FKE's failure at PC may help us out in Maryland's willingness to take a 2nd year coach from George Mason. Sure, we all know Tony is a better coach than Kimmie, but their new AD and, certainly, their fans don't.
Would I take $3M over $1.8M when the fans will turn on me in a heartbeat? Or would I stay at my alma mater where the fans love me and will give me the benefit of the doubt if I have a bad season? I don't know Tony personally, but I think I know what he would choose.
Three million is a low bar when you consider the current market and Maryland’s situation. Ben McCollum, who was a Division II coach two years ago, is reportedly making $3.5 million at Iowa. While he won an NCAA Tournament game this year, Iowa is historically a less prominent job than Maryland, which has significantly more resources and expectations. If Iowa is setting the floor at $3.5 million for a first-time high-major coach, Maryland—especially in a late-cycle, high-pressure situation—will have to go higher.
Maryland is also getting a buyout check from Villanova, giving them more financial flexibility. Given the optics of hiring so late in the process and needing to make a strong move, they’re unlikely to nickel-and-dime a candidate. If Skinn is their choice, he should easily be in the $3.5–$4 million range, if not higher, based on market trends.
That said, your point about Skinn’s connection to the Willard tree is a valid one. The backlash against Willard might make Maryland hesitant to bring in anyone associated with him, even indirectly. Combine that with Maryland’s current PR crisis and the fact that Skinn, despite his clear upside, has only two years of head coaching experience in a relatively low-pressure media environment, and it’s fair to question whether he’s the right fit for their situation.
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