Another year for Felton?

I'm not here to call for anyone's head or bang on the desk and ask for changes. But I do hear the question being asked...just like you do...will Felton be here next year?

Before answering that question, it's important to understand the bigger picture surrounding Felton's contract. Prior to this season, Felton was given a contract extension through the 2010-2011 season. He was given the extension because it's almost impossible for basketball coaches to recruit with only two or three years left on their deal. They need around four years on their contract so that recruits can buy into the idea that their coach will be there for their entire tenure.

This season (2007-2008) was the first year of that four year deal. There are only three seasons left after March of this year. If Felton gets another year (2008-2009), then one of two things must happen at the end of next season:

1. He must be fired for lack of progress.
or
2. He must get another 3-4 year contract extension and pay raise.

We simply can't have him lingering in purgatory. The early signing day for 2009 recruits is in November 2008. If Damon Evans and Michael Adams elect to keep Felton after this season is over, he would be touring the country this off season trying to sign kids like all-everything Derrick Favors, with only two years left on a deal after the kid's enrollment date. That means the 2009 recruiting class will be tricky.

The questions for Damon Evans and Michael Adams seem to boil down to these:

1. What does success look like in 2008-2009?
What would he have to do next season to convince them that he's a long term solution worth a contract extension? Does he need to make the Sweet 16? The NCAA Tourney? The NIT? Does he need to sign Favors? What would be "enough" to keep him and invest more heavily in him?

2. Is success obtainable?
Given that we're losing arguably one of the top 3 point guards in UGA history, and the team's best player, scorer, rebounder, assist man and stealer in Sundiata Gaines....given that there's no proven shooter on the team next year to stand beside Billy Humphrey and nail shots on the frequent occasions when Billy is off....given that the front court will still be very young...given that Felton's squads have only won 5 SEC road games in 5 years...how much better can the 2008-2009 season really be?

If Damon and Adams think that Felton can meet their bar for a "successful" season next year, then they may give him another year. If they don't think that he can get it done next year, then we're only postponing the rebuilding process by waiting to make a move.

I don't know what's going to happen, but I do know that Michael Adams fired Ron Jirsa and Jim Donnan for a helluva lot less than these types of results.

Hopefully, Felton strings together several big wins and quiets the grumbling. Otherwise, the toughest personnel decision of Damon Evans' tenure is on a very short horizon.

PWD

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