Possible coaching scenarios

[Nick]

Re: Grant, you have to remember we need a coach who has proven he can succeed despite the AD/University's refusal to invest in the program. I'm assuming that was the case at Alabama for Grant, so maybe he's not a great fit.

The problem with finding those coaches, is that if they've been successful at a school that doesn't invest in basketball, they're probably looking to upgrade to one that does. Or in other words, not Mason.

 

[Dawgs99]

Re: Grant, you have to remember we need a coach who has proven he can succeed despite the AD/University's refusal to invest in the program. I'm assuming that was the case at Alabama for Grant, so maybe he's not a great fit.

The problem with finding those coaches, is that if they've been successful at a school that doesn't invest in basketball, they're probably looking to upgrade to one that does. Or in other words, not Mason.

Taking the risk of opening a very large can of worms here but F it, I'm snowed in.....Do you really think that Mason doesn't invest in BBall? All 4 of our coaches are paid on par with or better than our "peers". Funding for the mens bball program is pretty close to even with other A10 schools in year 1, I expect this number to go up as well. Also its my understanding that Hewitt shot down the practice facility, which to me makes no sense. Even if you might not "need" a practice facility, recruits love shiny new things like that. I hope that decision is reversed soon, if not use those funds to continue the upgrades to the Patriot Center. For me I wouldn't be as disappointed with the direction of the program if we weren't funded enough to compete, but we are and our head coach is well compensated. Next season our AD must either shit or get off the pot wit this coaching staff. P.S. Anyone else hate the pat dome seats? Would love to get seats like the new lower bowl seats at the Richmond coliseum.

 

[EXpatriot13]

I hope that decision is reversed soon, if not use those funds to continue the upgrades to the Patriot Center. P.S. Anyone else hate the pat dome seats? Would love to get seats like the new lower bowl seats at the Richmond coliseum.

I think it'd be pretty cool if they did something with the four corners of the Patriot Center and somehow turned those areas into "luxury suite style" seating. This is just an extreme thought - not really meant for debate. But, we hardly ever fill those seats in the corners, it'd be a great opportunity for a sponsor to claim the naming rights for them - bring in extra dollars that way.

Only problem would be that it would cost major dollars and time to put something together like that.

 

[MasonFanatic]

You can question whether Mason has invested their money wisely (i.e. too much money tied up in an under-performing head coach?) but the idea that they don't invest in the program as a whole is a crock. Go look at how our basketball budget has been trending over the last 5 years. Hint: It's gone up something like 35%.

 

[MasonFanatic]

I think it'd be pretty cool if they did something with the four corners of the Patriot Center and somehow turned those areas into "luxury suite style" seating. This is just an extreme thought - not really meant for debate. But, we hardly ever fill those seats in the corners, it'd be a great opportunity for a sponsor to claim the naming rights for them - bring in extra dollars that way.

Only problem would be that it would cost major dollars and time to put something together like that.

Richmond did that, and it looks awesome. Unfortunately, that won't happen at the Patriot Center, since it isn't a dedicated basketball facility, and those seats are sold and used for other events like concerts.

 

[Dawgs99]

You can question whether Mason has invested their money wisely (i.e. too much money tied up in an under-performing head coach?) but the idea that they don't invest in the program as a whole is a crock. Go look at how our basketball budget has been trending over the last 5 years. Hint: It's gone up something like 35%.

Exactly, investing and investing wisely are very different things.

 

[Pablo]

IMO, the Patriot Center and the RAC are more than adequate to successfully recruit and compete in the A10. What the program simply needs IMO is better coaching, which I assume was the purpose of this thread.

 

[EXpatriot13]

Richmond did that, and it looks awesome. Unfortunately, that won't happen at the Patriot Center, since it isn't a dedicated basketball facility, and those seats are sold and used for other events like concerts.

Yea, I understand that part of it too. I was thinking from a pure basketball arena standpoint, but you're right the arena is used for much more than just basketball.

 

[GMUgemini]

Richmond did that, and it looks awesome. Unfortunately, that won't happen at the Patriot Center, since it isn't a dedicated basketball facility, and those seats are sold and used for other events like concerts.

That's not really much of a reason not to do it. Those seats could be sold at a premium for concerts and other performances as well.

Although there is the extremely busy calendar, but they will have to shut it down for the new roof anyway right? So it would seem like the perfect time for a double whammy.

 

[EXpatriot13]

I think it would be pretty cool. You could start them at the bottom and work your way to the top of the arena, almost like small platforms/stairs with one on top of the other. Maybe around three in each corner. Stadium seating, platform level with suite amenities in each one, and then the next one on top of that.

 

[Pablo]

I think it would be pretty cool. You could start them at the bottom and work your way to the top of the arena, almost like small platforms/stairs with one on top of the other. Maybe around three in each corner. Stadium seating, platform level with suite amenities in each one, and then the next one on top of that.

If I'm not mistaken, Mason cancelled plans to replace some seating in the Patriot Center with a lounge.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Exactly, investing and investing wisely are very different things.

This is what the difference is. The money may stack up on par with other programs but looking at what that money was spent on is where the problem lies.

Handrails, toilets, ticket concourse, a few lcd screens and a circa 1995 scoreboard are what we have to show for our $......Oh and a giant failure of a coach.

 

[EXpatriot13]

Scott Cherry wins Coach of the Year in the Big South.

 

[GMUgemini]

This is what the difference is. The money may stack up on par with other programs but looking at what that money was spent on is where the problem lies.

Handrails, toilets, ticket concourse, a few lcd screens and a circa 1995 scoreboard are what we have to show for our $......Oh and a giant failure of a coach.

Or Doc Nix, charter flights, buying guarantee home games, RAC expansion, field house renovation, locker room renovation, vastly increasing recruiting budgets etc. When you focus on only the things you see as a fan, you are looking at part of the equation.

 

[Patriotfan49]

Or Doc Nix, charter flights, buying guarantee home games, RAC expansion, field house renovation, locker room renovation, vastly increasing recruiting budgets etc. When you focus on only the things you see as a fan, you are looking at part of the equation.

I dont have the budget expenditure paper in front of me, so I was only going off of what I knew off the top of my head.

 

[Vurbel]

Would love to get seats like the new lower bowl seats at the Richmond coliseum.

This is officially the first nice thing to ever be said about the Richmond coliseum on this board.

 

[gmubrian]

While I am close to the point where I'd be happy with almost anyone if we got rid of Hewitt, I am in agreement with Lawdog's analysis. He is similar in many ways to Hewiitt in terms of achievement to date.

Since we are at the bottom now, no need to pay for another name that is taking a step back after being fired from a BCS gig.

At this point, there is little risk in going the up and coming assistant route.

 

[Vurbel]

While I am close to the point where I'd be happy with almost anyone if we got rid of Hewitt, I am in agreement with Lawdog's analysis. He is similar in many ways to Hewiitt in terms of achievement to date.

Since we are at the bottom now, no need to pay for another name that is taking a step back after being fired from a BCS gig.

At this point, there is little risk in going the up and coming assistant route.

Or a Scott Cherry/small school type.

 

[gmubrian]

Or a Scott Cherry/small school type.

Yes, or that option, too.

 

[JimP]

Or a Scott Cherry/small school type.

That's the way to go - just get a guy who has won at every level. Like Lonergan.

Or just get a guy who has a last name that starts with an L and avoid Pauls at all cost.