Name the next head coach (a GMUJim tribute album)

[Pablo]

I wouldn't be surprised if Jay Larranaga becomes a better head coach than his father. The question is whether it will be in the NBA or college? I would love to see him get the job at Mason.

 

[KAOriginal]

I thought about that too - but it's certainly not unprecedented either.

• Thompson @ Georgetown
• Knight @ Texas Tech
• Sutton @ Oklahoma State

Personally I'd love it for the "gimmick" reason - the program needs a boost. Would be tough for Jay Larranaga to live up to the legacy though.

Truth is Jay is more likely to take over "The U" than little ol Mason. Higher profile conference, more money, resources, etc.

Unfortunately, Miami will most likely do what we should have done with the legacy. Hire the son who has track record, keeps recruits happy, provides an easy transition, etc.

 

[Vurbel]

The pressure would be mitigated somewhat by the fact that Jay would be replacing a dumpster fire instead of directly succeeding his father, but your point is valid.

What's the old saying, you don't want to be the guy who replaces the legend but you want to be the guy who replaces the guy who replaced the legend?

 

[GSII]

Jay L is not coming here. We left his daddy hanging so that bridge is burned. Even though he helped coach our 2006 final run via phone.

 

[KAOriginal]

Jeremy Ballard is a name being thrown around the ranks as the "next guy up."

 

[psyclone]

Jeremy Ballard is a name being thrown around the ranks as the "next guy up."

As a current vcu assistant, he's not likely to take a head coaching job in the A10 until first going elsewhere.

Speaking of vcu, there's an interesting article that I saw on the Message Board headline links:
http://masonhoops.com/villanovas-win-is-evidence-of-why-vcu-may-have-peaked-as-a-basketball-program/

 

[KAOriginal]

As a current vcu assistant, he's not likely to take a head coaching job in the A10 until first going elsewhere.

Speaking of vcu, there's an interesting article that I saw on the Message Board headline links:
http://masonhoops.com/villanovas-win-is-evidence-of-why-vcu-may-have-peaked-as-a-basketball-program/

One could argue that hiring a seasoned coach didn't work in our favor. (But I threw that out in jest, considering the state of our program.)

As for the article, while I get his point.....the truth of the matter is in the final lines:

"vcu will continue to rack up regular season wins. They’ll continue to make their annual appearance in the NCAA tournament and should be a good bet to win a game, maybe two, when they get there."

That's a "peak" problem I would love to have.

 

[JimP]

One could argue that hiring a seasoned coach didn't work in our favor. (But I threw that out in jest, considering the state of our program.)

As for the article, while I get his point.....the truth of the matter is in the final lines:

"vcu will continue to rack up regular season wins. They’ll continue to make their annual appearance in the NCAA tournament and should be a good bet to win a game, maybe two, when they get there."

That's a "peak" problem I would love to have.

Seriously, GMU fans are going to be treated to a win a month while vcu fans are concerned about whether or not they make the Sweet 16.

 

[wijg]

"vcu will continue to rack up regular season wins. They’ll continue to make their annual appearance in the NCAA tournament and should be a good bet to win a game, maybe two, when they get there."

That's a "peak" problem I would love to have.

Seriously! You could replace vcu in that sentence with Duke, Carolina or any blue blood program and it would sound like their over entitled fans. The problem as described in that quote is a problem just about any fan base would be glad to have.

 

[gmujim92]

Seriously! You could replace vcu in that sentence with Duke, Carolina or any blue blood program and it would sound like their over entitled fans. The problem as described in that quote is a problem just about any fan base would be glad to have.

vcu fans are d!ckheads. Stop the F'ing presses already!

 

[GMUgemini]

Seriously! You could replace vcu in that sentence with Duke, Carolina or any blue blood program and it would sound like their over entitled fans. The problem as described in that quote is a problem just about any fan base would be glad to have.

Sounds more like Gonzaga.

 

[Harry]

I don't see much of an advantage in firing the coach midseason. The kids can't possibly feel comfortable knowing that the guy who has been such a big part of their lives is gone. No money is saved. And if we win 5 games, every up-and-coming assistant/HC at a smaller school will know that a nice job will be opening soon. There also would be no bad vibes about firing a coach midseason.

 

[Herndon]

FWIW, UVA just announced Mike London would be back next year.

As a UVA football fan, it's a sickening feeling.

DON'T MAKE ME FEEL THIS TWICE IN THE SAME YEAR.

 

[wijg]

That is the key benefit to firing him now/mid season, the collective sigh of relief from our fanbase.

 

[A.-Siegfried]

Doesn't need to happen now. Or Jan 1. Or Feb 1. Just before March 1 to save us some cash.

 

[Quentin Daniels]

That is the key benefit to firing him now/mid season, the collective sigh of relief from our fanbase.

Which is pretty short lived and will happen anyway in a couple months if Hewitt doesn't turn it around. Give him every opportunity to sink himself so there can be no excuses at all and the prospective candidates don't have to worry about being given sufficient leeway to pick up the pieces.

 

[wijg]

Which is pretty short lived and will happen anyway in a couple months if Hewitt doesn't turn it around. Give him every opportunity to sink himself so there can be no excuses at all and the prospective candidates don't have to worry about being given sufficient leeway to pick up the pieces.

My worry is that until he is gone there is a chance he comes back for another year (or worse). He seems to be so silver tongued that he could sell ice cubes to Eskimos. So it is not the length of the sigh of relief, it is the fact that it has actually happened and we can look to the future.

 

[933127]

My worry is that until he is gone there is a chance he comes back for another year (or worse). He seems to be so silver tongued that he could sell ice cubes to Eskimos. So it is not the length of the sigh of relief, it is the fact that it has actually happened and we can look to the future.

If Mason does indeed end up finishing near the bottom like last season it's going to be pretty difficult for Hewitt to come up with an excuse. Even if he does have a silver tongue like you say what kind of persuasive excuse could he come up with if we finish exactly like last season?

The only excuse I can imagine Hewitt coming up with is: "We had eligibility issues with Therence Mayimba, he was a key piece we needed on our team to get things going, without him we suffered throughout the season."

Not much creative excuses for Hewitt to come up with if we finish bottom, silver tongued or not.

 

[wijg]

If Mason does indeed end up finishing near the bottom like last season it's going to be pretty difficult for Hewitt to come up with an excuse. Even if he does have a silver tongue like you say what kind of persuasive excuse could he come up with if we finish exactly like last season?

The only excuse I can imagine Hewitt coming up with is: "We had eligibility issues with Therence Mayimba, he was a key piece we needed on our team to get things going, without him we suffered throughout the season."

Not much creative excuses for Hewitt to come up with if we finish bottom, silver tongued or not.

If I knew what he would say to convince people, I'd be able to ensure he was gone...

Maybe there is nothing to worry about, but he had TOC snowed and seems to still be able to recruit, the guys on the team seem to be dedicated to him and even take blame for what happens on the court. So he seems to be able convince people in spite of the evidence...

 

[polepino]

I think there is a possibility BE might let the season play out. Just so incoming coaches would know they're not on too short a leash. It is his first year.