Media Discussion of Spider Hoops

[Spider B]

For those of you that want Gilyard to medical redshirt if he's not going to be 100%, there is no guarantee he will play his 5th year with the Spiders. Just like there is no guarantee that Grant and Nick will play their 5th year with the Spiders. Unless he is really that hurt, he should come back this year.

If we get a coach who knows how to put these guys in the best spot to be successful, I think there is a good chance most would stay. Can you imagine having a coach that would actually run a play to get Nick an open look from 3 or put our center on the block and let him score instead of having him on the perimeter half the time? See, winning is fun and when we are winning, I suspect our players will be very happy here.

 

[spiderman]

What's the going spread on Mooney Futures?

It might be braking through support levels. I've been adding to my position all the way down. Getting worried about a margin call.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

so if Gilyard doesn't play it's Mooney making an excuse,
but if he does it's Mooney risking a player's health to save his job.

I'm not sure what you want him to do.
the stock market opened down this morning ... freakin' Mooney.

I thought stock market was Rocco's fault. Weather is Mooney.

 

[iSpider]

It's not Bob.
It's the mindset.
Only some will get this.
I get that.

 

[MrTbone]

For those of you that want Gilyard to medical redshirt if he's not going to be 100%, there is no guarantee he will play his 5th year with the Spiders. Just like there is no guarantee that Grant and Nick will play their 5th year with the Spiders. Unless he is really that hurt, he should come back this year.

Or he can come back and play semi-hurt all year for a team with very limited ncaa chances. It’s pretty much a wash if he plays this year but st least there’s a chance to get his fifth year if he redshirts.

This of course presumes he would even be eligible.

 

[SpiderK]

Continually re-aggravating a groin injury before it is fully healed can make it a recurring long-term problem. I make my statement confidently upon good authority

** I have no idea whether JOC has ever played the game with a groin injury or not.

JOC writes like he has had a life long groin injury. I honestly thinks he hates covering the Spiders. Pissed he didn't get UVA.

 

[MolivaManiac]

As observed in the final minute and a half or so of the video from the postgame presser, is the relationship between Mooney and O'connor growing adversarial?

Enjoy the victory lap, coach. On to Coppin State.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

Ugh. Has he had enough time to "think about" JOC's question and get back to him? Hardt went on record and assured us that he would.

 

[KWeaver]

A bill Dooley shout out.

 

[Spiders10]

Flash in the pan moments from this week give me the impression that Mooney is coming back. One week I feel like he's gone, then the next week my thoughts change. Hardt even said himself that he's not reaching a conclusion on his evaluation after 6 or 7 games (which should be the past 120 games).

It's the same script every year. We get off to a horrendous start, then the youngsters gel, chemistry, improve, yackity yack narrative and Mooney gets a reprieve.

Buckle up.

 

[Eight Legger]

The bar for this program is so low that literally ANY win now provides sufficient ammunition for those who want to keep Mooney to say, "See? He's doing a great job!"

 

[Spiders10]

As observed in the final minute and a half or so of the video from the postgame presser, is the relationship between Mooney and O'connor growing adversarial?

I'm sorry, I may be missing something, but can someone help me understand this exchange, and the ensuing laughter?

 

[MolivaManiac]

I'm sorry, I may be missing something, but can someone help me understand this exchange, and the ensuing laughter?

He compliments a student for the question he asked and then says "see John, that's how you ask a good question."

Then he goes back and does it again at the end.

JOC is basically the only media still on our beat regularly and earning probably 2 or 3% of what Mooney does and Mooney goes out of his way to embarrass him, probably as a punishment for his question after the Hampton game. Pathetic.

 

[GKiller]

Could be something not privy to unless in room. But my impression is it’s not knee slapping laughter. It’s the laughter you use when masking some other emotion. Mooney didn’t like JOC’s question the other night. Really that simple.

 

[SouthJerseySpiderFan]

Pathetic.

Just saw the video at that point. What a below the belt, low life action by Mooney against an undeserving JOC. Vengeful Mooney indeed. It wasn't pathetic ......
It was PATHETIC!!! Want Mooney gone more than ever now! Feel for the players.

 

[spider23]

He compliments a student for the question he asked and then says "see John, that's how you ask a good question."

Then he goes back and does it again at the end.

JOC is basically the only media still on our beat regularly and earning probably 2 or 3% of what Mooney does and Mooney goes out of his way to embarrass him, probably as a punishment for his question after the Hampton game. Pathetic.

Yes, Mr. "Good Guy" going out of the way to rub JOC's nose in it. For doing his job. Fake nice guy.

 

[spider23]

10, yes buckle up. As u note, it's a pattern every year. Let's hope Haddt is smart enough to figure it out and has the autonomy to make a change, and get a good one.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

Finally had a chance to listen to the whole show w/Hardt (was traveling and stream kept dropping).

1 - I texted in a very straightforward, non-adversarial but tough question, and they instead asked him about cargo shorts and the nutrition bar.

2 - As soon as Hardt answered SpiderJeff's Iowa metaphor with "fan loyalty" - I knew Mooney's not going anywhere. "Be patient, everyone. Next year is right around the corner. The moon will come out.....next season"

 

[whampas]

Finally had a chance to listen to the whole show w/Hardt (was traveling and stream kept dropping).

1 - I texted in a very straightforward, non-adversarial but tough question, and they instead to ask him about cargo shorts and the nutrition bar.

2 - As soon as Hardt answered SpiderJeff's Iowa metaphor with "fan loyalty" - Mooney's not going anywhere. Be patient, everyone. Next year is right around the corner. The moon will come out.....next season

Stop going to games.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

Stop going to games.

My communication to Hardt and IMG Spider Sports Marketing (which I told them to also pass to Hardt) - not one dime until Mooney is gone.

I'll start advertising in the Robins Center when it's done.

 

[spider23]

Chopping, the answer to Spider Jeff chilled me to the bone. Basically said in Iowa that the fans will come out year after year no matter how bad the team is. Basically inferring to shut up and do your part while I wait and wait.

 

[Spiders10]

Thanks, Mo. Finally had time to go back and listened to video in full. Total douche.

Also noticed that during his "humbling" tribute last night he thanked/gave credit to all staff, coaches, players, managers over the years. Never mentioned the fans. Never gave JOC an answer to his question from last week.

They're digging in and hoping this whole thing blows over. Hardt, Bob Black, Mooney, et al.

 

[whampas]

My communication to Hardt and IMG Spider Sports Marketing (which I told them to also pass to Hardt) - not one dime until Mooney is gone.

I'll start advertising in the Robins Center when it's done.

Good for you. I find it difficult to not root for the Spiders therefore I stay at home and root for them. When Mooney is gone, my family and I will return. It's all I know to do. I've cut my contributions to the minimum to keep my football seats. I guess that's next. Don't go to games.

 

[Spiders10]

Oh, somewhere in that PR spin I also heard season has been "dramatic" and something about "outside forces".

 

[ur2K]

Mooney has had the easiest job in sports for the last 13 years with virtually zero pressure and a big paycheck. It’s telling how he’s reacting to the one person who actually writes about our team now that person is asking a few moderately difficult questions.

 

[mr.spider]

Just saw the video at that point. What a below the belt, low life action by Mooney against an undeserving JOC. Vengeful Mooney indeed. It wasn't pathetic ......
It was PATHETIC!!! Want Mooney gone more than ever now! Feel for the players.

Makes me very angry. Seriously. Please attack viciously, JOC.

 

[I-M-UR]

My communication to Hardt and IMG Spider Sports Marketing (which I told them to also pass to Hardt) - not one dime until Mooney is gone.

I'll start advertising in the Robins Center when it's done.

I don't know the reason why but long time sponsor Woodfin dropped us as well? Still do the Dog drop at VCU

 

[97spiderfan]

Makes me very angry. Seriously. Please attack viciously, JOC.

It is such a passive aggressive move, trying to humiliate a guy doing his job in front of his peers. And JOC has been very accommodating to Chris and his tribulations here and he asks one tough question and Mooney does this.

I'm getting tired of Mooney is a great guy moniker. He is thin skinned and insecure. Need proof, watch the tape. Go back and watch some of his 30 second presser after a loss. Go back to last year when a fan asked him a question about the 2-10 OOC and what he would have changed. Mooney refused to answer, Bob answered for him and Mooney said what he said. We are going to see more of this as the season goes on and the losses mount.

This is the type of leadership we want representing us and our program?

 

[nathanw19]

Makes me very angry. Seriously. Please attack viciously, JOC.

I guess I don’t know the relationship between JOC and Mooney, but I thought this was more an attempt at playful banter. And that’s how I took it. It didn’t feel malicious to me.

But I’m also used to Boston sports where Belichik is a complete ass to reporters, and goes out of his way to be a complete ass, and there’s no question he’s being a complete ass.

I thought Mooney was referencing a relationship with JOC and joking with him. But again, that’s predicated on Mooney and JOC having that sort of relationship, which I do not know that they have or don’t have.

 

[spiderman]

how dare you try to trivialize this, Nathan.

 

[97spiderfan]

You'd have to go back to the Hampton game and see the question JOC asked that pissed Mooney off (which was what would you say to the fans about the start). Mooney refused to answer, you could tell he was pissed about it.

BTW: Mooney never did follow back up with JOC on his answer. I wish someone could pull that clip from last year as well. Mooney hates being asked what he would say to the fans/stakeholders in the team.

 

[KWeaver]

I guess I don’t know the relationship between JOC and Mooney, but I thought this was more an attempt at playful banter. And that’s how I took it. It didn’t feel malicious to me.

But I’m also used to Boston sports where Belichik is a complete ass to reporters, and goes out of his way to be a complete ass, and there’s no question he’s being a complete ass.

I thought Mooney was referencing a relationship with JOC and joking with him. But again, that’s predicated on Mooney and JOC having that sort of relationship, which I do not know that they have or don’t have.

I don't pay nearly as much attention to all of these interviews, but I felt like this might be the case, too. No idea, though.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

I think he did answer the question - his message to the fans? "I'd like to thank the players, coaches and staff that made this possible."

Anyway, the gushing over the record tonight is going to be epic.

 

[Spiders10]

Hoops Spider Sportsline. A bigger joke than the program itself.

 

[spider23]

Yes, good points, still didn't answer the question. As always, lack of accountability.

Had a conversation with a former D1 head coach, former ACC assistant about 6 years ago. He said Mooney has the best job in the country. Basically that he makes a ton of money, with an administration that really doesn't care. It made me think (was back in my pro Mooney years ) and was a harbinger of things to come. Chilling conversation.

 

[nathanw19]

You'd have to go back to the Hampton game and see the question JOC asked that pissed Mooney off (which was what would you say to the fans about the start). Mooney refused to answer, you could tell he was pissed about it.

BTW: Mooney never did follow back up with JOC on his answer. I wish someone could pull that clip from last year as well. Mooney hates being asked what he would say to the fans/stakeholders in the team.

I saw the original exchange. I said at the time I thought Mooney should’ve answered it because it was such a softball question. However, Mooney wasn’t a jerk about not answering it. He just said he would have to think about it and get back to JOC. Not the best deflection, but certainly not the worst. He wasn’t mean or even rude to JOC by any standard.

 

[97spiderfan]

He was being glib with JOC in that interview.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

I wonder why the student - C.J. Slavin I'm guessing - didn't (get to) ask a question after Longwood or Hampton?

 

[spiderstudent17]

Here are my thoughts on the Mooney-JOC situation. I get this board tends to sway more on the side of blaming Mooney and the administration for little minor or trivial things. And when posters do that, I have no problem disagreeing with their opinion. I always try to call things the way I see them. For instance, I had no problem voicing my opinion that the update email Hardt sent over Thanksgiving was a good one and not meant to be read into more than what it was.

I’ve seen enough Mooney post game press conferences during my time following Richmond to feel that Mooney’s passive comment to John was not just some playful banter. I’m sure Mooney wanted it to come across that way which is why he had the most fake laugh ever to cover it up. But it’s clear based on Mooney’s dismissive response to JOC after the Hampton game and the fact the very next home game press conference Mooney makes that “see John” passive aggressive comment, that Mooney didn’t appreciate the question JOC gave him. My problem with Mooney in this situation is that it’s fine for him to not like the question asked, but he still has to respect John as a professional journalist who is simply doing his job asking questions many of us want to know.

My bigger thought with Mooney is that I believe he lacks self awareness and refuses to acknowledge his own mistakes or errors. Has Mooney ever taken ownership when we do poorly? Has Mooney ever publicly taken responsibility and set standards of tangible goals to achieve? It always seems like he deflects the blame - like he’s never doing anything wrong and there’s always some other reason to explain why we haven’t done well. He has never addressed our lack of rebounding (though we are have one of the worst offensive rebounding in the country!) and is a one-trick pony with the Princeton offense, that many teams seem to figure out. He dismisses any sort of critical questions - that is completely justified and appropriate - from JOC and then embarrasses John as to send the message to him not to ask those type of questions again. It just seems like Mooney has this mentality that he is this genius coach who’s game strategy is perfect and everyone else just doesn’t understand the 3D chess he is playing. We’ve been at this for 8 plus years now. I don’t need to make $1.2 million as a coach to see that we are doing hasn’t been working.

 

[mr.spider]

Comments like that could take him over the top with fans and media. I don't think JOC will take his crap..this could get interesting. And it could all come crashing down if Mooney misplays his final "likeable guy" card. Go ahead - piss off the media, piss off the fans, and while you're at it get a couple double Ts and ejections!