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Matt's FAU term. The POSITIVES.

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Matt's FAU term. The POSITIVES.

Time to look at some positives from the past year.
We all knew this day would be coming eventually. So now that it's here, let's take a look back at the season.

The Media exposure has been good. Now the national recruits know where FAU/Boca Raton is actually located instead on "North of Miami". Sports Center and ESPN was all over the hiring as a stepping stone for Matt. His presence did in fact bring some much added attention to the program. The basketball program made local highlights for athletes to consider. Attendance was up. The campus was abuzz before games. They were there to see the PLAYERS play the game. A good product was on the floor for the spectators.

This is the rebirth of a program in two phases. A new coach will be coming in and moving into a new conference.
The recruits will see that they have to pull together and make this work regardless of who is sitting on the bench as HC. Continue to play well on the floor and the HC will do his part.

Good luck Owls!!
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Matt's FAU term. The POSITIVES.

O.G., you, like me, see some real positive accomplishments by Doherty. I am sorry you all lost a good coach. But, on the bright side, he did leave your university with some highly touted recruits and a large amount of publicity. Not many schools can claim being the focus of a documentary. So, while his exit is disappointing, you guys did benefit from his presence and I am sure you will continue to build a solid foundation for future success.

Best of luck to you and your program.
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Matt's FAU term. The POSITIVES.

mhfiu always the class act in his post. It was devastating to say the least. There probably wasn't a whole lot Angelos could have done to keep him anyway. I wasn't in the negotiations so my guess is it wasn't about money. Matt had his agenda in place a long time ago. But we have to just look at a different angle and move on. FAU just happen to be his springboard to another step in his plight to regain/improve his coaching status.
He did bring something to the table which we didn't have before his arrival.

FAU have been down for 4 years under Syd Green. Last year was an improvement under Matt. This year should be even better. The players are older now.
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Matt's FAU term. The POSITIVES.

It's nice to be positive but there is also a reality that has to be dealt with on a daily basis. I disagree that it wasn't about the money. I firmly believe it WAS about the money. The move to SMU was not much more than a vertical move for Doherty outside of the MONEY. Sure they are in a major conference, but aside from that there isn't any other strong upside other than the MONEY.

As far as how he left FAU and the exposure, I believe, and only time will tell, that it could hurt us as much in the long run as much it has helped us in the short run. How many recruits are going to commit to FAU after this saga. I didn't believe Doherty was going to stay for his full contract but I did believe he would honor more than one year past on his very recent statements.

It's OK to not be positive about someone who just threw you under the bus. I think it's time to move on.

GO OWLS!
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Matt's FAU term. The POSITIVES.

I'm just as big a fan for FAU as the next guy. But let's stay real here. SMU and the C-USA command more respect than FAU and the Sun Belt. No matter how we cut it, that was a move UPWARD to most analysts.
Regarding the money..look at his history. The guy hit rock bottom in the basketball world. Matt would have taken that job for the same pay if he knew it would get him back on top.

I think maybe you should give the recruits more credit about informed choices. These guys are a lot smarter(wiser) than people give them credit for. Matt's top recruit said he's still coming to FAU. Your in the long point is well taken. But two years down the road will recruits look back and say "they lost Matt so I'm not going to FAU"? Probably not.

I just think it's s slight set-back and we'll recover just fine.
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Matt's FAU term. The POSITIVES.

I bold and italicized the "money" part in this article. Just my feeling that money wasn't the issue. Also notice a players' stance about Walters.

http://www.bocanews.com/index.php?src=news&prid=15069&category=Sports%20News


Doherty accepts SMU offer; search begins for FAU
Walters an early candidate for job, but FAU AD won't rule out making another splash

Published Monday, April 24, 2006
by Hannon Deutsch


Some suggest Florida Atlantic was fortunate to lure a big-name coach like Matt Doherty to a program void of any national exposure. The fortune that was bestowed upon FAU left as quickly as it came on Monday, as Doherty reached terms with Southern Methodist that will reportedly increase his pay $400,00.
Doherty, 44, had a $200,000 buyout clause included in his contract if he elected to be released before his second season. He was supposed to get annual raises for the duration of the seven-year contract, which paid him $171,000 the first year.

Doherty replaces Jimmy Tubbs, who was fired April 6 after an internal investigation revealed NCAA violations.

As far as conducting a search is concerned, FAU Athletic Director Craig Angelos need not look far if assistant coach Rex Walters is interested in staying. Walters was in Washington D.C. on Saturday for recruiting purposes and has expressed interest in the position.

The question for Angelos remains two-fold: Can Walters boost revenue, increase the fan base and get people to donate to the program like Doherty did, all while raising the profile of the program? Angelos said reaching an agreement with another big-name coach who could bolt after one season is not out of the question if he could continue to generate revenue. Like he did with Doherty, standard procedure would call for a buyout clause. Because next year's recruiting class has already signed, Angelos said "time is not of the essence" when finding a replacement.

"People are interested," Angelos said. "I will try to find another Matt Doherty if I can. You never know we might get lucky like we did last year."

According to Walters, Doherty pondered the decision to leave FAU even with a huge raise dangling above his head.

"Coach Doherty had a moment of pause and turned down the offer when it first happened," Walters said. "They pursued and showed him how much they wanted him."


If Walters were named the next head coach of FAU, the system Doherty installed would remain intact. That means continuity for current players like DeAndre Rice, who said there is a strong possibility he would consider leaving if Walters were not his coach next season.

"We've come a long way in such a short period of time," Walters said. "I feel like I'm the person to get the job done. That's why I stayed. SMU is a heckuva deal. But I think we have something special here.

"All my life I've been waiting for a head coaching position," Walters said. "As a young kid I wanted to build a program and lead young men. I've played for Pat Riley, Roy Williams, Stan Van Gundy, Chuck Daly and Larry Brown. I wasn't a great player, but I worked for everything. I take that same approach in practice, recruiting and preparation."

Walters has received backing by the players. But at the same time he fully understands the procedure an institution has to take.

"They have to look into different possibilities," Walters said, "and it wouldn't be fair if they didn't. I'm confident and hopeful they realize I'm the best candidate."

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Matt's FAU term. The POSITIVES.

It would be my guess that Angelos is angry too, looking at his comments in that article.

You would think he would jump at the chance to offer the job to Walters. Walters might be the guy but I can tell Angelos is a bit unhappy and wants to make sure the program doesn't lose momentum by checking to see if there are anymore heavy weights out there that would come onboard.

Its over, a lot of venting has taken place.

Doherty, I personally wish you luck and I also wish, next chance you get , you look at this board.

FAU - THE REAL SLEEPING GIANT
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Matt's FAU term. The POSITIVES.

You're right Illinoisowl..there is a lot of anger floating around. I was also angry but I'm over mine. I'm sure that Angelos is feeling betrayed but this man has been around the game for a long time and understand that he need to show a strong resolve to continue and move the program forward.
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Matt's FAU term. The POSITIVES.

Enough about the "ex" - lets support the kids - this will be especially hard on them. I know first hand what it is like when a respected coach ditches the team.

Here's to the Men's Basketball team – best of luck next year – we are all supporting you !!
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Matt's FAU term. The POSITIVES.

Is Angelos upset, he should be - I truely believe that Angelos figured that Doherty had committed for the minimun of three years and realized that the risk of signing Doherty was worth the risk of him leaving early. This to me showed that Angelos was committed to building a better program here at FAU and took the risk. As I remember, FAU fans where esstatic when we landed Doherty.

Unfortunately, things did not turn out the way Angelos or fans would have liked, but the facts remains the program is better off now then before - we have better recruits that still what to play for FAU, what will be critical, is what happens in the next couple of years. With the right leadership (coach) the players can still make a case not only for themselves, but that they made the right choice in coming to FAU to help build a solid program. That will justify the players commitment to FAU and it's program. With the right coach these guys should be able to prove themselve worthy and continue the growth process that has been started and continue to manifest itself for many years.

We need to continue to build on every little thing that has been put in motion, even, no especially with some else at the helms.

Doherty did some good things, now is the time to continue that process, not to prove to him that he made a bad choice, but for FAU and it's program in general.
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