Thoughts on our Athletic Direct Hardt

[SouthJerseySpiderFan]

LOL at the guy blowing smoke everyone's butt about our b-ball coach now he tries his hand about the AD's performance. UR football sorry to say his "minor league football' for most fans except the ones that don't go to F1 foots schools. And LAX come on, oh that's right, I see the scores posted every day on ESPN.

Go to the site and tell me what you see? College baseball doesn't get it's fair due for me and that is levels above LAX. Start whatever threads you want that make you feel good. It won't the lessen the FACT UR basketball isn't meeting the expectations considering the investment put forth.

 

[GKiller]

I figured it was meant as an agenda item to stir up trouble. I’ll say that I know few people that have met JH. By comparison, the 3 most recent ADs were all pretty accessible. I gather he is focused on pleasing a very small group.

For those that have never met him personally you aren't missing anything

 

[plydogg]

Just wanted to use this time to remind everybody that VCU was the first and only forfeit in the NCAA tournament.

Puts a smile on my face everyday

 

[SpiderDogg]

I think next year is actually a make or break year for Mooney (yes, we’ve said that in the past, but the circumstances are very different this time). With all the players coming back this year you couldn’t reasonably expect Hardt to let Mooney go.

Regardless of how you feel about Mooney, he’s getting a do-over. Our hope is that he will actually be judged on this do over. If he fails next year, he’ll have failed twice with “best class ever” and is one year closer to the end of his deal anyway. I honestly think Hardt/PQ or whoever you guys think are pulling all the strings will be ready to move on at that point.

The scarier question might be what if he succeeds?

 

[712_VT]

Just wanted to use this time to remind everybody that VCU was the first and only forfeit in the NCAA tournament.

Puts a smile on my face everyday

Idk why you take so much pride in this. You think they care about anyone from UR’s opinion on that? No they don’t. When you don’t even make the tournament you can’t talk sh*t. Get on their level and talk all the sh*t you want.

 

[VT4700]

The "best class ever" talk was about Jacob, Blake, Nick, Nate, and Grant. With them all, we had one of our best regular seasons ever, going 24-7. A lot of people would call that going 1 for 1 with this class.

 

[Gospiders06]

We have seen the results of the best class ever. Seeing a do over only creates more frustration. We have no idea if Grant will be the same player next year. Coming off his injury. Secondly, Sherod is coming off two huge injuries in a short period time. Mooney has shown the past 16 years. 16 years off losing consistently to our rival. VCU and St.Bonaventure are my picks for next year. So that's two bids for the ncaa tournament. I have no idea if Bones is coming back. If he does comes back, that VCU team should be loaded.

 

[Spiders4ever]

The "best class ever" talk was about Jacob, Blake, Nick, Nate, and Grant. With them all, we had one of our best regular seasons ever, going 24-7. A lot of people would call that going 1-1 with this class.

Dude, do you ever stop with the 24-7 talk from 2 years ago? How did we do this past year?

 

[Spider B]

The "best class ever" talk was about Jacob, Blake, Nick, Nate, and Grant. With them all, we had one of our best regular seasons ever, going 24-7. A lot of people would call that going Defeatest attitude once again on display.

Accept mediocrity because of the 24-7 record 2 years ago. That about sums the attitude in the Robins Center. Unfortunately, this is a losers mentality and won't cut it to consistently go to the NCAA tournament.

 

[VT4700]

Dude, do you ever stop with the 24-7 talk from 2 years ago? How did we do this past year?

My point is all we heard about this year and keep hearing about is "best class ever", but the only time all those guys were together was 2 years ago when they went 24-7, and I edited my above post because I meant to say "1 for 1" when I posted 1-1. I mean, my goodness, the post I just responded to was even talking about "best class ever" for next year's team.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

So....what are your thoughts on AD John Hardt?

 

[Not-A-Homer]

I think next year is actually a make or break year for Mooney (yes, we’ve said that in the past, but the circumstances are very different this time). With all the players coming back this year you couldn’t reasonably expect Hardt to let Mooney go.

Regardless of how you feel about Mooney, he’s getting a do-over. Our hope is that he will actually be judged on this do over. If he fails next year, he’ll have failed twice with “best class ever” and is one year closer to the end of his deal anyway. I honestly think Hardt/PQ or whoever you guys think are pulling all the strings will be ready to move on at that point.

The scarier question might be what if he succeeds?

Take Kevin Anderson's talented team out of the conversation (because it was OBVIOUSLY an anomaly) and you have 14-years of hard evidence of mediocrity. Most years, a few games above .500 and lose in the first round of A-10 tournament.

Every now and again, a Mooney team will win a couple of extra games and make the NIT. Other times they finish below .500 and "wait until next year." This is Mooney basketball. That is who he is, and what he can do. Even his Air Force team (NCAA qualifiers the year before Mooney, AND the year after Mooney) finished around .500. He led last year's bunch to an 8th place finish with what was said to be his most talented class.

Mooney's history should make it very easy to predict next year's results. Without the do-over, next year's team very likely wouldn't have won more than 6-7 games. With the do-over, there may be enough talent and depth on hand to make the NCAA tournament. Seems far from certain to me.

However, facts (Mooney record and ability) speak loudly. We can once again hope that the players can rise above the coaching to make the tournament in spite of him, but history makes it less likely rather than more likely.

 

[spider23]

Welp, interestingly enough - if Nelson is the next KA, Mooney could be on quite a five year run. WIth our stable of 5 and 6 year players (most improved player, 5 Time All A10, NATIONAL steals leader) I fully expect an NCAA berth next season. Then four years of Nelson with 2 NCAA's. Then 12 more years of Mooniocrity. Its good Mooney is so young.

 

[GKiller]

Mooney was indisputably wrong about "best class ever". 1 NIT win over Toledo.

 

[spiderman]

Mooney was indisputably wrong about "best class ever". 1 NIT win over Toledo.

2019-20 doesn't disappear. they had a good year. not their fault.

 

[GKiller]

2019-20 doesn't disappear. they had a good year. not their fault.

Have said the same before. But the end of year could have diminished that or enhanced it. We'll never know. Can only go by what we do know. & when we had had a chance to validate this season we laid an egg. All I'm saying is 1 good reg season is so far far away from "best class ever". Big hat no cattle. Looks like at least part of the class will have an extra crack at it I'm happy they do.

 

[urmite]

I am curious where 2019-2020 would rank all time as far as regular seasons go for the spiders?

I don't mean the eye test, or simply eye catching wins or losses, but overall with some metric...

 

[plydogg]

Idk why you take so much pride in this. You think they care about anyone from UR’s opinion on that? No they don’t. When you don’t even make the tournament you can’t talk sh*t. Get on their level and talk all the sh*t you want.

The lambs FORFEITED. It’s funny. it will never stop being funny. In 20 years I will still rub it in the face of lambs fans and laugh.

This offseason I have 3 goals.

1) fire Hardt
2) Fire Mooney
3) laugh at VCU forfeiting

1 and 2 won’t happen so I have to take solace in laughing at the lambs forfeit every day instead. I suggest you try it out, it’s rather fun.

 

[712_VT]

The lambs FORFEITED. It’s funny. it will never stop being funny. In 20 years I will still rub it in the face of lambs fans and laugh.

This offseason I have 3 goals.

1) fire Hardt
2) Fire Mooney
3) laugh at VCU forfeiting

1 and 2 won’t happen so I have to take solace in laughing at the lambs forfeit every day instead. I suggest you try it out, it’s rather fun.

Ya and every time you stupidly bring up that they had to forfeit they will laugh at you because of how pathetic of a program Richmond has. Losers don’t get to talk sh*t. Our fans talking sh*t and having nothing to back it up with seems to be a recurring problem. My advice is to shut up until we actually make the tournament. I would much rather have been in their position than where we currently are and it’s laughable that you don’t seem to see that.

 

[SFspidur]

To be accurate, it was a no contest, not a forfeit.

And I don't get why it's funny.

 

[ChoppinBroccoli]

To be accurate, it was a no contest, not a forfeit.

And I don't get why it's funny.

Nor does it have anything to do with our Athletic Director.

 

[plydogg]

Ya and every time you stupidly bring up that they had to forfeit they will laugh at you because of how pathetic of a program Richmond has. Losers don’t get to talk sh*t. Our fans talking sh*t and having nothing to back it up with seems to be a recurring problem. My advice is to shut up until we actually make the tournament. I would much rather have been in their position than where we currently are and it’s laughable that you don’t seem to see that.

Knock knock.

Who’s there?

Not VCU against Oregon.

 

[ur2K]

They will be laughing cashing their NCAA share that we haven’t seen in 10 years

 

[plydogg]

They will be laughing cashing their NCAA share that we haven’t seen in 10 years

As they should. But if little brother can’t ever laugh at the rare misfortune of big brother then what’s the point?

 

[UR80sfan]

It sounds like people's views about our AD are (this is not everyone's view, but what was mentioned by a number of different people) that no one has issues with how things are going with the other sports. Yes LAX is doing well, but he doesn't deserve much credit since it isn't that important of a sport and football's top 20 ranking isn't based on enough games to determine if we have turned the corner. The primary issue with Hardt is that he is backing Mooney, when many of you think Mooney hasn't done a good job and as a result Hardt should be fired. I apologize if I didn't provided a good summary.

I don't agree with the comments about Mooney, which I will address on another post, but even if you are correct, I don't think the AD is going to lose his job over one sport. I would hope basketball is considered the highest priority sport by the board of Trustees, but not sure that is the case with all the trustees.

I also don't think you are going to win him over by making derogatory comments about him. I have known a number of the previous ADs well and thought they were way too political. At one point I served on the athletic department board (can't remember what it was called back then), but it was a great opportunity to voice your opinion and be heard. Some of the people on this forum should try to get on it, although it probably would require a high giving level. I actually resigned from that board, because I was very disappointed about the treatment of A.D. Vassallo. It was ridiculous what we put that guy through, although he had no problem making it through VA Tech admissions.

 

[spider23]

. Some of the people on this forum should try to get on it, although it probably would require a high giving level.

What an elitist comment. No wonder we are so poorly thought of. Yes you should all serve as 80s has so graciously done (pat pat), although you probably don't have the money.

 

[Eight Legger]

Hardt's job will never be impacted by the women's tennis team winning 10 conference titles in a decade or losing every match for a decade, nor should it. He's going to be judged by his ability to raise money and oversee winning basketball and football teams, the two money-makers.

 

[UR80sfan]

What an elitist comment. No wonder we are so poorly thought of. Yes you should all serve as 80s has so graciously done (pat pat), although you probably don't have the money. Wow, cue Fan1 coming on here to protect.

Everyone who volunteers their time to make the University better should be appreciated for the effort they put in no matter what activity they do. They should not be ridiculed.

There are 2 ways to get on boards at U of R. One is by networking and getting to know a lot of people involved with the university and the other is by donating at a high level, which is not as high as you might think. If someone is really passionate about helping the university and puts in the effort they make it happen.

 

[AnnapSpider]

Everyone who volunteers their time to make the University better should be appreciated for the effort they put in no matter what activity they do. They should not be ridiculed.

There are 2 ways to get on boards at U of R. One is by networking and getting to know a lot of people involved with the university and the other is by donating at a high level, which is not as high as you might think. If someone is really passionate about helping the university and puts in the effort they make it happen.

UR80’s I admire your attempt to having a civil discourse with some of the posters, but you’re just beating a dead horse.

 

[MrTbone]

UR80’s I admire your attempt to having a civil discourse with some of the posters, but you’re just beating a dead horse.

I don’t think he is. I’m reading the commentary and appreciating what he has to say.

I don’t think it’s elitist that board-level participation likely comes with a price tag. That’s commonplace and it doesn’t sound like that’s exclusively how you get there.

I do think 80s that you’re misinterpreting some perspective. It’s not really about whether or not Hardt supports Mooney. It’s about whether or not Hardt demonstrates good judgment in administering men’s basketball. If you replace Mooney with “Coach John Doe” and looked at the core metrics of ncaa berths, conference championships and success against VCU, it’s incontrovertible that Coach Doe isn’t succeeding. So those that care about those things are pretty justified questioning his judgment.

Maybe he and UR don’t really care about those things. But they keep telling us they do.

 

[urfan1]

UR80’s I admire your attempt to having a civil discourse with some of the posters, but you’re just beating a dead horse.

I disagree

 

[Spiders05]

At one point I served on the athletic department board (can't remember what it was called back then), but it was a great opportunity to voice your opinion and be heard. Some of the people on this forum should try to get on it.

There are a number of active (and inactive) posters on this board that have served that board and others.

 

[Not-A-Homer]

There are 2 ways to get on boards at U of R. One is by networking and getting to know a lot of people involved with the university and the other is by donating at a high level

It should be noted that I normally do not comment on discussions involving UR's internal politics. This is because I am not an alumni. I normally voice observations and opinions about basketball, since I am a fan with some knowledge.

The following is my observation as an outside observer listening to the often mentioned alumni comments on this board about UR leadership's seemingly lack of desire to be anything other than mediocre in basketball.

Reading your comments, it struck me that you may have inadvertently validated precisely what many on this board complain about. I suspect that the motive of many of those who network (politic to gain power), and those who donate on a high level (seeking to use financial means to gain power) likely do not align with a goal of ensuring "a top 25 basketball team." I also suspect that many of the aforementioned power brokers have little to no sports background, and that their primary inspiration is fueled mostly by friendship, power, and cultivating their position in the pecking order.

Common sense tells us that it very hard to separate (terminate) someone who is your friend. Mooney has been good at currying favor with the power brokers. If my primary motivator is to have a top 25 basketball program, then I may do what is necessary to make that happen. It won't be easy if that involves firing someone who has the support of influencers.

However, If my primary motivator is to gain influence by cozying up and becoming friends with those in power, it is easy (and is best for me) to support my friend. After all, he IS running a program that represents the university well and graduates good kids. Most people won't cut off their nose to spite the face. This is were I see Hardt. Patting the power brokers on the back, and rubbing their bellies in order to maintain his own gig.

Often, decision-making has an element of what is good for me. I think that you proved that point by explaining how people of influence become people of influence. And, I suspect that you have revealed (for those who hadn't already figured this out) precisely how Mooney has been able to keep his job despite his consistently mediocre performance. A significant portion of the people of influence at UR want to retain Mooney (for their own personal reasons). The sports fans who want more in the way of winning, are not the people of influence.

 

[97spiderfan]

Are large portions of UVA and VCU fans unhappy with their AD's? Asking, but I would say probably not because the only reason why a large portion would be unhappy with the AD are poor results in either football or basketball.

An AD's job is obviously to be a huge fundraiser and manage their athletic programs at the school but lets be real for the average fan/supporter, the AD is measured on success in men's hoops and football.

Hardt's been on the job for 3 plus years now, we have yet to make the FCS playoffs or the NCAA tournament, so yeah, folks are getting restless. It is complicated by the long term lack of success in men's basketball, a problem that was an inherited one for Hardt, but it is now his problem because he has chosen to not address it any meaningful way.

 

[8legs1dream]

I think there are some VCU fans that view their AD as a bit of an arrogant elitist as well but, to your point, winning cures everything

 

[AnnapSpider]

Are large portions of UVA and VCU fans unhappy with their AD's? Asking, but I would say probably not because the only reason why a large portion would be unhappy with the AD are poor results in either football or basketball.

An AD's job is obviously to be a huge fundraiser and manage their athletic programs at the school but lets be real for the average fan/supporter, the AD is measured on success in men's hoops and football.

Hardt's been on the job for 3 plus years now, we have yet to make the FCS playoffs or the NCAA tournament, so yeah, folks are getting restless. It is complicated by the long term lack of success in men's basketball, a problem that was an inherited one for Hardt, but it is now his problem because he has chosen to not address it any meaningful way.

Let’s be fair, he made a change in women’s basketball, with a new coach.

 

[97spiderfan]

Let’s be fair, he made a change in women’s basketball, with a new coach.

Should have clarified when I meant men's basketball.

For the record, I'm glad you made a change in women's basketball, it was long overdue and the new coach appears to be paying dividends. I give him credit for that. If only, he would realize that a new men's coach could also have similar dividends.

I don't really fully understand Hardt's decision making. His job gets a lot easier and job approval gets a lot better if he fires Mooney. A lot of donors have stopped giving because of Mooney, is there any donor out there who is actually going to stop giving if Mooney is fired (other than Mooney himself). Probably not. I just don't get the strategy of keeping a sizeable portion of your stakeholders angry and pissed off at you, which is what keeping Mooney around does.

The ONLY explanation that makes sense is the mega donor (PQ) has made it known that he wants Mooney and Hardt is stuck, beholden to the mega donor and just having to take repeated body blows from the small dollar donors, alumni, and fans. That would kind of be a shitty job if you ask me. But it seems to be the bed he lies in at present.

 

[spiderman]

The ONLY explanation that makes sense is the mega donor (PQ) has made it known that he wants Mooney and Hardt is stuck, ...

I think that's one possible explanation though I think there are others.
1) As you said, maybe PQ wants to keep Mooney.
2) Donors and/or the University don't have an appetite for a buyout.
3) Hardt thinks Mooney will do the job.

Regarding #3 ... Hardt certainly could have fired Mooney 3 months after starting his tenure when we finished the 2017-2018 season at 12-20. Hardt didn't, I guess wanting to take a longer look.

2018-2019 wasn't good (13-20), but Hardt chooses to stay the course. If he felt Mooney had the ship righted, it's hard to argue the decision. We did have the pieces in place. We go 24-7 in 2019-2020 and finish 2nd in the A10. The A10 is not a one bid league. We most likely dance that year if not for Covid though we'll never know. But Hardt likely feels justified in his decision to retain.

2020-2021 we're projected top 25 but we lose Nick, deal with Covid (like everyone else), and have a bunch of other issues/excuses. It appears Hardt doesn't blame Mooney for us falling short. And after the season, 3 top graduates return while 1,300 kids are in the portal. We instantly look like a contender instead of a rebuilder.

I agree this is likely a make or break year in Hardt's eyes though I doubt it's simply make the tournament or else. I think a good AD will take more than that into consideration. but maybe it is that simple.

 

[97spiderfan]

I think it is plausible that Mooney/Hardt knew that several of the seniors were returning and in that perspective it made sense to stay the course and not really enter into too much deliberations when this year blew up.

Mooney is essentially getting a do over with the seniors returning and if their is ever is a make or break year for Mooney, it would be this next one. If you can't make the tourney with 5th and 6th year seniors (who are all really good players), good lord what possible rationale could you put out there after that.

 

[UR80sfan]

Should have clarified when I meant men's basketball.

For the record, I'm glad you made a change in women's basketball, it was long overdue and the new coach appears to be paying dividends. I give him credit for that. If only, he would realize that a new men's coach could also have similar dividends.

I don't really fully understand Hardt's decision making. His job gets a lot easier and job approval gets a lot better if he fires Mooney. A lot of donors have stopped giving because of Mooney, is there any donor out there who is actually going to stop giving if Mooney is fired (other than Mooney himself). Probably not. I just don't get the strategy of keeping a sizeable portion of your stakeholders angry and pissed off at you, which is what keeping Mooney around does.

The ONLY explanation that makes sense is the mega donor (PQ) has made it known that he wants Mooney and Hardt is stuck, beholden to the mega donor and just having to take repeated body blows from the small dollar donors, alumni, and fans. That would kind of be a shitty job if you ask me. But it seems to be the bed he lies in at present.

Hardt's decision making is going to be based on what is in the best interest of the team, what keeps the senior administration of the University, board of Trustees, major donors and fans happy. Not sure how to weight each in importance, although I believe each of these groups have a much more positive view on Mooney than this Forum. If they didn't he would not still be the coach. It is probably because their evaluation factors are different than those of people on this board.

I have not seen any numbers on giving towards the athletic department, but I would think they are up over the past couple years. I also think we will have the highest attendance in years for games next season assuming there are no attendance restrictions.