Could Mooney eventually go the way of Tony Bennett/Jay Wright?

[MDspider8]

Have been thinking about this for a few months now, and this horrific season has only made it creep in to my mind more. Do you all see a scenario where, if he continues to struggle in the portal/NIL area like this year, Mooney decides to retire in his mid/late 50's citing the changing landscape in college basketball? Mooney is 52 and will be 53 at the start of next season - that's not too far off from Bennett (55) and Wright (60) when they decided to retire.

We know Mooney is an old-school guy and definitely is not happy with the existing regulations with NIL/the portal. We've heard him express frustration with the lack of governance, open transfer market, and the struggle for a small school to compete against bigger/richer schools. Yes, he's had relative success in the last few years, but just as great as last year was, it's clear that the floor can be just as low if we don't land the right guys from the portal. If we have another year of mass roster turnover, miss on key guys in the portal and struggle again next year, I could really see him considering if this environment is still for him. Not to mention the health issue and everything he experienced through that.

On the other hand - it's not like there's a ton of incentive for us to do this. He's making great money, has seemingly no pressure on his job from the administration, and still has a very strong perception in the national media/coaching circles. His former players love him and continue to support him. Despite our conversations here the general UR "Community" largely supports him and gives him the benefit of the doubt when the team isnt winning.

Its an interesting argument and I can see both sides. What do you all think?

 

[Eight Legger]

He wants to coach his son(s) at UR. Danny is a freshman in high school, so I'll be stunned beyond belief if he leaves before the end of the 2029 season. But yes, he should absolutely recognize that his approach is not working, and it's less likely to work in this new era.

 

[wr70beh]

He wants to coach his son(s) at UR. Danny is a freshman in high school, so I'll be stunned beyond belief if he leaves before the end of the 2029 season. But yes, he should absolutely recognize that his approach is not working, and it's less likely to work in this new era.

The powers that be are so spineless to stop this from happening even if there are 5 consecutive years like this one. They’ll say Mooney has earned that privilege. It’s like Mooney is holding this program hostage.

 

[SFspidur]

I mean, if he wants to coach Danny for four years, we're talking 2032.

Danny's obviously got the gym rat in him, but he's on the small side and I don't know if he'll end up being D-I material. Of course there's a walk-on possibility if that even exists at that point.

I don't have the sense UR will ever fire Mooney, but I could definitely see him walking away amid the changing landscape. Leonard Hamilton just announced his retirement today, as he's dealing with the NIL-related lawsuit at the moment and I'm sure wasn't helping. That'll move Mooney up a spot on the list of longest-tenured coaches.

 

[SpiderGuy]

He wants to coach his son(s) at UR. Danny is a freshman in high school, so I'll be stunned beyond belief if he leaves before the end of the 2029 season. But yes, he should absolutely recognize that his approach is not working, and it's less likely to work in this new era.

His approach worked 55 pct of time, brought 3 NCAA’s in 20 years, and has been embarrassed by VCU regardless of who their coach was - and all of this in the OLD ERA.

 

[Eight Legger]

I mean, if he wants to coach Danny for four years, we're talking 2032.

Danny's obviously got the gym rat in him, but he's on the small side and I don't know if he'll end up being D-I material. Of course there's a walk-on possibility if that even exists at that point.

I don't have the sense UR will ever fire Mooney, but I could definitely see him walking away amid the changing landscape. Leonard Hamilton just announced his retirement today, as he's dealing with the NIL-related lawsuit at the moment and I'm sure wasn't helping. That'll move Mooney up a spot on the list of longest-tenured coaches.

Of course, I just meant at a bare minimum he would want to wait to coach him for a year at least. And I am guessing he's got a growth spurt coming. He's 5'9" as a freshman and his dad is 6'7". I know his mom isn't tall, but his younger brother is bigger. Plus even if he doesn't grow another inch, he's an inch or two taller than Kendall Anthony.

 

[whampas]

Have been thinking about this for a few months now, and this horrific season has only made it creep in to my mind more. Do you all see a scenario where, if he continues to struggle in the portal/NIL area like this year, Mooney decides to retire in his mid/late 50's citing the changing landscape in college basketball? Mooney is 52 and will be 53 at the start of next season - that's not too far off from Bennett (55) and Wright (60) when they decided to retire.

We know Mooney is an old-school guy and definitely is not happy with the existing regulations with NIL/the portal. We've heard him express frustration with the lack of governance, open transfer market, and the struggle for a small school to compete against bigger/richer schools. Yes, he's had relative success in the last few years, but just as great as last year was, it's clear that the floor can be just as low if we don't land the right guys from the portal. If we have another year of mass roster turnover, miss on key guys in the portal and struggle again next year, I could really see him considering if this environment is still for him. Not to mention the health issue and everything he experienced through that.

On the other hand - it's not like there's a ton of incentive for us to do this. He's making great money, has seemingly no pressure on his job from the administration, and still has a very strong perception in the national media/coaching circles. His former players love him and continue to support him. Despite our conversations here the general UR "Community" largely supports him and gives him the benefit of the doubt when the team isnt winning.

Its an interesting argument and I can see both sides. What do you all think?

I will add this to my prayer list.