Honest Question
- Thread starter kneepadmckinney
- Start date
My theory is that my little league coach was an idiot parent. Had no idea how to coach. College coaches should know better. Maybe adjust.
What always confuses me is how we have a seven player rotation, are losing three of those players, are going to have a seven player rotation next season...using only players from this season's seven man rotation.
7-3=7?
How many of you have written to Gill about mediocrity of the program? Written to
John O'Connor to ask specific questions at press conferences? I have and Gill stated
he did not share my pessimism and that we are on right path. O'Connor simply said
thank you and interesting.
If you have a complaint about the state of the program, you need to make sure you
are voicing it. I did not ask for coaching removal, but wanted to know what was Gill's
assessment of a successful program and how often should postseason (NCAA & NIT)
take place.
John O'Connor to ask specific questions at press conferences? I have and Gill stated
he did not share my pessimism and that we are on right path. O'Connor simply said
thank you and interesting.
If you have a complaint about the state of the program, you need to make sure you
are voicing it. I did not ask for coaching removal, but wanted to know what was Gill's
assessment of a successful program and how often should postseason (NCAA & NIT)
take place.
What was his answer to these questions? I don't know how he could look around the arena at the GM game and honestly state that we are on the right path. Guess he was thinking football.
The idea that Mooney has not improved the level of play of every player on the bench is ludicrous.
Interesting. Carolina how about putting Gill's e-mail address up here? I think that is a more appropriate venue for those who desire to voice their opinion on the state of the program. Gill is Mooney's boss after all.
I've been on record that I think the AD should at least clarify if he feels that the program is meeting expectations and defining what those expectations are at the end of the season.
I asked it because I view myself as a realist. I get incensed when the fire Mooney crowd comes on here after every single loss and blames the entire thing on Mooney. I find that totally absurd, particularly when we go 0-15 from 3-point land or things like that.
On the other hand, I do share the concern that the program has stagnated or plateaued. I don't think it is from a lack of desire, or effort, from anyone involved (also absurd). I do think maybe the message is a bit stale, and do get frustrated with the apparent unwillingness to COMMIT to changes in defense or player rotation, etc. I do agree you need to be able to adapt to your surroundings or risk getting overtaken.
But, I am pretty excited to see DB and NS in particular, and think it would be a major step backward to fire the coach and lose these recruits. So I think I side on "no" but it's closer than I wish it would be. Ideal scenario is that Mooney gets a "come to Jesus" meeting with Gill or even on his own, a la Tom Coughlin after the retirement of Tiki Barber.
If I could ask one question of him, it would be "do YOU have the courage to commit to making hard decisions, and stick to them? You may need to change the way you prefer to do things, but it could be for the best interest of this team and next."
On the other hand, I do share the concern that the program has stagnated or plateaued. I don't think it is from a lack of desire, or effort, from anyone involved (also absurd). I do think maybe the message is a bit stale, and do get frustrated with the apparent unwillingness to COMMIT to changes in defense or player rotation, etc. I do agree you need to be able to adapt to your surroundings or risk getting overtaken.
But, I am pretty excited to see DB and NS in particular, and think it would be a major step backward to fire the coach and lose these recruits. So I think I side on "no" but it's closer than I wish it would be. Ideal scenario is that Mooney gets a "come to Jesus" meeting with Gill or even on his own, a la Tom Coughlin after the retirement of Tiki Barber.
If I could ask one question of him, it would be "do YOU have the courage to commit to making hard decisions, and stick to them? You may need to change the way you prefer to do things, but it could be for the best interest of this team and next."
And how on earth can you say they are getting better? The only better would be that they improve as a team unit to win games. Are you saying that each individual has improved but the team hasnt improved? I dont buy it and if thats the case that is a serious coaching failure.
FS, that's a very one-dimensional perspective. I can improve my performance but still not outpace the performance of the competition. So if we want to re-cast the definition of "improvement" to include that we win more games or whatever, then we should do so. Frankly, that's probably the measure that most people care about, so I understand your point.
I talked to my friend over at U of R a while back and season ticket sales are up 60% over just five years ago. Also, you can see the crowds and the sell outs, the fan base is happy, the school is VERY happy.
That's a measure that does not reflect conference championships & NCAA appearances. If sell outs and fan base is happy, I guess that's enough for some. I wonder if the players prefer sell outs or being able to dance in the NCAA Tournament.
Ok so you are saying that we have gotten better "as a team" but the competition has improved on a greater level? I can understand that theory but if you watch the games there is no way youcan say this team has gotten better as the season has gone on. And if other teams have progressed beyond us its because their coach has adjusted to the circumstances where ours has not. Either way it is a result of poor coaching imo.
I went to Richmondspiders.com and went to staff directory and emailed directly to him.
No, I'm not saying we have gotten better as the season has progressed, we have definitely worsened. I was only responding to the philosophical argument that's been advanced by some that our players don't develop/improve. I think that's nonsense.
His answer was very politically correct in that "our goals are to always each year to make the NCAA tournament and we are very disappointed when we do not". He basically said in so many words that there would be no change to either women's or men's programs based on fact Shafer has faced some very difficult circumstances and Mooney has lost so many close games and he has us on right path.
What was his answer to these questions? I don't know how he could look around the arena at the GM game and honestly state that we are on the right path. Guess he was thinking football.
So if we are wondering about any coaching changes, it is not going to take place. But I did really question if the admissions standards create a major roadblock to us getting the quality
of player we need to compete in the A10. That he has not answered. I pointed out that Davidson, GW and St Louis for one have tough standards, and they are competitive year after year.
So either blame the admissions dept or the coaching staff or both.
Players that get more game experience should develop more, just common sense. If one thinks that overall the UR basketball players have developed sufficiently under Mooney, then you would have to be in the "not recruiting A-10 caliber players to begin with" camp. Either way you look at it highlights a coaching failure.
This is why emailing the AD is a waste of time. He has no option but to provide the rah-rah political answer.
Sending an email to anyone in the AD is a waste of time and effort. They're always going to toe the PR line and stay on message. If anyone is waiting for candid, off the record emails such as "yeah, we agree with your sentiments and plan on cleaning house at the end of year....but sssshhhh. Don't tell anyone." then you're smoking the good stuff.
If someone is fed up with the current state of the program then stop going to games, stop buying tickets, stop buying at the concessions and stop buying souvenirs. As sad as it sounds, if a large amount of people start doing that then they'll take notice because what matters most? Their bank accounts and P&L's.
If someone is fed up with the current state of the program then stop going to games, stop buying tickets, stop buying at the concessions and stop buying souvenirs. As sad as it sounds, if a large amount of people start doing that then they'll take notice because what matters most? Their bank accounts and P&L's.
I may have stated before??? Coach will be here for duration of contract regardless of win loss record year to year & even if we don't make NCAA tournament again.
If it plays out that way, then that's quite sad & speaks volumes of the pecking order.
This is major Division 1 sports. There is pressure to win and win big here. I disagree that stop supporting the team, buying tickets, merchandise is the way to go.
The way to go is to express your thoughts to the AD. Yes, of course he is going to give you a canned response. If he was going to fire Mooney tomorrow, he would give you that same response. However, if I do think it makes a difference if he hears there is discontent from 15 people versus hearing that from 250 people. As long as he thinks the vast majority of the fan base is content with the program, the easier it is for him to sit on his laurels and do nothing.
Gill is not firing Mooney after the season, that is not happening. However, perhaps if Gill hears from enough ruffled feathers, that his end of year conversation with Mooney has a bit of a different tone than it did last year. Maybe that conversation compels Chris to do some things differently, like make a personnel change, prioritize playing younger players more, demands that he uses all of his scholarship each year, etc...
The way to go is to express your thoughts to the AD. Yes, of course he is going to give you a canned response. If he was going to fire Mooney tomorrow, he would give you that same response. However, if I do think it makes a difference if he hears there is discontent from 15 people versus hearing that from 250 people. As long as he thinks the vast majority of the fan base is content with the program, the easier it is for him to sit on his laurels and do nothing.
Gill is not firing Mooney after the season, that is not happening. However, perhaps if Gill hears from enough ruffled feathers, that his end of year conversation with Mooney has a bit of a different tone than it did last year. Maybe that conversation compels Chris to do some things differently, like make a personnel change, prioritize playing younger players more, demands that he uses all of his scholarship each year, etc...
not a joke, fact... The 7,201-seat Robins Center has hosted five sellouts in 2015, and Richmond ranks fourth in the A-10 in average attendance at 5,749 - last year BEFORE the NIT tournament... this year is about the same, I have seen great crowds - tomorrow is a sellout again...remember not all seats actually have a person in them to sell out.
It's a shame that some are so blinded by their frustration/anger that they cannot see anything but bad.
SpiderGuy, I agree with you.
SpiderGuy, I agree with you.
I have to agree about our attendance. It has been very good, even though the students still don't show up unless it's VDU. I have seen many many empty A-10 and other arenas on TV this year. Some of it has to do with almost all games being on TV or online now.
Come on, URFan1. I think so many of the positives that we can see are what have led to frustration -- we are thrilled with the updates to the arena. It's good to see attendance numbers up. These are indicators that we as fans are doing our part, in fact, and the university is doing some great things, too, as far as investing in the program. But, enough is enough! We can't just sit back and say that this season is going great!
Acknowledgment is the first place to start. Commitment to change is another thing that I would like to see. There are many warning signs out there that things won't improve to any measurable degree.
KW you think I don't share your frustration? But my question to you is what are you doing--other that complaining on a anonymous message board?
If you haven't noticed U of R is doing everything they can possibly do to pack the Robins Center, and for that I appalled them. They have adopted the family fun, Richmond Squirrels approach and it has worked. My kids couldn't be happier at the games, wife oblivious to the team record, just enjoys the atmosphere. Sit back relax, Mooney is a good coach and even better person, and he isn't going anywhere, lets talk about what things we can control: armchair quarterbacking.
Everyone has their perspectives. I'm glad that your wife is oblivious to the team record. I can tell you that there are other wives who aren't. One I know travels to out of town games and is not a happy camper. It's just not an entertainment thing to those who take their team seriously and want their team to perform up to potential. Do you belive we're fulfilling potential?
I doubt the players consider it an entertainment thing. I'm just guessing that they are playing their hearts out for wins, to be #1 in the conference, and to get an NCAA bid.
Per you statement: CM may be wonderful person, but I'm not sure the consensus at this point is that he's a good coach. Your statement is relative, & I don't think conference championships & NCAA bids would support your opinion. If you're using entertainment value as a criteria, then shooting a ton of 3's would qualify as a "yes".
I doubt the players consider it an entertainment thing. I'm just guessing that they are playing their hearts out for wins, to be #1 in the conference, and to get an NCAA bid.
Per you statement: CM may be wonderful person, but I'm not sure the consensus at this point is that he's a good coach. Your statement is relative, & I don't think conference championships & NCAA bids would support your opinion. If you're using entertainment value as a criteria, then shooting a ton of 3's would qualify as a "yes".
93 what can we control? Attendance, financial support, etc.... If Quelly can dictate a lacrosse team, why can we not influence the success of our revenue sports?
I've donated to the athletics department, I've watched or listened to as many games as I can get here (I live abroad), I have supported UR unconditionally. I have had a letter penned to Gill that I haven't sent yet. What else should I be doing?
