We all hope LR would (or will) succeed. He's a valued JMU alum and former star of the MBB program. JMU took another long-shot on the hire, however, and went cheap. The university is now getting what it paid for, and the controversy and heat around the LR hire is really just starting. Another season like the first two, and LR has to go.
Unlike MH, who had proven himself at each level of competition as a HC before coming to JMU, and who had earned his way to the position at JMU, LR did not have any previous HC experience, and the results speak for themselves. Never again should JMU hire a HC in MBB who has never been a HC before. Yes, JMU MBB is down now, but we fans...heck, the university and community...deserve better.
If JMU MBB can't attract a proven D1 MBB HC, or afford the salary that comes with it, I'm afraid JMU fans will see a repetition of the same-o same-o that has the MBB program wallowing in mediocrity. It's time for a new approach, and I say we take the approach of W&M, and hire a top DII HC.
The best DII guy out there at the moment appears to be Ben McCollum, the HC at Northwest Missouri State. He's a NMS alum, and has been their HC for 9 years, so it would be a hard "get"...but a shot at a DI HC gig in the solid CAA with a new arena, would be hard to dismiss. I bet JMU could land him for less than $500k if we really made a sincere effort. Here is a link to his bio...
http://www.bearcatsports.com/coaches.asp...ath=mbball
Okay...I'm ready to listen to the alternatives...but don't try and tell me JMU's MBB is "all that" under LR...we're hurting, and changes are needed.