Here went the merry go round of University of Tulsa Sports. Nolan Richardson was at Tulsa for five years, then Arkansas and a national title. Tubby Self was here four years, went to sweet 16's then Georgia and Kentucky, now Minnesota. Bill Self was at Tulsa for three or four years, made it to the elite eight, then left for Illinois and then Kansas (national title). Enter Buzz Peterson, exit Buzz Peterson/ One NIT Title.
We now have Doug Wojcik, who has been here five years going on six and this year had his most talented roster until those lousy knees got in the way. Last night, the remainder of Wojcik's team shone brightly, winning a double overtime game after three straight losses. Wojcik has rebuilt a program from rock bottom in to a solid contender with great demographics. Only one senior graduating from this roster.
Whats that tell you? That a little school can get good coaches for a time. The question is what is the quality of the roster and infra-structure they leave behind? Richardson had a rebuilding job and solved with his own juco national championship players from Western Texas. He left a treasure trove of players for JD Barnett to continue winning. Smith, Steve Robinson and Buzz Peterson likewise. Self, and Wojcik solved it one piece at a time by recruiting from the high schools and flat out coaching everybody up. Remember Wojcik's warriors were on their 4th point guard last night, and when Shane Hiermann went out, in came Bryson Pope who shone brightly. This year is Wojcik's best coaching performance of his TU career.
All that to say yesterday's announcement that Bubba Cunningham was staying was more evidence that TU is solidly entrenched in quality, and is of singular importance. Over five years Cunningham has "presided" over facilities improvements, as well as hiring Todd Graham, Wojcik and others. Presided may too benign a description. LEAD is more accurate. The comprehensive program BC has lead is number one in CUSA based on total championships won.
Prior to Bubba Cunningham, Judy McLeod was our AD for 10 years plus. Just for comic relief, in 1999, McLeod hired Keith Burns as head football coach. Burns came to TU from Arkansas where he was the defensive coordinator (?) and a position coach. Result? Records of (5-7) (1-10) (1-11), fired. Who'd we get to save us from that era? Steve Kragthorpe, he of CUSA title and multiple bowl game fame. Then, onward to Louisville. McLeod also lead the facility improvements at TU.
Conclusion, pay your athletic director very well and keep him or her. The above named coaches were and are indespensible. They and their players are the showcase. But the showcase must have a framework, a pedestal, hinges and rollers, and a building to protect the showcase, a foundation for the building, etc. That's the AD among many other things. Not just a gladhander, though some get by with that. Athletic directors are leaders whose value is what doesn't go wrong as well as what goes right. The not yet ready for leadership It's our good fortune Kansas sisn't get him.head coach passed on, the disciplinary control over NCAA rules so penalties don't dismantle a reputation and a team. Tulsa has Bubba Cunningham for who knows how long.
