In Defense of Ernie Kent
Posted on 27. Feb, 2010 at 10:50 am by bbryan in Basketball, NCAA Basketball, Oregon Ducks Basketball, PAC-10 Basketball
Call me crazy. Call me stupid. Call me a blind homer. I just don’t get all the calling for Ernie Kent’s job. The man has done more good at Oregon than all his predecessors combined. With 2 elite 8 appearances, 5 NCAA Tournament appearances and 4 NBA draft lottery picks Ernie Kent has put the Ducks on the college basketball map and created enough excitement to finally get a palace new arena built for the program. And he’s done it with good kids who he holds accountable both on and off the court. Many have charged Ernie Kent with no longer being the right man to lead this Ducks basketball program. I’m here to tell you those allegations are untrue and why you must acquit Ernie Kent.
The Success: Kent’s 01-02 team broke the strangle hold of outright conference championships that the holy trinity of UCLA, Arizona and Stanford held on the leage. To put that in perspective, in the last 27 years there have been two teams not part of the trinity to win outright conference championships, that Oregon team and last years Washington Huskies team. That means half the teams in the Pac-10 haven’t won an outright championship in the last 27 years. HALF! Let us also not forget that the Ducks have won 2 of the 8 conference tournaments since it was re-instated for the 01-02 season. And of course there is the [ed note: 2nd 3rd place finish in 05-06 06-07] that led to an elite 8 appearance. In fact Oregon is in the argument with Washington as the best non-trinity team of the 2000′s. Why do people so easily look past this.
The Last Two Years: Last year stunk. I know it, you know it and certainly Ernie Kent knows it. But let’s not go erasing all the good of the previous seasons because of one horrible season. The painful fact is Kent didn’t do a good job of transitioning from his Leunen, Taylor and Hairston on the recruiting trail. He missed on Catron and bought too much stock in Porter. But to act as if this year hasn’t been an improvement is fraudulent. With at least 4 games remaining (and most likely an invite to one of those crappy tournaments), the Ducks have already improved 3 games on last years Pac-10 record and 5 games on their overall record. This despite injuries to Dunnigan and Humphrey, both of whom could have helped bump that win total a game or two. Can you not see a 20+ win team next year with Armstead, Humphrey, Singler, Jacob, Dunnigan, Williams, Longmire and Wilson? I know I sure can.
Doing it the Right Way: Ernie Kent holds his kids accountable on and off the court. If you don’t do good in class, you don’t play. Just ask Longmire, who was benched for 5 games this year for falling behind in his classes. Kent won’t sacrifice education for wins. The worst story to come out about Kent’s players are shooting ducks in a park with bee-bee guns (how ironic) and Ian Crosswhite smoking some hippie lettuce. One has to look no further than across the athletic department to see how nice it must be for AD Mike Bellotti to not have to worry about the basketball players, Kent has it under control. Furthermore, does anyone remember the Jerry Green era? It sucked having a coach that hated the program. Kent has loved and embraced this program since day one. When ex AD Bill Moos botched the first arena project, Kent didn’t squabble. He kept selling Mac Court as the best home court advantage in the country until finally the project got done. The man loves it here and when things are going good the Ducks are a pleasure to watch. Which brings me to my final argument.
Style of Play: Their style of play is a basketball fans dream. While obviously Ben Howland has had incredible success at UCLA, his teams are an eyesore to watch play. Same goes for Robama at Oregon State. Kent plays an up and down style and does so with NBA level talent. This is a good thing for fans. When this group of kids come back next year as seasoned vets it will be another great and exciting team to watch.
So Mr. Bellotti, I know you have many people telling you now is the time to make a change, but it clearly is not. Kent has twice proven he can take an experienced and talented team to great heights and there is no reason to doubt he won’t do it again with next years team. And quite frankly, he deserves a chance to coach in the building he helped get built. In a profession of back stabbing, money grubbing, NCAA violation getting mercenaries, Kent has been very loyal to this program. This is why on the charges of being unfit to lead the Oregon Ducks, which carries a punishment of firing, you must ACQUIT ERNIE KENT.
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43 Responses to “In Defense of Ernie Kent”
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27. Feb, 2010
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The Kid, greatest of all time
goodplaye
27. Feb, 2010
I could honestly care less if Ernie is there or not next year but I have to disagree about them being good next year. They are no signs at all of that happening. Those other teams had good if not great individual players that just had to wait for their time. There is no sign of a single great player on this team and also you can bet that the pac 10 won’t be as bad next year.
The fact that they aren’t complete F-ups off the court is great but again is something that I don’t really care that much about. As a fan I’d rather have em going to the Rose Bowl and be terrible human beings. Unfortunitely these good guys are unwatchable. I’m a basketball guy myself but I’ve found that I’d rather watch a Seinfeld or Family Guy re-run than an Oregon Duck basketball game.
That said I don’t really know that there is anyone better than big Ern out there and I do hope that they turn it around.
bbryan
27. Feb, 2010
You don’t think Dunnigan is close to being a great player? I think he’s close. Armstead has a good skill set as well.
Jim
27. Feb, 2010
This was probably the worst article I have ever skimmed. Ernie Kent sucks.
JTH
27. Feb, 2010
Dunigan does not look close to greatness, he still looks raw, and at times, soft.
Really, just like last year.
Imagine what a guy of his talent could do if he was actually being coached to succeed.
Tom
27. Feb, 2010
ERNIE KENT IS SO AWFUL. How you can defend him is beyond me. Look at the stats, 2 straight years in the seller, 6 times finishing 6th or worse in the pac-ten. A coupld of lucky tourny runs do not make up for a decade of mediocrity or worse, moron.
bbryan
27. Feb, 2010
Everybody deserves a defense. The guy has done good things in his time at Oregon.
Tom
27. Feb, 2010
“But let’s not go erasing all the good of the previous seasons because of one horrible season.” Are you kidding?
9 seasons sub .500 in the pac ten
5 times 6th or worse…
Yeah, one horrible season….what about this season!?!? MORON.
FamousDuck
27. Feb, 2010
Here’s what I know. I’ve been a season ticket holder for years. Two years ago, I went to nearly every game, got up and left early on most. Last year, I went to a couple of games, gave away the other tickets. This year, did not renew, and have had guys who wanted to take me to the games. Didn’t go.
Style of basketball I like to watch? Nah, its stupid, uncreative, sloppy. Occasionally good, mostly–meh.
I’m glad that the guys go to class, graduate. Minimum Daily Adult Requirement. But there is no leadership, no passion, no joy, little hope. And I’m sad about that.
Bryan
27. Feb, 2010
Loved your article, could not of said it better, I agree 100%. I have come to think a lot and I mean a lot of the people who want Kent gone are 18-22 years old, and don’t know anything about the history of the Ducks before Kent. To me its like a witch hunt from back in the day, it’s sad. I for one was born and raised in Eugene and have loved my Ducks for many years, if they were winning or not, always more fun win they are winning of course.
Bryan
27. Feb, 2010
oh and by the way, the last time we went to the Elite 8, we lost to Florida, who won the national title that year, we played them better than any other team did in the tourney that year, but I guess that was so long ago to some people, they don’t remember
bbryan
27. Feb, 2010
Yeah a lot of guys who grew up with Luke & Luke are blind to what it used to be like. Mike B will do what’s right.
goodplaye
27. Feb, 2010
haha wow that Tom guy really doesn’t like you. Hey Tom who do you suggest replace him?
Tom
27. Feb, 2010
“we played them better than any other team did in the tourney that year”
1 Florida 74
9 Purdue 67
1 Florida 65
5 Butler 57
1 Florida 85
3 Oregon 77
Yeah, we really played em tough. Were down double digits most the game, allowed the most points to them than the previous 2 teams…You are such a HOMER MORON.
I used to go to games when the ducks were bad every season, but those teams, lead by Jerry Green and Kenya Wilkins, they played tough, with heart, wanted to win. these teams, Ernie loser Kent inspires no one, has no game plan, never has.
Tom
27. Feb, 2010
Hey Tom who do you suggest replace him?
I don’t really care. there are plenty of coaches out there better than Kent. I think a garbage can would be more effective than Kent. Bring in someone, As long as it isn’t Kent.
Bryan
27. Feb, 2010
Tom, you need to relax, I think you are about to have a heart attack. Your numbers do not tell the true story of our elite 8 game against Florida, the game only got away in the last 3 or 4 minutes, we played them better than ANYBODY, Brooks scored at will, I watched that game and the rest, we pushed them harder than anybody, and enough with the name calling man, everyone has their view, but you seem to be the only guy on here calling people names, wow you need to grow up man, you seem like the typical bandwagon fan
Bellotii
27. Feb, 2010
Hey Ernie, what have you done for me lately?
Tom
27. Feb, 2010
you seem like the typical bandwagon fan
Your mother is a bandwagon fan.
bbryan
27. Feb, 2010
A bandwagon fan is someone who turns against the team because of a bad year or two, sounds like someone just like you Tom.
Bryan
27. Feb, 2010
bbryan, sorry you have to deal with guys like Tom, keep up the good work man, it was a very good article.
Tom
27. Feb, 2010
Yeah, just like me. I have never ever liked Kent. Calling me a bandwagon fan is just plain ignorant.
Wally
27. Feb, 2010
I completely agree that they will be a pretty good team next year, which is exactly why I want Kent gone. He has coasted by the last 8 years based on his team only being good every 3 years or so when the bulk of his contributors are seniors. Any coach could take this team next year and do very well with it, which is why we should give someone else a try before Ernie gets another extension he doesn’t deserve.
bbryan
27. Feb, 2010
@Tom – Ignorant as charged, I didn’t realize you weren’t a fan at all.
@Wally – I have a hard time seeing us being an upper echelon team year in and year out. Maybe my expectations are too low.
bbryan
27. Feb, 2010
@Bryan – Thanks man, keep coming back, there will be more. 8 writers in all.
Tom
27. Feb, 2010
I used to go to games when the ducks were bad every season, but those teams, lead by Jerry Green and Kenya Wilkins, they played tough, with heart, wanted to win. these teams, Ernie loser Kent inspires no one, has no game plan, never has.
@Tom – Ignorant as charged, I didn’t realize you weren’t a fan at all.
You are a MORON.
Robbie G
27. Feb, 2010
“Let us also not forget that the Ducks have won 2 of the 8 conference tournaments since it was re-instated for the 01-02 season. And of course there is the 2nd place finish in 05-06 that led to an elite 8 appearance.”
Yes, Oregon has won 2 Pac-10 tournament championships. However, in 05-06 they did not finish 2nd, they lost in the semi finals to Cal that year in that Double OT thriller where Leon Powe went for 40+ and Brandon Lincoln played his best game as a Duck…all without AB. I believe that team finished like 15-18. Also, Oregon has never finished 2nd in a conference tournament to my recollection. And 05-06 definintely wasn’t one of their 2 Elite Eight appearances.
As for Ernie, I was 70-30 in favor of him staying after last year, now I’m like 40-60 in favor of him staying after this year. Only Obama’s approval rating has plummeted more. I’ve been an Ernie apologist over the past couple of seasons, but it’s tough to defend him this year. If the Pac-10 weren’t so far down this year and Oregon had improved their win total by this much then I might be able to stomach it. If there was ever a year for the talent to come together and make a statement, this should’ve been the year.
Of course, they could win out and make a decent showing in the Pac-10 tourney and then I might change my mind.
FishDuck
27. Feb, 2010
Type your comment here…
FishDuck
27. Feb, 2010
If you want long term .500 ball,…..then that is what you will get. Last year was bad, this year is .500 and next year will be good. Then the good players leave and we go back to bad year then a.500 year, then a good year.
For all the elite 8 years….are distasteful years. Long term? .500 results—it’s bad 13 years and it will not change. Is that what you want?
He has been paid well…..somewhere between 10 and 13 million to build the program. That’s enough.
FishDuck
WCP541
27. Feb, 2010
@Tom – I hate calling people names on the internet, (I would much rather do it in person) but damn man, you really are a jackass and a MORON. You’ve got some growing up to do.
@bbryan – Good article. I have very mixed opinions on Kent. I would like to see him get to coach, at least, one season in the new arena. A new arena that we wouldn’t have, without the successes that he has had as our coach.
bbryan
27. Feb, 2010
Thanks WCP. And I agree, I have mixed feelings on Kent too. I just got tired of all the shots he’s been taking so I figured I’d give him my best defense. I hope he another season too, it’s only right that he gets a chance to coach in that new building. I really hope they build off of this weekend and he keeps his job so the George Schroeder’s of the world can Take A Seat for calling for his job half way through the pac-10 season.
Tom
28. Feb, 2010
I hope Kent is fired, becomes homeless and is never heard from again, he sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE SUCKS.
bBRYAN, ITS OBVIOUS YOU POST UNDER OTHER NAMES, YOU WORTHLESS MORON.
BDog
28. Feb, 2010
Fire Ernie Kent, sometimes you have to know when its time to move on. He has brought Oregon as high as he can, and now its time for some one to take us to the next level.
Oh and as far as style goes, Ill take a fundamental style that wins games over Ernie Kents “miss a bunch of shots and dont play defense” style. A fan should appreciate the chess game involved and strategies that gets wins. Should Ernie just have them huck 3balls from half court every possession? Itd be so exciting!
Also, fire nick aliotti, his defenses have been TERRIBLE forever. Its not like hes loyal either, he jumped to the pros first chance he got (then failed miserably, and returned to Oregon where he continues to fail miserably). He has no clue how to scheme a pass defense, Should have made a play for Wilcox while we had the chance.
Hey Famous Duck
28. Feb, 2010
Give up your season tickets you fair weather fan Jack Ass. I don’t want you rooting for the same team I do.
Tom
28. Feb, 2010
Give up your season tickets you fair weather fan Jack Ass. I don’t want you rooting for the same team I do.
I would piss on my tickets before I gave them up for some clown like you.
Bryan
01. Mar, 2010
Tom shut your trap already dude, bBryan is not posting under any other names, we just happen to have the same name, so like I said shut your trap.
Tom
01. Mar, 2010
Why don’t you make me, you Nazi.
Bryan
01. Mar, 2010
I would love to Tom, anytime, Im in Eugene
Tom
01. Mar, 2010
I bet you are, you redneck, hippy fuck.
famousDuck
01. Mar, 2010
Take it some where else, fellas. I won’t even click on OregonLive because of Clownzano and the trolls. Not even ONE click. They can’t make it sound ‘interesting’ enuf for me to click on one of their sites. Same with Jaynes. They have ceased to be entertaining. So have you guys. Knock it off and get a life.
Tom
01. Mar, 2010
Shut up famous duck.
Duck Fan since 1953
02. Mar, 2010
Tom,
I challenge you to do the following:
1. Say something positive.
2. Leave out the word “Moron” and all other childish terms.
I think you can.
I think you can.
I think you can.
ttich
06. Mar, 2010
Really Tom, I think you have lost sight of what TSB is all about. It`s site to post opinions of sports related situations,not to lash out at people who do. If you can`t live with that maybe you should go back to watching sesame street or elmo, you know something more on your level!
Tom
04. May, 2010
KENT SUCKS!!!