Fire Dave Paulsen / Hire Tony Skinn

[patriotchild]

Appreciate the thoughtful responses and playing along. Nice to hear the thought behind what everyone is thinking rather than just he sucks, etc.

I’m still not committed to the fire him side but leaning that way. I still can’t figure out how to rationalize that he’s done quite well with less (how much of that should be credited to Otis?), but on the other hand he can’t seem to get more.

if I have to make the call today I’d say cut ties simply because it doesn’t seem like he can’t build a roster for the top of the A10. We are still 2+ years away from any chance of him sorting out. If we wait on him he’ll have had 10years before we know what hit us.

next fun question. What would paulsen have to do the rest of this year and next to not get fired?

 

[JPgmuswim]

Kenpom says we go 4-10 in our remaining 14 games. That would put our in conference record at 5-13 this season. Personally if that happens I would like to move on. I believe Brad won’t pull the trigger though until next season when we most likely tank again.

I would like to state I have been in the team Paulsen camp and feel like my leash has been long. The program was a mess when he took over, he’s improved it, but not enough.

 

[mason lawyer]

Kenpom says we go 4-10 in our remaining 14 games. That would put our in conference record at 5-13 this season. Personally if that happens I would like to move on. I believe Brad won’t pull the trigger though until next season when we most likely tank again.

I would like to state I have been in the team Paulsen camp and feel like my leash has been long. The program was a mess when he took over, he’s improved it, but not enough.

People like you are part of the problem. How could anyone be in the Paulsen camp? He has been a complete failure at Mason. Postseason or bust every season is the expectations.

 

[gmujim92]

We know that unless Dave screws the pooch off the court (NCAA violation, hitting a player, etc.) Mason is NOT going to buy out more than one year of his contract.

That means he’s not getting fired this year or next, regardless of the record.

So all this chit-chat is just that.

 

[Falco]

We know that unless Dave screws the pooch off the court (NCAA violation, hitting a player, etc.) Mason is NOT going to buy out more than one year of his contract.

That means he’s not getting fired this year or next, regardless of the record.

So all this chit-chat is just that.

I thought his contract was through 2021. They let Hewitt go a season early so why not DP

 

[mason lawyer]

We know that unless Dave screws the pooch off the court (NCAA violation, hitting a player, etc.) Mason is NOT going to buy out more than one year of his contract.

That means he’s not getting fired this year or next, regardless of the record.

So all this chit-chat is just that.

You are wrong. There are people that would help bigly with the buyout if Mason is serious about there basketball program. I know them personally.

 

[mkaufman1]

Appreciate the thoughtful responses and playing along. Nice to hear the thought behind what everyone is thinking rather than just he sucks, etc.

I’m still not committed to the fire him side but leaning that way. I still can’t figure out how to rationalize that he’s done quite well with less (how much of that should be credited to Otis?), but on the other hand he can’t seem to get more.

if I have to make the call today I’d say cut ties simply because it doesn’t seem like he can’t build a roster for the top of the A10. We are still 2+ years away from any chance of him sorting out. If we wait on him he’ll have had 10years before we know what hit us.

next fun question. What would paulsen have to do the rest of this year and next to not get fired?

9-9 this year, and top 5 next year. Also sign a few of the big recruits they’ve been linked to.

 

[GSII]

You are wrong. There are people that would help bigly with the buyout if Mason is serious about there basketball program. I know them personally.

Bullshit...Where the f**k were they when we could of kept the old cuban or in getting a replacment for The Virus?

 

[Pablo]

We know that unless Dave screws the pooch off the court (NCAA violation, hitting a player, etc.) Mason is NOT going to buy out more than one year of his contract..

I agree, although it would be less costly to buy out 2 years of Paulsen's contract than it was to terminate Hewitt with 1 year remaining on his contract.

If Paulsen doesn't reach the A10 semis by next season, I would recommend termination.

 

[Pablo]

I thought his contract was through 2021. They let Hewitt go a season early so why not DP

Paulsen's contract was extended through the 2021-22 season - https://giantkiller.co/2019/11/06/d...ontract-emerge-including-an-attendance-bonus/:

"Here is the breakdown of his contract that was last amended in 2017. This is assuming there is not another amended version.

Base salary: $400,000

Supplemental compensation: $337,000

Bonuses: $400,000

The base salary and compensation are what determine the contract’s value ($737,000 per year). When Paulsen was hired in 2015, the Washington Post reported the deal was worth five-year, $3.5 million. Since then, through the second amendment, the supplemental compensation rose by $37,000.

It should be noted that around the time of the amendment was also when an extension was announced. In 2017, Paulsen and athletic director Brad Edwards announced Paulsen would remain the coach through the 2021-22 season. The initial contract only employed Paulsen through the end of the 2019-20 season.

Raise and extension included, Paulsen’s deal now rises to a seven years and $5.1 million.

What is most intriguing about Paulsen’s contract is the attendance bonus. Not a factor in the original contract, the bonus was added on the October 2017 revision.

If the attendance at EagleBank Arena averages 4,500 fans throughout the season, Paulsen would receive a $5,000 bonus. He would also receive an additional $500 for every 500 fan increase. In both seasons since he has not reached that threshold."

"The annual average has not reached 4,500 fans since their inaugural season in the Atlantic 10 (2013-14). Paul Hewitt was the head coach and averaged 4,916 fans per game.

Of course, there are also bonuses based on the team’s performance on the court. Again, they’re all pretty standard with nothing standing out. This is the current breakdown:

Athletic Performance:Amount:
20+ win regular season$10,000
RPI of 125 after Conference Tournament$25,000
Regular Season Conference Championship$10,000
Tournament Conference Championship$10,000
Regular Season win vs.Top 100 RPI opponent$2,500
NCAA Tournament Round of 68$50,000
NCAA Tournament Second Round$50,000
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16$50,000
NCAA Tournament Elite 8$50,000
NCAA Tournament Final Four$75,000
NCAA Championship$100,000
NIT Appearance$10,000
NIT Semifinals$25,000
NIT Championship$75,000
A10 Coach of the Year$10,000
National Coach of the Year$25,000


Only twice has Paulsen received an athletic performance bonus based on the two contracts unveiled. Once in the 2015-16 season for $1,500 (Top 50 RPI win – vcu). The second was in 2018-19 season when Mason beat Dayton on the road ($2,500 for Top 100 RPI win).

There are other interesting nuggets as well. Paulsen also receives a $25,000 retention bonus for remaining the coach through April 30 of a season. The buyout of Paulsen’s Bucknell contract was $250,000 to become Mason’s coach.

Academic bonuses are included too based on the team’s performance in the classroom. While not all details of the Academic Performance are public information (student-athletes’ grades), the APR score is public. If the team’s APR is higher than 950, starting in the 2017-18 season, he receives a $25,000 bonus. In the one year with an announced APR score, Mason met the mark. The remaining monies earned, which could max out at $75,000 per year, is unknown.

In short, Paulsen has received more bonuses for Mason’s performance in the classroom than on the court."

 

[Falco]

Paulsen's contract was extended through the 2021-22 season - https://giantkiller.co/2019/11/06/d...ontract-emerge-including-an-attendance-bonus/:

The base salary and compensation are what determine the contract’s value ($737,000 per year). When "Paulsen was hired in 2015, the Washington Post reported the deal was worth five-year, $3.5 million. Since then, through the second amendment, the supplemental compensation rose by $37,000.

It should be noted that around the time of the amendment was also when an extension was announced. In 2017, Paulsen and athletic director Brad Edwards announced Paulsen would remain the coach through the 2021-22 season. The initial contract only employed Paulsen through the end of the 2019-20 season.

What is most intriguing about Paulsen’s contract is the attendance bonus. Not a factor in the original contract, the bonus was added on the October 2017 revision.

If the attendance at EagleBank Arena averages 4,600 fans throughout the season, Paulsen would receive a $5,000 bonus. He would also receive an additional $500 for every 500 fan increase. In both seasons since he has not reached that threshold.

2017-18: Missed bonus by 512 fans per game
2018-19: Missed bonus by 165 fans per game

Capacity at EagleBank Arena is 7,860 – since the addition of the interior signage covering up 2,000 seats – meaning this threshold is for 58.5% capacity.

The annual average has not reached 4,500 fans since their inaugural season in the Atlantic 10 (2013-14). Paul Hewitt was the head coach and averaged 4,916 fans per game.

Of course, there are also bonuses based on the team’s performance on the court. Again, they’re all pretty standard with nothing standing out. This is the current breakdown:

Athletic Performance:Amount:
20+ win regular season$10,000
RPI of 125 after Conference Tournament$25,000
Regular Season Conference Championship$10,000
Tournament Conference Championship$10,000
Regular Season win vs.Top 100 RPI opponent$2,500
NCAA Tournament Round of 68$50,000
NCAA Tournament Second Round$50,000
NCAA Tournament Sweet 16$50,000
NCAA Tournament Elite 8$50,000
NCAA Tournament Final Four$75,000
NCAA Championship$100,000
NIT Appearance$10,000
NIT Semifinals$25,000
NIT Championship$75,000
A10 Coach of the Year$10,000
National Coach of the Year$25,000


Only twice has Paulsen received an athletic performance bonus based on the two contracts unveiled. Once in the 2015-16 season for $1,500 (Top 50 RPI win – vcu). The second was in 2018-19 season when Mason beat Dayton on the road ($2,500 for Top 100 RPI win).

There are other interesting nuggets as well. Paulsen also receives a $25,000 retention bonus for remaining the coach through April 30 of a season. The buyout of Paulsen’s Bucknell contract was $250,000 to become Mason’s coach.

Academic bonuses are included too based on the team’s performance in the classroom. While not all details of the Academic Performance are public information (student-athletes’ grades), the APR score is public. If the team’s APR is higher than 950, starting in the 2017-18 season, he receives a $25,000 bonus. In the one year with an announced APR score, Mason met the mark. The remaining monies earned, which could max out at $75,000 per year, is unknown.

In short, Paulsen has received more bonuses for Mason’s performance in the classroom than on the court.

Raise and extension included, Paulsen’s deal now rises to a seven years and $5.1 million.

What is most intriguing about Paulsen’s contract is the attendance bonus. Not a factor in the original contract, the bonus was added on the October 2017 revision."

Thanks! Can’t believe he has been extended that long! BE needs to go too

 

[tblack33]

I understand all the comments on nothing is going to happen in regards to Paulsen this season. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a reason to stay quiet about it. If people hadn’t been vocal about Hewitt he would still be the coach here burning random timeouts throughout the games.

What has anyone seen from our AD that makes us think if we aren’t vocal about our opinions on Paulsen that they will do anything about it? If this season ends the way we think it all does, every season ticket holder should let the AD know in the post season survey how you feel about the trajectory of the program. You know members of the AD look at this board, and in less than 24 hours we have more posts on the fire Paulsen thread than any game thread in the same time frame.

 

[hoops10]

Unfortunately results are what count. So he has flat lined for five years. I would have liked to see more wins like everyone else. The logic is he needed time to recruit, time to install his philosophy, and develop players. The last item is what is most discouraging. You look at Mar, Calixte, and even Hartwell. These players have gone backwards. They all looked promising when they came in and now they just aren't contributing. Even Green and Miller are turnover prone. Yes, AJWilson has worked hard and has made positive changes, so that's good. But overall I just dont see any consistency and team improvement. Seems like there is no team chemistry. So I think the buck stops with the coach. Maybe I'm all wet, but I am frustrated like most. I still look forward to watching the games.

 

[GMUgemini]

Mar’s devolution is inexplicable to me. He was useless last year even before the foot injury.

 

[GMUgemini]

I agree, although it would be less costly to buy out 2 years of Paulsen's contract than it was to terminate Hewitt with 1 year remaining on his contract.

If Paulsen doesn't reach the A10 semis by next season, I would recommend termination.

That seems reasonable to me.

 

[mkaufman1]

I understand all the comments on nothing is going to happen in regards to Paulsen this season. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a reason to stay quiet about it. If people hadn’t been vocal about Hewitt he would still be the coach here burning random timeouts throughout the games.

What has anyone seen from our AD that makes us think if we aren’t vocal about our opinions on Paulsen that they will do anything about it? If this season ends the way we think it all does, every season ticket holder should let the AD know in the post season survey how you feel about the trajectory of the program. You know members of the AD look at this board, and in less than 24 hours we have more posts on the fire Paulsen thread than any game thread in the same time frame.

I already have told some that anything less than 7th this year wasn’t acceptable and shared frustration. I will definitely be writing in frustration at the end of this year if this continues.

 

[patriot2000]

Unfortunately results are what count. So he has flat lined for five years. I would have liked to see more wins like everyone else. The logic is he needed time to recruit, time to install his philosophy, and develop players. The last item is what is most discouraging. You look at Mar, Calixte, and even Hartwell. These players have gone backwards. They all looked promising when they came in and now they just aren't contributing. Even Green and Miller are turnover prone. Yes, AJWilson has worked hard and has made positive changes, so that's good. But overall I just dont see any consistency and team improvement. Seems like there is no team chemistry. So I think the buck stops with the coach. Maybe I'm all wet, but I am frustrated like most. I still look forward to watching the games.

No issues with your post and the right to your opinion, but I respectfully disagree about chemistry. I really don't see (in just 2 live games and a lot of TV because I live far away) a chemistry problem. I really do feel bad being so hard on DP, especially as someone who liked (maybe loved?) the hire, but I think it really is just a rudderless ship. Different coaches work well at different levels, and I just don't think he can coach at this level. I think the chemistry is ok, but they just don't know WHAT to do. We pay someone half a million dollars (ish) to tell them.

 

[Herndon]

This board is pretty silly sometimes

 

[Falco]

What did DP do to merit an extension!

 

[sleeperpick]

What did DP do to merit an extension!

he certainly merited one after the first year... generally you get extensions for recruiting purposes mainly and because he definitely patched many ripped open holes. I am fine with the amount of extensions BE gave him. I vehemently disagree that we can't/won't buyout the rest of the contract.