Fire Dave Paulsen / Hire Tony Skinn

[Patriotsince81]

2 of our top 4 players and the loss of all big man depth is certainly a problem for next year.

If DP stays next year and does not GET a few big transfers we are going to be LOUSY at best. Hopefully we will have a new coach who has recruits/transfers lined up and have them come along for the ride. I'm 28 . I just want to dance before I'm 70.

 

[Pablo]

Also we lose AJ, Javon and Greg (at least) after this season so if we’re gonna be in rebuilding mode anyhow, may as well do it with a new staff.

So, are you saying there is no chance that any of these players will stay at Mason for a 5th year of eligibility?

 

[tblack33]

So, are you saying there is no chance that any of these players will stay at Mason for a 5th year of eligibility?

Highly unlikely based on what other seniors around the conference have said so far. And for our seniors, why come back for one more year of the same thing?

 

[Pablo]

If DP stays next year and does not GET a few big transfers we are going to be LOUSY at best. Hopefully we will have a new coach who has recruits/transfers lined up and have them come along for the ride. I'm 28 . I just want to dance before I'm 70.

I'm assuming that Paulsen has signed just 1 transfer in his career (i.e., Reuter). Do you expect him to be less reluctant to accept transfers after the one-time transfer exemption is implemented?

 

[GMUgemini]

I'm assuming that Paulsen has signed just 1 transfer in his career (i.e., Reuter). Do you expect him to be less reluctant to accept transfers after the one-time transfer exemption is implemented?

If he was smart he would take nothing but transfers with the rest of the 21 class. We need a PG, a Center and a power forward who can start right away.

He should also just shut down XJ for the rest of the year. His knee is obviously not right (go back and look at the highlights of the vcu game. His one bucket is on there and his is wincing and barely able to run down the court after the layup).

 

[GMUgemini]

Highly unlikely based on what other seniors around the conference have said so far. And for our seniors, why come back for one more year of the same thing?

Agreed. Especially AJ who would be here for 6 years. Might as well start their pro career overseas.

Calixte I’m not so sure about.

 

[gmujim92]

So, are you saying there is no chance that any of these players will stay at Mason for a 5th year of eligibility?

AJ and Javon are definitely not coming back. Zero point zero chance. Don’t know about Greg but I wouldn’t be surprised if he transferred somewhere he could start and play big minutes for his final year of eligibility. It’s not gonna be at Mason.

 

[gmujim92]

Honestly the timing of the one-time transfer exception makes it even easier to hit reboot with a new coach after this season.

While we will most assuredly lose some guys from what looks to be another not very good team, an aggressive coach should be able to bring in plenty of talent with the opportunity for immediate playing time in one of the top 8-9 basketball leagues in the country.

Dave has stabilized the program and Brad has improved the facilities. Now there is no reason to settle for another long-term rebuild with exclusively 4-year players.

 

[mkaufman1]

Yeah- on the bright side, this is really a good opportune time for Mason to try and take a next step as a basketball program in the A10. Like Jim said, we have a few new shiny objects to help recruiting, some guys will be graduating so playing time will be available, and a new coach will get some people interested just by default. Add to the fact that people will probably want to actually go do something after being locked in their house for a year and a half, its good timing.

Mason better not mess this up.

 

[gmujim92]

All the stars are aligning for it to be Tony. I just did a quick pro/con list and it’s an absolute no-brainer. We even have the luxury of taking a risk on an unproven coach — we already pretty well suck, so if he doesn’t work out, what have we lost?

 

[Patriotsince81]

I'm assuming that Paulsen has signed just 1 transfer in his career (i.e., Reuter). Do you expect him to be less reluctant to accept transfers after the one-time transfer exemption is implemented?

I don't know. He has been reluctant during his time here that much we know. If he stays I hope he looks for help. He has to know that he's in trouble.

 

[Pablo]

So, are we saying that the only way for the program to benefit from the one-time transfer exemption is to hire a new coach?

 

[tblack33]

All the stars are aligning for it to be Tony. I just did a quick pro/con list and it’s an absolute no-brainer. We even have the luxury of taking a risk on an unproven coach — we already pretty well suck, so if he doesn’t work out, what have we lost?

Hit the nail right on the head. No one has expressed a solid reason why not. If it doesn’t work, cut sling load after three seasons and try again. This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to make a quick turnaround with everything going on. Which is what will make it all the more worse if we don’t make a move. I can’t see Brad not pushing for it if we keep on this current path.

 

[gmujim92]

So, are we saying that the only way for the program to benefit from the one-time transfer exemption is to hire a new coach?

No, I’m saying if there is a change, it will be easier for the new coach to replenish the roster than it would’ve been when non grad transfers had to sit out a year.

 

[gmujim92]

Hit the nail right on the head. No one has expressed a solid reason why not. If it doesn’t work, cut sling load after three seasons and try again. This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to make a quick turnaround with everything going on. Which is what will make it all the more worse if we don’t make a move. I can’t see Brad not pushing for it if we keep on this current path.

For me even if all that Tony offered was a chance to re-energize the fan base and reconnect with the most successful period in program history, that would be enough. But he would bring so much more than that to the table. I’m getting kinda fired up just thinking about it.

 

[mkaufman1]

Remember there will most likely be another search committee involved and there has to be mutual interest. I'd love for them to take a shot with Tony Skinn, but there will be other qualified candidates to vet and talk to as well. It does seem like a no brainer at this point.

Hopefully the day comes when Dave is removed, and we can all donate a few bucks with Tony Skinn in the comments. I know I will.

 

[Pablo]

All the stars are aligning for it to be Tony. I just did a quick pro/con list and it’s an absolute no-brainer. We even have the luxury of taking a risk on an unproven coach — we already pretty well suck, so if he doesn’t work out, what have we lost?

I don't know about the "stars" and notwithstanding this board anoiting Tony Skinn as the next coach, my guess is that Brad Edwards will continue to rely on Parker Executive Search. If so, let's hope that Tony's makes its list of the most highly qualified coaches applying for the position.

 

[gmujim92]

Remember there will most likely be another search committee involved and there has to be mutual interest. I'd love for them to take a shot with Tony Skinn, but there will be other qualified candidates to vet and talk to as well. It does seem like a no brainer at this point.

Hopefully the day comes when Dave is removed, and we can all donate a few bucks with Tony Skinn in the comments. I know I will.

Donations, season ticket purchases and overall interest in the program would all increase significantly. While those aren’t necessarily reasons to hire somebody, they’re certainly not factors that a place like Mason is in a position to ignore, either.

 

[gmutom]

For me even if all that Tony offered was a chance to re-energize the fan base and reconnect with the most successful period in program history, that would be enough. But he would bring so much more than that to the table. I’m getting kinda fired up just thinking about it.

I don't disagree, Jim, but playing devil's advocate I'm not sure the new president and/or a search committee will see it the same way. They have one chance to get the next hire right — whenever that might be — and I'm not sure nostalgia and an assistant coach with no head coaching experience will necessarily be at the top of their requirements.

Before people reply, let me state clearly that I like the idea of a Tony Skinn hire. I do believe he'd be very good coach, great recruiter and passionate advocate for restoring the program's glory days. I just think, to Matt's point, that there are many other worthy candidates out there who will be justifiably vetted for the job. Hopefully, Tony is at or near the top of that list.

 

[gmubrian]

While hardly a fan of the Hewitt hire. How’d that work out to fire him only to hire DMD boy?

What is your idiotic point? I guess you thought we should have kept Hewitt? At least with a change of coach there is the chance for improvement.