The Ball State University men's basketball team is 3-6. After a win by three points against Indiana State University, the Cardinals have lost two straight by an average of 21.5 points. Only one player scores on a consistent basis, and the Cardinals have never shot above 42.6 percent.
Those are the facts. For some Ball State fans, the facts cause them to question coach Ronny Thompson and his ability to lead a successful program.
To those who question - shut up! Yes, Ball State has six losses in its first nine games, but four have come to ranked opponents. Thompson is nine games into his head coaching career, and it takes longer than nine games to turn a program around.
A coach does not get his first class of players solely recruited by his staff until his second season.
Many coaches of current top programs didn't have immediate success.
The program: University of Florida, coached by Billy Donovan. Florida, the defending national champions, did not reach the NCAA tournament until Donovan's third season. Donovan's recruiting righted the ship. See Jason Williams, Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller.
The program: Purdue University coached by: Matt Painter. Last year, Painter's first as head coach, Purdue went 9-19. So far this season the Boilermakers are 8-1 with wins at the University of Oklahoma, University of Virginia, and on Saturday defeated 9-0 University of Missouri by 17.
The sport: football. The team: New England Patriots, coached by Bill Belichick. The Patriots went 5-11 in his first year. Following his initial season some Patriots fans were calling for his job. He was given another year and proceeded to win three of the next four Super Bowls.
For an example close to home hit your head, pass out, and have a flashback to the late 1980s.
Flashback to the 1987-88 season when Rick Majerus coached Ball State - yes, the same Majerus seen numerous times picking his nose during University of Utah's runner-up performance in the 1998 NCAA tournament - went 14-14 in his first season at Ball State.
Now fast forward a year to the 1988-89 season. In his second season, his last at Ball State, the Cardinals went 29-3, best in team history, including MAC regular season and tournament championships. In addition, the Cardinals made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament that season.
Rather than panicking, the above managements showed patience and gave their coaches time to turn things around.
Give Thompson this year to build the base for a good program, the second to get his first recruiting class experience, and then in the third year pass judgement.
As the Carpenters said in the early 1970s, "It's Going to Take Some Time This Time."
And remember: patience is a virtue.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
