5 more years of this and maybe the coach's seat warms up a few degrees. Until then we get to think back fondly on those ten days that we weren't completely pathetic and enjoy our biyearly ass-kicking from VCU and first round A10 playoff appearances.
I think that Mooney's tenure will end in 4-years (or however much he has left on his extended contract).
Reasons for this prediction are as follows:
1)
Mooney is not going to be fired no matter how bad he is. He will leave either when he decides, or when his contract expires
2) Performance of
this year's squad was well below standard. Not a good look
3) Performance of
next year's team is likely to be worse than this year. An even worse look, & 2-years in a row
4)
Currently no players on roster who project as saviors (Anderson, Cline, Gilyard, Golden, types). This means
barring SUBSTANTIAL recruiting and/or portal success, year 3 is likely to also be below standard
5) Three years in a row of substandard performance will have we savages in a progressively worse frenzy, & put a little heat in the coaching seat
6) If history is an accurate barometer, Mooney needs 4-5 year players in order to have ANY chance of success. The landscape of college basketball is changing. Long-term senior leaders aren't on the roster at this moment
7)
Mooney is not good at assessing talent,
OR being able to
put together successful player combinations. This DIRECTLY conflicts with portal success, which means that the likelihood of using the portal to cure his coaching ills is low
Bottom line, I see the next 4-years as a serious struggle for basketball respectability. Four below average to mediocre campaigns in a row SHOULD be enough to prevent another contract extension.
Mooney can proclaim that he wants to travel and spend more time with his family. UR can throw a huge celebratory party for Mooney, name something after him, and brag that he is the winningest coach in school history. Everybody is happy, and there is no loss of face.
