Men's Basketball

tankercaptain

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Nee out after 'incident' at Merchant Marine
More news about: Merchant Marine

Head men's basketball coach Danny Nee was placed on administrative leave at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy following an unspecified incident.
Merchant Marine athletics photo
By Dave McHugh
D3sports.com

Sources tell D3sports.com that coach Danny Nee is no longer on the sidelines for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy men's basketball team, and has not been there since mid-January, following an "incident" which was not detailed.
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According to the Academy, the statement involved the "well-being" of a student or students.
David Muchnick, an assistant coach for four seasons at the Academy, has been running the team since the Mariners' Jan. 18 game at Susquehanna.
"The Academy's first priority is the well-being of its students. Immediately after learning of the incident, I placed the individual on administrative leave," said Rear Admiral James A. Helis, the superintendent of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. "A full investigation will be conducted to determine appropriate actions. As this is a personnel matter, we can provide no further information."
Nee did not return an email or phone call. He is still listed on the athletic department website. The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Muchnick also declined to comment.
The Mariners are 11-11 overall, 5-6 in the conference. They are 5-3 since the coaching change, however.
Nee, who was hired prior to the 2010-11 season, previously was a head coach at Division I schools: Ohio, Nebraska, Robert Morris and Duquesne.
Merchant Marine's next game is Saturday, Feb. 15 at Juniata. The Mariners are in a four-way tie for third in the Landmark Conference, where the top four make the conference tournament.
 
Basketball

Danny Nee was a good hire. Resume better than any that USMMA will ever get. The problem is he is a no-nonsense coach born and raised in Brooklyn in the 50'and 60's. Curses a lot.

Losing by a few points at half time, he threw a chair against the wall in the locker room to inspire his men to come out and win. Some "softy" complained that a piece of the chair hit him on the back. Now Nee is finished. So it goes.
Rumor has it that the AD resigned or will soon resign?
 
Too bad. I like great coaches who are rotten losers.
Plenty of rich theater and tall trophy's.
What more can you ask for?
 
...
What more can you ask for?

What more can we ask for? Is that a serious question? Coaching at a Federal Service Academy is indeed tough for a lot of reasons, and Coach Nee's resume is indeed impressive. However, if the post as to the incident is true, to me whether or not a piece of the chair hit a "softie" - really that's what you think some Midshipmen who did what it took to get in to USMMA and besides the course load that results in graduating from a four year institution with only three years in residence while maintaining academic eligibility to play a DIII sport, might want to rethink the categorization/generalization of that particular person and/or his motivation - or not those sort of "Danny Knight" theatrics and behaviors described would and should (IF THATS WHAT OCCURED), IMO, be closely reviewed and really have no place in the mix. That said once again we seem to be getting in to speculation, hear say and innuendo with regard to an ongoing personnel matter and I hope we all really and let this situation play out without a bunch of commentary from those of us here in the peanut gallery.

As for whether or not the AD may soon retire, she's been considering that for at least the last 3-4 years and has now been either the AD or on the Athletic Staff at USMMA for going on 35 years. When she does decide to retire, Sue Peterson Lebow will leave a huge, and excellent legacy that whoever follows her will find hard to equal. Regardless of the specifics that resulted in this situation that involves Coach Nee, I'm sure her part in handling it will be done in an exemplary manner as has everything I've seen her do since I first met her when I went to the Academy from 1978 - 1982.

My feelings go out for all involved first hand from Coach Nee (whose life is being directly affected regardless of how this plays out) to the players, to the AD, etc. Lets hope this all gets settled relatively quickly and fairly, etc. so all of them can move forward without the overhang of ongoing speculation and innuendo.
 
What more can you ask? Well, as an athlete, nothing at all. The coach is the man. Get with his program or don't roster. I know what to expect from a coach like Nee and I expect it in spades. Doesn't mean I like it. It does mean that I take responsibility for my choice to play for him. So, I accept coach's style, I enjoy the show, and I like walking off the field a winner.
 
Sorry to Hear This

My DS has accepted his appointment to the USMMA and was recruited by Coach Nee and Coach Muchnick to play basketball there. We have been very impressed by Coach Nee and how much he cared for his players. While we are sorry to see this happened, my DS did get a call from Coach Muchnick advising him that, Coach Nee was not currently with the team,and that he was currently coaching the team. He also reassured him that the USMMA still wanted him on the team. When I I saw this thread I asked my son if Coach Nee was fired would he change his decision to go to the USMMA and he said no. He said he selected the USMMA for its academic excellence and playing basketball was just a bonus. I have been impressed by Coach Muchnick since he took over the team and, if in the end Coach Nee is let go, that the Academy strongly consider Coach Muchnick to replace him. He knows the school, he knows the players, has proven he can win, and has learned alot from a great coach.
 
As a " Hoosier " I have seen this type of thing loved and hated, at the same time , my whole life. I am not offended by a fired up coach. Right up until that coach is driving one of my kids nuts. Then I completely agree with Jdog. KP is way too hard, especially plebe year for sports to be anything other than an opportunity for the midshipmen to escape all the pressures and blow off steam AND of course for those whose life wouldn't be the same without the intense physical and emotional well being their chosen sport provides. (* Did i backtrack and disclaimer that enough?)
And time is not the only reason KP is tough. The academics are FIERCE and FAST. Some of the professors are difficult ( for many reasons). On top of that the regiment is like a part time job( with terrible pay). They have duties they must attend to. None of us with older students or grads would have it any other way I'm sure. That is why a KP grad is a such wonderful thing to be or aspire to. Someone please start humming the Battle Hymn to the Republic as I kick over this soapbox on my way out the door.
KP Don't you ever change! Alas I realize I had no point to make or add. I just have missed y'all I guess.
Amen
 
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threw a chair?

Threw a chair?? Oh my goodness... I was AT the game when Bobby Knight (former Indiana University coach) THREW his chair across the basketball court...... and I might add, the entire Assembly Hall Arena stood up and cheered and screamed out in FAVOR of Bobby's actions. Of course the press doesn't like to give facts when recalling the chair incident. At THAT game, the ref's were terrible... I mean absolutely oddly terrible as if they were paid to throw the game. Bobby was outraged and as a result, threw the chair and took his players off the court. Yup... it was GREAT! But the state of Indiana is "all about" college (and high school) Basketball... IU's success over the years, Butler University's two recent trips to the final round of the NCAA tournament, Notre Dame and Purdue basketball, add in the movie HOOSIERS which was a true story about a high school small town basketball team that made it to the state championship game, and they beat the big high school city team (amazing movie) etc... we just are basketball nuts in this state- and ANY coach that gets wild and excited to motivate or push or defend his team (even if he smashes a chair) is a hero in Hoosier land! Just sayin'. Too bad KP doesn't share the same enthusiasm towards energetic basketball coaches.
 
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Well here I go again but let's review a couple of things and draw some distinctions. First let me say as most here know I am a USMMA graduate and while there like many - actually the majority of the Regiment - I participated in the NCAA DII sports program. I actually have 3 letters in two different sports. So I'm pretty sure I'm as intense and competitive as anybody.

Also let me say this - as far as I know so far all I've seen is speculation that Coach Nee may have thrown something while exhorting his players and expressing displeasure with their performance at halftime at some game a while ago. So other than the press release at the beginning of this thread I have no additional facts and I'm reluctant to speculate about any of the facts, etc. That said with regard to the speculation and item under discussion right now I' like to add the following thoughts.

As I indicated above - coaching at a Service Academy isn't the same as coaching at any other NCAA college. EVERY aspect of your SA experience has some part in training you to be a leader - and leaders must be trained to respect all in their "universe" - adversaries, colleagues, superiors and subordinates. Leaders in these situations must also be calmly, and persistently intense in their pursuit of excellence. These things must really all be taught and reinforced through example. Everyone on the staff at a Federal Academy knows that and buys into it when they "sign on." Additionally, as I've said privately to some in the past - remember - even if you were/are a recruited athlete - once you get into USMMA, you aren't there on an Athletic Scholarship and you certainly aren't there as a stepping stone to a professional sports career. So motivation of student-athletes at Federal Academies as well as coaching them requires a different mindset and different approaches. For that reason and it's just my opinion, but one that is grounded in personal experience, that I say comparisons to situations and behaviors by other College Coaches, etc really aren't relevant - even if you accept the fact that as one young person who has apparently set their sights on attending USMMA noted "coach is the man." The only way for any coach at any Federal Academy to remain the "man" or the "woman" for that matter (head nod to AD Peterson-Lebow) is to lead by example, conduct themselves above reproach, and persistently and consistently strive for excellence. While "throwing chairs" might be a clear demonstration of emotional intensity, I can't believe the majority of people, charged with educating the current Regiment to be leaders, would consider it conduct above reproach, at least I don't and I have been known to get emotional from time to time.
 
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Been lurking on this one. I had no idea that Danny Nee had landed at USMMA. I knew him from his tenure at University of Nebraska. He, I believe, was the winningest bball coach in UNL history. Consequently, his antics were tolerated until he lost his team. And he lost them in a big way when he publically lobbied for his dream job, the Rutgers coaching job, and was embarrassingly unsuccessful in that pursuit.

I think Jasper hits on the fact that Danny and KP were probably a mismatch from the beginning.

As far as throwing chairs two words: John Wooden.
 
Coach is the Man because administration appointed him. Not my place to debate his authority, nor undermine that authority ...once I decide to play. I learned along time ago that it takes all types to play the game as a team. Even with a laid back coach, there's usually some other enforcer doing the dirty work.

It is unfortunate this event caused Nee's departure and not the merits of his coaching. I can also cite 2 words as well: George Patton. I think things become very important, maybe too important, the question is where does one draw the line? When is is too much moderation a detriment? When is too much intensity idolatry? This is why I just worry about my game and I leave it on the field, drama and all.
 
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Usmma is in the playoffs- landmark conference

Despite the head coaching change, the Mariners finished 4th in the Landmark Conference and will play Scranton Wednesday in a semi-final playoff round.

WOW!

Never mind Patton, Wooden etc. How about these 2 words : Al Davis -

"JUST WIN BABY".
 
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