AZ member Mr. Bond did a stellar interview with Coach Johan after the Mosconi Cup and as a very good reporter would, he got right to the point with his questioning. What resulted was a realistic and serious take on the state of American professional pool by Johan. Sounds to me like the jury is still out on whether Johan will even be back next year.
If you haven't listened yet, here is the link:
http://www.americanbilliardradio.com/listen/
(Scroll down to "The 2017 Dream Crusher" stream and play from 6:25 -13:30)
Mr. Bond: If they ask you to come back, will you?
Coach Johan : (notable quotes below not in order)
"I would think about it. I'm not afraid of the challenge but I'm not going to get into a challenge where there's no solution. We need to change a couple of things."
"There needs to be some changes in my approach and how the industry with American pool is set up to give us a chance"
"As long as the industry and backers don't invest in a good education for players and coaches and support the top players, then it will be very hard."
"I go to the world 9 ball championships after this, I fly out tomorrow, these guys go to bar table tournaments because that's how they earn their money...while Europeans play 9 ball on new cloth and new tables two times a month in high pressure tournaments and American players don't."
"There seems to be a gap in the talent development that needs to be fixed."
Does anyone see American pool stepping up and making some changes or is coach Johan out after one year?
Great interview, Mr. Bond, thanks for all that you do.
If you haven't listened yet, here is the link:
http://www.americanbilliardradio.com/listen/
(Scroll down to "The 2017 Dream Crusher" stream and play from 6:25 -13:30)
Mr. Bond: If they ask you to come back, will you?
Coach Johan : (notable quotes below not in order)
"I would think about it. I'm not afraid of the challenge but I'm not going to get into a challenge where there's no solution. We need to change a couple of things."
"There needs to be some changes in my approach and how the industry with American pool is set up to give us a chance"
"As long as the industry and backers don't invest in a good education for players and coaches and support the top players, then it will be very hard."
"I go to the world 9 ball championships after this, I fly out tomorrow, these guys go to bar table tournaments because that's how they earn their money...while Europeans play 9 ball on new cloth and new tables two times a month in high pressure tournaments and American players don't."
"There seems to be a gap in the talent development that needs to be fixed."
Does anyone see American pool stepping up and making some changes or is coach Johan out after one year?
Great interview, Mr. Bond, thanks for all that you do.