Santa Clara A.D. Renee Baumgartner's First Year Report Card

The hiring of Renee Baumgartner last June as Santa Clara's new A.D. ignited a bonfire of reactions from the SCU community.

On the one hand, she blew away the selection committee with her vision and energy.  On the other hand, it blew the minds of many alums and local press who couldn't imagine how the University may have squandered such an enormous opportunity.

Perhaps most important in the whole process was the ENERGY it created that awakened an athletic community buried in mediocrity for decades.  

Now, one year later, it's time for a report card.

Renee and I talked at length about her vision and goals for the first year and the realities of where we are with the program and in particular, Men's Basketball.

One thing, I can say for sure, is the energy hasn't dissipated. In fact, to be liberal with Physics' Laws, it has become Kinetic Energy...

We're talking major movement...

Let's face it, most of Santa Clara athletics, and pointedly MBB, was like the "old stuff" in the house up in the attic.  The academic part of the house was a poster for Architectural Digest.  Then, after the President's Commission on Athletics found a potential trea$ure in the attic where athletics was boxed, the "U" decided a new A.D. was needed to take on this challenge.

Alongside the hiring, Fr. Engh declared our intent was to become nationally relevant and competitive.  BTW, Men's Basketball would be the major "horse" to ride.

In my first interview Renee said, "Judge me on the results not the rumors."  

OK. Will do.

She outlined her major goals to be Branding, Marketing, Organization, and Fundraising.

Branding

The Bronco image that was deteriorating to "nag" status is being rejuvenated with a younger, fresher, and bolder persona.  "We're on a Mission" still exists, but the mantra is now the "Stampede" - no trotting allowed.  From the office carpets to the etched basketball floor, it's all NEW.  Fields, locker rooms, uniforms, workout rooms, etc.  Oh, and by the way - MBB COACHES.

Organization

Big changes.  Re-aligned D1 sports and rec sports to get sharp focus.   Boom.  Intense hiring to bring in high level "been there, done that" national caliber resumes.  Not just in MBB, but in other key areas.  If you need any more clarity on the University commitment to this national effort, just ponder the hiring of Herb Sendek and his staff.  An order of magnitude jump shift....Forget the $$, I'm talking serious credibility.

Marketing

The Marketing budget in past years was "thin".  It mainly consisted of a weekly email update and a nice Bistro.  OK, for where we were, but not acceptable to an A.D. whose charter is to go national.

Everything is changing.  Added staff with good experience and budgets to engage the broader SCU internal and external community.  One of the big primary focus areas is to energize an apathetic student body using a social media app that informs, promotes, and includes "rewards" for participation.  

Package this with more communication, events, and outreach designed to pack the stands for all games; not just Gonzaga.  Soon, better and more recognizable opponents will be on the schedule for home and home games that should create a "draw" for everyone. The idea is to build momentum.  A great start to this was the Jared Brownridge video done last year.   An outstanding piece.  Click the link below to view.

For example, there is a First Look event on August 12th that will give fans an opportunity to see the players and coaches in action with a meet and greet afterward.  It won't be like "Craziness in the Kennel" in Spokane, but a good start.

All Marketing is propelled by winning and the underlying mantra from Renee is "to create a championship culture" that permeates into all teams and yes, to us, the supporters and fans.  Come to the First Look event tomorrow night and you'll get a chance see if the "vibe" is there.

Fundraising

Going national doesn't fly on an economy budget.  I have to say the "U" is now "all in" by committing more significant $$ to athletics from its operating budget.  Another big change.  

The creation of an Excellence Fund is now in place to build the war chest needed to drive championship level successes.  Everyone will be asked to participate and for season ticket holders, required.

The new season ticket holder package makes that very clear.  Want a "chairback" seat, you'll need to donate.

  

I've heard from a number of loyal ticket holders feel "unseated" by the seat pricing and donation.  When I asked Renee the strategy, she said "the department research of higher level teams showed SCU was significantly under market" and "we created a package where there's a seat choice and price for everyone."  It's true to form that SCU has asked fans to pay upfront for the promise of being nationally competitive.  Some long standing loyal fans are "worn out" from promises.

While I'd like tickets to cost less, I do feel we, as fans, need to get on board.  NEVER has the University put its money where its mouth is like this time.   There is a working "Master Plan" with athletics as a centerpiece that will entirely makeover our facilities to a level where we can recruit on a par with more elite teams.  Ok, we're not talking Duke and Kentucky, but when new recruits come to SCU they'll be saying "wow" vs "oh".  

It's happening.

I could go on and on as there is so much going on.  Renee has created a hurricane of  activity and energy.   Championship Culture.

How do I grade all this after one year?  I have to say "incomplete".

The assignment is not done.  The outlines are terrific, "A" type thinking.  The drafts look promising, but until more of the above are done, we'll have to wait to see the final to raise the grade. 

Believe me, it's hard to give an "incomplete" to a "complete" makeover of our program.  So MUCH in process.

The next big piece of the assignment will be due in early March 2017 after the schedule and WCC Men's tournament.  

One thing for sure, we should all go to "class" and see this unfold. 

I hope it's the best class we've ever taken...

SCU Momentum Video

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SCU Coach Herb Sendek - He's not a "Star" Recruiter

Conventional wisdom says to compete at higher levels in the WCC and NCAA, you have to not just go after, but find a way to get 2, 3, 4 or 5 star ranked recruits.  

Hard to argue when you see Kentucky, North Carolina, or Duke consistently going deep in the NCAA Tournament.  It's like they have a McDonald's All American franchise on campus!  Would you like a Michael Jordan or Kevin Durant with your fries?

I mean, if you can get 5 Russell Westbrook types, you're not going to lose much.  News flash, today that's out of our reach as are most 4 and 5 star recruits.  

As season ticket holders and fans, we know recruiting will be our greatest challenge. 

So I asked Coach Sendek, "How are we going to land the stars?"

What message are we going to use to differentiate SCU from everyone else?  All of the sudden in the WCC, we have more "name" coaches hitting the trail trying to parlay their "rep" to get better players.  

His answer, another conundrum.  He's not an "astrological" recruiter.  He doesn't just follow the stars. Bottom line, he doesn't think much of "rating services."  

OK...There are facts to support that view.

Even the can't miss McDonald's All Americans have spotty track records in college.  More than you would guess don't make it to the Pro game.  For every LeBron there's a Nash - under the radar.  Ask Steph Curry, who just ruined Russell Westbrook's "happy meal." 

"As a coach, I pride myself and my staff to be a great judges of talent.  We will find and develop better players without worrying about their star ranking."  

OK...So How???

Big picture:  You build a process and a community that produces a consistent pipeline of recruits good enough to exceed our program goals.  I won't spend much time in this segment on the process, but it is as detailed as it is reactive.  Able to probe who the best fits are and hyper responsive to move fast on our priorities.  And yes, the staff does troll the top 100 star lists as a reference point.

The community piece is the most interesting.  It means everyone is always recruiting.  That includes everyone ever associated with SCU no matter where they live or their connection to the University.  

Sounds very PR-ish, but in fact, a recent signee came to us this way. This army of eyes and ears has been dormant for 20 years or more because the University wasn't serious about sports and, therefore, Athletics never reached out to engage their best salespeople - happy grads.

Community is also the "network" that comes with your coaching staff.  This coaching tree has tremendous relationships with other coaches; where knowledge of players and potential stars are important.   

Our new tree has "honkin" roots.  It is yielding dividends as I write this piece.  

The work on process and community never stops as is the case with having high standards for recruits.  Coach and the staff will not compromise on standards.  

The recruit must:

#1 - be an SCU quality student first 

#2 - be committed to personal, academic and athletic growth

#3 - must be able shoot the ball at a consistent high level

#4 - must be good passers in all situations

#5 - must have the speed and agility to play lock down defense

Of course the list is bigger, but you get the idea.  We all know our current roster has some challenges with the above.  However, the coaching staff is pleased with the improvement seen in the first month of skill development.   

Assistant Coach Barret Peery told me the positive changes they've seen in a number of players after working with the staff.  One example is a player, not named Jared, who made 43/50 three point shots in a recent shootout drill.  This is not a "one off" but true progression.  For a team that was ranked second to last in FG% in the WCC last year, that's a big deal.

There are more moves coming both on and off the court including the coaches moving their families to the valley.

One thing I'm becoming more sure of when it comes to our program and recruiting, is that this coaching staff is not "starstruck."  Not like the past where we heard all the conventional talk of how good it was gonna be and well - wasn't.

Right now I don't hear a lot of "talk" but I do see a lot of "action." 

If you are a believer that the "conventional wisdom is wrong" as I am, we'll see if all this action results in the right "reaction" on the court where The Mission is etched for all to see.  It's a statement that's bold and a harbinger of a bolder, better future.

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SCU's Herb Sendek - He's NOT Really A Coach - Part 1

When Herb Sendek and I agreed on a time to meet to talk about the future of Men's Basketball, I thought I'd be talking to a coach. 

Herb Sendek is NOT a coach.  He's so MUCH more than that!

He's part architect, visionary, teacher, mentor, planner, master strategist, and OH, BTW, he CAN coach.

For example, I wanted to talk "on ball" screen strategies that plagued our team last year and the techniques he'll employ to make us better.  Or talk about recruiting.  Instead, I listened to the "architect" talk about the foundation of the "building" that first has to support everything that follows. 

At first, I was thinking what a load of bull.  But 10 seconds later, I was like "wow" this level of detailed thinking is just one of the many missing pieces from the past nine years.  Our players had so much "clutter" to deal with, that on the court they floundered in key situations.  

Coach Sendek had just come from a player development meeting where he, and staff members from all areas around the University, spent two hours planning for specific players on exactly what they will need to develop their game.  Everything is discussed from dorm room to classroom to pull up jumpers.  Nothing is omitted.  The staff takes ownership to help streamline the processes.  When the player comes to practice, he can focus on basketball - fresher, ready, able to learn, and absorb.  It's not coddling, it's enabling.

Planner/Mentor.  De-clutter = better De-fense.  

Didn't we all wonder why Coach Keating and his staff were always barking instructions non-stop during games?  I mean we have smart kids on our teams, yet they couldn't seem to remember things they had just practiced for hours and hours...Clutter.

The transition to D1 college basketball is hard enough.  Recruits come into the program with ability and potential, but very raw in terms of the skills needed to succeed at that level.

Learning those skills is critical.  Therefore, teaching becomes the "trump card" giving the players the ability to absorb and apply the recipe for sustained success.   

How many times did we see the shot clock run down to last 5 seconds because our offense broke down and we had to settle for the last second "hero" one on one play?  A lot... Clutter.

A good teacher removes clutter and IMHO Coach Sendek will be a great teacher.  He looks like a teacher.  He acts like a teacher.  His classroom just happens to be the basketball court where he has taken his past teams to the NCAA and NIT tourney 18 times!!!

Playing D1 basketball is a bit like multi-variable calculus, only these solutions are decided in split seconds; the formulas and variables changing each moment.  The teacher must enable these "results" to become instinctual.   De-clutter...

When I was leaving, I walked out and saw the work on the Leavey floor and it all made sense.  This is a total makeover.  Taking the program down to the "bare hardwood" and emerging with a whole new strategy, where the SCU Brand "We're On A Mission" will mean something.

For season ticket holders, fans, and the SCU community, we all want it finally to mean "something more."

*Part 1 of a series on Coach Sendek and staff

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The New West Coast Conference - It's Going to be a "Dogfight"

After the NCAA tournament selection committee made the WCC seem irrelevant with zero at-large bids, Mark Few went off.  

He totally, and probably rightfully so, "called out" the greater than 200 RPI schools in the WCC and blamed them for dragging the top three teams down....

Just to refresh what he said:  “Our league needs to really step back and take notice.  It’s time for some of these other institutions to start picking it up.  They’re really dragging the top three down.”

Turns out, the NCAA selection committee made themselves "irrelevant" after their at-large selections went down one after another in embarrassing fashion.  Their PAC-12 picks looked like scrimmage teams - while the Zags were a "few" possessions away from a final four.

Well, the "drag down" schools listened and are getting ready to rumble.  Few's going to get the dogfight he asked for and the Zags are the biggest dogs in the fight...so far.

We may need to change the name of the WCC to the "WCCCC."  The West Coast Celebrity Coaches Conference!!!

Check out the Marquee Names:

Pacific hires Damon Stoudamire - NBA great

Portland hires Terry Porter - NBA great and coach

SCU hires Herb Sendek and NBA player Julius Hodge

LMU has Mike Dunlap back - a former NBA coach 

Add:

USF hires Kyle Smith, Ivy leaguer with something to prove

USD has Lamont Smith back with fresh talent

The resumes are impressive.  Star power.  Recruiting will be even more fierce because the "prize" is there for the taking.  The prize being NCAA tourney bids. 

And the schools are going "all in."  

We are not the only program with big facilities makeovers to dazzle recruits.  It's a "gold rush" mentality - NCAA or bust....

The NCAA payout numbers are B-I-G.  A one "win" unit this past year approached $300,000.   A final four appearance, with all the adders and annuities attached, can exceed $8.5 million according to Forbes!!!  That's per NCAA appearance.  So, just think of the loot Duke, Kentucky, Gonzaga, etc are generating.  That's HUGE, even in Donald Trump's world.

So, while we're happy to have our new coach, we have a long way to go to revamp the culture and roster to make a push.  Other than the WCC top three, everyone else is going to be parroting the same message - star coach, facilities, and contend for the big dance. 

One has to ask, why did Mark Few "call out" the rest of the league?  Why would he inflame the other schools to become more competitive and potentially take down the Zags after their 16+ years of supremacy?  

Because IMHO, he has to...

He's either really smart or really foolish.

My view, it's pretty smart and aggressive.  Again, it's all about NCAA's.

I believe he foresees the day, perhaps soon, where he will have to rely on an at-large selection.  A very tough go.  Just ask St. Mary's.

Consider his scheduling issues.  About half his games are set against 200+ RPI schools, mostly from the WCC.  Not the best for rankings.  He does schedule a good number of top 50 name teams to offset the patsies, but he can't afford to schedule many more in case they lose those games.  If he loses those games early in the season and those top 50 end up having mediocre seasons, it just compounds the problem.

So, by yanking our chains, he's minimizing his risk.  He believes he'll still beat most of the WCC non top three, even if they rise to RPI's of less than 100.  Even so, a loss here or there won't kill his chances as it would be to losing to a 200+ RPI team in league.  

Once the WCC starts getting two or more at-large bids, it helps him big time with the things that matter most; recruiting and scheduling.  

Pretty gutsy.  Bulldog mascot, bulldog mentality.

You may not like it, but you have to admire it.

For us.  First things first.  

Get the right "horses" in the corral.  Get them trained and fit.  Get them ready for the track - the NCAA tourney track.  

Mark Few is going to get the "dogfight" he's asked for.  

Time will tell if he's underestimating the fact that the Lions, Tigers, and Broncos he'll face might bring more than his dogs can handle to the fight. 

Game on...

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The Future of SCU Men's Basketball - Are We the "Horse" to Ride?

W.C. Fields would be loving today.  "All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia."  Or, on the campus of Villanova, where classes are cancelled today after an epic final shot and national championship victory.

The profile at Nova just became a "$upernova" that will light up the University for years to come...Awesome!

Made me wonder...What does Villanova have that we don't or even crazier, what do WE have that they don't?

The short answer - they have a 25 year head start.

We are both Catholic institutions* similar in mission, size, academic profile, urban locations, great campuses, and athletic facilities.  

Our MBB academic progress multi-year rates are both above 980 out of 1,000.

Etc, etc...

We were national in the early 70's and had a few bright spots in the 80's and Nash 90's.  We chose to build out the University campus, programs and Endowment, while schools like Villanova chose a vision that included athletics as an enabler to accomplish broader University goals.

Today, proudly, we have the "goods" to take this Brand national in MBB.  As season ticket holders and fans, we may feel we are a "dark horse," but we have a war chest to become the "horse" to ride in the WCC and more.  I'm not being a "homer" here.

There are facts to consider

Our Endowment of approximately $900m dwarfs Villanova's and by the way Gonzaga and St.Mary's.  

Our location - heart of Silicon Valley - is on fire right now.

Our Campus - stunning, and curiously enough, there's now a stallion statue right in the middle you can't miss.  Symbols.

Our Sr. University staff and Trustees have gone public that Athletics and MBB are to become nationally relevant in the 2020 strategic plan.

Fr. Engh and the Trustees are saying "yes" to the strategic and tactical needs to enable the vision.

Our A.D. is part of the decision making inner circle - no filters.

AND....

Money from the war chest is flowing...

New A.D. with a vision and attitude to get this done

Amped up branding with a new logo and uniforms

New facilities to impress recruits; lockers, Leavey floor, offices, training space, team space, co-located housing

More support staff to ensure we perform the best in the classroom and on the floor

New Coach with a "rep" for building tournament level teams

New Asst. coaches who have more experience and "cred"

Better scheduling - in tourneys with Arizona, Butler, Vandy

Recruiting budgets that can get us some Scout.Com "star" level players

You get the idea.  Major $$ to make us a serious Mid-Major program.  It's finally real people...

I know we're all from "Missouri" due to the past 25 years with SCU and athletics. 

IMHO, it's time for all of us to get on board.  

It won't happen fast, but the commitment to national, even striving for top 20 in MBB is part of the convo and more importantly, the budget.

The "old" Bronco is being put out to pasture and the new Stallion is getting ready to run - and that just may make us the "horse" to ride.    

*Villanova is Catholic, but not Jesuit

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SCU's New Men's Basketball Coach - Formula for Success

I love "Rumorville."  Especially for the Broncos next MBB coach.

  

It's a lot more exciting than the last nine years, where our best stats were graduation rates not win rates.   

Yawn.  I mean this is Santa Clara.   Ya think we're going to let our athletes flunk out?  Sure it takes effort, but apparently it's a lot easier than winning.  

GMT * which is always dangerous.

How will "we" measure MBB success?  We, meaning the University, Trustees, Dr. B, season ticket holders, fans, and the media.  I mean, this is new territory for SCU.  

In the past, my guess is that previous coaches were asked to run a clean program and win some games along the way.  I don't intend this to be demeaning.  All of our previous coaches, including Kerry, were fierce and dedicated to being the best, but I doubt there were specific measurements; re: winning or you're out.  

I remember my convo with our previous A.D. who said there was actually some "teeth" in Coach Keating's last extension.  So before that, I guess not?  

Not now, people.  Dr. B knows the clock is ticking.  SCU Vision 2020 says "nationally relevant."  

I'm sure each group mentioned above would have different takes on MBB success.  

Since SCU is a prestigious academic institution, I'm going to make it a "formula."   

W/L  +  GR  + N  >  102 

There it is.  Go crazy math quants...

This formula translates to seasons with at least 20 wins AND reinforces commitment to SCU Jesuit values.  It has an adder for post season events that matter - where we want to be.

No more "fuzzy" stuff.  No more Hakuna Matata... 

SO, there it is.  Put it in their contract.  

So, whether it's Herb, Kurt, Lloyd, Jim, Travis, Kevin, Russell, Brian, or whoever, here's the "teeth" in their SCU contract.

Now, we need to get it done and take a "bite" out of those Bulldogs!

GMT = Got Me Thinking

Santa Clara University - The New Men's Basketball Coach Is...

ICYMI, it's open season for Men's Basketball coaches in both the NCAA and WCC. 

Rex Walters (USF), Kerry Keating, Ron Verlin (Pacific), Eric Reveno (Portland) all are "out."

Johnny Dawkins is done at Stanford after eight seasons where an NCAA sweet 16 and two NIT championships were not good enough.  Thanks Cal...

Mark Few was chapped as well.  He piled on with this zinger, 

“Our league needs to really step back and take notice,” he said. “It’s time for some of these other institutions to start picking it up. They’re really dragging the top three down.”

With 20 losses - we're in that "other" bucket...

Few's Plan

“We’re trying to make single-digit seeding – we’ve even tried to make an argument for No. 1.  It’s deeper than just ‘getting in.’ It’s a way to attract recruits.  It creates incredible exposure for the university and the community.  There’s more to it than the tournament — but that’s big in my mind.”

We may not like it, but it's true.  Ask Randy Bennett.  His 13 WCC wins against sub 200 RPI teams torpedoed his NCAA at-large hopes.  He was a free throw away at Cal from getting in...

We are 20 years; let alone a free throw away...

BUT...

We have a new Coach - who is...

At this point a rumor... The "names" - I whittled them down to 20. Some who are hilarious, crazy, and some a dream come true.

Here's a few names from "rumorville."  You pick or comment.

SCU Alums

Kurt Rambis - NY Knicks, would he tear up his new deal?

Steve Nash - Retired and now a Soccer team owner dude

Lloyd Pierce - 76'ers assistant, has yet to run the show

Bay Area Locals

Johnny Dawkins - Just canned at Stanford - no hand me downs

Mike Montgomery - Would he have the "fire" left

The Others 

Herb Sendek - Fired by ASU, from NC State, lots of NCAA's

Jeff Capel - Assoc. at Duke. Head at Oklahoma, leave Duke?

Kenny Payne - Asst. at Kentucky, come West? Uh-uh

Travis Steele - Asst. for 7 yrs at Xavier, ties to Nike, Well, well!!!

Justin Hutson - Asst. at SDSU, UNLV, Young, NCAA's...Hmmm?

Russell Turner - Head at UCI, from Wake and Stanford

Steve Lavin - Proven NCAA machine from UCLA, Not twice

Damon Stoudamire - U of A & Memphis asst, His history?

Dan Majerle - Head at Grand Canyon, daughter SCU Grad, just went Division 1 and made NCAA tourney.  Is he the "phoenix?"

The worst rumor is that we'll look for the "bargain" coach.  No way. Why even go through the exercise?  Been there, done that. 

Our former Coach "K" was making in the $400's.  This hire is to fire up the "engine" to take us national. Hard to get national if you're paying "local."  Our new A.D. won't be shy for the "right" person.  Her job depends on it and 2020 is the "year"...

The conventional wisdom says hire someone who has been a successful head coach.  Good.  However, many current D1 standouts were just assistants when they got their head job, but had serious upside.  How about Brad Stevens or Chris Mack?  Coaches can be like thoroughbred horses.  You have to check their lineage. Did they work for the studs of NCAA basketball head coaches?Would those coaches say they could take their jobs?  Better...

Our A.D. says she'll take her time and no national search firm.  My guess is there's a "go to" few she's waiting on from the NCAA tourney.  Then we will need to strike fast.  There are over 40 openings in D1 Men's Basketball. 

It's a deal maker or breaker for SCU.  It will be only our 7th head coach.  The bright lights are on and it's show time.

As season ticket holders and fans, we just hope this story ends with a little madness.  March Madness!!!

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