Fire Dave Paulsen / Hire Tony Skinn

[gmujim92]

I think it’s relative. I have no problem starting a coach at 750 then renewing higher if he shows he can win.

That’s fine, but it’s always going to be even more of a crapshoot hiring somebody at that price point. We might get lucky with the next guy ... our history says not likely.

 

[GMUgemini]

Instead of focusing on spending, can anyone tell me what the program needs but doesn't have? I honestly am not sure, outside of luxuries like chartering flights. Spending probably helps some things but the staples (locker rooms, practice facility, arena) are all above average.

Posting a ranking of spending in the A10 probably reflects some broader truths but I am at a loss as to what it means specifically.

Good question. What is the recruiting budget relative to the other schools. The last time I saw that it was when Hewitt was coach and he had a bigger recruiting budget than Shaka Smart.

Charters are a luxury, but they are a competitive advantage (get to leave when you want, come back when you want, better, more comfortable seating arrangements). Also, what's the team bus situation like?

Finishing the practice facility phase II would be a priority to me, too, as would further upgrades for EBA (reconfiguring the seating bowl and upgrading the seating would be nice, but I also know that is going to take the place out of commission for awhile -- that's also more of a revenue/fan experience side than a competitive side).

But, yeah, overall we are about where we should be relative to coaching salary differences. If we paid Paulsen what Richmond pays Mooney, we'd be right in the same range as both Richmond and URI right now and neither one of those teams seems to have a problem recruiting or being competitive in the A-10 (and sometimes relevant nationally).

 

[mkaufman1]

Instead of focusing on spending, can anyone tell me what the program needs but doesn't have? I honestly am not sure, outside of luxuries like chartering flights. Spending probably helps some things but the staples (locker rooms, practice facility, arena) are all above average.

Posting a ranking of spending in the A10 probably reflects some broader truths but I am at a loss as to what it means specifically.

it’s a great question. Like @GMUgemini it all starts with the coach. I suspect if they can up how much they can spend, maybe the quality of the coach can go up. They go hand and hand. Maybe you try and start a guy around 700 plus incentives and then always can bump it with improvements. That at least brings you better quality coaches especially for an A10 school.

there’s really nothing in spending that is guaranteed for results on the court. Everything starts with the coach. Phase 2 of the practice facility would obviously be nice but that doesn’t guarantee anything.

 

[mkaufman1]

I think it’s relative. I have no problem starting a coach at 750 then renewing higher if he shows he can win.

theoretically if the next coach comes in and wins 20 games and there’s NIT talk, they would probably get a bump and extended. The bar has to be pretty low at this point.

 

[Pablo]

Is the issue starting compensation for the head coach, or the perception that the school is not fully committed in supporting the program?

 

[GMUgemini]

Is the issue starting compensation for the head coach, or the perception that the school is not fully committed in supporting the program?

Perception for whom, us the fans, or a potential new hire? I don't think we could know the answer to this question unless and until Paulsen is fired and we go on the market for a new coach, but I do feel like saying we'd be willing to shell out $800k-$1 million for you does a lot of signaling. I'm sure whatever new potential coach would also have some things to say about the direction of the program and what they need to be successful here.

 

[GSII]

Again, no more Paul in the name.

 

[Falco]

Paulsen is

Budgets for each team. I don't even think we need to spend more. Bonnies pay Schmidt $832K base. We just need to cut some fat and reallocate. End of the day DP is probably last in pay and he gets Mason to middle pack. That could be a winning combo for Mason. Let's see what they do this off season. My guess is that they will give him a one year extension considering we are finishing above .500 and probably 6th in a "good" A10 year. He also has some good young pieces in Oduro, Kolek and Fraizer.

1. vcu — $6,100,756
2. Dayton — $5,637,549
3. Saint Louis — $5,590,746
4. Massachusetts — $5,324,089
5. Richmond — $4,878,508
6. Rhode Island — $4,713,547
7. Duquesne — $4,445,910
8. Fordham — $4,436,291
9. Saint Joseph’s — $4,212,082
10. George Mason — $3,515,918
11. St. Bonaventure — $3,449,008
12. La Salle — $3,096,492
13. George Washington — $2,943,015
14. Davidson — $2,638,281

Fordham isn’t last...

 

[Falco]

I’m unsure if Mason cares at this point, but if they want to be relevant they need a big time name. I’ll take a chance on Bruce Weber.

I would also be thrilled to have Turgeon.

Here comes the Hewitt comments.

 

[mkaufman1]

Going big fish and a coach that had success at a BCS level and maybe wasn't "good enough" for that fanbase I would consider.

If we go up and comer and the BCS assistant approach- I give everyone Brandin Knight who is top assistant at Rutgers.

https://www.app.com/story/sports/co...ll-assistant-coach-brandin-knight/4546255001/

 

[The Great PATSby]

I would also be thrilled to have Turgeon.

Is Turgeon really on the hot seat? I know a lot of their fans want him out for being 4-5 in the NCAA in 9 years. Imagine being a fan of a program that finished ranked 12th in the nation and Tied for 1st in the Big 10 in 19'-20' and wanting your coach gone 12 months later for being mediocre during a trivial year. Must be nice. With that being said I would not be opposed to Hiring Turgeon. The guy has won everywhere he's gone. 0% chance of that happening tough.

 

[bravesfan]

I’m unsure if Mason cares at this point, but if they want to be relevant they need a big time name. I’ll take a chance on Bruce Weber.

I would also be thrilled to have Turgeon.

Here comes the Hewitt comments.

Steve Prohm for me. Born in Vienna, had no chance at him the first time (one of the hottest mid-major coaches at the time), but may get fired at Iowa State after this year. Still young (46).

 

[gmujim92]

Steve Prohm for me. Born in Vienna, had no chance at him the first time (one of the hottest mid-major coaches at the time), but may get fired at Iowa State after this year. Still young (46).

If it has to be a retread, we could certainly do worse. Still don’t want a retread though.

 

[bravesfan]

If it has to be a retread, we could certainly do worse. Still don’t want a retread though.

No disagreement. Was in that context of "if that's the route they go..."

 

[GMUgemini]

If it has to be a retread, we could certainly do worse. Still don’t want a retread though.

Retreads will be more expensive with the same level of risk as an up and coming coach.

 

[gmujim92]

@mkaufman1 has sold me on Brandin Knight from Rutgers. I’d love the Tony hire for nostalgia and reconnecting with the FF team, but Knight is a very impressive guy — he’s gonna be a HC soon and I strongly suspect he would kill here.

EDIT: He’s making $300k now so we probably could get him at Dave’s money and be prepared to pay incentives for on-court performance ... would be nice to have a coach finally hit a few of those.

 

[tblack33]

@mkaufman1 has sold me on Brandin Knight from Rutgers. I’d love the Tony hire for nostalgia and reconnecting with the FF team, but Knight is a very impressive guy — he’s gonna be a HC soon and I strongly suspect he would kill here.

EDIT: He’s making $300k now so we probably could get him at Dave’s money and be prepared to pay incentives for on-court performance ... would be nice to have a coach finally hit a few of those.

I don’t hate it. Only thing I’m worried about (and might not be a legit worry, haven’t done a ton of research) is what are his ties to the area? We really need a guy who can hammer the DMV recruiting scene. Too much talent leaves our backyard.

 

[gmujim92]

I don’t hate it. Only thing I’m worried about (and might not be a legit worry, haven’t done a ton of research) is what are his ties to the area? We really need a guy who can hammer the DMV recruiting scene. Too much talent leaves our backyard.

Hire Lamar as No. 3 assistant. Done and done.

 

[tblack33]

Hire Lamar as No. 3 assistant. Done and done.

I could easily get behind something like that. Checks a lot of the blocks for fan service that were looking for.

 

[mkaufman1]

FWIW Knight was making 300k according to an article I found back in 2017, so I'm guess he got a raise by now. So assume you will have to probably pay him 700k at least.

But yeah, give me Brandin Knight, give me Lamar Butler as #3 assistant and lets f**king go.