Some great reading.....

[mexicobufan]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/16678530.htm

[amckillip]

Ya know, I grew up being a Big Ten fan, I mean I grew up in a die-hard Illinois fan household.We'd even make the trek to 1-2 Illinois FOOTBALL games a year, and that takes dedication. InState was in the town where I grew up so I always kinda rooted for the MVC, but now that I go to school here at Bradley I've grown to love the MVC. Coaches like JL and Altman, even Illini coach Bruce Weber, during his days at SIU(my mom's alma mater, I know, I AM sorry) have made this such a great league, and made it so it is in my opinion far more fun to watch than the big market teams like the ACC, Big East, and my dad would be dissappointed, but the Big Ten. I can honestly say, as far as athletics go, I'm glad I chose Bradley over Virginia Tech, Purdue, Northwestern, Illinois, or Penn State. So good for Dana Altman and all the other coaches who have, IMO, made the MVC the msot competitive league in D-1 hoops.

[mexicobufan]

I agree with you, the MVC is what it is today because of Coaches like Altman that have figured out there is more to life than just money and that you can only spend so much. I hope Jim understands that Bradley is family and that he can make great money and enjoy being part of a big family. If he left Bradley he would only be as good as his last game and there would be no true loyalty to him. I hope Altman retires at CU and I hope Jim retires at BU!!!!

[squirrel]

I agree with you, the MVC is what it is today because of Coaches like Altman that have figured out there is more to life than just money and that you can only spend so much. I hope Jim understands that Bradley is family and that he can make great money and enjoy being part of a big family. If he left Bradley he would only be as good as his last game and there would be no true loyalty to him. I hope Altman retires at CU and I hope Jim retires at BU!!!!

I think Altman has stayed because he's been at the BCS level at K-State and found it wasn't really rewarding. . .not so much the money. And he makes incredible money at Creighton, and he gets 2% of the university's development monies which makes it hard for any major to match what he brings in at Omaha.

[Da Coach]

If there ever was a good time for Dana Altman to take another job and leave Creighton, this might be the year. Creighton loses Funk, Tolliver, and Nick Porter this year. If Dana stays, he will have to pull off his best coaching job in years to finish in the top half of the MVC next year with what he has coming back. But I wouldn't put it past him, and he has some pretty good recruits coming in the next couple years, so they will rebuild, but I don't see them contending next year.
We saw how they were last year without Funk. They were eliminated in the first game of the MVC tournament and missed the NCAA tournament.
If Altman gets a good offer this spring, I wouldn't be surprised if he pulls a 180, and takes it.

[BradleyBrave]

If there ever was a good time for Dana Altman to take another job and leave Creighton, this might be the year. Creighton loses Funk, Tolliver, and Nick Porter this year. If Dana stays, he will have to pull off his best coaching job in years to finish in the top half of the MVC next year with what he has coming back. But I wouldn't put it past him, and he has some pretty good recruits coming in the next couple years, so they will rebuild, but I don't see them contending next year.
We saw how they were last year without Funk. They were eliminated in the first game of the MVC tournament and missed the NCAA tournament.
If Altman gets a good offer this spring, I wouldn't be surprised if he pulls a 180, and takes it.

He would have been at Illinois a few years ago instead of Weber had Altman been allowed to bring his entire staff with him. I hope he doesn't leave. One of the things that has brought the Valley into greatness is its coaches, and Dana is one of the best, if not the best, coach in the league. He runs his program the right way, and his teams are always classy and play the game the way it should be played. As a Valley fan, I want Dana Altman to stay as long as possible.

[Da Coach]

I agree. This is Altman's 13th year at Creighton, by far the most of any other coach. In fact, I can't remember a coach that has stayed longer at any MVC school.
Jim Crews was at Evansville for 17 years, but only 12 of those were in the MVC after Evansville joined in 1991. And before that, Joe Stowell was Bradley's head coach for 13 years from 1965-1978.
Another I can remember that stayed at one school for a long time was Maury John (Drake 1958-1971). Can anyone remember a coach in the MVC in the last 40-50 years who stayed longer than 13 years?

[squirrel]

I agree. This is Altman's 13th year at Creighton, by far the most of any other coach. In fact, I can't remember a coach that has stayed longer at any MVC school.
Jim Crews was at Evansville for 17 years, but only 12 of those were in the MVC after Evansville joined in 1991. And before that, Joe Stowell was Bradley's head coach for 13 years from 1965-1978.
Another I can remember that stayed at one school for a long time was Maury John (Drake 1958-1971). Can anyone remember a coach in the MVC in the last 40-50 years who stayed longer than 13 years?

While I can't say I remember it, Henry Iba was at Oklahoma A&M (now State) from 1934-1970, an astounding 36 years.

[Da Coach]

I am aware of Iba and I thought of him when I considered coaches who stayed at one place for long periods. But he coached in a far different era of college basketball. Coaches prior to the last 50 years frequently stayed long periods at their schools, because money and TV contracts were not the factor they are now, nor was the pressure to win every year.

Oklahoma A&M (OK State) left the Missouri Valley in 1957, so Iba may have spent 22 years of his career coaching in the MVC, but not for over 50 years.
I am still looking for anyone in the past 50 years who stayed longer than Joe Stowell and now Dana Altman.

[Braves4Life]

Can you count Denny Crum at Louisville? (1971-2001, but only 3-4 yrs while Louisville was in The Valley) I remember watching some of his great teams come to the Fieldhouse in the 70's.


WSU's Ralph Miller -- 1953-1966 (I think) before ending up at Oregon St.

[Bravesfan]

I agree. This is Altman's 13th year at Creighton, by far the most of any other coach. In fact, I can't remember a coach that has stayed longer at any MVC school.
Jim Crews was at Evansville for 17 years, but only 12 of those were in the MVC after Evansville joined in 1991. And before that, Joe Stowell was Bradley's head coach for 13 years from 1965-1978.
Another I can remember that stayed at one school for a long time was Maury John (Drake 1958-1971). Can anyone remember a coach in the MVC in the last 40-50 years who stayed longer than 13 years?

Yeah, but that was the "old" Valley. I think he feels if he stays there, he can continue to contribute to the rise of this league. Besides, I don't see Creighton dropping so far that they miss the NIT.

However, whether he stays or goes, it will be good for us!
I'm not sure who will contend next year outside of SIU, but next year will be the best opportunity for the bottom half of the league to make some noise. We should do well with the new recruits coming in, but it will take some time for our team to gel, so it could be a bit shaky for us next year. The Valley may take a step down next year, but the future is still bright, if the MSU's and the UNI's continue to do well.