This Year and Next Year

[spiderstudent17]

I don't get the argument that the school isn't invested. Hardt has repeatedly mentioned on interviews that competing for A10 champiosnhips is the goal. $17 million was spent on Robins Center, $15 million for the new basketball facility, what appears to be more leniency from the administration with recruiting, and of course the hiring of a basketball centric AD in Hardt.

Many of you think that Mooney is the underlying problem and by not firing him the school is not committed to success - even though we have done all these things alluded to above. Just because you don't agree with the school not firing Mooney doesn't mean we haven't showed - in numerous ways - our commitment to success.

By the way, I'm someone who thinks Mooney should be on the short lease, but am also very pleased to see the strides the school is making to building up our basketball program. It would be foolish to fire a coach right now who is returning all his starting players, has a 3 star recruit in Sal coming in and potentially a four star recruit in Bryce.

 

[MolivaManiac]

I don't get the argument that the school isn't invested. Hardt has repeatedly mentioned on interviews that competing for A10 champiosnhips is the goal. $17 million was spent on Robins Center, $15 million for the new basketball facility, what appears to be more leniency from the administration with recruiting, and of course the hiring of a basketball centric AD in Hardt.

Many of you think that Mooney is the underlying problem and by not firing him the school is not committed to success - even though we have done all these things alluded to above. Just because you don't agree with the school not firing Mooney doesn't mean we haven't showed - in numerous ways - our commitment to success.

By the way, I'm someone who thinks Mooney should be on the short lease, but am also very pleased to see the strides the school is making to building up our basketball program. It would be foolish to fire a coach right now who is returning all his starting players, has a 3 star recruit in Sal coming in and potentially a four star recruit in Bryce.

If the school was truly 'invested', 12 and 20 seasons would not be OK.... and even if it isn't the coaching staff's fault, it was cease allowing the admissions office to bend over the Athletic Department and have everyone say it's OK.

Also, having a 3 star recruit coming in should not be hailed as an achievement. It should be the standard.

 

[Spiders10]

It would be foolish to fire a coach right now who is returning all his starting players, has a 3 star recruit in Sal coming in and potentially a four star recruit in Bryce.

We'll see.

 

[spiderstudent17]

If the school was truly 'invested', 12 and 20 seasons would not be OK.... and even if it isn't the coaching staff's fault, it was cease allowing the admissions office to bend over the Athletic Department and have everyone say it's OK.

Also, having a 3 star recruit coming in should not be hailed as an achievement. It should be the standard.

I am confident when I say Hardt, Queally, whomever, is not happy that we went 12-20. However, decisions need to be made tactifully. Strong core returning, potentially two contributors next year (if Bryce comes) and an A10 where the top teams are losing their best players, positions us very nicely. Losing Mooney could result in players transferring and/or having them adjust to a completely new coaching system which could lead to a slow start (look at football with Huesman). Also, we have finished T- 5th or better in the A10 standings 3 of the last 4 years. We were first four out of NCAA tournament 4 years ago, were a lucky Briante Weber making a 3 two years ago from making the A10 finals, and Sherod's shot rolling in and out from making semi finals this year.

Shoulda woulda coulda only does so much, I understand that and I want better for this program but it's not like the sky is falling. Firing Mooney isn't the answer right now because of the reprocussions it can have. The best thing Hardt should be doing (and is doing) is building the practice facility, getting the alignment between athletics and administration, and telling Mooney he has 1-2 more years and that's it.

Best thing we can do right now is send Mooney a "How to coach rebounding book for dummies" and give him a lesson on "how to recruit someone taller than 6'5" 101"

 

[Eight Legger]

The problem is that the trial-and-error, wait-and-see ship has sailed. You don't get 7 off years and then get to say, 'Ok, but NOW we really have it together!'

Mooney needed to make the NCAAs this year in order to salvage something from his disastrous contract. He failed miserably. Many of us refuse to wait for another rebuild.

 

[KWeaver]

Mo, why are you and others so concerned about another’s salary? Just is foreign to me this way of thinking; never jealous of what someone else has. Be happy with your plight.

 

[KWeaver]

Did you ever see all this plight?

 

[spiderstudent17]

The problem is that the trial-and-error, wait-and-see ship has sailed. You don't get 7 off years and then get to say, 'Ok, but NOW we really have it together!'

Mooney needed to make the NCAAs this year in order to salvage something from his disastrous contract. He failed miserably. Many of us refuse to wait for another rebuild.

We're certainly stuck between a rock and a hard place with Mooney, but firing him right now would do more harm than good in my opinion. I'm not even a Mooney fan myself and not suggesting that "now we have it together", but I try to think of the situation we are in big picture.

Plus, the initial prompt that had me respond was posters saying that the school isn't committed to success. Of course we are. There is ample evidence to support that. Just because it isn't in the way many people here want it to be i.e. firing Mooney, doesn't mean efforts aren't being made.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

Hardt has repeatedly mentioned on interviews that competing for A10 champiosnhips is the goal.

we have finished T- 5th or better in the A10 standings 3 of the last 4 years.

We have finished T-3rd or lower in the A10 standings 13 of the last 13 years. Are we competing for championships?

Shoulda woulda coulda only does so much

Amen.

 

[spider23]

If Hardt and Queally are buying into the "firing Mooney now will cause harm" argument, then they are really, really not smart when it comes to D1 college basketball. It really unbelievable how willing we are to make excuse after excuse year after year for Mooney.

 

[spiderstudent17]

I think you're confusing my point of "I am happy with our results" and "I am not happy with our results, but I think firing Mooney right now is not the best option."

With respect to firing Mooney, the way I see it Hardt has two hypothetical situations that could play out.

Hypothetical scenario A: Hardt fires Mooney and maybe no one transfers and maybe we hire the right coach who maybe makes an immediate impact with his system.

Hypothetical scenario B: Mooney works with all his starters returning and maybe we can make the NCAA.

There just seems like there are too many variables that need to go right for option A.

Look at Pitt. They paid a huge buyout to fire their coach, 10 players requested their transfer, and they haven't been able to get any of the big name coaches they wanted and are looking at options C, D, and E.

 

[spider23]

If you have a smart, aggressive AD you believe in, then yes you are all in on option 1.

If you have no faith in PQ and Queally and just think Mooney is going to somehow grow X and O wise and find some motivation then you go all in on option 2.

I have lost faith in Mooney, and do not have any idea if Hardt can pick the next guy to guide the program so feeling we could be screwed either way, but liking option 1 better.

 

[MolivaManiac]

Hypothetical scenario A: Hardt fires Mooney and maybe no one transfers and maybe we hire the right coach who maybe makes an immediate impact with his system.

Hypothetical scenario B: Mooney works with all his starters returning and maybe we can make the NCAA.

There just seems like there are too many variables that need to go right for option A.

There is a hypothetical scenario C that we may find is not particularly hypothetical soon.

 

[ur2K]

We’re entering year 8 of hoping for hypothetical scenario B.

 

[spiderstudent17]

There is a hypothetical scenario C that we may find is not particularly hypothetical soon.

And if any key player(s) transfer out now and we don't get Bryce, then Mooney should go with them. Unless that happens, I maintain that option B is what's best for our program right now

 

[spider23]

We are with you 17.

 

[spider23]

Right. Ulla, you know as well as the rest of us why it matters how much we pay our coach. No one is jealous of what he makes -- but for that much money, we could do much better than this. If we don't care to do any better than this, we should save our money and invest it in the biology department or the lacrosse program or another dessert endowment at D-Hall.

Owned. Give it up Undermanned Losing at message board Lost Apathetic

 

[Eight Legger]

Rocco wasn't going to Delaware either, right 32?

 

[spider23]

Rocco wasn't going to Delaware either, right 32?

Exactly, hopefully the history of being wrong is 100% and not 50. Hahahahaha

 

[spider23]

So were you right or wrong about Rocco Mr. Big Donor, you are pretty funny

 

[32counter]

So were you right or wrong about Rocco Mr. Big Donor, you are pretty funny

I knew Gill was gone way before anyone,if Rocco left.That I can State unequivocally as a fact.I also knew Hardt would be hired way before any dopes on the Basketball Board.That I can also State as a Fact.

Regarding Rocco,I knew he was gone 3 months before he left.I was unable to share that info. and was told in confidence.

Work on getting your contribution up to $200 annually before you or anyone else thinks they can influence anything inside Robins Center.

You and your buddies fiction writing has no relevance.

 

[plydogg]

Work on getting your contribution up to $200 annually.

I know it wasn't directed at me but if Bryce Golden comes to Richmond mine will be MUCH higher than this next year!!!

 

[spider23]

I knew Gill was gone way before anyone,if Rocco left.That I can State unequivocally as a fact.I also knew Hardt would be hired way before any dopes on the Basketball Board.That I can also State as a Fact.

Regarding Rocco,I knew he was gone 3 months before he left.I was unable to share that info. and was told in confidence.

Work on getting your contribution up to $200 annually before you or anyone else thinks they can influence anything inside Robins Center.

You and your buddies fiction writing has no relevance.

OK, you win, night night. I let you get the last word, you contribute somewhere in the range between me and PQ, congrats big guy. No need to post more tonight, I am giving you the last word and the W.

 

[spider23]

And where is 32 getting information on how much Eight Legger donates?????
'05 , Fan1 are you sharing info?

 

[MrTbone]

We're certainly stuck between a rock and a hard place with Mooney, but firing him right now would do more harm than good in my opinion.

There is never a good time to rip off the band aid.

This really boils down to whether one thinks CM can pull it together with an AD supporting him. There’s an argument to be made that his buyout makes keeping him and seeing if he can turn it around a legitimate choice.

I’m ready to move on if we are willing to swallow the buyout. Others have more faith. I have enough concerns with his coaching style that even with better players I’m not convinced he will win sustainably.

 

[SpiderAlways]

Go all of you and Go Spiders!!

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

Assume you are talking about our (lack of) ROI, but if not, my suggestion is genuine. Let's slash budget and see if we can pull of what Loyola did. Let's compare out apples to their apples.

When Moser is in his 13th season and 3rd AD we can compare apples.
Even then, he'll have a Final 4 on his resume.

 

[CarolinaSpider]

Hey change is inevitable. Sometimes it works out, other times you go from
frying pan into the fire. I love the foundation for the team that is there, but
the point that is seldom brought up about our record this year, is our depth.
This was brought to light by serious recruiting shortfall by the coaching staff.
It is mentioned infrequently by the media and never by the coach, other than
the fact we are young but never why we are young.

I personally feel with the current regime we will always be at a disadvantage
till we get a coaching staff in that can continue to recruit kids that are good
representatives for the university, but also DI level talent. Kwan is a great
example of a recruiting win that came in as a freak of an athlete, but lacked
some skills. But each year has improved to be a solid contributor. But there
has been too many misses.

 

[urfan1]

This thread has gone way off line it is now locked. Some posters need to back off and let others have their own opinions. I have repeatedly said STOP ATTACKING POSTERS. Some may find themselves with a leave of absence. This thread is now locked.