Can't see anyone that could have gotten us back where we belong quicker than Cal did. He came out of the gate fast. If you look at his numbers there is a good chance nobody else could have matched it. Because of his recruiting and his confidence level in communications, whether it be with recruits and their families or the press, he was a good match for us.
For those reasons I would never say he was anywhere close to a failure. Other than winning another championship, he has done as good as anyone could have IMO. We know that most of the time, winning the championship has several variables that has to fall into place. Talent, experience, where you are placed in the bracket, who the refs are, a little luck along the way, best game plan, etc. I think the refs have been the reason we didn't make it two of the years. I think a couple of years you could question why Cal did or didn't do something from the coaching part.
When you look at the overall picture of Cal's ten years the reverence he has brought back to the program could not have come at a better time for our lifetime. Being half as good as we should have been during the Smith years, another wrong hire for that long a period of time could have really diminished our history's success not only from a numbers standpoint but also from the perspective eye of all basketball fans. It has kept the aura of the program where it belongs in our minds.
Nothing wrong discussing all the good that Cal has done, how successful he has been and how appreciative we should be for all of that. Because we should be. There is also nothing wrong with discussing our opinions on what we think Cal should or shouldn't do. Has nothing to do with our like or dislike of Cal. Just fans throwing out thoughts on what we think might make things just a little bit better of reaching another goal. To me it would be a little boring if I got on here with just a bunch of cheerleaders that only looks at things from one perspective. They know, they are right, they are smarter in basketball thinking and anyone else that doesn't have that same opinion is an idiot when it comes to basketball.
While Cal was the right hire for us at the right time and while Cal has more than likely done as good or better than anyone else could have possibly done, he is human just like everyone else. He is not going to always make right decisions 100% of the time, just like all of us. He is not going to do everything every fan wants. Because fans have different perspectives on different things. We understand that. He can't please everyone. Wondering why Cal does or doesn't do something on a board like this makes for good discussion. Has nothing to do with disrespecting the man.
We need another championship or two under Cal because his recruiting gives us that great opportunity. The next hire may not have the ability to do that and he would have to be a super floor coach to achieve a championship if that is the case. The roster this year seems to cover all positions well in terms of talent and experience. Most of these guys play hard all the time. And that is a big thing if you have a roster full of that. The depth will be there. Not having to rely so much on a couple of super freshmen, I like the makeup of this team. A variety of talented freshmen with a very experienced and talented big inside and a very experienced and talented guard outside, it seems to set up as good as it could be roster wise to get that championship.