📝 Larry Lewis Konkol impresses during introduction as TU's next head coach

[Chris Harmon]

Great stuff from @Larry Lewis ...

It was easy to see why Tulsa hired Eric Konkol after Tuesday's welcome party and news conference at the Reynolds Center. The entire atmosphere there was big-time. The enthusiasm in the crowd of approximately 1,000 TU supporters was something that hadn't been seen there in a long time. It reminded people of the atmosphere that was there when Konkol first arrived in Tulsa in 2000. Those glory days when Tulsa was a national power.

Konkol impresses during introduction as TU's next coach

It was easy to see why Tulsa hired Eric Konkol after Tuesday's welcome party and news conference at the Reynolds Center.

tulsa.rivals.com

 

[TU Sepp]

There were more people at the press conference than at some home games.
That appears to be a good sign for the upcoming season.

 

[TulsaFan2000]

I loved hearing him say how open and welcoming he will be to the Tulsa fanbase because we really need to do whatever it takes to retain fans.

 

[StoopsBros]

He said the right things for sure.

I love the local recruiting stuff. Start with OK and work your way outward.

 

[Larry Lewis]

When the last 5 head coaches were hired, I was only excited about one, and that was because I knew him. I thought they all could succeed. I always take the positive approach after most new hires, giving them the benefit of the doubt. But honestly, I had my doubts about all of them.

After the hiring and press conference, and after researching Konkol, I'm actually excited about the hire. I really think TU made the right choice.

 

[Bill Lowery]

When the last 5 head coaches were hired, I was only excited about one, and that was because I knew him. I thought they all could succeed. I always take the positive approach after most new hires, giving them the benefit of the doubt. But honestly, I had my doubts about all of them.

After the hiring and press conference, and after researching Konkol, I'm actually excited about the hire. I really think TU made the right choice.

I totally agree, Larry. In business and basketball recruiting, you can usually tell whether someone is truthful or just saying what they think you want to hear.
Coach Konkol appeared to be speaking the truth. I wasn’t at the presser but watching at home live, I kept saying to myself “he’s speaking from the heart and is a coach I can believe what he’s saying”.
I think the players will love playing for him. I think the players, under Coach Konkol, will have them believe in themselves, their teammates and their coach/staff.
It might take a year to recruit the right players (late start and not many top players available) now, but I expect a cohesive team that plays with intensity and teamwork. Then, having a full year to evaluate and recruit the type of players he wants and who will fit in his system, should give us the type of winning team we’ve all wanted the last 20 years.
I honestly feel we have right coach to lead us back to being a top notch team that wins championships and advances in the NCAA tourney. And providing us, as fans, the excitement we had during the Nolan, Tubby and Bill years.

 

[TU Sepp]

When the last 5 head coaches were hired, I was only excited about one, and that was because I knew him. I thought they all could succeed. I always take the positive approach after most new hires, giving them the benefit of the doubt. But honestly, I had my doubts about all of them.

After the hiring and press conference, and after researching Konkol, I'm actually excited about the hire. I really think TU made the right choice.

I thought that the Buzzard was a bad hire from the beginning and the same with Phillips. I had hopes for Manning, Wojcik, and Haith, but all 3 were disappointments in their own way.

This is the first hire since Self that I feel excited....

 

[ba11game]

I have a lot of respect for the opinions of Larry and Bill. If they like him, I'd say the team is in good hands.

 

[Larry Lewis]

I totally agree, Larry. In business and basketball recruiting, you can usually tell whether someone is truthful or just saying what they think you want to hear.
Coach Konkol appeared to be speaking the truth. I wasn’t at the presser but watching at home live, I kept saying to myself “he’s speaking from the heart and is a coach I can believe what he’s saying”.
I think the players will love playing for him. I think the players, under Coach Konkol, will have them believe in themselves, their teammates and their coach/staff.
It might take a year to recruit the right players (late start and not many top players available) now, but I expect a cohesive team that plays with intensity and teamwork. Then, having a full year to evaluate and recruit the type of players he wants and who will fit in his system, should give us the type of winning team we’ve all wanted the last 20 years.
I honestly feel we have right coach to lead us back to being a top notch team that wins championships and advances in the NCAA tourney. And providing us, as fans, the excitement we had during the Nolan, Tubby and Bill years.

Konkol wants to be here. He has been here. He has shown he can recruit, even to an out of the way, lower conference school. He is a go-getter. Energy. Experienced winner. Is sharp. Was down-to-earth when I talked with him. It just appears he has what it takes. It should be fun to have a chance to get back to where TU basketball belongs.