The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Career Suicide?

The very first question Coach West was asked at his introductory press conference was simple: "Why?"

The newly introduced Kansas State Wildcats basketball coach responded, "I wanted a new challenge. That's what I'm always looking for. I am thrilled with the time I spent at Drexel and I feel like I have helped build the program for success for years to come. But I also began to feel that I had accomplished as much as I could with the Dragons."

If that is Coach West's true reasoning, then wow. Supposed insider sources apparently did not have much access to West's thought process after all. Conventional wisdom stated that West would never move to an area as small as Manhattan, KS, that he favored the B1G over the Big 12, and that it was possible he wanted to stay in the Northeast either at Drexel or at St. Johns. Instead, it was challenge.

Not exactly the words someone expects to hear when addressing why they took on a major college program. Especially when he was introduced to the media as "The man who will bring the madness of March back to Manhattan this season, where it belongs." Between West's assessment of the program and simple empirical observation, the Wildcats will not make a dent in the Big 12 this season, much less the NCAAs with their current roster. This is a long term move.

Coach West can work well long term -- conceivably, he only lasted three years at each of his last two coaching gigs. But the problem is that Kansas State seems to be in a "win now" mentality with a roster that cannot pull that weight or, frankly, handle that kind of pressure.

Reality check: Coach West is only on a two year contract. Kansas State is at least two years away from doing anything resembling winning.

Yet Kansas State seemed to be most allured by both Norfolk State and Drexel reaching the NCAA Tournament in their first seasons under Coach West.

It's a classic game of expectations, and one that West seems poised to lose. Forget whatever reported extra level of autonomy Coach West was given in taking the head coaching position, he has walked straight into a trap. And if he cannot get a solid performance out of a collection of mid-tier Seniors this season, he might be left to wonder what might have been with the career opportunity of his life.

2016 Coaching Carousel Summary

Well, it was as expected. Last year was the calm. This year was the storm. Changes from the very top of college basketball led to significant changes in the coaching landscape. It's enough to make any observer's head spin, but here are the changes affect every power conference and mid-major school.

South Carolina D. Odom retires, hires C. Martin (Missouri State)
Texas A&M fires M. Turgeon, hires G. McDermott (Creighton)
Kansas State fires F. Martin, hires G. West (Drexel)
Minnesota fires T. Smith, hires C. CofC (College of Charleston)
St. Johns fires C. Murr, hires P. Douglass (University of California, Irvine)
Air Force fires S. Nagy, hires R. McKay (Long Island University)
Drexel loses Guy West, hires N. Miller (Mississippi Valley State University)
Missouri State loses C. Martin, hires C. Monm (Monmouth)
Troy C. Troy retired, hires M. Hudson (University Tennessee-Martin)
Creighton loses G. McDermott, hires C. Warren (Jacksonville University)
Santa Clara fires K. Keating, hires S. Wagers (East Tennessee State University)
Rider fires R. Springmann, hires D. Brooks (Sacred Heart)
Evansville fires M. Simmons, hires D. Fife (Indiana University - Purdue University Fort Wayne)
Indiana State fires G. Lansing, hires G. Gard (Murray State)
New Orleans fires T. Buckley, hires T. Smith (Minnesota)
William and Mary fires T. Shaver, hires C. ULL (California State University-Sacramento)
South Alabama C. USA retired, hires M. Turgeon (Texas A&M)

[HarkTheSound]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Congrats on the K. State job! I'm not sure who I would've chosen if I were in your place. Looking forward to what you're going to do in the Big 12.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Hah, everyone wants a challenge/fun, I guess I was just saying like if you were looking for like a recruiting pipeline or a tough sell to recruit kinda game that St. John's could be one of those ways. But I love the team from the little apple so I like the choice!

I feel you on that. I've done some legacies in the Northeast and in the West. But I've never had one end up in middle of the country not in Texas.

To be honest, was most excited about K-State of the teams in question because of conference/make-up/tradition/how awful the roster is compared to the rest of the Big 12/how much I've pooped on the Big 12 as Norfolk State/Drexel already. So there is some history there too.

Congrats on the K. State job! I'm not sure who I would've chosen if I were in your place. Looking forward to what you're going to do in the Big 12.

The Maryland job not appearing made it a little easier, although I probably would have gone with K-State anyway.

Time to get the show on the road.

[Knickerbocker91]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Going to be interesting to see Kansas State, definitely a tough conference with powerhouses Kansas and Texas. Good luck.

[R1zzo23]

I love the decision to go with Kansas State! I have never controlled a team in the Big XII either and was thinking of jumping ship from SMU to a Big XII team if I go an offer. Playing and recruiting against Texas and Kansas will be intense! Good luck and I'll be following.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

2016-2017 Season Preview

Shortly after the introductory press conference, Coach West went to the Athletic Director's office to have a word with him about the upcoming season:

AD: Hello Guy. I don't remember scheduling a meeting with you after the conference.

West: We need to talk. Now.

AD: Sure, I'll make time for you my man.

West: Don't "my man" me. What the hell was that today?

AD: Woah woah woah. You can't just talk to your boss like that.

West: You told me to be honest with you. I'm being honest with you. When we talked about me taking this job, you told me you knew this would be a overhaul job. That it would take some time.

AD: Of course. None of that's changed.

West: Then why the hell did you go out there and set the bar so high?

AD: What do you mean?

West: Oh "what do you mean." Telling everyone we'd make the NCAAs. Guaranteeing we would beat Kansas. Promising a top recruiting class. What the hell --

AD: You don't have to twist yourself into a knot. Look, I know you're new here, but this is how I have to run things around here. I know what you need, and I'm going to support you every step of the way. But fans are tired. They need a reason to believe. So I went out and gave them something to believe in. No problem there.

West: Yes there is. You know and I know you're overselling the program. What are you going to do when it blows up in your face?

AD: My face? We'll massage it as best we can. But if I tell them the truth about where our program is going after years of recruiting, pretty soon they're going to be after my head too.

West: So let me get this straight. You are worried about your position as AD, so you go to a press conference and tell the local fan base that your big hire is going to save the day and bring instant success? And you do this knowing that it isn't going to be the case?

AD: But that's just it! I set the bar high, you fail to meet it because this is your first time with the big boys, we say we show faith in you, and build up from there.

West: No, what you've done is set the bar to an unreachable height, then you get your fan base fired up so that they call for my head mid-season. Or you just drag my name through the mud. And then you have a nasty off season and the pressure builds. I don't like it.

AD: Then you better do a good job coaching.

West: And when a "good job" only equals eight or nine wins on the season?

AD: We'll get there when we get there. But it's my job to take advantage of hiring you for the betterment of our program. And if that means getting the fan base fired up? I don't see a problem with that.

West: I disagree.

AD: And that's okay. But don't worry, you have my full support. But there are some realities we can only address behind closed doors.

West: I understand that. I just don't like it when you wave me around like some great savior who's going to turn water into gold. That's not the right message to send at an introductory press conference.

AD: Well, it's not your call.

West: No, it isn't.

Coach Guy West
(numbers in parentheses are from current season)
Total Legacy Points: 57784 (9624)
Coaching Record: 174-38 (27-7)

Kansas State Job Security


Legacy Goals Achieved
(2 Points On Holdover, 1 Point Placed On Holdover)
Have a Player Chosen in the Pro Draft
Upset the #1-Ranked Team
Get Hired by a Power Conference Team

West's Coaching Attributes Changes
Overall: A- (+1)
Offense: A-
Defense: A- (+4)
Teaching: A+
Scouting: C-
Charisma: A+
Discipline: B+

Last season West's focus on offense caught up with him. He knew he had to work hard in the off-season on defense. Despite being able to stop power teams in the NCAA's at Drexel, facing Big 12 competition day in and day out requires more consistency.

West's New Assistants

Brian Ayers

Overall: B
Offense: B-
Defense: C-
Teaching: B
Scouting: D
Charisma: A+
Discipline: A-
Ambition: B+

Rob Jeter
Overall: B-
Offense: B+
Defense: B
Teaching: C
Scouting: B-
Charisma: B-
Discipline: C+
Ambition: A-

Both are former Head Coaches, and both are looking to build their way back into getting into their own teams. But for now, they are working under Coach West's wing hoping to help turn around the Wildcats. Their ambition shall serve the team well, even if they eventually leave..

Kansas State Roster

The cupboard is not exactly bare for the Wildcats, but the team is lacking talent in a lot of areas. There are players who can perform well, but West will have little to build off of for next year. Almost all of the key contributors from this season will be out the door by next year.

Kansas State Wildcats 2016-2017 Roster
#	NAME	POS	HT	WT	CLASS	HOMETOWN
50	Darwin Peterson (80)	PF	6'9"	263	SR	Topeka, KS
25	L.F. Reaser (79)	PG	6'0"	182	SR	Omaha, NE
21	Damon Guinn (74)	SF	6'9"	217	SR	Overland Park, KS
40	Roger Guzman (73)	C	6'10"	245	SO	Arvada, CO
55	Moses Mathis (71)	PF	6'7"	231	SO	Omaha, NE
3	Kudjo Coulibaly (71)	PG	6'3"	188	SR	Houston, TX
11	Justin Guzman (70)	PG	5'9"	174	JR	Omaha, NE
2	Dumar Macura (70)	PG	6'2"	192	SR	Sioux Falls, SD
14	Jaivon Brinkley (69)	SG	6'2"	187	JR	Oklahoma City, OK
31	Cori Geiger (67W)	SF	6'4"	193	FR	Thornton, CO
10	Michael Martin (66W R)	PG	6'2"	182	FR	Hobart, Tasmania
32	X Nick Augistine (67)	SG	6'2"	196	SO	Albuquerque, NM
35	X Landon Benzel (67)	PF	6'6"	209	JR	Billings, MT
30	X Tracy Rakiecki (67)	SF	6'8"	248	SO	Thornton, CO
45	X Bert Thomson (66)	PF	6'7"	201	SO	St. Joseph, MD

And to further add fire to the pot, Coach West made the decision to cut four scholarship players because they were not good enough to contribute to the team. The cuts included Kansas State's one recruit from last year, Junior College transfer Tracy Rakiecki. The move not only created a very short bench for the Wildcats, but has also proved unpopular on campus and in the locker room. It remains to be seen if this rift will settle itself out. Nothing solves problems like winning.

Kansas State Schedule

But then there is the matter of the Wildcat's schedule. Coach West was apparently given full reign to set the schedule, and following the mantra of "you have to beat the best to be the best," he made the schedule BRUTAL. There are very few gimmes, some soft mid-majors, and a slew of quality power conference opponents. This could be good prep for the Big 12, or it could destroy the team's confidence early. It will be up to West to manage his team through what could be a very tough season.

11/7 2K Sports College Hoops Classic A (San Diego 79)
11/8 2K Sports College Hoops Classic A
11/11 vs Mississippi Valley State (71)
11/20 at San Francisco (82)
11/29 at #7 UCLA (92)
12/1 vs Nevada (83)
12/7 vs Southeast Louisiana (66)
12/14 vs Alabama (90)
12/19 at Drexel (88)
12/28 at Indiana (88)
1/4 vs #11 Memphis (90)
1/6 vs #23 Maryland (90)
1/11 vs Colorado (85)
1/13 at Missouri (90)
1/18 vs Oklahoma (88)
1/25 at #21 Texas (93)
1/27 vs Texas A&M (83)
2/1 at Nebraska (84)
2/5 vs #4 Kansas (93)
2/8 at Iowa State (87)
2/12 vs Baylor (90)
2/15 at Oklahoma
2/18 vs #21 Texas
2/22 at #4 Kansas
2/26 at Texas Tech (85)
3/1 vs Nebraska
3/5 at Texas A&M
3/8 vs #9 Oklahoma State (90)

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Going to be interesting to see Kansas State, definitely a tough conference with powerhouses Kansas and Texas. Good luck.

Thanks! Just keep in mind: Oklahoma State and Missouri have become perennial powers in my Dynasty as well. It's going to get rough in conference in a hurry.

I love the decision to go with Kansas State! I have never controlled a team in the Big XII either and was thinking of jumping ship from SMU to a Big XII team if I go an offer. Playing and recruiting against Texas and Kansas will be intense! Good luck and I'll be following.

Yep. Looking forward to having a conference schedule that matches the intensity of my out of conference schedule.

[R1zzo23]

Wow that is an absolutely brutal schedule! I like to create a difficult schedule as well, but that's when I've built my team up to be a title contender. I love it and wish you the best.

I like that you cut four scholarship players as well. This happens all the time when new coaches take over a program. I've never cut a player that I have recruited, but when I switch schools I usually allow myself to make a few cuts to get rid of players that I just won't use.

[superjames1992]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Good luck at Kansas State!

[Knickerbocker91]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Loving the schedule and the early rift between the AD and Coach West. Going to be interesting to see how rocky the first season at the helm will be.

[edmus]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Always so much controversy and drama -- are you sure you're not Bobby Knight wearing a Guy West mask?

[edmus]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

LOL, you changed your avatar too! I think I forgot to say it earlier -- congrats on the new job. If you can win a championship at Drexel, you've obviously got better stick skills than me. The Big XII better watch out!

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Always so much controversy and drama -- are you sure you're not Bobby Knight wearing a Guy West mask?

LOL. Drexel was pretty smooth sailing at least.

Nah, Guy West is wearing a Guy West mask. As you'll see (read?)

And thanks for the compliment on skills. I'm going to need them if I want to make any headway this year. Goal #1 is to not get fired. We'll see how that goes.

edit: avatar change is largely so people do not get confused in the other legacy I'm in since I'm not the one controlling UNCG.

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

2016 NCAA Pre Season Top 25

NCAA Hoops Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Oct 1, 2016
RK	TEAM (VOTES)
1	NC State
2	Georgia Tech
3	Louisville
4	Kansas
5	Duke
6	Connecticut
7	UCLA
8	Villanova
9	Oklahoma State
10	Ohio State
11	Memphis
12	Oregon
13	South Carolina
14	Syracuse
15	West Virginia
16	Xavier
17	Gonzaga
18	Arizona
19	North Carolina
20	Florida State
21	Texas
22	Cincinnati
23	Maryland
24	Wisconsin
25	LSU

[waytofailself]

Re: The Accidental Career of Guy West (CH2k8)

Start the Season One Step at a Time

vs San Diego (0-0) W: 57-53

vs New Orleans (1-0) L: 74-78

The Wildcats started the season with a disappointing run through the 2k Sports College Hoops Classic by getting eliminated in the opening round. What might be more troubling was the way they were eliminated. Kansas State was barely able to eek a victory over San Diego, often looking confused and sluggish in Coach West's sets. To compound problems, West's short bench meant players looked gassed by the end of the game. The exhaustion was no more apparent than in the second half against New Orleans. Kansas State was visibly tired and unable to commit on defense, leading to sloppy turnovers and easy offense. And worst of all -- it led to early elimination.

vs Mississippi Valley State University (0-0) W: 87-52


Damon Guinn streaks past the MVSU defense for another fast break basket.
*Ed Note: arena was DEFINITELY not sold out. Thanks replay magic!

Fortunately for the Wildcates, the Delta Devils came to town and fixed all that ailed them. Damon Guinn showed both his shooting stroke and his speed on the break, while Darwin Peterson and L.F. Reaser carried the rest of the scoring load. Roger Guzman was a defensive force in the paint, although early reports of West doing wonders for his offensive game seemed to not be the case in live game situations. Guzman missed two uncontested layups and one fast break dunk. Still, the contributions of Kansas State's heavy hitters was enough to overwhlem Mississippi Valley State.