Schmidt gets an extension

[soccer fan]

This from the board of trustees meeting yesterday:

www.uillinois.edu/trustees/agenda/November%209,%202006/007%20nov%20uic%20athletic%20director.pdf

From which I quote:

"7 Board Meeting November 9, 2006 AMEND EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT WITH ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, CHICAGO Action: Approve

James W. Schmidt has been employed as Director of the Office of Intercollegiate Athletics at Chicago since January 22, 1997. Most recently, on May 23, 2001, the Board of Trustees approved the first amendment to his employment contract to extend Mr. Schmidt’s contract through January 19, 2007. The Chancellor at Chicago recommends a second amendment to Mr. Schmidt’s employment contract to extend the term of the contract through January 19, 2012. Mr. Schmidt’s current salary will increase from $166,077 to $182,700, effective January 20, 2007. Thereafter, the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee will meet with Mr. Schmidt prior to August 15 of each year of the contract to evaluate Mr. Schmidt’s performance and may recommend an adjustment to Mr. Schmidt’s annual rate of salary...."

Any thoughts?

[Big D]

I think the extension is a good move. Schmidt has done a great job here. He hired a great baseball coach (Mike Dee) who has turned this program into the best program in the HL. He also hired Trask, who has quickly turned UIC soccer around. Even women's basketball is improving under the coach he hired. So he's shown that he is able to find coaching talent.

Now, I am not happy with the way our basketball program has performed over the past few years. Losing to D2 teams, getting blown out at home by other mid-majors (that should never happen...especially against conference opponents), lack of playing a full game, failure to win an outright conference champioship since he's been here, and failure to land any top Chicago recruits (UWM just landed a good one, and UWGB also landed a good one...sure we've landed our share...Jeffers, Poole, Banks, Bailey, etc....but who has he gotten out of Chicago recently?). In general, the most visible program at UIC needs to be improved. And while these problems might lie with Jimmy Collins, the blame goes up. Ultimately, Schmidt is responsible.

But I think Schmidt has done a good job, and he's a real nice guy. Just improve basketball and fan turnout....

[flamesfan310]

I agree with the upper two comments, but has anyone taken into accout that the coaches are responsible for recruiting? If the coaches can't recruit, then by all means change things up a bit. Most of all in basketball, recruiting is crucial to the team. So here's the next question: a change in coaching staff perhaps? Maybe that is what Schmidt has to consider.

[Chuck A]

flamesfan310 said:

...So here's the next question: a change in coaching staff perhaps? Maybe that is what Schmidt has to consider.

As much as quite a few posters and I like Jimmy Collins, I think AD Schmidt has to entertain the thought of replacing him. It's getting pretty pathetic to listen to excuses and the refrain of wait 'til next year. Collins has gotten the talent, arguably some of the best in the HL over the past few years, but just hasn't been able to match that talent with his coaching abilities. Notwithstanding the ineligibility and off-the-court issues of some past talent, this team was SUPPOSED to have more success than it has.

This season was supposed to be a good year, with all of the off-season regimen the players supposedly had.

[soccer fan]

The recent success of soccer and baseball have truly cast an unflattering light on men's basketball, but lets not get carried away. Canning the coach now might be a short term solution, but in the long run will it get men's basketball to where it needs to be?

The next appointment of head basketball coach is absolutely crucial to the long-term status of the athletic dept and the school, so I want minimal constraints on the Athletic Director when he makes that appointment.

The worst outcome would be the wrong person getting hired because he's cheap enough to allow the buyout of the previous coach's contract. I want the right guy to get the job, even if it takes three years to get him on board.