USA MC Captain

[Bella Don't Cry]

Hi Lou,
I'll partially agree with your post, but I don't feel you have to be a 'real good' player to be the coach. I also think the coach should be 'american' - I'm just not sure what that means. Does that mean a US citizen? It probably wouldn't be a deciding factor.

The coach does not need to be currently competing-that would mean drawing from what many feel 'is the problem' of the current players.

Coaching and playing are related- but not joined at the hip.

I agree that respect is important. And I agree the coach needs to know how to win, and transfer that understanding to the Mosconi team. A coach motivates the players. His tools are psychological as much as physical. He must command the respect of the team, but doesn't really need to be a fierce competitor on the tabl. He does need to be a fierce competitor off the table.

I can think of a couple who would do great, but no guarantee of winning.i also think that the coach should be coaching, if you want a PR person, then have one. Keep the coach in his comfort zone so he can tend to his duties.

And that's what I think - lol.

Mark Griffin

Coaching and playing are related- but not joined at the hip.
IMO - If the person can motivate people to win, then he or she can make a very good Captain. Trump is a prime example... What does he know about pool (let alone international politics)? But he knows how to motivate people!
---
That aside; you not thinking of throwing your cap in Mark? :thumbup:
Jason

 

[marek]

Not everybody agrees with the OP. http://www.billiardsdigest.com/new_news/display_article.php?id=1508

From European point of view Johann being named US captain would be...unpleasant

 

[JAM]

From European point of view Johann being named US captain would be...unpleasant

:grin-square::grin-square::grin-square:

I was actually thinking of Ralph Eckert as a good candidate. Angel recently suggested Alex Lely as another good European candidate as an American coach. :smile:

 

[Chicagoplayer]

First off, our team captain should be American. Sorry Lee Brett

Second, our team captain should be a pro-level player. Sorry Ozzy and Jay.

Third, our team captain should be someone who is currently competing, knows what the players specs are nowadays, and not a past champion. Sorry JA.

Fourth, our team captain should be someone respected across the industry, articulate, and a fierce current day competitor in his own right.

I think when all is said and done, It should be Jeremy Jones, if he'll take it. It's a thankless job.

Lou Figueroa

Hi Lou!

I hope all is good with you!

Think about it in pool terms.
You see a guy shoot a shot you never saw before, let alone conceived of.
He's bested everyone you could throw at him

Don't you want to pick the guys brain, especially if he used his arsenal to walk away with the cash repeatedly?

The guy won't have anything to do with you though, no matter how you ask him to show you.
So what do you do?
I would find out who taught him and go to him (or her) or someone that the other guy practices with to learn the way they do it.

Ralph Eckert, Alex Lely and even Johan Ruysink would be awesome for this task!

It's like The Revolutionary War.
New America wasn't filled with skilled fighters, just people hungry and wanting to have more, to get better.
So the USA had Friedrich von Steuben, a German (Prussian) military officer come in and train us to fight.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Wilhelm_von_Steuben

It's a life lesson. :wink:

 

[JAM]

Hi Lou!

I hope all is good with you!

Think about it in pool terms.
You see a guy shoot a shot you never saw before, let alone conceived of.
He's bested everyone you could throw at him

Don't you want to pick the guys brain, especially if he used his arsenal to walk away with the cash repeatedly?

The guy won't have anything to do with you though, no matter how you ask him to show you.
So what do you do?
I would find out who taught him and go to him (or her) or someone that the other guy practices with to learn the way they do it.

Ralph Eckert, Alex Lely and even Johan Ruysink would be awesome for this task!

It's like The Revolutionary War.
New America wasn't filled with skilled fighters, just people hungry and wanting to have more, to get better.
So the USA had Friedrich von Steuben, a German (Prussian) military officer come in and train us to fight.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Wilhelm_von_Steuben

It's a life lesson. :wink:

I agree with Angel!

 

[Justin Bergman]

I agree with you Lou

I'll say it again anyone that thinks Mark was a bad choice or was the cause or reason why we lost is so lost they probably can't be helped or even listen to what other people have to say. My Mom could have coached us and it would have been the same. This isn't football so you cannot compare the two. The lineup I would say is the biggest thing that could make a difference that the captain has control over.

Do people actually think that high fiving or coming down after you miss a shot is going to help? It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. All year we play pool by ourselves nobody in our corner, we are professionals, we do this for a living. Pool is a game of eye hand coordination and problem solving and a game of fractions, millimeters and requires a ton of concentration especially against other world class players. Miss by a millimeter and your hooked or get on the wrong side of the pool and that cost you the match. So you think a coach/captain coming down yelling in your ear or high fiving is going to change anything than that's probably why your on AzBilliards and not playing the Mosconi Cup.

This isn't directed at everyone just some people I hear saying some really negative stuff about Mark. Again some own can lose 5-0 and that doesn't mean they dogged it. Pool you need chances it's baseball, or football where every team gets the ball back. A lot of times you can play perfect and lose in pool. I've lost many sets where I've missed 1 ball or none and your opponent misses 5 balls and I lost.

Also for anyone saying I didn't feel comfortable or I didn't belong. PShhhhhh!! I wanted it as bad as anyone was ready to play everyday... I shot a .940 something, Pat Fleming was there did Accu Stats for all the players and I was the highest of both teams.

I just wish people would think about it even if you think I'm an idiot or wrong just please try to understand both sides. Thanks for your time. I might just start a new thread so more people can read this.

 

[Chicagoplayer]

Thank you Justin!

I'll say it again anyone that thinks Mark was a bad choice or was the cause or reason why we lost is so lost they probably can't be helped or even listen to what other people have to say. My Mom could have coached us and it would have been the same. This isn't football so you cannot compare the two. The lineup I would say is the biggest thing that could make a difference that the captain has control over.

Do people actually think that high fiving or coming down after you miss a shot is going to help? It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. All year we play pool by ourselves nobody in our corner, we are professionals, we do this for a living. Pool is a game of eye hand coordination and problem solving and a game of fractions, millimeters and requires a ton of concentration especially against other world class players. Miss by a millimeter and your hooked or get on the wrong side of the pool and that cost you the match. So you think a coach/captain coming down yelling in your ear or high fiving is going to change anything than that's probably why your on AzBilliards and not playing the Mosconi Cup.

This isn't directed at everyone just some people I hear saying some really negative stuff about Mark. Again some own can lose 5-0 and that doesn't mean they dogged it. Pool you need chances it's baseball, or football where every team gets the ball back. A lot of times you can play perfect and lose in pool. I've lost many sets where I've missed 1 ball or none and your opponent misses 5 balls and I lost.

Also for anyone saying I didn't feel comfortable or I didn't belong. PShhhhhh!! I wanted it as bad as anyone was ready to play everyday... I shot a .940 something, Pat Fleming was there did Accu Stats for all the players and I was the highest of both teams.

I just wish people would think about it even if you think I'm an idiot or wrong just please try to understand both sides. Thanks for your time. I might just start a new thread so more people can read this.

Hi Justin!

Merry almost Christmas!

I'm so glad you are sharing your thoughts with those who don't know-
They should be helped to know and as you were there, your word carries weight.

Thank you so much for representing us well at The Mosconi Cup Illinois boy!

-Angel

 

[dr9ball]

I'll nominate Dennis Hatch. He has the ability to motivate and energize the players.

 

[Nostroke]

We need to develop better players over time and there is going to be no pool in school-no permanent training center or any of the other pipe dreams. The Players just have to be more dedicated and get better the same way the Euros have the last 10 years. Nothing a Captain can do in one year will be worth more than 3-4 games over the entire event IMHO which is of course entirely inadequate. Good luck to us- We need it!

 

[Tooler]

He probably would't take the job, but my vote would be Nick Varner.

 

[CreeDo]

No-brainer, get Johan Ruijsink, one of the most winning MC coaches.

If we still don't win, we'll have to find some more excuses.

 

[Justin Bergman]

Thanks Angel. Merry Christmas to you too and your family.

 

[hang-the-9]

First off, our team captain should be American. Sorry Lee Brett

Second, our team captain should be a pro-level player. Sorry Ozzy and Jay.

Third, our team captain should be someone who is currently competing, knows what the players specs are nowadays, and not a past champion. Sorry JA.

Fourth, our team captain should be someone respected across the industry, articulate, and a fierce current day competitor in his own right.

I think when all is said and done, It should be Jeremy Jones, if he'll take it. It's a thankless job.

Lou Figueroa

Since being alive is not one of your criteria, I say Grady Matthews. Smart, good player, good strategy.

If they need to be alive, Archer or Varner. Efren has said many times he thought Varner was a very smart player and I'm sure he'd be a great coach.

 

[oldzilla]

If the Euro's are not playing Asia instead,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I nominate Joe Tucker. :yeah:

 

[Spimp13]

Less focus on the captain and more focus on the players chosen with their 9 ball skill level AND team chemistry (very important) imo...The captain can pump them up, keep them on track, pep talk etc...but at the end of the day we needs some playas to step up and play together as a team. I know, easier said then done.

 

[lakeman77]

Seems to me they need a professional coach, and that would be different from a captain, or team leader.
Also need lots of $$$ to make it worth while for the players ot travel and devote months adding to their skill set. Players have bills to pay, like all of us. You can't ask them to stop playing tournaments etc and practice new skills for no money.
Nationality of coach is not important, if you want to win. It's a global world like it nor not.
good luck!

 

[MisspentYouth]

Tony Robles.

 

[Tin Man]

For those that think a European coach would be the right choice, let me ask- what SPECIFICALLY do you think that Johan or Ralph would do for our team differently than a Johnny Archer or a Jay Helfert?

I'm not saying it's a horrible idea. What I have a problem with is this attitude that somehow US is weak and European is elite, that everything we do is defective, that every ball we miss is because of our cultural deficits, etc.

In my opinion if there is one thing that is hurting US players more than anything else it's this level of negativity and self hatred that is spread like wildfire on AZB.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's all an ego trip. The way that our players are berated is totally inappropriate and disrespectful, and it reflects a lack of class and confidence on the part of the bashers. The same way you'd cringe if you saw a dad with a beer and a pot belly screaming at his 7 year old son because he's not good enough, I cringe listening to this type of talk. And you're not these players dads. They are top professional players that play this game at a level that is beyond most people's comprehension.

I have no problem with recognizing shortcomings, addressing real discrepancies in performance. But let's keep it respectful and not lose sight of the fact that these are stupendous players and people we're talking about.

Personally I think that it's up to the players to make this happen, not the coach. Justin is doing an awesome job and I think when his mojo spreads to our team so we all play our game we'll be just fine. Let's not hit the panic button. Let's just dig deep and put the hammer down.

 

[jasonlaus]

For those that think a European coach would be the right choice, let me ask- what SPECIFICALLY do you think that Johan or Ralph would do for our team differently than a Johnny Archer or a Jay Helfert?

I'm not saying it's a horrible idea. What I have a problem with is this attitude that somehow US is weak and European is elite, that everything we do is defective, that every ball we miss is because of our cultural deficits, etc.

In my opinion if there is one thing that is hurting US players more than anything else it's this level of negativity and self hatred that is spread like wildfire on AZB.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's all an ego trip. The way that our players are berated is totally inappropriate and disrespectful, and it reflects a lack of class and confidence on the part of the bashers. The same way you'd cringe if you saw a dad with a beer and a pot belly screaming at his 7 year old son because he's not good enough, I cringe listening to this type of talk. And you're not these players dads. They are top professional players that play this game at a level that is beyond most people's comprehension.

I have no problem with recognizing shortcomings, addressing real discrepancies in performance. But let's keep it respectful and not lose sight of the fact that these are stupendous players and people we're talking about.

Personally I think that it's up to the players to make this happen, not the coach. Justin is doing an awesome job and I think when his mojo spreads to our team so we all play our game we'll be just fine. Let's not hit the panic button. Let's just dig deep and put the hammer down.

So, people.talk crap AFTER the MC and that becomes the reason they lost in the first place??? Seriously, you cannot make this stuff up
Jason

 

[JCIN]

I'll say it again anyone that thinks Mark was a bad choice or was the cause or reason why we lost is so lost they probably can't be helped or even listen to what other people have to say. My Mom could have coached us and it would have been the same. This isn't football so you cannot compare the two. The lineup I would say is the biggest thing that could make a difference that the captain has control over.

Do people actually think that high fiving or coming down after you miss a shot is going to help? It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. All year we play pool by ourselves nobody in our corner, we are professionals, we do this for a living. Pool is a game of eye hand coordination and problem solving and a game of fractions, millimeters and requires a ton of concentration especially against other world class players. Miss by a millimeter and your hooked or get on the wrong side of the pool and that cost you the match. So you think a coach/captain coming down yelling in your ear or high fiving is going to change anything than that's probably why your on AzBilliards and not playing the Mosconi Cup.

This isn't directed at everyone just some people I hear saying some really negative stuff about Mark. Again some own can lose 5-0 and that doesn't mean they dogged it. Pool you need chances it's baseball, or football where every team gets the ball back. A lot of times you can play perfect and lose in pool. I've lost many sets where I've missed 1 ball or none and your opponent misses 5 balls and I lost.

Also for anyone saying I didn't feel comfortable or I didn't belong. PShhhhhh!! I wanted it as bad as anyone was ready to play everyday... I shot a .940 something, Pat Fleming was there did Accu Stats for all the players and I was the highest of both teams.

I just wish people would think about it even if you think I'm an idiot or wrong just please try to understand both sides. Thanks for your time. I might just start a new thread so more people can read this.

Mark committed the cardinal sin of all professional coaches. He lost. You can't fire the players so you fire the coach.