Coaching Carousel 2023

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Walter

Walter

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I would. They have been good for a long time, and are heavily invested in doing these things right.
And Indiana and Georgetown aren’t? Also a crapshoot when hiring a coach.
 

patriotchild

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Would love for us to know who our guy is, lock him in on the side but say hey let’s have a little fun and then drive the bargaining higher for anyone vcu may be after.
 

Masonfan3

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Anyone have an idea when we should be hearing something on a hire? With half our team and a lot of others in the portal, I'd like to see us get someone locked in ASAP so they can start having conversations/keeping our own players/signing some new ones...
 

mkaufman1

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Anyone have an idea when we should be hearing something on a hire? With half our team and a lot of others in the portal, I'd like to see us get someone locked in ASAP so they can start having conversations/keeping our own players/signing some new ones...
Mid June after the completion of the study about how to hire the next coach.



(Kidding, really soon. I expect this week)
 

JPgmuswim

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I’m really hoping we hear something Today. Even if it’s a deal to make Skinn head coach is being finalized.

That being said it seems like most of the boards are all about Tony becoming head coach. What makes everyone so confident he’s going to be good? Does anyone have any insight on what his style of play would be? I’m also willing to take a gamble on him, and I know where he’s been an assistant at but other than that I know nothing about what his vision in running a team would look like.
 

mkaufman1

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I’m really hoping we hear something Today. Even if it’s a deal to make Skinn head coach is being finalized.

That being said it seems like most of the boards are all about Tony becoming head coach. What makes everyone so confident he’s going to be good? Does anyone have any insight on what his style of play would be? I’m also willing to take a gamble on him, and I know where he’s been an assistant at but other than that I know nothing about what his vision in running a team would look like.
Nobody has any idea on whether Tony would be good or bad. If it goes bad, its really bad for Mason considering who he is, although coaching and playing can be separated to some degree.

However, I think we all agree, that its time to take a chance on one of our own. Tony is up and coming, spent several years as a BCS assistant and coaching in general. We all know the other credentials.

I'm sure that the Mason staff evaluating him, are vetting him to make sure that he checks all the boxes that you want in a Men's basketball coach. It doesn't mean he is going to be a good head coach, but at the very least all the diligence should be done approrpiately.

I don't have any insight into how he would run his offense or defense etc. I suspect he will take pieces of what he has learned over 10+ years of coaching plus his playing experience to design them. It sounds lame and obvious but that's just a guess. Hopefully he can explain off the bat what he prefers on both sides of the ball. Of course not having a team, makes it hard to project.
 

Patriotsince81

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Does anyone have any insight on what his style of play would be? I’m also willing to take a gamble on him, and I know where he’s been an assistant at but other than that I know nothing about what his vision in running a team would look like.
I have wondered the exact same thing.
 

JimP

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I’m really hoping we hear something Today. Even if it’s a deal to make Skinn head coach is being finalized.

That being said it seems like most of the boards are all about Tony becoming head coach. What makes everyone so confident he’s going to be good? Does anyone have any insight on what his style of play would be? I’m also willing to take a gamble on him, and I know where he’s been an assistant at but other than that I know nothing about what his vision in running a team would look like.
I have the same concerns. Mason royalty obviously, but it's a gamble. On the other hand, I'm not sure there is a sure thing out there.
 

mkaufman1

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Asking because I honestly don’t know. How many assistants make almost half a million a year? Skinn is currently making 475k / year.

Seems like he has no problem getting top assistant coaching salary offers. I would think that would bode well as to what people around the country think of his ability/potential.
Agreed. FWIW in 2019, English got 310k at UT. Obviously dated, but less than Skinn (yes, different area, job, league etc). I don't have time to google too much, but I have to think that Skinn is handsomely rewarded for his abilities. Brandin Knight at Rutgers made 625k this past season.
I have the same concerns. Mason royalty obviously, but it's a gamble. On the other hand, I'm not sure there is a sure thing out there.
There really isn't. And if there was a guarantee of a coach winning, hes probably not going to Mason.
 

gmujim92

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GIVING DAY 2023
I’m really hoping we hear something Today. Even if it’s a deal to make Skinn head coach is being finalized.

That being said it seems like most of the boards are all about Tony becoming head coach. What makes everyone so confident he’s going to be good? Does anyone have any insight on what his style of play would be? I’m also willing to take a gamble on him, and I know where he’s been an assistant at but other than that I know nothing about what his vision in running a team would look like.
I’m confident in Tony for 2 main reasons:

1. He is widely considered one of the best recruiters in college basketball, as evidenced by both his salary and the rumor that Maryland is preparing to offer him a significant raise to stay there. Procuring talent is the most important thing and Tony is a rock star in that regard.

2. He has played and coached for some really high-level guys — obviously L, but also Chris Holtmann and Kevin Willard. He has learned how to run a first-class program and also I’m sure has picked up tactical stuff from each of those coaches. For a first-time HC he would come to Mason with a broad perspective on winning basketball.

These guarantee nothing, obviously, but combined with the excitement Tony would generate within the fan base, it feels like a no-brainer to give him a shot.
 

Pikapppatri8

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At this point - given our experience in getting coaches and restarting the program since Coach L left - I think we really have nothing to lose. We got a relatively big name in Hewitt and that failed. We got an up and comer from a smaller conference/college and that didn't pan out. We went with a young well known coach in KE and that lasted 2 years.

After watching the retros about Mason's FF run last night - I say make a strong - real strong push for Skinn get his assistants and then grab the BOV by the short and curlies and say FUND THIS NOW. Force funds into the athletic programs and facilities. It would seem as viable an approach as all the others we have tried.
 
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