I have not followed our volleyball program very closely but from what I read, it appears that the program as a whole is underachieving. While I am very fond of Lauri Corbelli, it is not beyond the realm of possiblity that Byrne might want to make a change after this season. If Byrne does decide to make a change, do you think that there is any possibility that he would try and go after the Nebraska coach? He does have ties there and he might have a great relationship with the coach. With the AD resigning and in the process of trying to find another one, would that play a role at all? Your thoughts please.

BB hired Cook at NU, although I would imagine Terry Pettit had alot of input. I guess it would not be all that far fetched if BB were to throw an offer out. However, the only thing A&M has to offer that NU doesn't in volleyball is more money. I guess one would have to ask "Why would Cook want to start over in a program that doesn't have the historical and present day recognition his current one does, doesn't have as good of facilities, doesn't have the as rabid fan support and isn't a Central U.S. "it" program in volleyball?

BB would be much more likely to look for the obvious up & comer like Cook was at WI when he hired him to NU.

Thanks for the info. Byrne has shown an amazing ability to pick good coaches. I would not like to see Corbelli fired because I think that she is a great person and she loves A&M. However, the program as a whole does not seem to be getting any better.

if BB wants someone like Cook he'll have to do what he did to lure Pat Henry from LSU, throw the bank at him and then promise a massive upgrade in facilities.

and while i too would hate to see Corbelli let go, it is undeniable that the program has stagnated from what it once was, much as baseball had done under Johnson. IMHO, a change needs to be made after the season, especially if BB is serious about "Building Champions"

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"You should never underestimate the predictability of stupidity."

What do top VB programs have in terms of facilities we do not have?

I agree, I do like Corbelli and I would like to see her be successful at A&M, however, I feel it may be time for our program to move in a different direction.

I think the odds of hiring John Cook away from Nebraska would be similar to hiring Pete Carroll away from USC. If Bill decides to change leadership I hope he can find another up and comer like John Cook was. He has made great hires at A&M, and Nebraska, and he has shown he understands the qualities needed in a good volleyball coach.

Facilities wise I’m not sure what we are lacking, but I do believe G. Rollie, is in need of a face lift. Nebraska recently installed an indoor sand volleyball court to help prepare Sarah Pavan and Jordan Larson for the Powerade Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championships, something A&M doesn’t have. I think G. Rollie is a good facility for our current program. When Bill hired Pat Henry major facility upgrades had to be made, and no doubt some improvements would be made for the volleyball program. Improvements could include, improved practice facilities, locker rooms, or to the ugly brown wall in G. Rollie.

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I would not like to see Corbelli fired because I think that she is a great person and she loves A&M. However, the program as a whole does not seem to be getting any better.

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I'm going to interpret this as meaning she must go, in spite of her being nice and supportive of A&M, if the program continues to stagnate. If that is what you meant, I agree with you and others who have expressed their desires for a higher level of excellence.

Agape, you don't follow VB but you don't mind shooting your mouth off.

This republic was calling for the coaches to be fired in June - nothing but a poisonous poster.

Get a life or go to the football board.

Agape, you don't follow VB but you don't mind shooting your mouth off.

This republic was calling for the coaches to be fired in June - nothing but a poisonous poster.

Get a life or go to the football board.

Big Jim - our AD motto is "Building Champions."
Please indicate any championships the Corbellis have brought to A&M. Thank you.

Please quit demeaning Aggies who would like to bring at least one championship for our fine Aggie VB players in 14 years. Thanks again.

The timing would be bizarre. We went 5-15 last year in the Big XII and are 6-6 this year...what message would that send to perspective coaches?

This is one instance where I really do think it's important to sit back and see where the season goes from here. At the end of last year I really felt it was time for Byrne to make a move. But I have to admit that the team is showing signs of improvment as this season progresses. I'll be interested to see if that trend continues.

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The timing would be bizarre. We went 5-15 last year in the Big XII and are 6-6 this year...what message would that send to perspective coaches?

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Our wins have come against: TTU x2 (1-11 Big 12), Baylor (4-7), Kansas x2 (3-9), Colorado (0-11). Not exactly something that's going to make coach targets say "Wow, they fired her after all those impressive wins! Are they crazy?"

I wouldn't give Byrne credit for bringing in Cook to NU. Cook was brought in by Pettit as an assistant with the intention of taking over when the King gave up his reign.

There are lots of good coaches out there. You need to find a good fit and a good recruiter (or if the coach has an assistant who is a recruiting machine). You need someone who will be able to talk Sophomores and Juniors in to visting Aggieland on their own dime since they won't be able to do official visits by the time they commit. Austin has a recruiting machine - and we knew that when they hired him.

Im not trying to be rude to you BigJim, but calling out another poster and calling them "poisonous" when all they are doing is assessing the team from their viewpoint seems a little narrow minded.

I could easily call you just a sunshine pumper because the only time you seem to post is when the team wins a game (and its always games we are supposed to win).

I have talked to multiple people, even former students who just don't see the spark in our coaches or team anymore and would hate to lose Corbelli, but realize we need to move in a different direction than we are right now. Especially with the supposed loss of Bree, I feel our coaching staff isn't standing up to our expectations.

Go back and read "republics" posts BEFORE the season even started!!!!!!!!!! He is anti Aggie in every respect.

I back ALL Aggie teams win, lose, or draw. I hope you do too. Republic DOESN"T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Jim, I’m not anti-Aggie and I think you know that. I feel I am pretty knowledgeable about volleyball, which is why I post and discuss volleyball. I don’t “troll” the other boards pretending to know what I’m talking about. I go to the Aggie sports win, loose or draw as well.

I would like to ask, do you go the volleyball games? Everything that happens at the game cannot be translated by the box score. If you’re in Austin or NowDallas, then maybe you don’t see the players attitude or the Coach’s interactions with the players, it is lacking. Something is missing.

I agree criticizing individual players was not appropriate. I understand they are under a lot of pressure to perform, and it was not Aggie-like to harshly criticize them.

You’re right I am poisonous because I have thought, from the beginning of June, the Coach’s attitude was a little dumpy, or because I’ve seen a decline in the program over the past 3 years. So you just keep smiling and soaking up that sunshine.

I've probably seen more games than you and I live in Dallas. I watch the games on CSTV and have for at least 3 years.

You started negative BEFORE the season began - how can you back the team? Gripe all you want but do it after the season. When you talk to the players do you tell them you pull for the opponent so the coach gets fired? I know they would like to hear that.

I've told you what I think before so I won't repeat.

We are the Aggies, the Aggies are we!

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... then maybe you don’t see the players attitude or the Coach’s interactions with the players, it is lacking. Something is missing.

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What exactly makes you feel qualified to say that? Are you an "insider" to the vball program? If you're just a fan that goes to the games, then you're seeing very little of what actually goes on with the team. Since you've already admitted that you're prone to speculating, then I'm assuming you're in the latter group. I also love how you've repeatedly implied that you're a better evaluator of talent than our current coaching staff.

I'm not trying to defend or belittle anyone, but rather than ganging up on what republic45 has said in the past and is saying now, why don't you guys (big Jim and pure chapman) explain your own evaluations of the vball team. This is an aggie sports message board, and i think we are all here because we feel strongly about aggie sports. We are all entitled to our opinions, so lets hear what you guys have to say about the volleyball program rather than about republic45' program.
Are you guys happy with the volleyball team's preformance? Is the issue one of players or coaches or both. Do we just need to be patient and wait it out, or are there changes (of any kind) that need to be made?

Have ya'll ever been to a volleyball game at Nebraska? The team plays inside their rec center. My high school gym was bigger than where they play. I have actually been to a volleyball game at every school in the big 12, except for Oklahoma State. G. Rollie could use a facelift, but in comparison to other schools it is not all that bad.

You're right! G Rollie has alot to offer. Especially in comparison with other Big 12 facilities. It is really nice to not have to share with basketball - or have to drop a curtain to not be overwhelmed by the size of the arena. I also think we can't "wait it out" any longer - what's the expression about doing something or get off the pot?!?!? Gig 'em!

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...why don't you guys (big Jim and pure chapman) explain your own evaluations of the vball team.

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Awaiting replies. Be sure to address the multi-year decline into the B12 South basement last year.

you'll have to wait for a win to hear from bigjim again.

my bad

[This message has been edited by F16 (edited 10/26/2007 10:23a).]

I actually agree with what several others have already said. Recap:

• Corbelli has had a good, but not great, tenure at A&M
  
• I like Corbelli, but if Byrne decides that she cannot make A&M a championship-caliber team, then she should be let go
  
• Other schools in the Big XII have become much more competitive in volleyball while A&M has stagnated, or even regressed some
  
• Last year's team was terribly young, and as such struggled quite a bit
  
• This year's team is improved, which is what you'd expect with sophomores instead of freshmen
  
• Coaching evaluations should be done at the end of the season, not midway through or even before the season starts
  

None of us like it when A&M's in the conference cellar, but putting all the blame on Corbelli is unfair IMO. Let's see how this season plays out, and then we can evaluate and move forward.

With regards to G. Rollie... A few years ago when I was in school, the plan was to essentially eliminate G. Rollie and move the volleyball team to Reed. The reasoning behind this was the outrageous operating costs for the facility didn't justify using it solely for a non-revenue sport. I don't know how true this was at the time or if it's still the plan, but I know I will be disappointed if/when it happens.

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putting all the blame on Corbelli is unfair IMO

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I respect your opinion, and I empathize with LC.

However, this is about focusing on who is ultimately responsible for an underachieving program. The ifs, ands, or buts make for interesting conversation, but failing to produce highly competitive teams on a consistent basis tops the list of evaluative criteria.

The absence of wins over good teams continues to be very disappointing.

We are a young team on the upswing. This isn't last year!

As I've said, I back the team win, lose or draw!

Do you? And to the comment about my posting only when we win - prove it!

Pure Chapman,

The Ag VB team is far from the conference cellar. It's middle of the pack right now. I see the NCAA taking 5 Big 12 teams. If A&M can finish 5 I think they are in.

I think Corbelli deserves another year. This young team has shown lots of promise and might make the NCAA's.

BigJim, i think we could easily prove it..but their is no point in arguing with someone as ridiculous as yourself...as for thinking youve seen way more games because you have CSTV makes me chuckle becuase I dont think I have seen one game played on their except for maybe the t.u. game, but I think that was ESPNU. I am over this team on the upswing crap you keep bringing up. I know we have the talent...where is the coaching? Whats worse is how is she gonna anwser for another horrible season when all her sophmores graduate in a few years, I really hope she wont have the chance to explain. She cant even keep her sole freshmen recruit on the team? Got a great explanation for that?

[This message has been edited by blackflame (edited 10/30/2007 2:13p).]

might make the NCAA  Building Champions

(the box is a does not equal sign)

[This message has been edited by F16 (edited 10/30/2007 4:04p).]

"The Ag VB team is far from the conference cellar. It's middle of the pack right now. I see the NCAA taking 5 Big 12 teams. If A&M can finish 5 I think they are in."

Unfortunately, we are far from the top "elite" teams. Look at our remaining schedule - we are in a must win situation with KSU, ISU, and Missouri to keep at a respectable spot in the Big 12. ISU and OU made changes when they were at the level we currently are. Look at where they are, and where they are headed. They were predicted preseason lower than us, but have progressed and gained respect in the Big 12. The "predictors" see that we have the talent - but we have not done what we can see happening at these schools. If anything there is a stagnation of growth with the loss of our big freshman and remaining mid pack. Let's support the girls, but also support the need for growth in the program.

Black, if you can't prove it , then shut up!!!!!!!!!

We've won 17 games so it's hard to post after we lose.

I've seen every home game on CSTV. You obviously don't know anything about it.

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The Ag VB team is far from the conference cellar. It's middle of the pack right now. I see the NCAA taking 5 Big 12 teams. If A&M can finish 5 I think they are in.

I think Corbelli deserves another year. This young team has shown lots of promise and might make the NCAA's.

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Take a good look at the teams we've beaten. We are marginally better than last year and light-years away from the Big 12's best.