http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/01/maryland-bc_its_over.html

Nobody is doubting Gary’s coaching abilities. He’s got a great system, and he gets as much or more out of his guys than can be expected. There is reason to doubt his recruiting abilities. I agree with MASH’s assessment that we have some top recruits coming in, and I think it would be fair to let them play out a bit. The team is in a swoon but even at their worst they’ve still been on the bubble the last few years.

However, I think everyone would agree that the wheels have come off this year. Just to add insult to injury, this nugget was buried at the bottom of the WP article on last night’s game:

“Freshman forward Jin Soo Kim has been ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA, school officials announced. Kim will continue to practice with the team while Maryland appeals the decision to the NCAA.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/27/AR2009012703323_2.html?wprss=rss_sports/colleges/maryland&sid=ST2009012703881&s_pos=

You know, I always said that Jin Soo McCray was going to be a trouble maker on this team. Where was Debbie Yow on this pick?!

http://shellgames.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/the-noose-is-tightening-for-gary-williams/

So there you have it…I’m on record as saying he deserves at least one more year after this one. And I used the same argument that you laid out, that has been laid out a hundred thousand times before, and that is getting more and more tired with every team failure. But still…if you read, I use that defense, and advocate for his return.

Look, the guy’s a great coach. But you know what? He’s not doing very well right now, and hasn’t been for several years. Whether you want him gone or not, those are the facts, and they need to be acknowledged. It’s not a question of believing…it’s a question of seeing.

1) I don’t really appreciate the old Jean Van de Velde comparison. I did pull a tin cup once; but that was the day before my wedding, I had a great lie, and I finally made it over the water with my 3-wood. You can compare me to Kevin Costner if you want.

2) Someone on this blog needs to write in defense of Gary Williams. It could go a little like this: (1) Loyalty. (2) Alma Mater. (3) Championship winning coaches are few and far between. (4) What once was, can be again, if you believe.