Football Recruiting takes a HUGE hit...

[NewportCat]

Rob Ianello the great recruiter has left to go back to Wisconsin. His Wife is going to be the new head coach there so he left to go with her is what I am hearing. He will definetely be missed here as he was one of the best recruiters in the business. Hate to say it but our Texas Recruiting could have just taken a big hit. We will see what happens but signs are not pointing up right now.

[Ben Hansen]

I don't think he is too well liked by his own staff. Especially the Tomey holdovers.

Too bad. Ianello was a great recruiting coordinator.

[Chris Bonney]

say more about the coaches that left Ben. MacDuff made the right move going to the NFL, it is another challenge for one of the best Special Teams coaches around. And this article explains why the Ianellos made their decision. It boils down to Family, they are leaving for the right reason.


http://wildcats.azstarnet.com/get_story2.php?id=30301Ianellos.html

[Ben Hansen]

Great article by Kristen and Charles. Explains a lot and I respect the Ianellos tremendously for thinking of their family first.

Hope the Cats can make a good hire soon. Spring practice starts exactly one week from today.

Thanks for the info Newport and rcf.

-Ben

[Chris Bonney]

for MacDuff's replacement. Hankwitz would be my choice if I had a say in the matter.

Ben shoot me an email when ya can with all of the phone numbers at your disposal, concerning things we talked about before. Thanks...


RCF

[sporto]

"I don't think he is too well liked by his own staff. "

From that quote, I almost thought the other writer in the family had gotten on Ben's computer. :)

Kind of a harsh quote based on the information in today's paper. Can't really fault any of the parties in the situation. Heck, given the same circumstances, I would have also moved.

It is really strange how certain priorities change when you become a parent. I would like my family to be closer to our families, but there is no way in heck that I am moving from CO to GA (my folks). Talk about a culture shock!

Good luck to the Ianellos! Sound like this new situation will be beneficial to all three of them.

Bear Down!

[NewportCat]

great coincedences. I think as Ben mentioned it might say more about Coach Mack coaching ability. Hate to say it but come on, 4 defections in this short of time, has it ever happened before?

[Josh Gershon]

Don't think it is totally one sided. Mackovic wants his players and his coaches in his system. However, this is discouraging...

[sporto]

Two-three years ago, most of us were calling for DT's staff to go. He went and we got a new coach. Defections, or firings, happen when a new coach comes in. Usually it happens right away--look at any new coach, when they come into a program they want their guys around them. I would do the same thing. Get people you are comfortable with around you.

Right or wrong, Mack was pressured to keep many of DT's guys for the sake of continuity. Therefore, the normal (and I did not say it is the right way to go) "purge" of old coaches has taken almost 2-3 years. In hind-sight, it looks like that was a bad idea. Sometimes a clean break is a better break. Like a band-aid, ripping the sucker off two years ago may have served the program better.

Bear Down!

[Josh Gershon]

You're absolutely right, sporto. Not only would it have been better to clean house right away, but I think it is unfair for the recruits who just signed with Arizona. They thought they were going to play for different coaches than they actually will be playing for.

[NewportCat]

this whole thing about you sign with a school not a coach is pretty much garbage to me. I would pick a school I liked but OBVIOUSLY who was coaching would be they most important reason I would go somewhere. Do you think kids go to Kansas State because they like the weather and the school, no they go there because they know Bill Synder is a great coach who will make them a better player. I look at the Andre Iggy situation from last year and believe every player should be given this option if the head coach leaves. The tough thing though is that usually these players commit because of particulur assistant coach not the head coach, so if that assistant leaves they feel screwed. Tough situation but I know there are some players right now wondering if they should have signed with Arizona and I hate that for there sake.