Tom, I think you may have hit on a plan when we do finally replace Hewitt. You may be more useful to the search than you take credit for. We will run the selection by you. If you give it a thumbs up, we will keep looking.
The Paul Hewitt Thread
- Thread starter Patriotfan49
- Start date
Harry
Starter
Lonergan was a proven young coach who inexplicably was available...yet I doubt we even interviewed him. Had we offered, I think he would have taken a good Mason team over a downtrodden GW.
I probably wouldn't have liked a Lonergan hire at the time, so you might be on to something. haha
TOC had to have a name. He even said it himself, he was looking to make a splash.
I doubt that hiring a proven winner like Lonergan was even a consideration.
I know TOC would never do it, but if we end up replacing Hewitt, would a new AD consider hiring one of Coach L's assistants?
And maybe we could bring Courtney back as an assistant.
And maybe we could bring Courtney back as an assistant.
Harry
Starter
Haven't we already established that Coach L's assistants do not have good records as HCs?
Honestly, I think we need to not make this about TOC or anyone else other than Hewitt. The pick of Hewitt was a defensible pick. Many of us were on board, and even excited about it (including myself).
It is becoming more and more clear that the hire is not working out. As a business owner, I have made bad hires in the past. What I do though, as soon as I realize I have made a bad hire, I correct the situation as quickly as possible and try to do what can be done to minimize the damage.
If we make some sort of change to right the ship, I would not have any issues with TOC's handling of the Hewitt situation. I was impressed that he pulled the trigger on replacing our women's coach when he did. Since she was showing improvement (very slow), I thought for sure she would get an extension, but he replaced her and I have been impressed with what I have seen from the new coach so far.
It is becoming more and more clear that the hire is not working out. As a business owner, I have made bad hires in the past. What I do though, as soon as I realize I have made a bad hire, I correct the situation as quickly as possible and try to do what can be done to minimize the damage.
If we make some sort of change to right the ship, I would not have any issues with TOC's handling of the Hewitt situation. I was impressed that he pulled the trigger on replacing our women's coach when he did. Since she was showing improvement (very slow), I thought for sure she would get an extension, but he replaced her and I have been impressed with what I have seen from the new coach so far.
Here is how to address a bad hiring decision:
Brian, you and I are just gonna have to agree to disagree that hiring Hewitt was "defensible."
But I do agree that the most important thing at this point is that TOC admit his blunder and fix it, post-haste.
If he could convince Mike Rhoades to leave vcu after this season and become our next HC, that would go a long way toward minimizing the damage that Hewitt has wrought upon our program the last three seasons.
He's the perfect combination -- a young enough, high-energy guy who prefers an attractive up-tempo game, but also experienced with running his own program (albeit on the D-3 level), an excellent recruiter and a whiz with X's and O's.
vcu insiders will tell you he deserves just as much credit for their on-court success as Shaka. He's essentially their coach-in-waiting should Shaka leave -- and that should tell us something about how their admin feels about Rhoades' ability.
I can't imagine our promising young guys wouldn't be extremely excited to play for a guy like that. He's gonna be a big-time winner.
But I do agree that the most important thing at this point is that TOC admit his blunder and fix it, post-haste.
If he could convince Mike Rhoades to leave vcu after this season and become our next HC, that would go a long way toward minimizing the damage that Hewitt has wrought upon our program the last three seasons.
He's the perfect combination -- a young enough, high-energy guy who prefers an attractive up-tempo game, but also experienced with running his own program (albeit on the D-3 level), an excellent recruiter and a whiz with X's and O's.
vcu insiders will tell you he deserves just as much credit for their on-court success as Shaka. He's essentially their coach-in-waiting should Shaka leave -- and that should tell us something about how their admin feels about Rhoades' ability.
I can't imagine our promising young guys wouldn't be extremely excited to play for a guy like that. He's gonna be a big-time winner.
I am willing to forgo my next car purchase and donate funds if this is played out. Get the Scotch and hookers - time to make a move on him.
Jim, to clarify, I don't mean that everyone liked it. It was kind of like in the 70's and 80's where you couldn't get fired by going with IBM. There were definitely some red flags at the time, but there was enough other stuff (Sienna, NC game appearance, his admitting he had made mistakes at GT) to be swayed. I'm not saying it was even the best decision given the situation at the time, but at least there was enough that you could defend the hire to those you report to. I respect that you may still not be convinced it was defensible, though. Obviously, hindsight is 20/20 at this point...
My main point is that ff we focus on whether or not it was a bad choice in the first place, we will get distracted into that debate, instead of focusing on a discussion on what to do to right this sinking ship.
My main point is that ff we focus on whether or not it was a bad choice in the first place, we will get distracted into that debate, instead of focusing on a discussion on what to do to right this sinking ship.
KAOriginal
All-American
Harry
Starter
We need to fire Hewitt immediately after the season ends and hire Rhoades post haste!
I'm pretty sure we could get Rhoades for a 5-year deal at $500 K per (plus incentives) -- heck, that would be $200,000 more than vcu paid Shaka in his initial deal.
TOC needs to be working through back channels now. Let the guy know we want him as soon as vcu's season is over. It would be a huge step back in the right direction.
You mean it's not about the Jimmies and the Joes?
I think GMUTom would be willing to hook Rhoads up on some interesting road trips. I think we all should make a road trip down.
Harry
Starter
The vcu fans would be sh*tting gold bricks if they knew we were plotting to poach their assistant coach!
Another reason to move in this direction. He can coach on a real campus that does not have drive by shootings.
Quentin Daniels
Hall of Famer
Not a bad candidate, but don't do it because he's L's kid - do it if you think he's the best candidate. Same goes w/past Asst. Coaches and/or players.
I'd like to see us bring in a guy like Mike Dunlap. A respected lead Assistant at major programs, has had success as a head coach (Int'l leagues, D2 & D3), is known as an X's & O's thinker and no nonsense coach and even has NBA experience.
A red flag was that he was fired as head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats and clashed w/players there - but that doesn't really scare me off. Even at that train wreck of a franchise he showed considerable improvement.
He's not the hot shot recruiter type - but you can outsource that to your assistants easier then you can actual ability to coach.
Top Donors
-
Patriotsince81$250.00 -
GSII$100.00 -
Old Man$100.00 -
hoopsjunkie75$50.00
-
GMU1983$50.00
Forum statistics
#MasonNation Network
Check out these great sites:
GiantKiller.co
ByGeorge
Expat Hoops
Fourth Estate
Doc Nix and the Green Machine
Bill Bride - DMV Sports Shots
Patriot Brew Blog/Newsletter
GiantKiller.co
ByGeorge
Expat Hoops
Fourth Estate
Doc Nix and the Green Machine
Bill Bride - DMV Sports Shots
Patriot Brew Blog/Newsletter