Team in turmoil?

I'm almost starting to feel sorry for Doh at this point. A new coach may not solve some of the problems this team has. Carolina apparently has whiney little bitches for players. Parents should never be involved in playing time decisions, for any team decisions for that matter. And the fact that baddour is having the players meet (parents included) with him to determine the fate of doh is pathetic. Carolina= UCLA. It oughta be fun.

Baddour reviewing Doherty's job status
Sources: UNC players split into factions over friction with coach
GREGG DOYEL
Raleigh Bureau

CHAPEL HILL - His evaluation into men's basketball coach Matt Doherty almost complete, North Carolina athletics director Dick Baddour soon will become a jury of one and determine Doherty's fate for the 2003-04 season.

If the central issue were coaching ability, Doherty's return would be guaranteed.

Sources close to Baddour say he was impressed with Doherty's third season, in which the Tar Heels rebounded from their 8-20 campaign of a year ago to go 19-16 -- winning late-season games against Maryland and Duke and reaching the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament.

The Tar Heels played 24 of their last 25 games without their only ACC-caliber inside presence, freshman center Sean May, who broke his foot Dec. 27. Doherty's first two seasons ran the gamut, from his debut in 2000-01 as national coach of the year to his 8-20 year.

However, the central issue is not coaching. Baddour is evaluating Doherty's relationships with his players, and to that end he spent Thursday and Friday meeting with players and, in some cases, their parents.

What Baddour has discovered, according to numerous sources close to the program, is a schism that appears to be drawn along the lines of playing time, although that line may be coincidental.

Published comments in recent weeks along with Observer conversations this week with players, parents and North Carolina staff members show the following Tar Heels are solidly behind Doherty, all of them starters: freshman point guard Raymond Felton, sophomore forward Jawad Williams, freshman forward David Noel and May.

The players with complaints are sophomore guards Melvin Scott, who started a few games at the end of the season, and Jackie Manuel, a starter most of the season; graduating senior guard Jonathan Holmes; and junior walkon Philip McLamb, who played for Charlotte Country Day.

Manuel's father, who could be heard screaming at Doherty at the ACC tournament at Greensboro Coliseum two weeks ago, accompanied Manuel to his meeting Thursday with Baddour.

After the Tar Heels' season-ending loss Wednesday to Georgetown in the NIT, Scott indicated his dissatisfaction with Doherty. Asked if he planned to stay, he replied: "We've got to sit down and talk ... make some decisions about what's best for the program."

In another part of the locker room, Felton said he was tired of the rumors of locker-room discord and said he wanted to play "for no other coach."

The only member of the regular rotation whose feelings about Doherty remain unclear is freshman Rashad McCants, who had sniped at Doherty early in the season when he was benched because of poor defensive effort. Since returning to the lineup, McCants has been noncommittal regarding his position on most things related to UNC basketball.

After last season, Williams and his mother, Gail, were among Doherty's most vocal critics. Williams threatened to transfer, and referred to the team's decision-making process as a "dictatorship."

In recent weeks, Williams has been a vocal supporter of Doherty in postgame interviews, and his mother reiterated that position Friday.

"I think they've grown to understand each other," she said of Doherty and her son. "The only side I'm on is my son's. If he's happy, I'm happy, and if he's happy I think the other kids will follow."

Asked if Jawad was happy with Doherty, Gail Williams said, "I think he is happy. He really is."

Felton's father, Raymond, told The Observer his son has improved "beyond my expectations" from October to March.

Noel's mother, Sheila, told The Observer, "David doesn't have a problem with coach Doherty -- not that I've heard about."

Meanwhile, a faction of the Education Foundation -- the fund-raising arm of UNC athletics -- is pushing Baddour to retain Doherty.

"I'd say a majority of the Education Foundation wants to see Doherty continue as coach," said Hickory's Tom Shores, a member of the foundation's executive committee. "He deserves another year, no question about it. He's recruited good players and deserves to coach them."

If retained, Doherty might not be the only UNC alumnus on the staff. Two assistants -- Doug Wojcik with Wright State and Bob McKinnon with Elon - are in the hunt for head coaching vacancies. If either leaves, sources say, Doherty will offer Phil Ford, UNC's career scoring leader and a former assistant coach, a job on the staff.

 

the problem isn't the whiny little players - its the whiny little parents.

It is apparently the parents place now to run the team, dictate playing time and posistions, and determine team discipline.

From all the comments I read from Sean May - his contention isn't with Doherty - its with his Dad - the Dad who has mapped out how May should be played and developed .

Its beyond ridiculous...

these meddlers have practically tied Doherty's hands - ANY discipline he hands out - any player that gets less than his parent's desired minutes - creates problems for him.

Doherty should tell the parent's its HIS team - they can run their lives - but he'll run the team - if the parent's decide their kid has to go - then thats too bad - but they can take their prima donnas and aggravate some other coach.

 

I agree wossa

This parent thing is a hinderance at ANY level of sports. The sooner a coach takes a stand against these know it alls, the better. Even if it means losing a few along the way, his job will be made easier in that aspect. You're seeing it more and more nowadays however. I attribute it to our society where scholarships and pro money take the lead instead of team loyalty or committment, you can add an education in with the latter. It all starts in the home.

 

Re: I agree wossa

but damn - if you want your kids to go to a big time school and play big time ball you are going to get a coach that rides your ass - and plays the best players - not the ones that whine the most

look at Kasiduasidusui or Izzo or Gary Williams or Knight -
these coaches bust the players asses all the time - and if you play like crap you sit - Randolph was supposed to be pro material right out of school - but where did Kasjdsijdh play him? - on the bench

maybe he should transfer...

 

I got an idea. Why don't you worry about your own damn team.

 

that wasn't carolina bashing. it isn't anything i haven't read any of you guys post. it's beyond ridiculous for players and their parents to meet with the ad to determine a coaches future. it's gonna be real funny when they fire doh, and go for roy and he decides to go to ucla. the problem for you guys is baddour.

 

I don't think Doh should go - not yet - and especially under these circumstances.

But I'll be damned if they fire Doh and don't already have the next coach signed to a contract I may have a fucking stroke.

A coaching "search" is the last thing UNC needs right now - and if Baddour does that he should fear for his life.

I think its time for Dean to use some of the weight behind that big ol nose of his and get Baddour fired. I can't see how any of the big money boosters or other school administrators think Baddour is helping the University.

Please come back John Swofford....

 

Please let Doh stay.....please let Doh stay....

Don't need any more excuses for the tarhell babies when they get the smackdown next year and a team in turmoil works wonders for recruiting.

If a new coach does come in though how many years will y'all babies use the "We need to let the new coach get his own players in here" excuse?

 

So sly what's the dook excuse this year for doing worse than what they normally do?

 

I'll take that as a complement. Its great that everyone including Heels fans expect Duke to do better than the sweet 16. Bottom line is there isn't a team in the land that can claim that doing better than the sweet 16 is normal.