HAHA that's a great idea!

The name will draw some recruits, he knows what you've gotta do to get to the NBA and that's what kids are looking for in a coach. It's good for the Belt but sadly I see him following a similar path as Doh, and having one or two years, then heading to greener pastures.

What's the connection to FIU though? Does he live in Miami? How did this ever come up in conversation! Would love some insight from the panthers on this one.

TeamBeer said

What's the connection to FIU though?

only school that will take the risk??

Jab979 said

HAHA that's a great idea!

I will be expecting ALOT from the dirtys with this one, can't wait for the first game at FAU. 

Done deal…get the signs made!


"MIAMI (AP) – Former New York Knicks president and coach Isiah Thomas has accepted the job as Florida International's basketball coach.

The move gives the Hall of Fame player a second chance to revive his career. The school said Tuesday that Thomas signed a five-year contract.

Thomas has never coached at the college level. He helped the Detroit Pistons win two NBA championships as a point guard, then coached the Indiana Pacers before taking over in New York, where an array of problems marred his tenure.

At FIU, he replaces Sergio Rouco, who was reassigned Monday after posting a losing record in each of his five seasons as coach."


Source:  Associated Press

Florida_Owl said

TeamBeer said

What's the connection to FIU though?

only school that will take the risk??

Like with Doherty and FAU? ;D  LOL…Now, seriously, I guess at the minimum, the Thomas hire is bringing a lot of attention to FIU in less than 24 hours.  Everybody is talking about it…as evidenced by this thread in an opposing board….

I guess the Mike Jarvis and Isiah Thomas trash talking might get to another level.

FIUFanatic said

Like with Doherty and FAU? ;D  LOL….

Fanatic, you emerge from the shadows of a long time with no posts!

Welcome back ;D

But, yes, seriously…Former "AP Coach of the Year" vs "Pill Popping Womanizer" with no NCAA experience.

Cmon bro!

The parallels between our two programs continue to grow.

We need splashy hires, we hire questionable guys.

I got mixed up early on; for a minute I thought Isiah Thomas was the actor who played the cardiovascular surgeon on Grey's Anatomy (meaning Isaiah Washington) and I thought, "…FIU hired an actor to coach their basketball team?"

Then I realized who he was. Anyway, good luck to FIU.

Florida_Owl said

FIUFanatic said

Like with Doherty and FAU? ;D  LOL….

Fanatic, you emerge from the shadows of a long time with no posts!

Welcome back ;D

But, yes, seriously…Former "AP Coach of the Year" vs "Pill Popping Womanizer" with no NCAA experience.

Cmon bro!

The only thing the FIU and FAU hires have in common are the fact that they are "big names".  The difference is that FAU has hired guys with solid D-I coaching backgrounds.  Doherty and Jarvis are both established COLLEGE coaches.  Isiah is an NBA guy with a history of coaching and management failure.  I just think the adjustment from the NBA to mid-major is huge.  How is Isiah going to handle dealing with no money or resources.  How much time is he going to want to dedicate to recruiting?

Really, FIU hiring Thomas is much more similar to FAU hiring Sidney Green then Doherty.

I personally think big name hires are great.  They generate buzz during the offseason that the program would not normally be getting…but you still have to win.  If Thomas doesn't win, especially in a South Florida market that cares very little about NCAA Bball, nobody will go to the games.  Sure you'll get an attendance boost for the opening game or so, but after that nobody goes to games to see someone coach.  You need results.  That would be my biggest concern if I was an FIU fan…Isiah has been woefully short on results where ever he has been since he stopped playing.

owlcountry said

I got mixed up early on; for a minute I thought Isiah Thomas was the actor who played the cardiovascular surgeon on Grey's Anatomy (meaning Isaiah Washington) and I thought, "…FIU hired an actor to coach their basketball team?"

I hereby nominate this for Post of the day! :D