'll say what I want so get over it. You do at least back up your points, but you are making a false accusation today. I enjoy the bickering--it is bedlam everyday in cyberspace. Anything else you want to talk about, how about those ticket prices? Does T-Bone only cater to a certain social class of fan? Or does he just have that much pride for his new stadium? You know the right answer is not a good one...
Arron, Holdenville - Apr 14, 2008 1:17 PM
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Patty you act like I control what the Daily Ok prints. I'm just a man who likes to blog. Got a job--go to school. You sound as though you believe I am conspiring to get OSU's sports program is more disarray that it is already getting itself in. I'm a sharp dude, but you don't get sharp by worrying about the opinions of others. I guess I am the only one that thinks Dickey could be the right answer right underneath your nose. Obviously no way any of us could have more knowledge than yourself, and there is no getting any conspiracies by you. As if I have the right to make a statement. Not with Patty policing the internet. Go ahead comment me my rights Patty. I am in my place.
Arron, Holdenville - Apr 14, 2008 1:07 PM
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Arron-I was just trying to illustrate to you that there is no controversy where you are trying to make one with Dickey. Your assertion that he has not been given a chance to shine is incorrect. He had a couple of good years at TTU, it went into decline, and he was let go. Why would OSU consider him as HC when he did not prove that he could maintain a program long-term at another Big 12 school? If you want to talk about being shoved aside, let's discuss Merv Johnson at OU. He is a good man and was a long-time, loyal assistant there. How many times was he passed over as the HC at OU? When John Blake was let go, did OU keep any of his assistants around out of loyalty and elevate them to HC? No, they cleaned house and brought in Stoops. This was a nothing article by Andrea Cohen because she has nothing to report. Now, you are taking a nothing story and trying to dredge up something that just isn't there. Try again another day Arron. There is no story here.
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 14, 2008 12:33 PM
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Holder did find us a Budke. We know he is turning out to be a great addition to Cowgirl Basketball. GO POKES!!
Katie, Oklahoma City - Apr 14, 2008 12:14 PM
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If the rumors are true about salary then I'm not sure what the issue is with some people, it just means that OSU is now in a position to do what a lot of other programs have been doing for a long time. The issue really isn't who we hire this time as much as it will be that when you pay at the top of the pay scale you will find a coach (if not with this one then the next one) that is good and you will be able to keep him. How many coaches did OU go through between Switzer and Stoops?
ROBERT, KANSAS CITY - Apr 14, 2008 12:11 PM
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I hope that the deafening silence is due to holding OSU's cards close to the vest and not due to 'Duh what do I do now?' I trust that Holder will do a good job with his first big hire. This really isn't any different than any high level hiring search. If the employer knows what they expect, what their budget is, and what candidates are available, the process should yield good results. Money talks and very few tier one coaches make as much as is rumored (if any). I hope we don't fall for the newest flash in the pan coach only to find out he isn't able to coach in the Bib 12.
g, shawnee - Apr 14, 2008 11:55 AM
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Patty-I just wondered why he gets no mention. Sorry about bunching up your panties like that. Dickey might just need someone to shove him into the limelight. Could be a star or genius who was never given to chance to shine. I agree he is a good person who put in a lot of work, and is being pushed aside. Maybe he doesn't want any part of T-Bone's plans.
Arron, Holdenville - Apr 14, 2008 11:53 AM
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Arron-You are really digging deep to try and find some OSU controversy today. No mention of James Dickey at all in this story and whatever point you are trying to make is completely lost on me. Just FYI, Dickey's contract runs through June 30, 2008 and that's it. Being the good, honest, and loyal man he is, he is fulfilling his contract by holding things down until then to earn his paycheck. After that, OSU owes him nothing and he owes them nothing. How do you know Dickey is "out of the loop"? Did Mike Holder tell you he is intentionally keeping Coach Dickey out of the loop? I very much doubt that he is. I'm sure he will wait to see who is hired and if he has a chance to stay as an assistant, which I would have no problem with. In the meantime, I'm sure he is doing his own job search in the background, as anyone would do in his situation.
Patrick, Edmond - Apr 14, 2008 10:13 AM
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Settlement for what? Unless OSU is different than 99% of the other universities, ass't coach salaries are usually not guaranteed. I agree he is a good man but based on his record at TTU, I personally do not feel he is the guy we need heading things up. And again, not one single dollar sign has been "thrown up". Speaking of hypnotized, there are definitely those who are continually transfixed on making money an issue when it is not.
Barry, Fort Collins - Apr 14, 2008 9:55 AM
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What does Dickie think about all of this? If he is one of the "family" he must feel out of the loop. If I were him I would be crying settlement. I'll take half of what Sean got. Seems like a good person to be left in the dark and made to wait. You boys treat them strangely in Stillwater. Just throw up those dollar signs, and many seem hypnotized. Priorities are compromised; is that the Cowboy way.
Arron, Holdenville - Apr 14, 2008 9:37 AM
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