Evansville AD gives Lickliter Vote of Confidence

[MissouriValleyUnite]

16-8
— Arad McCutcheon Hired —
7-15
8-18

The 8-18 Year 2 included double digit losses to SEMO, Ohio Wesleyan, Morehead, & EIU. Additional losses to Kentucky Wesleyan, St Joseph’s (IN), & Anderson.

Arad then won 5 national championships and ended up in the Hall of Fame.

Every coach should get a full 3 years, IMO.

[Adunk33]

I originally voted "no" before reading the statement. Not to this level, but it is similar to what Brennan said about Muller after last season. A change was never going to happen after the 2020-21 season due to COVID but then also the BS financial implications of Muller's buyout. The University "saved" around 600k by letting Muller coach this year. Seems like a similar situation at UE.

The AD is aware that a change should eventually been made but finding the time to do it where it financially makes sense is the kicker. In the interim, he can't be giving EXCLUSIVE COMMENTS (sorry, that style of trying to be "gotcha" journalism is annoying) saying he thinks the coach sucks.

[BCPanther]

Lickliter took Evansville from 0-18 to the 4/5 game last year, which was one of the biggest improvements in recent memory. He’s had 1 good year and 1 bad year. The 0-18 year can’t be attributed to him because he took over late and couldn’t fully implement his systems but the Aces got better as that conference season progressed, carrying over and culminating into the following season.

Lickliter is a proven coach who’s taken 2 different cycles to a Sweet 16, but he needs a dynamite recruiter for an assistant.

Remember, Lickliter had a 13-15 year at Butler sandwiched between his Sweet 16s. Good players have down years, good coaches have down years.

Lets not pretend that last year meant anything. Fake season with fake results.

[siudawgs]

As someone who would like to see Evansville not be a 300 NET doormat for years to come ... WTF? It would be one thing if they had multiple All-Freshman Team players and a great recruiting class signed, but that's not the case. Their program is in godawful shape. They need a change about as badly as any program in the USA.

On a side note, is Ace Purple going to be at the tournament next week or ... ? He's been the only mascot to no-show the past couple years, if memory serves. If they're going to be a trash team, they can at least entertain us with their high-end mascot.

[Drakey]

I can't believe they would keep him around, but then I couldn't believe they hired him. How ae they going to improve without a new coach? How can he possibly recruit with a SWAC level team playing in the Valley. all it takes is one good hire. Evansville should keep trying until that happens. I agree they could be a really good program with a lucky coach hire.

[letsgoAces]

I have no reason to disparage or minimize Coach Lickliter's past success at Butler. I thought his hire at UE at the time was not a bad choice - coaching experience at a private school, got two different set of players to the sweet sixteen, and strong personal reputation. As an Ace's fan, I wasn't expecting miracles this season. I was hoping for perhaps a 6th or 7th place finish. But what I was looking for the most this year was simply progress in implementing his system. It has been beyond ridiculous. A team which shoots the ball less than only one other team in the nation???? Next to the very bottom in offensive rebounds??? Next to the bottom in in the NCAA in field goal percentage defense??? On and on I could go. Instead of taking advantage of the portal, or developing his underclassman (Lickliter actually had a nice recruiting class) he chooses to retain and play 2 fifth year seniors who are absolutely overmatched every game. Evansville is a team that passes the ball for 29 seconds, then throws up a prayer. This Ace's team is the most "mentally exhausting" team I have ever watched since I went to my first Ace's game in 1974. We Ace's fans have been hearing the word "patience" for well over 20 years...we know what bad looks like. This current Aces team is worst than that....with no hope in sight. Coach Lickliter is a good honorable man....but he is not right for this job that requires someone to get into the public, shake some hands, and get the boosters and fans excited. His teams have not shown any improvement...at all....there is no sense of optimism to be found. He needs to do the right thing and resign. i apologize to all MVC fans on this board for what an embarrassment the Ace's have been.

[IllinoisState]

I don't see Evansville being a power any time soon, but there's no reason why they can't be above average and at least have a NET ranking 100 spots higher. Anyone could come in and coach the team to a season like this for cheaper.

With that being said, their failure seems like it's at an institutional level so I wouldn't be surprised is he is back.

[pafan]

Mark Spencer's vote of confidence may have been earnest, but it is no longer relevant. Spencer tendered his resignation as UE Athletics director today.

https://gopurpleaces.com/news/2022/3/11 ... etics.aspx

Where we go from here remains unclear.

[TylerDurden]

I'm sure some will flame me for this, but I think it's fair to question whether Evansville belongs in DI athletics.

[DUBulldog]

I'm guessing this will work in Lickliter's favor, at least this off-season.

It will probably be at least May until a new AD is named; much too late to be making a coaching change.