Next Coach

[Eight Legger]

Hardt can't simply act as if he hired Mooney yesterday and rest his stopwatch to zero. He can't simply evaluate him on this season in a vacuum. If he does that, then yes, he is another Gill. I understand why he didn't fire him immediately after taking the position, but after this year, he needs to understand that Mooney (likely) will have missed the NCAAs eight straight years – not just the two that Hardt has been around.

I suspect Hardt is smart enough to understand this and intentionally gave Mooney this year to prove himself or not. Making the NCAAs this year is a tall order, but it is long overdue, and he needs to make it happen or lose his job.

 

[urmite]

My question to you would be who could take this squad, as currently compromised, to the NCAA tourney this year? I unfortunately don’t believe we have that squad this year, barring improvements from the big 3/serious freshmen contributions.

I hope I’m wrong and I reserve the right to change my opinion after watching the full OOC, but I’m not sure we have the talent/experience for anyone to bring us to the tourney this year.

Actually Maurice Joseph could take this team to the NCAA. And that is saying something...


That is my faith in these players...

 

[Eight Legger]

https://deadspin.com/the-real-story-behind-the-lewd-video-and-bitter-feud-th-1830223615

 

[MrTbone]

I agree that it’s no one’s fault but Mooney’s the program is in the position it’s in. His recruits, 100% agree. And if you want to fire him over that, I’m ok with that, I see your point.

Where I was disagreeing is basing the firing on this year’s performance (I.e. NCAA or bust). I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect this squad (at least how I view them at the moment), to make the NCAA this year, no matter who is the coach.

Which is what led to my defense of Hardt as not being a Gill. If he didn’t fire Mooney before the season, then he doesn’t view the sins of the past the same as you. If he did, I would think he would’ve made the change last season. I would imagine he will be judging Mooney on the progress the team makes this year. And expecting the NCAA based on the current state of the squad at the beginning of the season would be an unreasonable standard.

And yes, I realize I am splitting up the expectations for a 14 year direction of the program vs. the current team’s expectations.

The argument is that Hardt will look like Gill if he continues to let CM linger with moderate results. No one is questioning that in isolation it would be a rash/unreasonable decision, but he has inherited a history that obligates him to consider more than just this year's situation.

 

[spider23]

but he has inherited a history that obligates him to consider more than just this year's situation.

Very good point Mr Tbone, Hardt would likely have spent a good bit of time researching the hoops program and Mooney prior to taking the job. He should be evaluating Mooney on the last 4 years and this one.
Of course, Mooney and PQ are saying: Well I didn't have admissions on my side, and we didn't have a practice facility, and we didn't have a modern facility, and we didn't have charter flights, etc etc. Oops he does have a modernized arena and has had flights for some time, unlike Highlandernation taking a bus.

 

[I-M-UR]

I would fire Mooney immediately and try to hire Dick Tarrant to be interim HC until the end of the season. I’m sure he has forgotten more about coaching basketball than Mooney will ever know!

That would be the second time Tarrant got a job because a head coach departed. When Goetz left unexpectedly Tarrant got the job as an interim position and the rest is history.

 

[spiderman]

the question for Hardt as always is whether or not Mooney is the right guy going forward. NCAA's are always the goal but not the the only factor regarding the last 7 years. we won a lot of games those last 7 years ... and certainly the last 9 years. Hardt spends this year seeing the program from the inside, and making the determination about the future. if he's good, he hasn't already made up his mind or put a baseline required result in place regardless of circumstances. it's always about the future more than the past.

I know some of you will be miserable if we go 18-12 and Mooney stays. I'll be excited. I'd love to see him coach next year with this line up a year older plus Francis and Burton. I like the pieces he's put together. just my opinion.

 

[I-M-UR]

I know some of you will be miserable if we go 18-12 and Mooney stays. I'll be excited. I'd love to see him coach next year with this line up a year older plus Francis and Burton. I like the pieces he's put together. just my opinion.[/QUOTE]
How many years have you, and I, and a lot of us said the exact same thing only to find out a year or so later the reality doesn't change?

 

[spider23]

I know some of you will be miserable if we go 18-12 and Mooney stays. I'll be excited. I'd love to see him coach next year with this line up a year older plus Francis and Burton. I like the pieces he's put together. just my opinion.

How many years have you, and I, and a lot of us said the exact same thing only to find out a year or so later the reality doesn't change?[/QUOTE]
I-M, yes that is the point. I was in the s-man line of thinking, but hit my quota a couple years back. Next year is the year.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

The Moon will come out next season
Bet your bottom dollar that next season
There'll be Moon

Just thinkin' about
Next season
Clears away all logic, and all reason
'Til there's none

When I'm stuck with a loss
To Longwood.....
I just open a beer
And cheer, and say, oh.........

 

[fan2011]

Hardt can't simply act as if he hired Mooney yesterday and rest his stopwatch to zero. He can't simply evaluate him on this season in a vacuum. If he does that, then yes, he is another Gill. I understand why he didn't fire him immediately after taking the position, but after this year, he needs to understand that Mooney (likely) will have missed the NCAAs eight straight years – not just the two that Hardt has been around.

I suspect Hardt is smart enough to understand this and intentionally gave Mooney this year to prove himself or not. Making the NCAAs this year is a tall order, but it is long overdue, and he needs to make it happen or lose his job.

They key is to start a new evaluation process every season, then at the end of each season determine you need more time based on the current team's theoretical potential in a few years... then start a new evaluation the next year...

 

[fatherspider]

The Furman coach. Just watched him lead team to road win at Defending national champ Villanova.

 

[Spiderstew1962]

Villanova just lost at home to Furman. Will there be a “Fire Jay Wright” thread on their fan message board?

 

[spider23]

Yes, because Jay Wright has barely sniffed an NCAA bid in 6 year. And Furman has not beat half the final four from a year ago. Come on people, you are making yourselves look like idiots. Let's leave that to VCU and company.

 

[fatherspider]

Villanova just lost at home to Furman. Will there be a “Fire Jay Wright” thread on their fan message board?

Nominate for dumbest post in history!!! Is that you Chris?

 

[wr70beh]

We can turn things around like Furman.... It starts with kicking Mooney to the curb and getting a real coach who knows how to balance players minutes for the long haul.

 

[spider23]

We can turn things around like Furman.... It starts with kicking Mooney to the curb and getting a real coach who knows how to balance players minutes for the long haul.

When the heck did Furman become this world beater?? OHHHHH, you are saying they got a new coach and that propelled the program. Very interesting idea, very interesting. Imagine how pumped up the fan base is having wiped out 1/2 last years final four, and we are not even at Thanksgiving. BUT we did beat STFU and Longwood.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

BUT we did beat STFU and Longwood.

So it was just a bad dream?

 

[SpiderDaMan]

Actually, Villanova is just bad right now. Could be a very long Big East season for them. They're athletic, but they have no clue how to run anything on O or D. A sieve for good driving guards.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

When the heck did Furman become this world beater?? OHHHHH, you are saying they got a new coach and that propelled the program. Very interesting idea, very interesting. Imagine how pumped up the fan base is having wiped out 1/2 last years final four, and we are not even at Thanksgiving. BUT we did beat STFU and Longwood.

Furman's coach only in his 2nd year as the head man so I don't know if his X's and O's will stand the test of time, BUT, his team was impressive. And Coach Ritchie blew me away in the post game interview. His fire and the language that he used have LEADERSHIP stamped all over them. Leadership, cohesion, team building, and mission accomplishment go a long way toward winning. I would take a chance on him in a minute.

 

[Eight Legger]

Yep, and his team is mostly underclassmen. Really impressive.

 

[spider23]

And I have no idea which conference Furman plays in, but those two wins in two weeks would likely match up against any we have had in five years. But, we do have a good opportunity vs Loyola. As I noted on one of the pre-season threads - this will be the litmus test. BC and Wyoming do not see that great this year.

 

[spider23]

So it was just a bad dream?

Oops, my forecast had us winning first three games. Mental note to 23: We lost to Longwood. Got it.

 

[SpiderDaMan]

All I have to say is I'm very glad not to have Furman on our schedule. They really look solid and could do some serious damage this year. Good for them!

 

[coachfezz]

i think Coach turns it around this year because first game was big kick in the dupa.

 

[urmite]

Furman wasn’t bad last year either, 23-10 with losses to Duke, Butler and Tennessee...

 

[urmite]

And I have no idea which conference Furman plays in, but those two wins in two weeks would likely match up against any we have had in five years. But, we do have a good opportunity vs Loyola. As I noted on one of the pre-season threads - this will be the litmus test. BC and Wyoming do not see that great this year.

Really? Same basketball and Football conference we were in in the 60s. If you don’t remember, I can send FRS to give you a history lesson...

 

[spider23]

Ok, Google tells me southern conference. Unlike 4700, I am post Newman era.

 

[spider23]

John Beilein is one of the top coaches in America. That is a fact that is backed up by his achievements AND by the eye test. Anyone who knows the intricacies of coaching basketball can see that he is doing A LOT of things right. Richmond was just a short blip on radar for him.

Patrick Beilein is too unproven for my liking. In 10-more years he MAY have the resume and the skills to be a great coach at Richmond - or he may not. He (and others like him) would be a horrible hire at this point in time and likely a disaster because the Spider program is down. I hope that the AD has more savvy than to bring in an unknown who may or may not end up being successful (another like Mooney).

The Spider job will be desirable. Everything is in place to bring in a proven winner. A true rising star (like Nate Oats) or maybe even a Buzz Williams or Jaime Dixon type. Williams and Dixon were very successful, then their long tenures grew stale. Change job situations and Va. Tech is playing in the NCAA and sniffing top 25. Jaime Dixon has TCU winning the NIT in his first year and now headed to the NCAA in year two.

I am not talking about a retread like Anthony Grant. Grant has never been a great coach and he never will be. There are hundreds of others like him to stay away from. It is the Ad's job to know the difference.

It shouldn't be that difficult. The program now requires a bit of a rebuild. But, great coaches don't cower from a rebuild because they know that they can do it in a couple of years. I am confident that there are a lot of good coaches who would give their right arm to have the tradition, facilities, and salary that exists in Richmond. The AD has to make a good choice.

Went to see Michigan play today. JB has more passion and coaching ability in his little finger than Moon has in his body.

 

[urmite]

Ok, Google tells me southern conference. Unlike 4700, I am post Newman era.

I think I forget not everyone follows football and basketball closely. That would have been another way to know that was more recent.

And I predate Newman. Well I predate him by 1 day on this earth...

 

[FrontRoyalSpider]

And I have no idea which conference Furman plays in, but those two wins in two weeks would likely match up against any we have had in five years. But, we do have a good opportunity vs Loyola. As I noted on one of the pre-season threads - this will be the litmus test. BC and Wyoming do not see that great this year.

Furman University is a long time member of the Southern Conference i.e. SoCon.

 

[spiderman]

Actually, Villanova is just bad right now. Could be a very long Big East season for them. They're athletic, but they have no clue how to run anything on O or D. A sieve for good driving guards.

Nova is really struggling. lot of new faces. they'll be a much better team by the new year.

 

[97spiderfan]

Watched that Furman game and glad others had the same thought. Furman coach had those guys being aggressive and playing to win. If we ever had a lead like that against a team like Nova, Mooney would have gone into classic clock milking time and we would have gone passive and choked it away.

 

[spiderstudent17]

Top coaches we should be looking at right now:

1. Nate Oats - Buffalo
2. Bob Richey - Furman
3. Earl Grant - Charleston
4. Rick Stansbury - WKU
5. Steve Donahue - Penn
6. Jason Williford - Associate Head coach at UVA

 

[SpiderTrap]

Top coaches we should be looking at right now:

1. Nate Oats - Buffalo
2. Bob Richey - Furman
3. Earl Grant - Charleston
4. Rick Stansbury - WKU
5. Steve Donahue - Penn
6. Jason Williford - Associate Head coach at UVA

I like Oats - but fear he will get grabbed by a P5 school after this year, especially if they win a game in the NCAA tourney. Furman is hot right there - but have to see if they keep it going. I don't like Donahue - just don't like going back to the Ivy League and he has already had his time to shine, when he left Cornell for BC and couldn't produce up there.

The more I think about it - the more I like Williford. He would bring the pack line D philosophy with him, and have to assume he does some recruiting so knows what kind of kids to look for. And UVA - even with the embarrassing loss last season in the tourney, is just so consistent the past several years - it would be nice to see if he could build a consistent top 4 team in the A10 with Richmond.

 

[spiderstudent17]

The more I think about it - the more I like Williford. He would bring the pack line D philosophy with him, and have to assume he does some recruiting so knows what kind of kids to look for. And UVA - even with the embarrassing loss last season in the tourney, is just so consistent the past several years - it would be nice to see if he could build a consistent top 4 team in the A10 with Richmond.

Plus Williford knows how to recruit with a strong academic institution. Not to mention he is a Richmond native.

 

[SpiderRick]

Williford is a local kid

 

[MrTbone]

I can’t have this conversation until we are 3-10.

 

[spider23]

Well...that Longwood point total I posted...39 points for a game....was at the hands of former UVA assistant Ron Sanchez. Like I have said before, going the unproven assistant route is not my favorite, but maybe defense travels. Right now you could pitch the Washington Generals coach and I would give it a listen.

 

[fatherspider]

This thread should now be dead because the answer is........ ANYONE