Hardt

[GKiller]

I'm not surprised by Hardt keeping Mooney but I am still disheartened. While his tenure has been short it has been clear to me for quite some time that he's not a strong AD and doesn't possess the leadership and strength required to make important decisions. His hiring process was a total sham & he looks to be in the pocket of others. Being a year behind on Shafer was a clear indication he doesn't get it. He's super pretentious imo and I doubt he returns emails fans/alums have sent. And his justification as noted for retaining Mooney is so weak, so grey. Not that I expected an NCAA or bust proclamation of course but essentially he's saying Mooney would get even a 10th straight year to make it back. That's insulting. We had a fork in the road and he took the one that allowed lot more negativity and speculation to perseverate which will just hinder the program.

If has some redeeming attributes or things he's accomplished well in his tenure so far here feel free to state. I really can't find any. Honestly Gill was probably better. And I guess it's a lock to Hardt we have everyone good returning? He should have also factored in the attrition we've had here under Mooney recently including losing good players that caught Mooney off guard to multiple off court instances. Last year at this time expectations were high for 2018-19 and we then we last Khwan & Buck. I wouldn't trust his forecasting.

I'm a long time Spider Club member but I'm questioning that contribution. And I don't want to root against the Spiders. I want us back in the NCAA badly. This year I was accepting of losses - short term pain for long term gain. But now we're back to this precarious position. I'll root for us but can already tell not all the way in. Not a fun feeling. Thanks Jabba the Hardt.

 

[Eight Legger]

GW, William and Mary and Wake Forest all are trying to get better and taking action to do so. We are looking the other way like scared puppies.

 

[SpiderTrap]

I said this before - but I think the overall decisions of the University as a whole have shown that athletics is not a priority. Just some decisions off the top of my head because there are too many to list.
1) Cutting Track and Soccer
2) Taking forever to build on campus football stadium
3) Delaying basketball practice facility
4) Hiring AD from Patriot League

The last one - the Hardt hire, i was always skeptical because in the past we had hired guys from bigger conferences, which makes more sense to me - if you want to compete on a national level, why not hire someone from the ACC or Big East, etc. So we had Jim Miller from NC State, then we had Gill from Duke (who left in a hurry - wonder why) and then we go and get Hardt - whose background is NCAA compliance and AD of Bucknell. Not to mention - our president of the school is clearly more interested in acadmics and the arts/music than sports.

UR in the past has always tried to say it is the Princeton of the South - and I think that is their primary focus. They want to be a top ranked academic school with a growing endowment. Athletics - although could help with this, is pushed to back of the line and probably 4th or 5th in terms of importance, and maybe we just need to accept that.

Or maybe a better option would be for UR to change conferences - go back to the CAA or try to join the Patriot league where we are a better fit We clearly do not want to compete with schools like UMASS, VCU, St. Louis, or previous members Xavier, Butler, Temple, etc.

 

[64Spider]

But wait.....our MBA program jumped up 7 spots this past week. My neighbors all came over to congratulate me while I was outside taking down my UR flag.

 

[WebSpinner]

just so the facts are straight, gill came from american although he attended duke.

 

[Eight Legger]

Maybe just no more ADs from the Patriot League.

 

[97spiderfan]

We also took 6 months to even get a search committee together to hire an AD. If that doesn't speak volumes as to our priorities on athletics, I don't know what does. Of course, that was rationalized on here that we needed to get "alignment'.

As for Hardt, I have some contacts at Bucknell. What I've heard repeatedly is that he was a hell of a fundraiser and the donor class liked him, a lot of people around campus thought he was a prick.

 

[64Spider]

Of course, that was rationalized on here that we needed to get "alignment'.

Little did we know that they were aligning in the wrong direction!

 

[SpiderK]

But wait.....our MBA program jumped up 7 spots this past week. My neighbors all came over to congratulate me while I was outside taking down my UR flag.

LMAO!!! Love it

 

[32counter]

Predecessor fails up-

https://www.theadvocate.com/acadian...cle_f0275528-4a62-11e9-b6c3-9356828b69b8.html

 

[spiderman]

UR in the past has always tried to say it is the Princeton of the South

unless it changed, it was always the "Yale of the South" in my day.

 

[SpiderK]

unless it changed, it was always the "Yale of the South" in my day.

Yale is in the NCAA tournament , guess we better stick with Princeton.

 

[Eight Legger]

Yale is in the NCAA tournament , guess we better stick with Princeton.

Lol

 

[MrTbone]

As for Hardt, I have some contacts at Bucknell. What I've heard repeatedly is that he was a hell of a fundraiser and the donor class liked him, a lot of people around campus thought he was a prick.

This is what I hear from my insider at UR as well. Not terribly well-liked.

 

[iSpider]

Based on the current situation, I think that we need a prick at that job. So much the better if he can schmooze the big donors for their bucks.

 

[nathanw19]

This is what I hear from my insider at UR as well. Not terribly well-liked.

I asked a friend who played Lax at Bucknell while Hardt was AD his opinion on him. His response was “good riddance.”

At the time I thought he was just bitter. I’m starting to think I misjudged.

 

[32counter]

I asked a friend who played Lax at Bucknell while Hardt was AD his opinion on him. His response was “good riddance.”

At the time I thought he was just bitter. I’m starting to think I misjudged.

Hey 19,

When your kid dies at 25 from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (A.L.L.) we’ll hope that you don’t get bitter.

https://www.njhfoundation.org/noah.html

Do some homework next time.

 

[SpiderPride]

. I'll root for us but can already tell not all the way in. Not a fun feeling. Thanks Jabba the Hardt.

Is it really necessary to reduce to childish name calling? You do realize you lose credibility by going down that path.

 

[Ulla1]

Hey 19,

When your kid dies at 25 from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (A.L.L.) we’ll hope that you don’t get bitter.

https://www.njhfoundation.org/noah.html

Do some homework next time.

Thanks, 32.

 

[nathanw19]

Hey 19,

When your kid dies at 25 from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (A.L.L.) we’ll hope that you don’t get bitter.

https://www.njhfoundation.org/noah.html

Do some homework next time.

What does Hardt’s son have to do with my friend not liking him as an athletic director?

My reference to bitterness was about my friend after I gave him a hard time about taking his AD, and Hardt coming to a better.

Don’t jump to conclusions next time.

 

[keefusb]

So now we can't say ANYTHING negative about Hardt because his kid died from cancer? Really?

#NoMoreMooneyTruthing

 

[UFA 2006]

Hey 19,

When your kid dies at 25 from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (A.L.L.) we’ll hope that you don’t get bitter.

https://www.njhfoundation.org/noah.html

Do some homework next time.

This is probably the lowest rent post I’ve ever read on this board. Everybody should feel free to criticize or praise the coach or the AD. That’s why we are all here — to debate the issues at hand.

“Coach is awesome”
“Coach is terrible”

All fair play.

What made you think that injecting deeply private, personal, and tragic personal experiences into the debate was appropriate or advisable?

You should save face, delete your account, and never post again.

 

[nathanw19]

Grow up and do your homework.Another girlie boy shortfall.

Cool.

 

[SpiderTrap]

Lets all calm down and not be so quick to judge Hardt just yet. I think everyone deserves some time to prove they can do a good job, and in my opinion - Hardt still has some time. He has only been at UR 1 year - so I think we need to wait a little bit longer before we start the name calling or stirring up rumors from Bucknell.

In my opinion - his sport focus (not donor or fundraising) needs to be and should be on the following.
1) Getting Men's basketball back on track - NCAA tourney. .
1a) Get football back to championship level - should be a team that makes the playoffs most years, and every so often is a championship contender.
2) Lacrosse - the decision to add this was done before Hardt was here, but the whole reason it was added was because it fit the UR profile (agreed) and with only about 70-80 D1 lacrosse teams competing - the ability to quickly compete at a high level is much easier (agreed). But in my mind, and I know it is still early - we have not gotten there just yet. 6 years - 2 NCAA appearances, but no NCAA victories. Right now - we are the team that wins our league and then is like getting the 16 seed and playing #1.
3) Womens Basketball - I know not a huge following, but it has the ability to be a good sport for UR and with exposure if NCAA tourneys can be made.
4) Baseball - very similar to above, not a huge following - but the year UR made the college world series was amazing. I don't expect that every year - but UR should be a top 4 team in the A10 consistently.

 

[Eight Legger]

I'm not passing final judgment on him yet, but I also don't think he just gets to rest the clock on everything and start the clock at zero the day he walks in the door.

To ignore the things that have been going on for some time prior to his arrival would be malpractice. Not saying he did or didn't, just saying that part of being a leader and entering a new situation is quickly and thoroughly taking stock of the big-picture issues. No organization can thrive if it's starting from scratch every time it changes leaders.

We've already seen two ADs who are newer than Hardt make changes to programs that arguably were in better shape than ours.

 

[wr70beh]

IWe've already seen two ADs who are newer than Hardt make changes to programs that arguably were in better shape than ours.

GW - new AD took over 07/01/2018 - already fired MoJo with 3 years left on his contract. They were a fast spreading dumpster fire. They had to put it out.
W&M - new AD took over 05/01/2017 - already fired Shaver after 16 years and $1.7 million on his contract. Shaver was the best coach they ever had, but even that wasn't good enough.
St. Joe's - new AD took over 06/01/2018 - canned Martelli after 26 years there to the shock of many. He gave his heart and soul to that program. Seems to have been handled with class.

Hardt - took over 01/01/2018. Only thing he's done is fire the women's hoops coach, and nothing else since taking over. Didn't fire anyone of consequence at his old job, either.

 

[Wood Hall]

Perhaps we should see how well Martelli's and Shaver's successors do before pronouncing their firings as astute moves.

GW obviously needed a change. Not quite so cut-and-dried at SJU and W&M.

PS: We never made the College World Series. We lost to Nebraska in Game 3 of a Super Regional, one game short of Omaha.

 

[spider23]

GW - new AD took over 07/01/2018 - already fired MoJo with 3 years left on his contract. They were a fast spreading dumpster fire. They had to put it out.
W&M - new AD took over 05/01/2017 - already fired Shaver after 16 years and $1.7 million on his contract. Shaver was the best coach they ever had, but even that wasn't good enough.
St. Joe's - new AD took over 06/01/2018 - canned Martelli after 26 years there to the shock of many. He gave his heart and soul to that program. Seems to have been handled with class.

Hardt - took over 01/01/2018. Only thing he's done is fire the women's hoops coach, and nothing else since taking over. Didn't fire anyone of consequence at his old job, either.

Do we really give Hardt credit for firing Shaefer? Wasn't Shaefer's contract up, and he has been one of the worst coaches in D1? Really not any kind of decision an Athletic Dept interim couldn't make in 5 minutes. He should have moved on from Mooney last offseason. When he didn't I had a bad feeling. No easy way out now.

 

[bullfrog91]

I'm not passing final judgment on him yet, but I also don't think he just gets to rest the clock on everything and start the clock at zero the day he walks in the door.

To ignore the things that have been going on for some time prior to his arrival would be malpractice. Not saying he did or didn't, just saying that part of being a leader and entering a new situation is quickly and thoroughly taking stock of the big-picture issues. No organization can thrive if it's starting from scratch every time it changes leaders.

We've already seen two ADs who are newer than Hardt make changes to programs that arguably were in better shape than ours.

But likely didnt have to weigh cutting a $3+mm check...yes, we can afford it but not somwthing we want to part with...big difference.

 

[Eight Legger]

But likely didnt have to weigh cutting a $3+mm check...yes, we can afford it but not somwthing we want to part with...big difference.

But it's not cutting a $3M+ check. He would be paid through the 2021-22 season, just as he will be if he coaches us. There's no lump-sum deal, so in reality all we need is to find money for a few years of the new coach. Make the right hire and then you start getting NCAA unit money that will cover a lot of expenses moving forward.

 

[urfan1]

a more accurate statement would be taking on a potential $3.6MM obligation

 

[spider23]

This is a ridiculous reason to keep Hardt. The amount of free marketing, recognition, excitement, increased admissions, etc, etc outweighs the $. And PQ's net worth will fluctuate by 5 times this amount in the time it takes me to type this. History will indicate Mooney took a decade long wrecking ball to the program, and Hardt sat on his hands and was complicit.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

I had no opinion on Hardt until he fumbled the ball this week. If one reads his statement carefully, it is painfully clear that he is either not a truth teller, or he is incompetent. Could be both.

 

[8legs]

AD's first responsibility: Raise Money
2nd: hire and fire coaches

Pres. Crutcher to Hardt:
"Wait a minute. You just did what? You just pulled the plug on tens if not hundreds of millions of dollar contributions, completion of two new buildings, several endowed chairs because you did what? Because you fired the guy who coaches the basketball team that plays in the gym over there? Are you effing CRAZY?"