Mr. Barker provides a fair article today about the recruiting issues that have plagued MD in recent seasons.
Barker makes the accurate point about the role assistant coaches have previously played at MD, particularly with recruiting efforts – and particularly the programs transition from Hahn, Patsos, and Dickerson to Lonergan, Adams, Moxley, Booth, Driesell in recent years.
Gary Williams gives an argument that should be rationale to all – if signed recruits Shane Clark, Augustus Gilchrist, Bobby Maze, and Tyree Evans had been able to stay at MD, the complexion of the roster would be different.
For a second, lets pay particular interest to Gilchrist.
This was a player that was signed to MD, attending classes at MD, practicing with the team last year. He did not leave MD because he was not eligible to play the 1st semester this year.
He was not able to play his first game at the University of South Florida until December 14th.
Gilchrist left MD because his handler/advisor Mr. Terelle Woody was not handed a job at College Park. When MD would not hire Mr. Woody into the Athletics Department, because he lacked a college-degree, Gilchrist left Maryland.
How can anyone hold Gary Williams accountable for that?
Gilchrist wound up at South Florida, and Woody was hired as an Assistant there.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/usf/2008/08/bulls-hire-trai.html
I respect Gary Williams for not playing those games. That said, if Gilchrist had been here and playing – MD probably wins at least 2 of 3 against Morgan St, Miami, or FSU.
If you are going to talk about recruiting, you have to talk about Braxton Dupree. Dupree was a Top 65 National Player, who dominated the Baltimore Catholic League. He was a top local talent that was kept at home.
Talking about his lack of development so far in his Sophomore year, is an area where you can hold Coach Williams and Coach Booth accountable.
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