Coaching Carousel 2025

[Falco]

Just want to point out:

It’s been 3 full days since Coach Skinn’s extension was announced by the school, and outside of a quote in the article, he’s yet to publicly acknowledge it. Not even a retweet.

Could mean absolutely nothing, but it feels weird to me.

My wife has zero interest in sports but humors me by letting me rant about the Maryland drama. I’ve been saying how nervous I am that Skinn is in the mix and that, despite his extension, it doesn’t actually mean much.

Her response? Well, did Skinn make a statement?

 

[Masonfan3]

https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/salaries/mens-basketball/coach/team/1488

Maryland Men's Basketball Coaches' Salaries​

2025

Kevin Willard

$4,100,000

$4,100,000

$0

$695,000

$0

$15,660,000

And he was offered like $6mil to stay

 

[mkaufman1]

Me too! But if he didn't want the job, he wouldn't have talked to them. Assuming of course that he did. And with all the silence, it's likely he has/is.

He also could be busy recruiting the portal and getting a roster for next year. Also trying to figure out who wants what. I do agree its odd / not cool he hasn't acknowledged it, but it doesn't necessarily mean anything either.

I'm not saying don't be nervous, but again, unless there is a massive curve ball thrown, I'd be very surprised if Tony is going.

 

[GMU79]

He also could be busy recruiting the portal and getting a roster for next year. Also trying to figure out who wants what. I do agree its odd / not cool he hasn't acknowledged it, but it doesn't necessarily mean anything either.

I'm not saying don't be nervous, but again, unless there is a massive curve ball thrown, I'd be very surprised if Tony is going.

Honestly, so would I. That just doesn't sound like something Tony would do. And I wasn't nervous at all...until I started reading all the nervous posts here. LOL

 

[GSII]

I just don't see him going where his mentor took a massive shit on the entire school.

 

[mkaufman1]

Honestly, so would I. That just doesn't sound like something Tony would do. And I wasn't nervous at all...until I started reading all the nervous posts here. LOL

Read below

I just don't see him going where his mentor took a massive shit on the entire school.

Read above.

Why would you go somewhere, that one of your mentors just crushed publicly? Its the same idea of if we ended up keeping one of Larranaga's assistants even though they were all complaining back in 2011.

It just doesn't make any sense. Oh add to the fact that you don't know who your boss would be.That sounds like a place I'd want to go to The latter is less of a deal to some but the former makes this really unlikely in my opinion.

 

[FreeGunston12]

Read below

Read above.

Why would you go somewhere, that one of your mentors just crushed publicly? Its the same idea of if we ended up keeping one of Larranaga's assistants even though they were all complaining back in 2011.

It just doesn't make any sense. Oh add to the fact that you don't know who your boss would be.That sounds like a place I'd want to go to The latter is less of a deal to some but the former makes this really unlikely in my opinion.

Just playing devils advocate:

1 - Money. Potentially about 3 million reasons right there.
2 - Validation. Being a P4 coach and able to realistically settle in to compete for deep tournament runs year after year could sound nice. Maybe Skinn is tired of being the underdog? He certainly has had a lot of exposure to big programs as an assistant now.
3 - Averaging 10,000 more fans per game. We really let him down on this front in one of the most successful seasons in George Mason history.
4 - You’ve got to rebuild an entire roster anyways. Likely going to continue being a stepping stool here for guys like Hall, Haynes, Okojie, etc.

I’m definitely concerned. Even though Willard dumped on them on the way out, Maryland has the resources to make it happen if Skinn is their guy. I just hope he’s not the top choice. He’s got some more developing to do, especially with his offensive schemes. Hopefully reasons like that and seeing KE struggle at a higher level has them thinking twice.

 

[jruby]

Tony’s extension is 9.5 mil over 5 years. It’s going to take a lot more than 2 mil per year to get him to leave. 20 mil over 5? Sure that’s a big difference but is Maryland willing to do that? That’s massive money for someone who has never made the tournament….

Will he listen? Sure, he would be dumb not to but he may just say no.

 

[mkaufman1]

Just playing devils advocate:

1 - Money. Potentially about 3 million reasons right there.
2 - Validation. Being a P4 coach and able to realistically settle in to compete for deep tournament runs year after year could sound nice. Maybe Skinn is tired of being the underdog? He certainly has had a lot of exposure to big programs as an assistant now.
3 - Averaging 10,000 more fans per game. We really let him down on this front in one of the most successful seasons in George Mason history.
4 - You’ve got to rebuild an entire roster anyways. Likely going to continue being a stepping stool here for guys like Hall, Haynes, Okojie, etc.

I’m definitely concerned. Even though Willard dumped on them on the way out, Maryland has the resources to make it happen if Skinn is their guy. I just hope he’s not the top choice. He’s got some more developing to do, especially with his offensive schemes. Hopefully reasons like that and seeing KE struggle at a higher level has them thinking twice.

All good. My understanding is he isnt a top choice. Ill be much happier when they announce someone else and we can take a breath.

That being said, we can at least point to Mason being proactive and handling what is in their control.

 

[jruby]

But that was when he was getting paid 900K, every one of us would change our tune if someone was throwing more than 2 mil at us.

When all is said and done - it is the one basic reason why we really can't fault FKE for taking the Providence gig. But I still will anyway out of spite - that is really the point of sports fandom anyways.

I highly doubt Mason Offered English a 9.5 mil extension. It’s apples to oranges now.

 

[Earl the Squirrel]

No doubt it is because he is talking to Maryland. Tony is not going to mislead anyone and until he(and Maryland) make a decision, he is not going to acknowledge the extension because it will come across as he is 100% staying at Mason, and that decision has not been made by him yet. My understanding is he has talked to Maryland and may have something more official in the next day. They reached out within the last 2 weeks to see if he was interested and he did not say no. Duane Simpkins is also someone that is 100% in the mix. I honestly think it is down to those two as Maryland wants someone who is fully committed to the school/program because of Willard just pulled. I am holding out hope that Tony believes he has unfinished business and will turn the job down until he gets Mason back to the dance. If we had made the tourney this year I think he would have already been announced as the twerps next coach.

I tend to believe this. Would have made things easy for both parties concerned. Terps can point to the NCAA appearance (the first for GMU in 14 years!), and Tony could claim he'd delivered on his promise when he took the job.

For young, up-and-coming coaches, they really need to be careful about when they make the jump to the P4. 2-3 less than exciting seasons and you're out - never to coach at that level again (outside of an assistant gig). OTOH, every young turk thinks they're ready. And the money! SO hard to ignore. Because they are also thinking "What happens if we whiff in the portal and I post .500 results for the next 2-3 years?" Might never get a chance to grab that P4 golden chalice.

Was really expecting Skinn to be here for a few years, at least. Until, that is, I saw P8's post about the silent treatment. Yikes! C'mon, Tony, DON'T DO IT!

 

[Falco]

Was really expecting Skinn to be here for a few years, at least. Until, that is, I saw P8's post about the silent treatment. Yikes! C'mon, Tony, DON'T DO IT!

What’s the silent treatment?

 

[TheStringer]

Maryland Basketball Scoop: A new (but familiar) candidate, one guy rising and is a big name really in it?

Maryland Basketball Scoop: A new (but familiar) candidate, one guy rising and is a big name really in it?

247sports.com

"I'm told David Cox and Tony Skinn have both interviewed and are legitimate candidates—perhaps Skinn more so than Cox. The George Mason head coach and former Terps assistant has impressed people involved in the search. "

Ive got a bad feeling

 

[TheStringer]

Theyre also saying Buzz is out. New name is Collins from Northwestern but it sounds like Tony's got a lot of momentum.

 

[Verdad]

Theyre also saying Buzz is out. New name is Collins from Northwestern but it sounds like Tony's got a lot of momentum.

If Buzz is out, then I'm worried (combined with Tony's social media silence P8 pointed out).

And to be clear - aside from the MD taking a flight and having to drive a couple hours to interview someone, my neighbor has not gotten any inside info - so my worry is based on posts here, not anything he told me. He even tried texting her last night to get some dirt and she wouldn't give him anything.

 

[TheStringer]

If Buzz is out, then I'm worried (combined with Tony's social media silence P8 pointed out).

And to be clear - aside from the MD taking a flight and having to drive a couple hours to interview someone, my neighbor has not gotten any inside info - so my worry is based on posts here, not anything he told me. He even tried texting her last night to get some dirt and she wouldn't give him anything.

Yeah usually the guys on 247 and On3 sites don't post without good intel. It sounds like they are interviewing Collins from NW as well but seems like its a bit of a reach. I hate this so much

 

[bravesfan]

I don't want Tony to leave, but if he does, give me Alan Huss.

 

[GSII]

The A10 getting one bid will handicap all members in retaining coaches.

 

[gmujim92]

I don't want Tony to leave, but if he does, give me Alan Huss.

We’re not getting Alan Huss lol, he’s waiting for a P4 job

 

[gmujim92]

I’ve had a sick feeling since Willard took a steaming dump over the Maryland administration, it’s been obvious he was on his way out, and now they’re in a terrible spot to pry a coach away from an existing P4 program.

Tony is a very impressive guy, as anyone knows who has spent any time with him. I very easily can see Maryland wanting him and they have advantages Mason can’t match.

It’s just a matter of whether he wants them.