Coaching Carousel 2025

[Masonfan3]

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

Yepp. If we can't retain an alum after only 2 years and no tournament bid, we are in some serious trouble.

 

[bravesfan]

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

That's okay. I'd still make a phone call.

 

[99 Patriot]

I've got no insight either, but if my mentor (and we just heard Tony in a recent press conference say Kevin is his guy), set every bridge on fire on his way out the door, why would Tony want to inherit what Kevin clearly was frustrated with and why would the school want to stay in his same coaching tree? Mix in that UMD was good this year largely because of the Crab 5, which Tony had no relationship with, and there's not even really the argument of him being able to keep existing talent on the roster.

I get money talks and we'd all take a doubling of our salary if it was offered, but this doesn't make a ton of sense to me.

 

[bravesfan]

I've got no insight either, but if my mentor (and we just heard Tony in a recent press conference say Kevin is his guy), set every bridge on fire on his way out the door, why would Tony want to inherit what Kevin clearly was frustrated with and why would the school want to stay in his same coaching tree? Mix in that UMD was good this year largely because of the Crab 5, which Tony had no relationship with, and there's not even really the argument of him being able to keep existing talent on the roster.

I get money talks and we'd all take a doubling of our salary if it was offered, but this doesn't make a ton of sense to me.

I agree with a lot of this. But it should be noted that Tony has been given credit for Derik Queen ending up at Maryland. So he's already proven he can get the talent there.

 

[GMU79]

I've got no insight either, but if my mentor (and we just heard Tony in a recent press conference say Kevin is his guy), set every bridge on fire on his way out the door, why would Tony want to inherit what Kevin clearly was frustrated with and why would the school want to stay in his same coaching tree? Mix in that UMD was good this year largely because of the Crab 5, which Tony had no relationship with, and there's not even really the argument of him being able to keep existing talent on the roster.

I get money talks and we'd all take a doubling of our salary if it was offered, but this doesn't make a ton of sense to me.

In answer to your question, which you already answered, money talks.
But, honestly, doesn't it reflect negatively on a person if his commitment to his job/alma mater means nothing.

 

[Verdad]

I think 3 or 4 mil and confidence in the ability to recruit via the portal immediately a competitive roster is all the incentive in the world. He doesn't even have to move.

The current athletic department didn't prevent Willard from reaching sweet 16 and getting a seemingly more desirable job at Nova - seems like Willards few years at UMD served him well. Why wouldn't CTS think the same?

In answer to your question, which you already answered, money talks.
But, honestly, doesn't it reflect negatively on a person if his commitment to his job/alma mater means nothing.

I would spend the rest of my career as the Ram mascot/shirtless band director/etc if vcu paid me 3 or 4 million (or significantly less).

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

I'm worried after hearing Jeff Ehrmann saying that Tony is a legit "darkhorse" candidate and also saying that it seems MD is not really interested in Buzz. I guess this goes to show one thing that I was saying to a couple of buddies, if you're a decent mid-major, you ALWAYS have to have a list of replacements ready to go at all times. Things are just too crazy at this point. Honestly, this sounds bad, but I'd almost feel better about things if Providence had given Kimmy the axe. Might create some pause in hiring our guy again albeit unwarranted....Please let everyone be impressed by Chris Collins' getting NW to the tourney.

 

[gmuballer14]

Does anyone know if his recent extension includes a scheduling clause where if he were to leave that He would owe us a home game in Fairfax?

No one seems to answer this when I asked. Hope so but probably not.

 

[Masonfan3]

No one seems to answer this when I asked. Hope so but probably not.

That is probably because no one on here knows. But we probably will find out by tomorrow night. I have always liked Tony, ever since we served on the Student Athletic Advisory Counsel together. He is one of the good ones but I will be pretty disappointed if he bails after only 2 years. And I will be even more upset if he doesn't throw his alma mater a bone and come play us in Fairfax.

 

[mkaufman1]

No one seems to answer this when I asked. Hope so but probably not.

That is probably because no one on here knows. But we probably will find out by tomorrow night. I have always liked Tony, ever since we served on the Student Athletic Advisory Counsel together. He is one of the good ones but I will be pretty disappointed if he bails after only 2 years. And I will be even more upset if he doesn't throw his alma mater a bone and come play us in Fairfax.

I don't think Mason put the clause in the contract as vcu is the only school that really does that. However, if I find out one way or another I will share.

In addition - I too would be disappointed if Tony bails and then doesn't bother to play us. But from what I am putting together, I only have light concern at this juncture and there is a lot of "noise" that is public. I will however be much happier when this is all over.

 

[Patriot Lawdog]

Here's what I will say: If the worst was to happen and he was to leave, I'll feel much different this time around. Clearly the administration has been proactive in keeping our coach. That's all I can ask. You can't force people to care about a college basketball program or sports team in general.

 

[mkaufman1]

Here's what I will say: If the worst was to happen and he was to leave, I'll feel much different this time around. Clearly the administration has been proactive in keeping our coach. That's all I can ask. You can't force people to care about a college basketball program or sports team in general.

110% this - I have said this 100 times. For once, Mason controlled what they could control. They upped Tony, were proactive and didn't wait until someone was on the plane.

Just a matter of whether we survive this round or we head into search season once again.

 

[gmubrian]

Pros and cons for Tony taking UMD job:

Pros
It is still local
Double+ his pay (again in ~ two weeks).
That is life changing money and even if you only get paid the typical 5 years of a contract and are let go, maybe, that is all the time a coach wants to spend in this new environment so you can retire on that money.
Better chance at making tournament (at face value right now)

Cons:
Just signed extension and got what he was looking for
Just doubled his pay
Loves Mason and wants to stay in this area
Football at MD
Revenue share has the potential to kill some B10 basketball programs and MD is one of those at risk.
A10 is positioned well under revenue share. The 1 bid league problem has the potential to go away in a year or two (if A10 plays cards right)
Don't make the same mistake that CKE made...
MD doesn't even have an AD right now.

The amount of the money MD could offer could be very enticing even though he is already getting life changing money from Mason with his new extension. I don't see Tony as a getting every dollar he can get kind of person. But, there is the allure of being a P4 coach.

Overall, I would be surprised (and hugely disappointed) if Tony took the UMD job.

Edited to add lack of AD at MD.

 

[Pablo]

Pros and cons for Tony taking UMD job:

Pros
It is still local
Double+ his pay (again in ~ two weeks).
That is life changing money and even if you only get paid the typical 5 years of a contract and are let go, maybe, that is all the time a coach wants to spend in this new environment so you can retire on that money.
Better chance at making tournament (at face value right now)

Cons:
Just signed extension and got what he was looking for
Just doubled his pay
Loves Mason and wants to stay in this area
Football at MD
Revenue share has the potential to kill some B10 basketball programs and MD is one of those at risk.
A10 is positioned well under revenue share. The 1 bid league problem has the potential to go away in a year or two (if A10 plays cards right)
Don't make the same mistake that CKE made...

The amount of the money MD could offer could be very enticing even though he is already getting life changing money from Mason with his new extension. I don't see Tony as a getting every dollar he can get kind of person. But, there is the allure of being a P4 coach.

Overall, I would be surprised (and hugely disappointed) if Tony took the UMD job.

This non-Mason alum can't imagine Tony turning down an offer to coach Maryland.

 

[jessej]

I would like CTS to stay, at least until GMU makes a NCAA Tourney appearance.
But i won't begrudge him if he leaves.

If someone offered me double my salary and a larger and more rabid fanbase to play in front of, I'd be gone.
I hope GMU has a contingency plan that makes the Associate Head Coach the new Head Coach.

 

[smhardwick]

Look for Duane Simpkins be a top candidate if Tony leaves.

I was in the he wouldn't go to MD because of what happened with Willard but there's so much smoke it's hard to ignore.

 

[jruby]

I would like CTS to stay, at least until GMU makes a NCAA Tourney appearance.
But i won't begrudge him if he leaves.

If someone offered me double my salary and a larger and more rabid fanbase to play in front of, I'd be gone.
I hope GMU has a contingency plan that makes the Associate Head Coach the new Head Coach.

If Maryland gives him 20 mil, that’s hard to say no to I agree. That’s crazy money.

 

[thebiasedannouncer]

Lots of smoke around Tony this morning in certain circles. Buzz and Huss still maybe above him. Smoke is high. Be prepared for anything and everything.

 

[FreeGunston12]

Pros and cons for Tony taking UMD job:

Pros
It is still local
Double+ his pay (again in ~ two weeks).
That is life changing money and even if you only get paid the typical 5 years of a contract and are let go, maybe, that is all the time a coach wants to spend in this new environment so you can retire on that money.
Better chance at making tournament (at face value right now)

Cons:
Just signed extension and got what he was looking for
Just doubled his pay
Loves Mason and wants to stay in this area
Football at MD
Revenue share has the potential to kill some B10 basketball programs and MD is one of those at risk.
A10 is positioned well under revenue share. The 1 bid league problem has the potential to go away in a year or two (if A10 plays cards right)
Don't make the same mistake that CKE made...
MD doesn't even have an AD right now.

The amount of the money MD could offer could be very enticing even though he is already getting life changing money from Mason with his new extension. I don't see Tony as a getting every dollar he can get kind of person. But, there is the allure of being a P4 coach.

Overall, I would be surprised (and hugely disappointed) if Tony took the UMD job.

Edited to add lack of AD at MD.

Not sure a lack of an AD is much of a factor. After all, Tony took the Mason job before we had an AD

 

[gmubrian]

Not sure a lack of an AD is much of a factor. After all, Tony took the Mason job before we had an AD

Agreed, but wanted it there to be complete. Now, we did already have our AD chosen and he was consulted. I don't know what MD AD situation currently is.