steelheads, what's happening?

[not so fast]

Who's on first with the steelheads. Who will be the next coach? what about GM?

It has such a great opportunity to be a great franchise. Ticknor did a good job, but who can now get it back on track again?

[mzracing76]

I heard that the Steelheads are talking with Former General Manager Tommy Smith who was the GM in Sioux Falls (1994-1999) and did a great job. Smith would be a great fit. Other honorable mentions have Clay Moser becoming the Vice-President of Basketball OPerations and hiring Corey Russell as the GM.

I also heard that the Steelheads are really close to a deal that will bring in CBA Great Mauro Pannaggio to coach the team and rebuild the franchise. Pannaggio has rebuilt several CBA Franchises in the past and would probally do a great job. there is also his son Dan that might get the coaching job also.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Huh? :shock:

[not so fast]

it just seems to reason that the steelheads would try to get daleo as thier coach, seeing that they can't beat out his team.

All those old timers would be bad choices for Gary.

After winning the all star game in Gary with Gary players all starting, then the same players go on to end up in last place? if I was jewel harris, that would be enough for me.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Gary hasn't had a GM in over two years. When Todd DeMoss left, his position was never filled. Director of Operations, has been the highest front office position since then.

Renaldo Thomas has been recently quoted in the local paper as saying he would like to return to Gary as a head coach or assistant coach. He is NOW saying he is willing to help with the marketing because he learned from Daleo that in the minors, the coach has to help promote the team. Sounds like Renaldo wants to rebuild those bridges he burned.

I'm convinced the problems on-court for Gary stemmed from the many off-court problems. There was no energy this year--no excitement. The give-aways were the lousiest ever too. The best thing this year was the showmanship of the Hooters girls. :wink:

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Maybe this will answer some of your questions about the Steelheads quest for a coach:

http://www.post-trib.com/cgi-bin/pto-story/sports/z1/04-12-05_z1_spor_05.html

You have to read the article soon because it won't be there long. Below is an excerpt from the Gary Post-Tribune article:
By Michael Osipoff / Post-Tribune staff writer

In his three seasons as Rockford’s coach, Chris Daleo has come to consider the Steelheads as the Lightning’s “arch-rival.”

Now he is in the running to move to the other side of the rivalry.

Steelheads chief operating officer Jewell Harris Jr. on Monday said the team has compiled a preliminary list of five candidates for its head coaching job, with Daleo perhaps the most intriguing name among the group.

Harris Jr. also included Dale Osbourne, who took over as coach this past season after Duane Ticknor’s unexpected resignation; Rod Baker, who coached the now-defunct Grand Rapids Hoops to the CBA championship game in 2003; Brian Walsh, the assistant coach for the Dakota Wizards; and Nick Nurse, considered one of the top coaches in England, on the list.


Later on in the article, Daleo states that he only has a handshake agreement with Rockford and that it is flattering that Gary is interested in his services. He also states that Rockford has been very, very, very good to him though.

[not so fast]

Daleo is the best coach in the CBA, I will stand by that. If Jewell wants to sign him, that will be the best thing that ever happened to Gary since the Jackson Five.

He would also be leaving Rockford in great shape for anyone that they choose to replace him.

This would be great for the CBA.

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Here's another article from the Gary point of view on the possibility of snatching Coach Daleo. This article won't go away:

http://nwitimes.com/articles/2005/04/14/columnists/al_hamnik/9d487940b3c1086586256fde00759b4f.txt


Soooooooo. What about the front office? No one has asked me to renew yet.

[not so fast]

well ken steelheads fan, you have not weighed in on your opinion about Daleo possibly coming to Gary. What say you?

quite frankly, for me its great because its a shorter drive to Gary than to Rockford, and I can go on the express way and not pay any tolls!

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

If the price was right, then Daleo would come to Gary from what I am reading into all of this. There is nothing legally binding him to Rockford.

I would not mind seeing him come to Gary as long as he left that "run n' gun" stuff in Rockford. I for one appreciate a little defense. However, Daleo coming to Gary isn't likely to happen. Besides, All the players who came from the Lightning to play for the Steelheads were a bust (i.e., Snap Hunter). Let's not make it coaches too.

[not so fast]

With all due respect Ken, let me educate you on something. Rockford plays defense, the style of play just encourages teams to shoot sooner in thier posessions, which means more shots per game, which will mean more scoring. And I know an intelligent basketball man like you can figure this out. If you take 23 seconds a possession to shoot, then of course there will be less scoring, and quite frankly a more boring game. That does not mean they are playung better defense.

I mean, why is there so little scoring in most high school games, besides the fact that they play shorter quarters? Because each posession from most teams take to long to shoot!

Judging by the standings it would seem Gary needs more defense and offense!

Finally, I remember a game two years ago at Rockford where the Gary steelheads (coached by ticknor) was held scoreless in an overtime. How does a team who plays no defense as you imply (under Daleo), hold at that time the all star roster of Gary to NO POINTS?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Well heck! If you want to look at it that way, then technically ALL basketball teams play defense. I rather see a lot more emphasis on D though. Up-tempo play is all right for a change of pace, but when it is played the entire game then play looks ragged in my opinion. Lots of missed shots. Lots of blown passes. Lots of missed assignments. Yuk!

With that said, I think the zone defense should be tossed-out to open-up scoring.

How does a team not known for their defense hold another team scoreless in overtime? Answer: The scoreless team choked--I mean, hands firmly on necks type of choking. If you are talking about the 2003-2004 CBA season, Rockford abandoned the run n' fun the first month of the season because they couldn't beat anyone with that system. Rockford had a bunch of big guys on their team banging in the paint by season's end.

[not so fast]

Well, if these guys are being played to play, then they shouldn't have a bunch of missed assignments and ragged play, especially if they are desirious of being considered NBA players. They should be able to play in an uptempo style and play a good clean game, without a lot sloppy play.

Well lets see, what style of play did Gary have last season, that caused this disaster of a season? So let me get this straight, you would rather have a season like this, rather than an uptempo style that wins?

By your own admission, some of the best games in the steelheads history was the Rockford/Gary games, and from a fan perspective, when I recall sellout crowds at the Genesis, the fans were loving the games.

Maybe you might want to take up soccer as a sport to watch. Sounds like those 1-0 games will be right up your alley!

[not so fast]

Whats the latest in gary, who will be the coach? who will be the GM?

Whats taking Jewell Harris so long to decide?

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

Maybe the Steelheads are holding-out for Gary native and ABA Coach/GM LaShun McDaniel. I dunno.

That's one thing about Gary. There is no shortage of former/present major leaguers to be found. You could trip over one of them if you aren't careful. Micheal Jackson even came back to town for the first time a couple of years ago. Mike's a major leaguer for sure. Although, I'll bet he knew he would be indicted as soon as he returned to Netherland. Thanks Mike for more bad pub. :roll:

Who is LaShun McDaniel anyway? Someone else to trip over?

[not so fast]

Still no coach or GM in Gary? is this going to take all summer to decide? If they do sign Daleo away from Rockford, that will be the best decision they could make. Considering the way Rockford has beaten gary the past three years, not too mention Daleo's ability to coach the four Gary all- stars to an all-star victory, while the hired gary coaches led the same players to last place.

That steelheads franchise needs new life and a new direction, and a proven winner, it certainly worked for Sioux falls to hire joerger, it only makes sense for gary to hire Daleo. (plus, its a shorter drive for me to Gary).

[Ken, Steelheads fan]

The way Rockford has defeated Gary the past three seasons? Huh? How soon we forget.

The Steelheads haven't had a GM for a couple of seasons now. I don't think they are in a hurry to hire one now. It seems like either one of the beforementioned coaching candidates would be a nice fit here in Gary. My main concern is whether or not the team will actually perform some marketing this upcoming season. It is May and no one has asked me to renew. May is renewal time.