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Texas A&M Basketball

A&M AD Woodward backs Kennedy after early SEC Tournament exit

March 8, 2018
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Texas A&M Athletic Director Scott Woodward on Thursday said basketball coach Billy Kennedy had his full support and labeled a question of whether Kennedy’s job is in jeopardy as “silly.”

Speaking moments after A&M’s 71-70 loss to Alabama in the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament at Scottrade Center, Woodward was asked if next week’s showing in the NCAA Tournament could affect Kennedy’s job security.

"I’m not even going to entertain that question,” Woodward said. “It’s silly.”

Woodward said he continues to evaluate Kennedy — as he does with all A&M coaches — and acknowledged that a faction of A&M fans is unhappy with the direction of the basketball program.

Stephanie Aiple, TexAgs
Woodward declined to answer a question about Kennedy's job status, instead citing the program's success and high RPI.

“We’re divided every time we lose,” Woodward said. “We’re in great shape to make a great run in the (NCAA) Tournament. I’m excited about it and I’m ready to go. We’ll see we are after the Tournament.”

A&M (20-12) is thought to be safely in the NCAA Tournament field of 68 despite the loss to Alabama. That would be only the second NCAA appearance in Kennedy’s seven years at A&M, but also the second in three years. Kennedy guided A&M into the Sweet Sixteen in 2016.

Woodward said that he is constantly evaluating all of his coaches.

“If there is ever a change, you’ll know from me first,” Woodward said.

Woodward pointed out that A&M’s Rating Percentage Index ranking is among the best in the nation.

“We’re sitting here with a 20 RPI that most of the Division I schools would be very proud and happy of,” Woodward said. “We’ve had a tough season. A lot of injuries. A lot of discipline problems. But we’re going to get it right and hopefully make a great run in the Tournament.”

The Aggies lost guard Duane Wilson to a torn ACL in mid-February. Junior guard Admon Gilder has also missed some games and continues to play with a knee injury.

Kennedy had to dismiss JJ Caldwell from the team for repeated violations of university policy. Caldwell had long been expected to fill a void at point guard, but he struggled to earn playing time and never seemed to find his way at A&M. Starting forwards Robert Williams and DJ Hogg each served three-game suspensions, and Admon Gilder, TJ Starks, and Jay Jay Chandler briefly sat out for disciplinary reasons.

Discussion from...

A&M AD Woodward backs Kennedy after early SEC Tournament exit

14,530 Views | 41 Replies | Last: 6 yr ago by BattlinB
expresswrittenconsent
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6:26p, 3/8/18
Poor Olin. Kennedy has been a complete and total failure. I dont know if you will be able to write a story like you did 2 yrs ago when you repeatedly crapped all over the texags subscriber base and the aggie hoops fan base with the "Kennedy proves the doubters wrong" puff piece.
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TyperWoods
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6:34p, 3/8/18
Woodward said he continues to evaluate Kennedy as he does with all A&M coaches and acknowledged that a faction of A&M fans is unhappy with the direction of the basketball program.

"Yes, the faction that actually pays attention and cares about A&M basketball is unhappy with the underachieving direction of the basketball program", Woodward said, "but it's silly to entertain reassigning Billy, as you no doubt have heard on tv he's done an absolutely amazing job this season given all the suspensions and injuries; all the color commentators of our games have asserted as much. Hey, did you see how natural Jimbo looked on that horse? Wasn't that something?"
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Electric
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In reply to TyperWoods • 6:44p, 3/8/18
AG
In summary there are not enough educated bball fans at A&M to realize how bad our coach is. Perfect
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Double Diamond
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6:49p, 3/8/18
Accepting .Mediocrity
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W
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6:50p, 3/8/18
AG
reading between the lines...the contract buyout is too steep.

see the football program after 2016
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Double Diamond
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7:25p, 3/8/18
When you have the top college athletic revenue. Why in the world would you spend a little on hoops.
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Ozamataz Buckshank 01
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In reply to Double Diamond • 7:42p, 3/8/18
AG
Double Diamond said:
When you have the top college athletic revenue. Why in the world would you spend a little on hoops.


Because they just dropped a massive amount of cash to buy out Sumlin's contract/hire Fisher, and they can't afford to buyout Kennedy and make a splash hire as well. Let's face it. As long as Kennedy doesn't pull a Melvin, his job is safe. The BCG/Turgeon expectations are done. A&M is now a pretend football school that is mediocre at best in both of the revenue sports.
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Ulrich
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7:56p, 3/8/18
The only thing you learn when an AD gives his public vote of confidence to a struggling coach is that the "fire coach ______" chorus has gotten loud enough that it has to be addressed.

I don't think that any decisions will be made until after the tourney and i suspect Kennedy will be back for another year, but at the same time it's pretty common for the vote of confidence to precede the firing by just a few days. I think once I even saw it in the same day.
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tcruise63
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8:17p, 3/8/18
AG
Woodward will have to make a decision as a number of season ticket holders will not renew. After 15 years I have stopped, not because I do not think Kennedy is a good man, but because his illness has led to coaching irregularities. He no longer is processing situations quickly. There is no way you allow the in bounds pass to come to the only player that can beat you. Simple as that. He apparently told them not to foul during the timeout. That was 1 of many during the season.
Let's hope he voluntarily moves into a role within the school where he can be effective.
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strbrst777
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9:10p, 3/8/18
After many years of holding a pair of season tics, this is probably my last. I for the most partdid not enjoy the season and I'm simply tired of the Reed atmosphere with the incredibly loud. trash boom-box sounds pumped out by the DJ. And the stupid stuff leading to suspensions turned me off. Several times I asked myself, "Why am I doing this?" I do not have a good answer!
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greg.w.h
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9:25p, 3/8/18
AG
Well...the kiss of death words "Billy Kennedy has my complete support" were not intoned apparently...
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jml2621
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In reply to Double Diamond • 10:07p, 3/8/18
Double Diamond said:
Accepting .Mediocrity

Our administrators just DGAF about MBB and quality.

Each year, I'd like to pretend it's different. Each year the AD is Lucy and the football and the hardcore fans are Charlie Brown.

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ABATTBQ87
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In reply to jml2621 • 10:12p, 3/8/18
AG
jml2621 said:
Double Diamond said:
Accepting .Mediocrity

Our administrators just DGAF about MBB and quality.

Each year, I'd like to pretend it's different. Each year the AD is Lucy and the football and the hardcore fans are Charlie Brown.



It's not like we are a hardcore basketball school either. When we start selling out every game then the administration will take note
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dixichkn
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10:28p, 3/8/18
AG
^^^^^ and you can accomplish this by putting competency on the bench. I know in a pie in the sky scenario, we'd be competing for the Elite 8 every year, but I think the rank and file ticket buyer would just like to see a tournament-ready team that's actually playing to, or God forbid EXCEEDING, their talent level. And we're being robbed of that opportunity by the sheer buffoonery coming from the guy in the suit.

Kinda hard to "manage expectations" when at this point you barely have any.
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Bunk Moreland
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10:39p, 3/8/18
It's another year out minimum unless they spin it to BK is stepping down voluntarily.

Even with the writing on the wall of next year, they'll sacrifice the losing before making the change.
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Method Man
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10:45p, 3/8/18
Our athletic department has always lacked vision.
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expresswrittenconsent
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In reply to Bunk Moreland • 10:59p, 3/8/18
Bunk Moreland said:
It's another year out minimum unless they spin it to BK is stepping down voluntarily.

Even with the writing on the wall of next year, they'll sacrifice the losing before making the change.

His buyout after next year is still 3.5 mil (down from 4.5 mil this yr). I suppose if he melvins things up real good and goes 0-fer next year we could fire him but i bet we'd keep him if he delivers a "typical" Billy season (~9th place conf, miss dance).
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FTAG 2000
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12:06a, 3/9/18
AG
What's going to look silly is our attendance figures next year if Kennedy gets to come back for another year.
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cedar
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12:15a, 3/9/18
Woodward is a moron.
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Deputy Travis Junior
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In reply to expresswrittenconsent • 2:07a, 3/9/18
expresswrittenconsent said:

His buyout after next year is still 3.5 mil (down from 4.5 mil this yr). I suppose if he melvins things up real good and goes 0-fer next year we could fire him but i bet we'd keep him if he delivers a "typical" Billy season (~9th place conf, miss dance).


I still don't get that buyout. It's not like he was going to say no to whatever extension we offered and take another job. Yea, I understand that you don't want to screw a coach so badly that other coaches (ie potential hires) take note. but we could have given him an outwardly respectable contract without chaining ourselves to him for the next 5 years.
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Artimus Gordon
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6:12a, 3/9/18
AG
What? 7 years of kraptastic Kennedy basketball isn't enough? We have to endure one more? Bullship!
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SECTAMU#1
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6:14a, 3/9/18
"We're in great shape to make a great run in the NCAA tourney"

Really? I have my doubts that we will make it to the second round. If we do make it to the second round that will be the end of the great run.

Kennedy is a terrible coach. Next year will be a disaster.
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Method Man
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6:55a, 3/9/18
Maybe in denial but hope he gets reassigned
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Double Diamond
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7:32a, 3/9/18
I think the buyout was put in so that Kennedy couldn't be let go. A friends over the program deal. Surly they didn't think Kennedy was in play for other jobs? It's got to be the first one.
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bobinator
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8:43a, 3/9/18
AG
Quote:
and acknowledged that a faction of A&M fans is unhappy with the direction of the basketball program.
yeah, the faction that knows anything at all about basketball.
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Method Man
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10:10a, 3/9/18
Which is a small %. Just ask the KU message boards!
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bobinator
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In reply to Method Man • 10:18a, 3/9/18
AG
I mean, it is, that's part of the problem.
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JJxvi
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10:29a, 3/9/18
AG
This year would be fine if it was one of a series of seasons under this coach where we had solid teams. I would gladly take being this good most years, as it means you've got a solid program.

You can't ignore the fact that we've rarely even been this good under this coaching staff and have underachieved expectations in 6 out of 7 season now, though. To say that things are fine right now, you basically have to start from a default position of that A&M is overachieving by simply competing in basketball at all, which is simply not true. Under administrations that wanted to win in hoops, we won in hoops.
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Bunk Moreland
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In reply to JJxvi • 10:39a, 3/9/18
JJxvi said:
This year would be fine if it was one of a series of seasons under this coach where we had solid teams. I would gladly take being this good most years, as it means you've got a solid program.

You can't ignore the fact that we've rarely even been this good under this coaching staff and have underachieved expectations in 6 out of 7 season now, though. To say that things are fine right now, you basically have to start from a default position of that A&M is overachieving by simply competing in basketball at all, which is simply not true. Under administrations that wanted to win in hoops, we won in hoops.

This is exactly right. In a vacuum Woodward may be correct to call it a silly question, given that the team is about to go to the tournament. However, looking at the 7 year run, the picture gets clearer:

14-18 (4-14)
18-15 (7-11)
18-16 (8-10)
21-12 (11-7)
28-9 (13-5)
16-15 (8-10)
20-12 (9-9)

Overall: 135-97 (.582)
Conference: 60-66 (.476)
Average conference finish: 7th
Conference Tournament record: 4-7
Total seasons finished ranked: 1*
Total NCAA appearances: 2

View that with the expectations of this team/roster + what we'll lose after the season + the recruiting momentum ahead....and it's not a pretty picture.
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bobinator
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11:03a, 3/9/18
AG
To be completely honest I think keeping Kennedy for one more year, but in private telling him that he has to make the tournament next year, is a defensible position for Woodward.

It's not what I'd do, but that's because I (and most of here) prioritize basketball a lot more than the rest of our fan base does.
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ham98
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12:48p, 3/9/18
Basketball can be absolutely horrible if football is trending in the right direction.
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sharpdressedman
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1:13p, 3/9/18
TexAgs wants to maintain inside access to the AD and Olin wants to stay employed, so the story gets written. I understand; it's business.

Watching the only guy who could beat you take the in-bounds pass and in under 5 seconds make a virtually unimpeded, full-court dash to the hoop for the winning layup visually summarizes the encyclopedic documentation of BK's failure. Woodward can spin the situation until he pukes, but he is fooling no one.
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bruno319
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12:10a, 3/10/18
AG
Is the contract written that the only choice is buy out if he's not the HC?!

If you fire them outright, don't have cause (usually ethics, moral, legal), and don't want them around anymore, you have to pay the buy out - like Sumlin. However, used to be common that you remove them from the HC position, but offer another position with the university at same pay, then you still pay ...but over time and are free of any earned bonuses tied to coaching. Like we did with RC when he got moved to be the Special Assistant to the President for the last two or three years of his contract.

Even t.u. had language in Mack's contract that agreed to give him a similar position with an agreed minimum salary if he resigned as HC. They ended up paying him buyout ($2.75M) to get him to agree to resign and then gave him the Spec. Asst. job at $500k, as his resigning in 2014 saved them the contract pay thru 2020 when they wanted a new coach.

Just wondering if there isn't similar option in BK's contract so reassignment might be possible, and all the BK supporters could be comfortable knowing he'd have a job and insurance. He seems like a nice guy, so I'm all for trying to be empathetic to his condition and wanting to look out for him in some way. Just not doing so to the detriment of our program, player development and long-term recruiting. I don't think he's a great coach, at least not P5. Seems like reassignment could be a win-win for him and the program.
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SECTAMU#1
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10:49a, 3/10/18
Woodward told Sumlin winning 67% of your games is not enough this season and followed through on it.

Meanwhile Kennedy wins 62.5% of his games and that is good.

Mixed messages.
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