http://www.macon.com/170/story/298514.html

Good story on the search. I really don't know who I'd like on this list. Hinson sounds like he can run a competitive program concerned with academics. Quin Snyder's a big name, but wasn't he involved in some scancal at Missouri? Assistants from UNC, Belmont, and Creighton also certainly know what it takes to run a good program.

let's go Bryce Drew!!!

Mercer may have found it's man. He certainly has a good pedigree. I remember him playing at Kansas.

http://www.macon.com/149/story/303432.html

Wow! I remember watching Walters play in the NBA. Sounds like an excellent opportunity for MU basketball. I would presume that being a former NBA player would be a great selling point for potential recruits.

I'll be surprised if he accepts the offer. I think at this point he's playing FAU for more money from them. We need to pull the offer if he just dances around it.

The good news is Mercer is willing to throw $200-250K at a coach. So we're moving in the right direction, and clearly the boosters/President/AD are dedicated to winning.

Walters turned us down.

http://www.macon.com/149/story/304820.html

Good -- I'm glad he did. Once he has to 'think about it', there's nothing to think about. I really think he's just trying to use that against FAU. He's an impressive candidate in every category except wins/losses as a head coach. Thats a scary category to be bad in. So in the end I think this is good for Mercer.

So from here on I hope we continue to pursue Bryce Drew (unless he said no)... and get Sam Mitchell on the phone for help. Also the top Belmont assistant seems like quality. We need to keep looking til we find the right guy... we don't need to take a bum just to fill the job.

http://www.macon.com/149/story/305267.html

Yea, we got our third choice! I really don't know what to think about this guy. I think the other two would have been better fits. His only experience is at the NAIA level (although with success) and in the NBDL. He's also linked to Kelvin Sampson. Maybe extra text messages will fly under the radar in the A-Sun.

I found out Sam Mitchell was on the search committee that recommended Hoffman, so I guess we'll have to wait and see. I was wrong above, he does have D1 head coaching experience.

Apparently he is respected in the field.

What They Say about Bob Hoffman

Jeff Bower, New Orleans Hornets General Manager: “Bob is a great person as well as a great basketball man. I have been thoroughly impressed with his approach to his players, his team and the sport of basketball. I feel very fortunate to have worked with him and I cannot be more impressed with him. He will undoubtedly be a success.”

Bob Carpenter, ESPN College Basketball: “Bob Hoffman is one of the most respected and rising stars among basketball coaches today.”

BOB HOFFMAN’S COACHING RECORD

Southern Nazarene Women
1988-90 88-16 NAIA National Championship, SAC, District 9, NAIA National Coach of the Year

Oklahoma Baptist
1990-91 15-17
1991-92 16-17
1992-93 34-4; NAIA Runner-up, District 9, SAC Champs, District 9 Coach of the Year, Basketball Times National Coach of the Year
1993-94 30-7; NAIA Final Four, Defeated NCAA Division I opponent Oregon State
1994-95 28-6; NAIA National Tournament
1995-96 29-7; SAC Coach of the Year, NAIA National Tournament
1996-97 36-4; NAIA Runner-up, SAC Coach of the Year, SAC Champions
1997-98 24-9
1998-99 31-7; NAIA Elite Eight, Tied for First in SAC

Texas-Pan American
1999-00 12-16 overall; Posted 9-5 home record, UTPA’s best record in five years
2000-01 12-17 overall; Posted 9-2 home record, 18-7 home mark was UTPA’s best two-year record in two years
2001-02 20-10 overall, 12-2 at home; Ranked nationally in scoring and FG pct, named Independent Coach of the Year
2002-03 10-20 overall
2003-04 14-14 overall; Longest winning streak since 1985

University of Oklahoma
2004-05 25-8 overall; NCAA (2nd Round) Big 12 Champions
2005-06 20-9 overall; NCAA (1st Round)

Arkansas Aeros
2006-07 25-2, Led the ABA in scoring

I wasn't sure what to think at first either... caught me by surprise since I didn't know much about him. The article had me impressed though. It seems like he's had some success throughout his career. I'm not going to second guess Sam Mitchell and company -- so I'm ready to see what Hoffman can do. All I know is, he can only go up from where we are right now.

It looks like he can win on any level. Good luck to you guys. By the way, Mercer and Jacksonville are about the only two teams in the league I have a ton of respect for. You guys have been D1 a long time. I just dont respect the D1 noobs. Good luck!

Sounds good...you didn't respect Davidson in the tournament, and you don't respect Kennesaw. I would say we are in pretty good company. Keep your respect to yourself please ETSUFan1 - we don't want it.

No, I respect Davidson because they have been D1 longer than 5 years. Plus we used to be in their league. Just because I thought Davidson was overrated entering the tournament doesn't mean I didn't respect them. Heck, they hadn't beaten anyone worth a crap throughout the regular season. I admit, they are a great team. Hats off to them!

BTW, comparing KSU to Davidson is beyond laughable.