At this point, I think Mooney's exit is inevitable. I no longer think we are giving him a chance to show progress or to show what we could be down the line etc. He's gone. So the questions focus on how is it best handled and what direction do we turn. In answering that, I think we have 2 key considerations and 2 key non-consideration(s).
Key Considerations: (1) what benefits the University/program the most; and 2) what benefits the kids on the team the most. Not in any order - - - these are co-number one.
Key Non-Considerations: (1) respecting CM or not humiliating CM kinds of thoughts and (2) placating fans. I am not saying we should or need to disrespect or humiliate CM etc. only that we need to figure out whats best for school/program and kids and do it - - -regardless of its impact on CM etc. He took a high paying job and he's gotten paid (and will continue to get paid) for doing that job (and doing it not so well at that). We shouldn't be the least bit concerned about the "look" etc. for him. He's a nice guy and represented us well in many ways, but we don't need to be worried about him in all of this and certainly not at the expense of what otherwise would what we think is the best way to handle it all. we can and should certainly do what we have to do in the nicest way possible for him, but in no way do we do anything other than whats best for the school and the players!
So the key question for right now is does he finish out the season or go immediately? Following the considerations above - - - What's best for players? Hard to see how playing for a lame duck coach and one who maybe players have some issues with is beneficial. Playing for an interim isn't great either, but I think it gives kids one thing which is a chance to basically rally around themselves and feel good about that. As for school/program - - - money is a non-issue, he's going to get paid whatever he is owed either way. We'll owe the interim a raise for 3-4 months worth of work, so no big deal. Key issue for me for school/program is doing what we can to retain key (really all) guys and recruits. Letting this play out for 25 more games and letting everyone settle in with increasing disillusionment at losing and unhappiness with UR basketball seems the path to certain loss of a whole lot of players. Allowing the players to play for a new guy (albeit interim) will at least give them a chance to to build some base for how things could be better right here at UR. That said, firing him today might also lead to the loss of an entire recruiting class. Keeping him til end of season might (might, not will) enable keeping some or all of the class, but not sure it will. Early signing period is over and next one isn't til after season and I don't see how we delay the firing til after that. So best solution might be to work on our new coach "behind the scenes" from now til end of season and have it all lined up so we can fire and hire in very short order and the new guy can immediately get to work on shoring up the recruiting class. Hopefully the new coach can be planning ahead for that etc. and be in position to know what he needs to do etc. right away. This behind the scenes hiring can honestly be done whether CM is fired now or later, but its seems a little less untoward if you actually formally have a job opening.
With all of that, I can't see how the right decision isn't to move on immediately! I may be missing something, but what possible gain is there to letting this season play out as is?
Key Considerations: (1) what benefits the University/program the most; and 2) what benefits the kids on the team the most. Not in any order - - - these are co-number one.
Key Non-Considerations: (1) respecting CM or not humiliating CM kinds of thoughts and (2) placating fans. I am not saying we should or need to disrespect or humiliate CM etc. only that we need to figure out whats best for school/program and kids and do it - - -regardless of its impact on CM etc. He took a high paying job and he's gotten paid (and will continue to get paid) for doing that job (and doing it not so well at that). We shouldn't be the least bit concerned about the "look" etc. for him. He's a nice guy and represented us well in many ways, but we don't need to be worried about him in all of this and certainly not at the expense of what otherwise would what we think is the best way to handle it all. we can and should certainly do what we have to do in the nicest way possible for him, but in no way do we do anything other than whats best for the school and the players!
So the key question for right now is does he finish out the season or go immediately? Following the considerations above - - - What's best for players? Hard to see how playing for a lame duck coach and one who maybe players have some issues with is beneficial. Playing for an interim isn't great either, but I think it gives kids one thing which is a chance to basically rally around themselves and feel good about that. As for school/program - - - money is a non-issue, he's going to get paid whatever he is owed either way. We'll owe the interim a raise for 3-4 months worth of work, so no big deal. Key issue for me for school/program is doing what we can to retain key (really all) guys and recruits. Letting this play out for 25 more games and letting everyone settle in with increasing disillusionment at losing and unhappiness with UR basketball seems the path to certain loss of a whole lot of players. Allowing the players to play for a new guy (albeit interim) will at least give them a chance to to build some base for how things could be better right here at UR. That said, firing him today might also lead to the loss of an entire recruiting class. Keeping him til end of season might (might, not will) enable keeping some or all of the class, but not sure it will. Early signing period is over and next one isn't til after season and I don't see how we delay the firing til after that. So best solution might be to work on our new coach "behind the scenes" from now til end of season and have it all lined up so we can fire and hire in very short order and the new guy can immediately get to work on shoring up the recruiting class. Hopefully the new coach can be planning ahead for that etc. and be in position to know what he needs to do etc. right away. This behind the scenes hiring can honestly be done whether CM is fired now or later, but its seems a little less untoward if you actually formally have a job opening.
With all of that, I can't see how the right decision isn't to move on immediately! I may be missing something, but what possible gain is there to letting this season play out as is?
