Some would say we here at the site (more specifically myself) have been overusing the twitter integration function lately in the blog. To those people I would respond by finding a whitty tweet and integrating it into this post, but thank goodness for your sake I am too lazy for that.
Yesterday State officially announced its 19th men's head basketball coach in Rick Ray at a 10:30 A.M. Press Conference. Many of you followed along on our Rick Ray Press Conference Open Thread, as did I. But I was also documenting (via my favorite application) the presser as it happened by tagging notable tweets from guys like Bob Carskadon, Matt Stevens, Brandon Marcello, and so forth. Here's what the press conference looked like (for the most part) via twitter:
Rick Ray is here. twitter.com/bmarcello/stat…
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) April 2, 2012
As busy as he has been in the last 24 hours, he still found time to look sharp
"In Rick Ray ... We have a man qualified to lead our program." Scott Stricklin
— Reflector Sports (@SportsReflector) April 2, 2012
strong opening statement from the head man Scott Stricklin
Stricklin: "In short, he has that 'it' factor."
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) April 2, 2012
/looks up defition of "it", sees Rick Ray listed underneath.
Rick Ray takes the stage, rings a cowbell and dons an MSU hat. He says he practiced that for 30 minutes Sunday.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) April 2, 2012
had to ring the cowbell, a great way to start off first day on the job here in maroon and white country. and yes, practice makes perfect.
Well then. Rick Ray has a degree in applied mathematics. Fancy.
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) April 2, 2012
let me take a second to show my nerdy engineer side: OMG THAS KOOL
Funny guy. Ray: "I tell you how nice a guy I am, I brought my mother-in-law."
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) April 2, 2012
+1 for mother-in-law jokes (wonders if he sleeps on couch tonight)
Ray says he met with Dr. Keenum and Stricklin in New Orleans. Had to fly back to Clemson to get his son and mother-in-law.
— Matthew Stevens (@matthewcstevens) April 2, 2012
and I thought I had a busy weekend...
Rick Ray says he had 867 unread emails and 347 text messages between the time he accepted job in afternoon and arrived in Clemson Sunday.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) April 2, 2012
insert condescending wonka meme here about you complaining about your crowded email inbox
Rick Ray: "I want to give special recognition to Coach Stansbury."
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) April 2, 2012
good to see Ray do that.
Rick Ray: "We may not have the most talent ... on the court but I tell you what, we're going to fight you. "
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) April 2, 2012
"fight you"... and not ourselves, like we did in Hawaii last year.
Ray: "Coach Brownell said I'd be a fool in you turned down the opportunity to be the head coach at Mississippi State."
— Matthew Stevens (@matthewcstevens) April 2, 2012
yep
Rick Ray: "I want Rodney Hood to be a guy that demands double teams."
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) April 2, 2012
I can see that happening.
Ray: "I believe motion offense -it allows freedom and opportunity to make plays. It's the hardest thing to scout."
— Matthew Stevens (@matthewcstevens) April 2, 2012
motion offense! but for real motion offense this time, you guys!
Yesterday, I didn't know anything about Rick Ray. Right now, I love him. We needed the anti-Stans, and it sounds like we got him.
— Rob McDougald (@robnoladog) April 2, 2012
good take from our man Rob. We did need the anti-Stans, and Ray fills those shoes perfectly.
Music to fans' ears from Ray: "I've pretty much ignored my wife because I've been on the phone with recruits."
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) April 2, 2012
again, probably slept on couch last night
Ray said he will sit down and talk with current assistants, wants to retain at least one for his staff.
— bradlocke (@bradlocke) April 2, 2012
which assistant will get a rose? tune in next week to find out...
Rick Ray says he also wants a "wild card" assistant. "I want a guy who pursues me and pursues this job." #helpwanted
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) April 2, 2012
if he hires Dontae Jones, I'll buy additional season tickets TOMORROW
Stricklin said MSU had multiple conversations with some candidates, but said Rick Ray was the only person they offered the job to.
— Bob Carskadon (@bobcarskadon) April 2, 2012
Whether I believe that or not, smart to say that there. Save face (as much as possible), and end presser on high note.
Excited about the Rick Ray future, even if it's no Rick Ross future #BAWS