Oh My . . . Jimmy Dykes hired as new U of A Women's Hoops coach

[WizardofhOgZ]

Just announced . . . should be articles up on it soon.

[HawgAdvocate]

http://arkansas.scout.com/2/1389203.html

Wow. Not sure this is a great idea, but it's not exactly a big risk either.

[010HogFan]

I don't believe this for a second. Why would he quit broadcasting?

[Inhogswetrust]

Just got a txt about that not from Jimmy but I know him. Congrats Jimmy!

[Wild Bill Hog]

Are you kidding?   

[Inhogswetrust]

http://arkansas.scout.com/2/1389203.html

Wow. Not sure this is a great idea, but it's not exactly a big risk either.

Why not a great idea?

[HawgAdvocate]

I don't believe this for a second. Why would he quit broadcasting?

So he can stay closer to his family in Arkansas?

[Inhogswetrust]

Are you kidding?   

No he isn't.

[HawgAdvocate]

Why not a great idea?

Coaching/recruiting experience? Staff? First real coaching job?

[Nipsey Mussle]

I bet they'll have the best ft shooting in the nation.

[Wild Bill Hog]

How many $?

[hogzilla3]

It is apparently true, ESPN analysts are reporting as well! Wow is all I can say!

[Nipsey Mussle]

Coaching/recruiting experience? Staff? First real coaching job?

Wasn't he on Pitino's staff at UK?

[WizardofhOgZ]

Wasn't he on Pitino's staff at UK?

He was on Sutton's.

[Wild Bill Hog]

Wasn't he on Pitino's staff at UK?

Sutton's I think, but I could be wrong.

[Nipsey Mussle]

He was on Sutton's.

Ahhhh thanks

[WilsonHog]

@jefflongUA: "Please join me in welcoming our new Head Women's Basketball Coach @JimmyDykesLive tonight at 6:30 Bud Walton Arena!" http://t.co/Yf3LyyomDI

[razorback1829]

A WOW hire that might help generate some excitement for our woman's program. Jimmy knows the game and I think he should be able to adjust to the rigorous woman's basketball recruiting gauntlet. Seriously though, I like it! Really not taking much of a risk in a non revenue generating sport. I don't see anything wrong here.

[WizardofhOgZ]

https://twitter.com/jefflongUA/status/450288553704976384/photo/1

http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=11449&SPID=677&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=209448569&DB_OEM_ID=6100

[HawgAdvocate]

Wasn't he on Pitino's staff at UK?

He left coaching though in 1991. Good luck to him. If he doesn't succeed then, oh well, back to the WBB drawing board.

[Jackrabbit Hog]

It shows that Jimmy wants to give back to his school and that is admirable.  As others have said, maybe this will rekindle interest in the women's program.

But, let's check back with this in about four years.  I'll bet he's back on espn doing games again.

[WizardofhOgZ]

I will predict a Sweet Sixteen appearance for our Lady Hoopsters within 3 years.

This game - like all sports up at the U of A - is 80% about recruiting and I feel Dykes' high profile from his ESPN work will open doors to a level of recruits that our ladies' program has never had access to.

[farmhawg]

Odd hire when there are coaches with experience.....

[1highhog]

Sutton's I think, but I could be wrong.

I know he was on Sutton's at UK, so he learned from one of the best.  Many on here might be to young to even remember Sutton, especially his glory days, but any Coach that got to learn from him got some good stuff.  I never thought I'd see the day that Dykes would leave the relative security he had at ESPN to Coach, especially in such a tough league as the Women's game in the SEC.  Here's wishing you all the success in the world Jimmy!

[Inhogswetrust]

Coaching/recruiting experience? Staff? First real coaching job?

He's done all except as a head coach in college.

[Inhogswetrust]

The big announcement.

[Nipsey Mussle]

I will predict a Sweet Sixteen appearance for our Lady Hoopsters within 3 years.

This game - like all sports up at the U of A - is 80% about recruiting and I feel Dykes' high profile from his ESPN work will open doors to a level of recruits that our ladies' program has never had access to.

I think he'll do really well. He's all about the fundamentals and harps on them to a fault.

He's the 2nd active U of A coach with a hot blonde wife.

[Inhogswetrust]

Odd hire when there are coaches with experience.....

I'll give you that. However as a friend of his I'll obviously say give him a chance.

[Inhogswetrust]

He left coaching though in 1991. Good luck to him. If he doesn't succeed then, oh well, back to the WBB drawing board.

True of any coach for any team.....................

[HawgAdvocate]

He's done all except as a head coach in college.

Except that was 20+ years ago. Good for the lady Backs that they have a new coach, and it's fun to cheer for this occurrence for LadyBack fans.

It's an odd, but likely inexpensive, hire in a non-revenue generating sport. There's not really anything to lose here.

[HawgAdvocate]

True of any coach for any team.....................

Not really, but I see this is important to you so I can understand your defensive stance.

[porkinsons disease]

He gets at least 5 years

[Break & Run]

I think he'll be able to recruit like heck.  First thing he needs to do is find out if Tyler Scaife has any sick family she needs to move closer to home for!

[Dr. Starcs]

Year 3 will be THE year.

[Inhogswetrust]

I know he was on Sutton's at UK, so he learned from one of the best.  Many on here might be to young to even remember Sutton, especially his glory days, but any Coach that got to learn from him got some good stuff.  I never thought I'd see the day that Dykes would leave the relative security he had at ESPN to Coach, especially in such a tough league as the Women's game in the SEC.  Here's wishing you all the success in the world Jimmy!

He learned from Eddie as a walk on player (where I first met him) and then coaching for him.

[Dr. Starcs]

Jimmy better go get him some men.........errr.......you know what I mean.

[3kgthog]

So we pass on a guy with a national title, some Final Fours, and a wife that still works here. We also pass on a coach that has more career wins than even Blair and he's right down the road.

Jeff failed to separate friendship from business and this is a stupid business decision.

[Nipsey Mussle]

He learned from Eddie as a walk on player (where I first met him) and then coaching for him.

Do you know him by any chance?

[Speedracer]

Interesting

[tophawg19]

23 years out of basketball coaching . this hire makes no sense . we have 2 former ladybacks working as assistants at good programs who would be better . long may have 1 up'ed his hiring of smiley

[FineAsSwine]

Those ladybacks are gonna have some hot hands. They're gonna saddle up opponents guards and ride 'em up the sidelines.

Look out SEC!

#neveryield

[Stang1970]

Coaching/recruiting experience? Staff? First real coaching job?

Asst under Eddie Sutton and a player.

[Inhogswetrust]

Not really, but I see this is important to you so I can understand your defensive stance.

I freely admit I'll be biased in this hire. However it is true of any coach of any team that IF they are not successful they will be replaced. Do I think it is a risk in the general public's eyes absolutely but all coaching hires are a risk to some degree. I do know that NOBODY love's the UA and Hogs more than him. Could he be critical while calling Hog games sometimes? Sure. However THAT was his job. He called it like he saw it as it should be. As far as importance is concerned it is about Jimmy being happy not about me wanting him being a Hog coach or not. IF he didn't want it then I would have been fine with that. IF he isn't as successful as he thinks he should be after a few years then he would step down because of his love for his school.

[Nipsey Mussle]

Those complaining about how much this hire bothers them probably couldn't name 3 players on the team without looking it up.

[Doug]

Guys, you complain that the Razorbacks don't get enough respect in the media, then they bring on someone with NATIONAL recognition and respect, and now you're complaining about that?

Seriously? You can't have it both ways.

This is a HUGE hire. His name, alone, gets the Razorback program into recruits minds across the nation.

[-Blu]

I like Dykes, guy comes from a good basketball background, really knows the game, and really cares about the university.  He also has a little name recognition, so maybe that will help with recruiting. Good hire IMO.

[Inhogswetrust]

23 years out of basketball coaching . this hire makes no sense . we have 2 former ladybacks working as assistants at good programs who would be better . long may have 1 up'ed his hiring of smiley

Were there other qualified candidates potentially sure. NOBODY is ever going to agree 100% on any hire when they aren't doing the hiring. BUT after hired then the new coach should be given 100% support for a few years no matter who it is.

[HawgAdvocate]

I freely admit I'll be biased in this hire. However it is true of any coach of any team that IF they are not successful they will be replaced. Do I think it is a risk in the general public's eyes absolutely but all coaching hires are a risk to some degree. I do know that NOBODY love's the UA and Hogs more than him. Could he be critical while calling Hog games sometimes? Sure. However THAT was his job. He called it like he saw it as it should be. As far as importance is concerned it is about Jimmy being happy not about me wanting him being a Hog coach or not. IF he didn't want it then I would have been fine with that. IF he isn't as successful as he thinks he should be after a few years then he would step down because of his love for his school.

Again, I understand your bias, but there is a very large difference in replacing a coach in a primary revenue-generating sport vs. replacing one that generates very little.

Politics and booster involvement would be the biggest differences. If Dykes can't get it done here, replacing him should go on without any drama or fuss from boosters.

[Nipsey Mussle]

I'll give you that. However as a friend of his I'll obviously say give him a chance.

I'm thinking on Jimmy's Jet (the personal version) you're more of a baggage handler.

[Wild Bill Hog]

Will he be able to stop the AR talent from leaving the state?  What is his relationship with AR HS coaches?  How big is his name in WBB HS ranks - in AR or outside the state?

Time will answer these questions, and it is a money losing entity after all.  Collen had like 6 or 7 years so what is 4 or 5 to a "hometown boy"?  Success or failure isn't going to have any impact anyway.  Go Jimmy!