Absolutely. In the end they want to win. But there's realistic constraints. They just cant go out and sign free agents. Budgets to take care of flagship hoops and women's rowing. Athletes have to be educated.
Just saying from a professional angle, Edwards comes into Mason....looks at the landscape/history/Univ mission....and says here's what we need to do right now: clean up a dumpster fire, get donations flowing...and "hope" we get a little bit of success with the new hire to say I cleaned the place up AND got the right coaches hired...all for his next interview.
Paulsen on the other hand already knows he is toast. Unless he gets hot all of the sudden....he's got nothing to draw him to the next level. His only saving grace is Mason is the type of school to just let him limp along.
That's the sad state of Mason basketball.
Agree with your first part, disagree with the second.
Paulsen may feel the heat, but that is because of a new President. Other than the unknown of what Brad may or may not do because of the new President, I can't think he has any heat. Brad and him have a good relationship and have been on the same page throughout the time they've worked together.
He definitely could probably limp around with Brad at the helm, and the nature of Mason towards athletics, but I can't help but think someone like him whos worked his way up from D3 could someday want to coach at a higher or the highest level. Its just natural progression of a coach.
I get what you are saying overall though.
