2200 days of Brad Edwards

[Pablo]

She won employee of the month of the entire school last November. Apparently she does a lot of “community relations” lol

https://www2.gmu.edu/news/2019-11/dawn-hicks-november-employee-month:

"She led an initiative of engagement with student organizations, Student Government, Student Involvement, Greek Life and Residential Life that last season helped increase attendance at men’s basketball games by 22 percent, Bolno said."

 

[mkaufman1]

https://www2.gmu.edu/news/2019-11/dawn-hicks-november-employee-month:

"She led an initiative of engagement with student organizations, Student Government, Student Involvement, Greek Life and Residential Life that last season helped increase attendance at men’s basketball games by 22 percent, Bolno said."

Doesn't seem like she did much but perhaps she did help. I did hear from Zack that student attendance did improve (believe it or not). She might not be completely worthless, but obviously she needed to be trained on how to not attack customers on social media and piss them off more than they already are.

 

[Plink833]

Doesn't seem like she did much but perhaps she did help. I did hear from Zack that student attendance did improve (believe it or not). She might not be completely worthless, but obviously she needed to be trained on how to not attack customers on social media and piss them off more than they already are.

Maybe she did, maybe she didn't. But planting any student attendance gains squarely on her is nuts. Andy Ruge and his team worked tirelessly on-campus to promote our games to students. We can agree that some of it worked and some of it didn't (and either way it doesn't matter because he's gone), but Andy and Greg Kennedy and their team spent countless hours on campus, in meetings with student leadership, greek life and others.

And we all know - if our student attendance went up, it's because it didn't have much more to drop. It's convenient they discuss percentages. If we had 1 student show up, and the next game we had 2, they'd say it went up 100%. To me, this is giving her credit for things she didn't do, or only partially took a role in to make it seems she's valuable. Look at her twitter -- its all retweets from Fairfax County and talking about elementary schools. No mention of on-campus work. Did she play a role in it? Maybe, maybe not. I'll even give her the benefit of the doubt. But that reads more like a BS writeup she did on her own to win some on-campus award than the truth.

Real leaders don't take credit for everything, they deflect credit. If she really was leading the charge, it would say that she partnered with members of the GMU athletic department and those on campus to help grow attendance. But it gives credit to no one else. That means its puffed up crap to help her win an award. Grain of salt.

 

[mkaufman1]

Maybe she did, maybe she didn't. But planting any student attendance gains squarely on her is nuts. Andy Ruge and his team worked tirelessly on-campus to promote our games to students. We can agree that some of it worked and some of it didn't (and either way it doesn't matter because he's gone), but Andy and Greg Kennedy and their team spent countless hours on campus, in meetings with student leadership, greek life and others.

And we all know - if our student attendance went up, it's because it didn't have much more to drop. It's convenient they discuss percentages. If we had 1 student show up, and the next game we had 2, they'd say it went up 100%. To me, this is giving her credit for things she didn't do, or only partially took a role in to make it seems she's valuable. Look at her twitter -- its all retweets from Fairfax County and talking about elementary schools. No mention of on-campus work. Did she play a role in it? Maybe, maybe not. I'll even give her the benefit of the doubt. But that reads more like a BS writeup she did on her own to win some on-campus award than the truth.

Real leaders don't take credit for everything, they deflect credit. If she really was leading the charge, it would say that she partnered with members of the GMU athletic department and those on campus to help grow attendance. But it gives credit to no one else. That means its puffed up crap to help her win an award. Grain of salt.

I'm with you man. All good.

 

[gmubrian]

What about Brad and his salary of $350k. What is he doing that is so special to deserve that?
He hired a search firm for $50k to do the most important part of his job, finding the men's basketball coach.
Has he brought in a lot of new donations? They sure don't show up on the Patriot club bottom line, are they showing up somewhere else.
Couldn't you pay a run-of the mill manager to do what he is doing at half that price and get the same results?

 

[sleeperpick]

What about Brad and his salary of $350k. What is he doing that is so special to deserve that?
He hired a search firm for $50k to do the most important part of his job, finding the men's basketball coach.
Has he brought in a lot of new donations? They sure don't show up on the Patriot club bottom line, are they showing up somewhere else.
Couldn't you pay a run-of the mill manager to do what he is doing at half that price and get the same results?

but the SuperBowl ring... (whines with glee)

 

[mkaufman1]

What about Brad and his salary of $350k. What is he doing that is so special to deserve that?
He hired a search firm for $50k to do the most important part of his job, finding the men's basketball coach.
Has he brought in a lot of new donations? They sure don't show up on the Patriot club bottom line, are they showing up somewhere else.
Couldn't you pay a run-of the mill manager to do what he is doing at half that price and get the same results?

These are valid concerns. The search firm for basketball is common so that doesn't bother me that much.

What bothers me is that there was momentum the first 3-4 years in fundraising and helping move the needle to be able to compete (yes low bars to clear, but they did improve the easy stuff).

What they are doing now? I really dont' know. And this momentum was stopping even before Covid19 was a thing.

Needless to say, we'll see what Dr Washington thinks in the next year or two as he gets settled.

 

[gmubrian]

These are valid concerns. The search firm for basketball is common so that doesn't bother me that much.

What bothers me is that there was momentum the first 3-4 years in fundraising and helping move the needle to be able to compete (yes low bars to clear, but they did improve the easy stuff).

What they are doing now? I really dont' know. And this momentum was stopping even before Covid19 was a thing.

Needless to say, we'll see what Dr Washington thinks in the next year or two as he gets settled.

I don't have a problem with the search firm, per se, but if you are going to farm that out, couldn't a competent manager at a much lower salary do that just as effectively?

 

[gmujim92]

Given the clown show we were dealing with before, Brad deserves a lot of credit for getting a dedicated practice facility (even if it was just a reno), the scoreboard/lighting upgrades at EBA, the arena naming rights deal and the vastly improved locker rooms.

Those are big accomplishments at a place like Mason that has always done athletics half-a**.

Ultimately, though, evaluation of his job performance hinges on one task: hiring a men’s basketball coach who can take us to the NCAA tournament.

If Brad can’t see a change is desperately needed in that regard, that would overshadow all the other good things he has done in my eyes. Because we’ve been nowhere near an NCAA bid during Dave’s tenure ... hell, he doesn’t even schedule like he is trying to get an at-large. I’d have a huge problem with that if I was his boss.

 

[tblack33]

Given the clown show we were dealing with before, Brad deserves a lot of credit for getting a dedicated practice facility (even if it was just a reno), the scoreboard/lighting upgrades at EBA, the arena naming rights deal and the vastly improved locker rooms.

Those are big accomplishments at a place like Mason that has always done athletics half-a**.

Ultimately, though, evaluation of his job performance hinges on one task: hiring a men’s basketball coach who can take us to the NCAA tournament.

If Brad can’t see a change is desperately needed in that regard, that would overshadow all the other good things he has done in my eyes. Because we’ve been nowhere near an NCAA bid during Dave’s tenure ... hell, he doesn’t even schedule like he is trying to get an at-large. I’d have a huge problem with that if I was his boss.

Took the words out of my mouth. Gotta give him some credit where it’s due, but he’s got a giant monkey sitting on his back right now considering it hasn’t translated to success yet.

 

[mkaufman1]

Given the clown show we were dealing with before, Brad deserves a lot of credit for getting a dedicated practice facility (even if it was just a reno), the scoreboard/lighting upgrades at EBA, the arena naming rights deal and the vastly improved locker rooms.

Those are big accomplishments at a place like Mason that has always done athletics half-a**.

Ultimately, though, evaluation of his job performance hinges on one task: hiring a men’s basketball coach who can take us to the NCAA tournament.

If Brad can’t see a change is desperately needed in that regard, that would overshadow all the other good things he has done in my eyes. Because we’ve been nowhere near an NCAA bid during Dave’s tenure ... hell, he doesn’t even schedule like he is trying to get an at-large. I’d have a huge problem with that if I was his boss.

some of the folks on these boards have been waiting ages for words like this to be said by you, haha. Well said man.

 

[gmujim92]

Took the words out of my mouth. Gotta give him some credit where it’s due, but he’s got a giant monkey sitting on his back right now considering it hasn’t translated to success yet.

If Brad is smart, he’ll point out to Dr. Washington how he provided all of the infrastructure upgrades Dave asked for when he was hired and it obviously hasn’t translated into success on the court.

If Brad ties his own fate to a coach who clearly isn’t getting it done, they might both be looking for a new job when the president decides its time to make a change.

 

[Pablo]

If Brad is smart, he’ll point out to Dr. Washington how he provided all of the infrastructure upgrades Dave asked for when he was hired and it obviously hasn’t translated into success on the court.

If Brad ties his own fate to a coach who clearly isn’t getting it done, they might both be looking for a new job when the president decides its time to make a change.

So, what does Paulsen need to do to save their jobs?

 

[gmujim92]

So, what does Paulsen need to do to save their jobs?

If I was the president, Dave would have to make the NCAA tournament to get an extension. Period.

I’m not looking to fire Brad ... just want him to do the right thing for the MBB program.

 

[Pablo]

If I was the president, Dave would have to make the NCAA tournament to get an extension. Period.

I’m not looking to fire Brad ... just want him to do the right thing for the MBB program.

If Paulsen does not make the NCAA tourney and Edwards does not recommend terminating him, then neither should be extended. Am I correct?

 

[gmujim92]

If Paulsen does not make the NCAA tourney and Edwards does not recommend terminating him, then neither should be extended. Am I correct?

I think you’ve accurately summarized my position

 

[Falco]

A text from my friend.

“Come join the dark side. It’s much better to just not care about mason anymore.

And then if they ever come around and start doing things right, there isn’t anything wrong with supporting them when that happens”

He is not not wrong. I wish I could wake up and not care any more. But for now I will have to suffer.

 

[ephoops]

A text from my friend.

“Come join the dark side. It’s much better to just not care about mason anymore.

And then if they ever come around and start doing things right, there isn’t anything wrong with supporting them when that happens”

He is not not wrong. I wish I could wake up and not care any more. But for now I will have to suffer.

Try being a NY Jets fan... Trust me, it’s a lot worse.

 

[gmutom]

Try being a NY Jets fan... Trust me, it’s a lot worse.

No kidding. You guys can’t even figure out how to lose right.

 

[bravesfan]

Try being a NY Jets fan... Trust me, it’s a lot worse.

My favorite Jet was always Mark Sanchez. And Adam Gase is easily my favorite coach for them.