(06-10-2018 09:27 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  The head scratcher comment was from a Maryland fan board but I get why folks would be a little surprised by Brady's dismissal when you look at his aggregate record over his time with JMU. While the basketball world respects Matt Brady and rightfully so and he will always have a spot on a staff I think the fact that he hasn't been a head guy after his "successful" run at JMU kind of tells you something. He's a solid basketball coach but his teams were inconsistent and often underperformed when the games mattered most. He also had some challenges connecting with kids (recruiting, retaining, developing).

I think he deserves another shot. Who knows maybe if Maryland has a good year in his new role he will get that shot next year but just as easily if Maryland underperforms their head guy could be gone and Brady will have to find another spot.

Let's not romanticize the Matt Brady era or Matt as a coach. The idea that the program has been set back and fund raising stymied is fake news IMO. The reality is this was no Shangri-La period for JMU hoops- there was apathy, plenty of empty yellow seats, a lack of continuity/vision with the roster, no real community or student interest, and a lack of fund raising when Brady was the head guy. The basketball world wasn't talking about the great job that he was doing, the JMU MBB program, the 20 win seasons. They weren't talking about tied for 3rd place finishes either any more than they were talking about the first round CAAT exits.

I agree MB deserves another shot as a HC, and he'll get one if the right opportunity comes along. The fact MB hasn't already landed a HC position doesn't say anything to me other than it's a very competitive market out there. I'm happy MB has found a place in a solid program.

Nobody is romanticizing MB's tenure at JMU (least of all me), but the facts are the facts. He won more games than he lost, and recruited some good players. He got us to the NCAAT after a 19 year absence, and won a game. Unless JMU's MBB fortune get turned around in the next three years (the extent of LR's contract and year one of the new arena), MB's tenure may begin to look like the "good old days."

MB's tenure may not have been Shangri-La, but compared to the coaches that bookend his tenure, his time at JMU was an oasis and welcome respite from the dregs of losing experienced under Keener (and now Rowe).

Hopefully attendance will improve with the new arena (and if students are given decent seats), but it was headed down before MB arrived, and the loss of GMU, ODU and VCU as conference mates has only cemented that downward trajectory. Apathy (particularly among the student body) isn't going to get turned around without a "splash" hire like a Lefty, and a lot of winning.

Ultimately community and student interest, fundraising, etc. are all dependent on winning, and MB just didn't do enough of it (especially in the CAAT) to ignite a renaissance in JMU MBB. That doesn't negate the good things he did do, however, and the D1 basketball world values his skills set, even if his JMU critics can't let their disappointment in his repeated bellyflops in the CAAT go.

(06-10-2018 11:54 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 09:27 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  The head scratcher comment was from a Maryland fan board but I get why folks would be a little surprised by Brady's dismissal when you look at his aggregate record over his time with JMU. While the basketball world respects Matt Brady and rightfully so and he will always have a spot on a staff I think the fact that he hasn't been a head guy after his "successful" run at JMU kind of tells you something. He's a solid basketball coach but his teams were inconsistent and often underperformed when the games mattered most. He also had some challenges connecting with kids (recruiting, retaining, developing).

I think he deserves another shot. Who knows maybe if Maryland has a good year in his new role he will get that shot next year but just as easily if Maryland underperforms their head guy could be gone and Brady will have to find another spot.

Let's not romanticize the Matt Brady era or Matt as a coach. The idea that the program has been set back and fund raising stymied is fake news IMO. The reality is this was no Shangri-La period for JMU hoops- there was apathy, plenty of empty yellow seats, a lack of continuity/vision with the roster, no real community or student interest, and a lack of fund raising when Brady was the head guy. The basketball world wasn't talking about the great job that he was doing, the JMU MBB program, the 20 win seasons. They weren't talking about tied for 3rd place finishes either any more than they were talking about the first round CAAT exits.

I agree MB deserves another shot as a HC, and he'll get one if the right opportunity comes along. The fact MB hasn't already landed a HC position doesn't say anything to me other than it's a very competitive market out there. I'm happy MB has found a place in a solid program.

Nobody is romanticizing MB's tenure at JMU (least of all me), but the facts are the facts. He won more games than he lost, and recruited some good players. He got us to the NCAAT after a 19 year absence, and won a game. Unless JMU's MBB fortune get turned around in the next three years (the extent of LR's contract and year one of the new arena), MB's tenure may begin to look like the "good old days."

MB's tenure may not have been Shangri-La, but compared to the coaches that bookend his tenure, his time at JMU was an oasis and welcome respite from the dregs of losing experienced under Keener (and now Rowe).

Hopefully attendance will improve with the new arena (and if students are given decent seats), but it was headed down before MB arrived, and the loss of GMU, ODU and VCU as conference mates has only cemented that downward trajectory. Apathy (particularly among the student body) isn't going to get turned around without a "splash" hire like a Lefty, and a lot of winning.

Ultimately community and student interest, fundraising, etc. are all dependent on winning, and MB just didn't do enough of it (especially in the CAAT) to ignite a renaissance in JMU MBB. That doesn't negate the good things he did do, however, and the D1 basketball world values his skills set, even if his JMU critics can't let their disappointment in his repeated bellyflops in the CAAT go.

I agree with your post LH and think it's fair. Regarding Brady and other positions I do find it a little dubious that he hasn't even been mentioned especially when two of the more recent openings (LaSalle and Siena) he had connections to. From the reporting that's out there I don't even think he received an interview. It could be at the stage that he is at career and family wise maybe he prefers an assistant position especially if financially it's a wash over a head job at a mid major. Maybe he's being selective but I think it could be that he's caught in between. He's not thought of as dynamic, and while he has a solid track record he is a generation older than the coaches these programs are often looking for when they make hires.

I too would be happy if he got another chance. I think he would be well matched to a low level Div I. One that has been historically bad and would be thrilled to be middle of the pack, while occasionally contending. But perhaps the pay combined w/ the lessened headaches of a high level assistant role is more appealing.

I think it is important to remember that Matt left Marist and JMU under not so good terms with his administration. He was sued by Marist and lost. That suit also cost His new employer $100k. The Marist suit is the #1 reason on the list of reasons why he got fired at JMU.

The market knows the details of Matt’s disagreements with his two previous employers. These disagreements may prevent him from receiving another HC opportunity. Lots of young, bright coaches working their way up the ranks that don’t have a checkered past. Had Matt guided both programs deep into the tourney, then schools desperate to win would take the chance on him. A guy who is barely over .500 for his career at two low level mid-majors probably doesn’t get another shot.

Matt will likely work his way back up the assistant chain and at a P5 school, the money is pretty good. It is working fine for Sherm these days.

(06-10-2018 09:56 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  I think it is important to remember that Matt left Marist and JMU under not so good terms with his administration. He was sued by Marist and lost. That suit also cost His new employer $100k. The Marist suit is the #1 reason on the list of reasons why he got fired at JMU.

The market knows the details of Matt’s disagreements with his two previous employers. These disagreements may prevent him from receiving another HC opportunity. Lots of young, bright coaches working their way up the ranks that don’t have a checkered past. Had Matt guided both programs deep into the tourney, then schools desperate to win would take the chance on him. A guy who is barely over .500 for his career at two low level mid-majors probably doesn’t get another shot.

Matt will likely work his way back up the assistant chain and at a P5 school, the money is pretty good. It is working fine for Sherm these days.

Yes, people in the basketball world know about the Marist suit, however, the unprecented suit brought by Marist reflects more on Marist than it does MB. It’s also likely true the suit irritated a lot of administrative folks at JMU, but they have only themselves to blame (especially JB) for not reading MB’s contract and responding to Marist’s concerns in a responsible manner. They may have made MB the fall guy, but as far as the basketball world is concerned that’s not an issue that’s keeping MB from a new HC gig.

Your characterization of both Marist and JMU as “low-level mid-major” is inaccurate. That label may apply to Marist, but it definitely does not apply to JMU and the CAA. JMU MBB is most definitely a low-level performer in MBB within the CAA, but the CAA is most definitely not a “low-level mid-major.” The conference determines the label, not the team. Otherwise you’d have to cut out some new category for teams like Vanderbilt FB in the SEC, or Kansas FB in the Big XII. Regardless of their team’s performance, they are still P5 programs.

(06-11-2018 04:01 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 09:56 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  I think it is important to remember that Matt left Marist and JMU under not so good terms with his administration. He was sued by Marist and lost. That suit also cost His new employer $100k. The Marist suit is the #1 reason on the list of reasons why he got fired at JMU.

The market knows the details of Matt’s disagreements with his two previous employers. These disagreements may prevent him from receiving another HC opportunity. Lots of young, bright coaches working their way up the ranks that don’t have a checkered past. Had Matt guided both programs deep into the tourney, then schools desperate to win would take the chance on him. A guy who is barely over .500 for his career at two low level mid-majors probably doesn’t get another shot.

Matt will likely work his way back up the assistant chain and at a P5 school, the money is pretty good. It is working fine for Sherm these days.

Yes, people in the basketball world know about the Marist suit, however, the unprecented suit brought by Marist reflects more on Marist than it does MB. It’s also likely true the suit irritated a lot of administrative folks at JMU, but they have only themselves to blame (especially JB) for not reading MB’s contract and responding to Marist’s concerns in a responsible manner. They may have made MB the fall guy, but as far as the basketball world is concerned that’s not an issue that’s keeping MB from a new HC gig.

Your characterization of both Marist and JMU as “low-level mid-major” is inaccurate. That label may apply to Marist, but it definitely does not apply to JMU and the CAA. JMU MBB is most definitely a low-level performer in MBB within the CAA, but the CAA is most definitely not a “low-level mid-major.” The conference determines the label, not the team. Otherwise you’d have to cut out some new category for teams like Vanderbilt FB in the SEC, or Kansas FB in the Big XII. Regardless of their team’s performance, they are still P5 programs.

This I totally agree with. Especially the first paragraph. About the only thing MB could have done is encourage JMU to be diligent in all things regarding Marist. I think JMU got a bit cocky in not communicating both prior to and after hiring MB. This resulted in an embarrassing situation that simply didn't have to occur.

(06-11-2018 06:23 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 04:01 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 09:56 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  I think it is important to remember that Matt left Marist and JMU under not so good terms with his administration. He was sued by Marist and lost. That suit also cost His new employer $100k. The Marist suit is the #1 reason on the list of reasons why he got fired at JMU.

The market knows the details of Matt’s disagreements with his two previous employers. These disagreements may prevent him from receiving another HC opportunity. Lots of young, bright coaches working their way up the ranks that don’t have a checkered past. Had Matt guided both programs deep into the tourney, then schools desperate to win would take the chance on him. A guy who is barely over .500 for his career at two low level mid-majors probably doesn’t get another shot.

Matt will likely work his way back up the assistant chain and at a P5 school, the money is pretty good. It is working fine for Sherm these days.

Yes, people in the basketball world know about the Marist suit, however, the unprecented suit brought by Marist reflects more on Marist than it does MB. It’s also likely true the suit irritated a lot of administrative folks at JMU, but they have only themselves to blame (especially JB) for not reading MB’s contract and responding to Marist’s concerns in a responsible manner. They may have made MB the fall guy, but as far as the basketball world is concerned that’s not an issue that’s keeping MB from a new HC gig.

Your characterization of both Marist and JMU as “low-level mid-major” is inaccurate. That label may apply to Marist, but it definitely does not apply to JMU and the CAA. JMU MBB is most definitely a low-level performer in MBB within the CAA, but the CAA is most definitely not a “low-level mid-major.” The conference determines the label, not the team. Otherwise you’d have to cut out some new category for teams like Vanderbilt FB in the SEC, or Kansas FB in the Big XII. Regardless of their team’s performance, they are still P5 programs.

This I totally agree with. Especially the first paragraph. About the only thing MB could have done is encourage JMU to be diligent in all things regarding Marist. I think JMU got a bit cocky in not communicating both prior to and after hiring MB. This resulted in an embarrassing situation that simply didn't have to occur.

We can agree on the fact that JMU should have read the contract. The fact that Matt lied about its contents doesn’t change the perceptions about him.

If you guys remember, I was in favor of keeping Matt so I am not a MB hater. I have had conversations with him since he left. Matt made an error in judgment then refused to do anything to fix afterwards. Believe me, he had a part in the strained relationship. It wasn’t all JMU.

If Matt was a hot commodity, he would have found a better job than a second tier assistant at LaSalle. His first position at MD was as an entry level assistant as well. Doesn’t this seem a bit odd to you guys? How does a guy with almost 15 years of D1 head coaching experience become an operations assistant coach? IMO, he was black balled by the industry and had to start over.

(06-10-2018 10:58 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 09:27 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  The head scratcher comment was from a Maryland fan board but I get why folks would be a little surprised by Brady's dismissal when you look at his aggregate record over his time with JMU. While the basketball world respects Matt Brady and rightfully so and he will always have a spot on a staff I think the fact that he hasn't been a head guy after his "successful" run at JMU kind of tells you something. He's a solid basketball coach but his teams were inconsistent and often underperformed when the games mattered most. He also had some challenges connecting with kids (recruiting, retaining, developing).

I think he deserves another shot. Who knows maybe if Maryland has a good year in his new role he will get that shot next year but just as easily if Maryland underperforms their head guy could be gone and Brady will have to find another spot.

Let's not romanticize the Matt Brady era or Matt as a coach. The idea that the program has been set back and fund raising stymied is fake news IMO. The reality is this was no Shangri-La period for JMU hoops- there was apathy, plenty of empty yellow seats, a lack of continuity/vision with the roster, no real community or student interest, and a lack of fund raising when Brady was the head guy. The basketball world wasn't talking about the great job that he was doing, the JMU MBB program, the 20 win seasons. They weren't talking about tied for 3rd place finishes either any more than they were talking about the first round CAAT exits.

I think Matt was a solid hire.

His first 2.5 years were as good as just about any other successful CAA coach in history.

Then he plateaued for the last 5 years. Was he awful the last 5 or 3 years? No but the team was treading water, and underachieving at year end. It was obvious through all the transfers of key players he did not have as good of connection with his players he or we would like.

Could he be very good if was head coach at another College in a few years? Yes, he's still young enough and bright enough. But at the time the change was something that could benefit both sides. Now on the JMU side, for whatever reason JMU did not get the coach/coaches they really wanted. Not sure why? Maybe because our President was leading the charge and writing letters against cost of attendance.

This could of been a good change for both sides. Just hiring a coach that none of the other 350 of Division 1 college teams were interested in was not the answer for us.

I agree with both of you and your observations. Also we have to remember I don't recall anyone in the College Basketball world looking to hire Matt Brady away based on the outstanding job he was doing for JMU. JMU clearly wanted to part ways with him a couple of years sooner, but behind an amazing show by AJ Davis in CAA tournament....it made firing Brady then impossible. But in subsequent years based on off the court issues, transfers it appeared that Brady had little control over his team/players. The program was developing a serious image issue. It was also evident that Brady either did not or could not recruit in the state of Virginia and DMV area....which is a concern.

Also, if Brady was done so 'wrong' by JMU I find interesting that no other college was looking to fill a HC vacancy with a 'hot' coach coming off of a 21 win season and a solid conference 3rd place. The coaching fraternity will always protect their own and rarely speak poorly of another coach that is terminated......but the 'market' speaks for itself and evidently other ADs were not that impressed or at least not enough to make him their HC.

I wish Brady well and maybe one day he gets another HC gig, hope he does.....but I think he should do so in the Northeast.

(06-10-2018 11:54 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 09:27 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  The head scratcher comment was from a Maryland fan board but I get why folks would be a little surprised by Brady's dismissal when you look at his aggregate record over his time with JMU. While the basketball world respects Matt Brady and rightfully so and he will always have a spot on a staff I think the fact that he hasn't been a head guy after his "successful" run at JMU kind of tells you something. He's a solid basketball coach but his teams were inconsistent and often underperformed when the games mattered most. He also had some challenges connecting with kids (recruiting, retaining, developing).

I think he deserves another shot. Who knows maybe if Maryland has a good year in his new role he will get that shot next year but just as easily if Maryland underperforms their head guy could be gone and Brady will have to find another spot.

Let's not romanticize the Matt Brady era or Matt as a coach. The idea that the program has been set back and fund raising stymied is fake news IMO. The reality is this was no Shangri-La period for JMU hoops- there was apathy, plenty of empty yellow seats, a lack of continuity/vision with the roster, no real community or student interest, and a lack of fund raising when Brady was the head guy. The basketball world wasn't talking about the great job that he was doing, the JMU MBB program, the 20 win seasons. They weren't talking about tied for 3rd place finishes either any more than they were talking about the first round CAAT exits.

I agree MB deserves another shot as a HC, and he'll get one if the right opportunity comes along. The fact MB hasn't already landed a HC position doesn't say anything to me other than it's a very competitive market out there. I'm happy MB has found a place in a solid program.

Nobody is romanticizing MB's tenure at JMU (least of all me), but the facts are the facts. He won more games than he lost, and recruited some good players. He got us to the NCAAT after a 19 year absence, and won a game. Unless JMU's MBB fortune get turned around in the next three years (the extent of LR's contract and year one of the new arena), MB's tenure may begin to look like the "good old days."

MB's tenure may not have been Shangri-La, but compared to the coaches that bookend his tenure, his time at JMU was an oasis and welcome respite from the dregs of losing experienced under Keener (and now Rowe).

Hopefully attendance will improve with the new arena (and if students are given decent seats), but it was headed down before MB arrived, and the loss of GMU, ODU and VCU as conference mates has only cemented that downward trajectory. Apathy (particularly among the student body) isn't going to get turned around without a "splash" hire like a Lefty, and a lot of winning.

Ultimately community and student interest, fundraising, etc. are all dependent on winning, and MB just didn't do enough of it (especially in the CAAT) to ignite a renaissance in JMU MBB. That doesn't negate the good things he did do, however, and the D1 basketball world values his skills set, even if his JMU critics can't let their disappointment in his repeated bellyflops in the CAAT go.

Yes the record books show MB got JMU back to the NCAAT and show a win in the NCAAT........but please lets not put too much on a win between 16 seeds in a 'play-in' game. I know it is a tournament win the record books, but 'come-on man'.

Blackballed by the industry? That seems a bit extreme.

I believe Matt will only take the "right" head coaching gig from here on out, and I wouldnt be surprised if he was a little burned out by the end at JMU. Matt's perfect head job may or may not exist as his style is a bit more old school than other coaches of his age.

As for leaving LaSalle as a top assistant for an basketball ops job, consider the following:

Giannini was just fired and LaSalle decided to make his replacement a younger, less experienced (lower cost) hire

The above is against a backdrop of an athletics feasibility study and borderline dire financial straits at LaSalle. There is a good chance LaSalle leaves the A10 and heads back to the MAAC which makes the Ashley Howard hiring make that much more sense.

Matt was making multiples of his LaSalle salary in the basketball ops job at UMd. I would not be surprised if he is positioning himself for a Sherm-like lifetime top assistant job at a P5 program.

(06-11-2018 09:35 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 11:54 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 09:27 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  The head scratcher comment was from a Maryland fan board but I get why folks would be a little surprised by Brady's dismissal when you look at his aggregate record over his time with JMU. While the basketball world respects Matt Brady and rightfully so and he will always have a spot on a staff I think the fact that he hasn't been a head guy after his "successful" run at JMU kind of tells you something. He's a solid basketball coach but his teams were inconsistent and often underperformed when the games mattered most. He also had some challenges connecting with kids (recruiting, retaining, developing).

I think he deserves another shot. Who knows maybe if Maryland has a good year in his new role he will get that shot next year but just as easily if Maryland underperforms their head guy could be gone and Brady will have to find another spot.

Let's not romanticize the Matt Brady era or Matt as a coach. The idea that the program has been set back and fund raising stymied is fake news IMO. The reality is this was no Shangri-La period for JMU hoops- there was apathy, plenty of empty yellow seats, a lack of continuity/vision with the roster, no real community or student interest, and a lack of fund raising when Brady was the head guy. The basketball world wasn't talking about the great job that he was doing, the JMU MBB program, the 20 win seasons. They weren't talking about tied for 3rd place finishes either any more than they were talking about the first round CAAT exits.

I agree MB deserves another shot as a HC, and he'll get one if the right opportunity comes along. The fact MB hasn't already landed a HC position doesn't say anything to me other than it's a very competitive market out there. I'm happy MB has found a place in a solid program.

Nobody is romanticizing MB's tenure at JMU (least of all me), but the facts are the facts. He won more games than he lost, and recruited some good players. He got us to the NCAAT after a 19 year absence, and won a game. Unless JMU's MBB fortune get turned around in the next three years (the extent of LR's contract and year one of the new arena), MB's tenure may begin to look like the "good old days."

MB's tenure may not have been Shangri-La, but compared to the coaches that bookend his tenure, his time at JMU was an oasis and welcome respite from the dregs of losing experienced under Keener (and now Rowe).

Hopefully attendance will improve with the new arena (and if students are given decent seats), but it was headed down before MB arrived, and the loss of GMU, ODU and VCU as conference mates has only cemented that downward trajectory. Apathy (particularly among the student body) isn't going to get turned around without a "splash" hire like a Lefty, and a lot of winning.

Ultimately community and student interest, fundraising, etc. are all dependent on winning, and MB just didn't do enough of it (especially in the CAAT) to ignite a renaissance in JMU MBB. That doesn't negate the good things he did do, however, and the D1 basketball world values his skills set, even if his JMU critics can't let their disappointment in his repeated bellyflops in the CAAT go.

Yes the record books show MB got JMU back to the NCAAT and show a win in the NCAAT........but please lets not put too much on a win between 16 seeds in a 'play-in' game. I know it is a tournament win the record books, but 'come-on man'.

An NCAAT win is a win, pays the same as any other win, and was the first JMU appearance and W in 19 years, so “come on man” some other point.

(06-11-2018 01:28 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 09:35 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 11:54 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 09:27 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  The head scratcher comment was from a Maryland fan board but I get why folks would be a little surprised by Brady's dismissal when you look at his aggregate record over his time with JMU. While the basketball world respects Matt Brady and rightfully so and he will always have a spot on a staff I think the fact that he hasn't been a head guy after his "successful" run at JMU kind of tells you something. He's a solid basketball coach but his teams were inconsistent and often underperformed when the games mattered most. He also had some challenges connecting with kids (recruiting, retaining, developing).

I think he deserves another shot. Who knows maybe if Maryland has a good year in his new role he will get that shot next year but just as easily if Maryland underperforms their head guy could be gone and Brady will have to find another spot.

Let's not romanticize the Matt Brady era or Matt as a coach. The idea that the program has been set back and fund raising stymied is fake news IMO. The reality is this was no Shangri-La period for JMU hoops- there was apathy, plenty of empty yellow seats, a lack of continuity/vision with the roster, no real community or student interest, and a lack of fund raising when Brady was the head guy. The basketball world wasn't talking about the great job that he was doing, the JMU MBB program, the 20 win seasons. They weren't talking about tied for 3rd place finishes either any more than they were talking about the first round CAAT exits.

I agree MB deserves another shot as a HC, and he'll get one if the right opportunity comes along. The fact MB hasn't already landed a HC position doesn't say anything to me other than it's a very competitive market out there. I'm happy MB has found a place in a solid program.

Nobody is romanticizing MB's tenure at JMU (least of all me), but the facts are the facts. He won more games than he lost, and recruited some good players. He got us to the NCAAT after a 19 year absence, and won a game. Unless JMU's MBB fortune get turned around in the next three years (the extent of LR's contract and year one of the new arena), MB's tenure may begin to look like the "good old days."

MB's tenure may not have been Shangri-La, but compared to the coaches that bookend his tenure, his time at JMU was an oasis and welcome respite from the dregs of losing experienced under Keener (and now Rowe).

Hopefully attendance will improve with the new arena (and if students are given decent seats), but it was headed down before MB arrived, and the loss of GMU, ODU and VCU as conference mates has only cemented that downward trajectory. Apathy (particularly among the student body) isn't going to get turned around without a "splash" hire like a Lefty, and a lot of winning.

Ultimately community and student interest, fundraising, etc. are all dependent on winning, and MB just didn't do enough of it (especially in the CAAT) to ignite a renaissance in JMU MBB. That doesn't negate the good things he did do, however, and the D1 basketball world values his skills set, even if his JMU critics can't let their disappointment in his repeated bellyflops in the CAAT go.

Yes the record books show MB got JMU back to the NCAAT and show a win in the NCAAT........but please lets not put too much on a win between 16 seeds in a 'play-in' game. I know it is a tournament win the record books, but 'come-on man'.

An NCAAT win is a win, pays the same as any other win, and was the first JMU appearance and W in 19 years, so “come on man” some other point.

OK, great Brady got a NCAAT win in the play-in round 16 vs 16. That was AWESOME!!!!!! If only he have found similar success in the CBI vs South Carolina UpState.

I think I said yes the record books call it a NCAAT win.......but seriously, it was the Play-In game........and I was really happy to see how well he seized the momentum from that historic run in Dayton for subsequent seasons.

But who cares it was time for Brady and JMU to part, probably past time. Maybe it would have been better for the program had JMU not made the tournament back then in the big picture, as Brady would have been fired that year.

(06-11-2018 10:02 AM)PhillyDuke Wrote:  Blackballed by the industry? That seems a bit extreme.

I believe Matt will only take the "right" head coaching gig from here on out, and I wouldnt be surprised if he was a little burned out by the end at JMU. Matt's perfect head job may or may not exist as his style is a bit more old school than other coaches of his age.

As for leaving LaSalle as a top assistant for an basketball ops job, consider the following:

Giannini was just fired and LaSalle decided to make his replacement a younger, less experienced (lower cost) hire

The above is against a backdrop of an athletics feasibility study and borderline dire financial straits at LaSalle. There is a good chance LaSalle leaves the A10 and heads back to the MAAC which makes the Ashley Howard hiring make that much more sense.

Matt was making multiples of his LaSalle salary in the basketball ops job at UMd. I would not be surprised if he is positioning himself for a Sherm-like lifetime top assistant job at a P5 program.

The above all makes sense to me and is a believable scenario. Matt can make good money at a P5 and he is likely a better #2 than #1.

Matt had success at both JMU and Marist. Had it not been for his strained relationships with both administrations, I feel he would have landed a head coaching gig. That is why I said black balled which does sound a bit extreme reading it back. While I don’t feel there was a conscious effort by other administrators to black ball him, the result of their not hiring him is in effect a black ball.

It’s possible Matt preferred not to seek a HC job as well.

(06-11-2018 02:16 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 01:28 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 09:35 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 11:54 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 09:27 AM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  The head scratcher comment was from a Maryland fan board but I get why folks would be a little surprised by Brady's dismissal when you look at his aggregate record over his time with JMU. While the basketball world respects Matt Brady and rightfully so and he will always have a spot on a staff I think the fact that he hasn't been a head guy after his "successful" run at JMU kind of tells you something. He's a solid basketball coach but his teams were inconsistent and often underperformed when the games mattered most. He also had some challenges connecting with kids (recruiting, retaining, developing).

I think he deserves another shot. Who knows maybe if Maryland has a good year in his new role he will get that shot next year but just as easily if Maryland underperforms their head guy could be gone and Brady will have to find another spot.

Let's not romanticize the Matt Brady era or Matt as a coach. The idea that the program has been set back and fund raising stymied is fake news IMO. The reality is this was no Shangri-La period for JMU hoops- there was apathy, plenty of empty yellow seats, a lack of continuity/vision with the roster, no real community or student interest, and a lack of fund raising when Brady was the head guy. The basketball world wasn't talking about the great job that he was doing, the JMU MBB program, the 20 win seasons. They weren't talking about tied for 3rd place finishes either any more than they were talking about the first round CAAT exits.

I agree MB deserves another shot as a HC, and he'll get one if the right opportunity comes along. The fact MB hasn't already landed a HC position doesn't say anything to me other than it's a very competitive market out there. I'm happy MB has found a place in a solid program.

Nobody is romanticizing MB's tenure at JMU (least of all me), but the facts are the facts. He won more games than he lost, and recruited some good players. He got us to the NCAAT after a 19 year absence, and won a game. Unless JMU's MBB fortune get turned around in the next three years (the extent of LR's contract and year one of the new arena), MB's tenure may begin to look like the "good old days."

MB's tenure may not have been Shangri-La, but compared to the coaches that bookend his tenure, his time at JMU was an oasis and welcome respite from the dregs of losing experienced under Keener (and now Rowe).

Hopefully attendance will improve with the new arena (and if students are given decent seats), but it was headed down before MB arrived, and the loss of GMU, ODU and VCU as conference mates has only cemented that downward trajectory. Apathy (particularly among the student body) isn't going to get turned around without a "splash" hire like a Lefty, and a lot of winning.

Ultimately community and student interest, fundraising, etc. are all dependent on winning, and MB just didn't do enough of it (especially in the CAAT) to ignite a renaissance in JMU MBB. That doesn't negate the good things he did do, however, and the D1 basketball world values his skills set, even if his JMU critics can't let their disappointment in his repeated bellyflops in the CAAT go.

Yes the record books show MB got JMU back to the NCAAT and show a win in the NCAAT........but please lets not put too much on a win between 16 seeds in a 'play-in' game. I know it is a tournament win the record books, but 'come-on man'.

An NCAAT win is a win, pays the same as any other win, and was the first JMU appearance and W in 19 years, so “come on man” some other point.

OK, great Brady got a NCAAT win in the play-in round 16 vs 16. That was AWESOME!!!!!! If only he have found similar success in the CBI vs South Carolina UpState.

I think I said yes the record books call it a NCAAT win.......but seriously, it was the Play-In game........and I was really happy to see how well he seized the momentum from that historic run in Dayton for subsequent seasons.

But who cares it was time for Brady and JMU to part, probably past time. Maybe it would have been better for the program had JMU not made the tournament back then in the big picture, as Brady would have been fired that year.

So, you’d rather have had JMU not make the NCAAT and post a win. Got it.

Because, you know, it is embarrassing to win a “play-in game” and yadda yadda yadda, deflection and denial, “in the big picture” you think it would have been better that MB couldn’t post follow-up 19 and 21 win seasons because it delayed the arrival of LR and his 10 win seasons.

(06-12-2018 02:07 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 02:16 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 01:28 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 09:35 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 11:54 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  I agree MB deserves another shot as a HC, and he'll get one if the right opportunity comes along. The fact MB hasn't already landed a HC position doesn't say anything to me other than it's a very competitive market out there. I'm happy MB has found a place in a solid program.

Nobody is romanticizing MB's tenure at JMU (least of all me), but the facts are the facts. He won more games than he lost, and recruited some good players. He got us to the NCAAT after a 19 year absence, and won a game. Unless JMU's MBB fortune get turned around in the next three years (the extent of LR's contract and year one of the new arena), MB's tenure may begin to look like the "good old days."

MB's tenure may not have been Shangri-La, but compared to the coaches that bookend his tenure, his time at JMU was an oasis and welcome respite from the dregs of losing experienced under Keener (and now Rowe).

Hopefully attendance will improve with the new arena (and if students are given decent seats), but it was headed down before MB arrived, and the loss of GMU, ODU and VCU as conference mates has only cemented that downward trajectory. Apathy (particularly among the student body) isn't going to get turned around without a "splash" hire like a Lefty, and a lot of winning.

Ultimately community and student interest, fundraising, etc. are all dependent on winning, and MB just didn't do enough of it (especially in the CAAT) to ignite a renaissance in JMU MBB. That doesn't negate the good things he did do, however, and the D1 basketball world values his skills set, even if his JMU critics can't let their disappointment in his repeated bellyflops in the CAAT go.

Yes the record books show MB got JMU back to the NCAAT and show a win in the NCAAT........but please lets not put too much on a win between 16 seeds in a 'play-in' game. I know it is a tournament win the record books, but 'come-on man'.

An NCAAT win is a win, pays the same as any other win, and was the first JMU appearance and W in 19 years, so “come on man” some other point.

OK, great Brady got a NCAAT win in the play-in round 16 vs 16. That was AWESOME!!!!!! If only he have found similar success in the CBI vs South Carolina UpState.

I think I said yes the record books call it a NCAAT win.......but seriously, it was the Play-In game........and I was really happy to see how well he seized the momentum from that historic run in Dayton for subsequent seasons.

But who cares it was time for Brady and JMU to part, probably past time. Maybe it would have been better for the program had JMU not made the tournament back then in the big picture, as Brady would have been fired that year.

So, you’d rather have had JMU not make the NCAAT and post a win. Got it.

Because, you know, it is embarrassing to win a “play-in game” and yadda yadda yadda, deflection and denial, “in the big picture” you think it would have been better that MB couldn’t post follow-up 19 and 21 win seasons because it delayed the arrival of LR and his 10 win seasons.

No not exactly. It was clear that after the 2012-2013 season there was ALOT of friction between MB and JMU Admin and it was not going to resolve itself. I was merely saying that it might have been better for all involved if JMU had moved on sooner but getting to the NCAAT made that pretty much impossible. If that had happened JMU would not have wound up with LR as the coach which would have made you extremely happy.

Oh and by the way MB followed up the NCAAT season, with an 11-20 season ---- that was the lack of momentum I was talking about (convenient that you left that out, wonder why). And the 19 win season you think was so great was yet another 1 and done in the CAAT and an embarrassing loss to USC Upstate in one of the BS post-season tournaments (NOT NCAA or NIT).....Yes it is post season play, but is a BS tournament that was played in what appeared to be a Middle Gymatorium in Spartanburg, SC. And that 21 season win you hyped was yet again another embarrassing 1st round exist in the CAA in a 15 point blowout loss ----with no post-season play (NCAA or NIT) and JMU chose to save the money that season rather than get in another pay for play BS post-season tournament.

(06-12-2018 02:07 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 02:16 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 01:28 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 09:35 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(06-10-2018 11:54 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  I agree MB deserves another shot as a HC, and he'll get one if the right opportunity comes along. The fact MB hasn't already landed a HC position doesn't say anything to me other than it's a very competitive market out there. I'm happy MB has found a place in a solid program.

Nobody is romanticizing MB's tenure at JMU (least of all me), but the facts are the facts. He won more games than he lost, and recruited some good players. He got us to the NCAAT after a 19 year absence, and won a game. Unless JMU's MBB fortune get turned around in the next three years (the extent of LR's contract and year one of the new arena), MB's tenure may begin to look like the "good old days."

MB's tenure may not have been Shangri-La, but compared to the coaches that bookend his tenure, his time at JMU was an oasis and welcome respite from the dregs of losing experienced under Keener (and now Rowe).

Hopefully attendance will improve with the new arena (and if students are given decent seats), but it was headed down before MB arrived, and the loss of GMU, ODU and VCU as conference mates has only cemented that downward trajectory. Apathy (particularly among the student body) isn't going to get turned around without a "splash" hire like a Lefty, and a lot of winning.

Ultimately community and student interest, fundraising, etc. are all dependent on winning, and MB just didn't do enough of it (especially in the CAAT) to ignite a renaissance in JMU MBB. That doesn't negate the good things he did do, however, and the D1 basketball world values his skills set, even if his JMU critics can't let their disappointment in his repeated bellyflops in the CAAT go.

Yes the record books show MB got JMU back to the NCAAT and show a win in the NCAAT........but please lets not put too much on a win between 16 seeds in a 'play-in' game. I know it is a tournament win the record books, but 'come-on man'.

An NCAAT win is a win, pays the same as any other win, and was the first JMU appearance and W in 19 years, so “come on man” some other point.

OK, great Brady got a NCAAT win in the play-in round 16 vs 16. That was AWESOME!!!!!! If only he have found similar success in the CBI vs South Carolina UpState.

I think I said yes the record books call it a NCAAT win.......but seriously, it was the Play-In game........and I was really happy to see how well he seized the momentum from that historic run in Dayton for subsequent seasons.

But who cares it was time for Brady and JMU to part, probably past time. Maybe it would have been better for the program had JMU not made the tournament back then in the big picture, as Brady would have been fired that year.

So, you’d rather have had JMU not make the NCAAT and post a win. Got it.

Because, you know, it is embarrassing to win a “play-in game” and yadda yadda yadda, deflection and denial, “in the big picture” you think it would have been better that MB couldn’t post follow-up 19 and 21 win seasons because it delayed the arrival of LR and his 10 win seasons.

I think LH needs to rank his man-crushes. Here's my crack at it...

1. Alger
2. Bourne
3. Biff Tannen
4. Matt Brady
5. Charlie King

(06-12-2018 11:51 AM)2Buck Wrote:  

(06-12-2018 02:07 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 02:16 PM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 01:28 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-11-2018 09:35 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  Yes the record books show MB got JMU back to the NCAAT and show a win in the NCAAT........but please lets not put too much on a win between 16 seeds in a 'play-in' game. I know it is a tournament win the record books, but 'come-on man'.

An NCAAT win is a win, pays the same as any other win, and was the first JMU appearance and W in 19 years, so “come on man” some other point.

OK, great Brady got a NCAAT win in the play-in round 16 vs 16. That was AWESOME!!!!!! If only he have found similar success in the CBI vs South Carolina UpState.

I think I said yes the record books call it a NCAAT win.......but seriously, it was the Play-In game........and I was really happy to see how well he seized the momentum from that historic run in Dayton for subsequent seasons.

But who cares it was time for Brady and JMU to part, probably past time. Maybe it would have been better for the program had JMU not made the tournament back then in the big picture, as Brady would have been fired that year.

So, you’d rather have had JMU not make the NCAAT and post a win. Got it.

Because, you know, it is embarrassing to win a “play-in game” and yadda yadda yadda, deflection and denial, “in the big picture” you think it would have been better that MB couldn’t post follow-up 19 and 21 win seasons because it delayed the arrival of LR and his 10 win seasons.

I think LH needs to rank his man-crushes. Here's my crack at it...

1. Alger
2. Bourne
3. Biff Tannen
4. Matt Brady
5. Charlie King

I give credit where credit is due. Simple as that. Something you don’t seem to be able to do.

The fact that Brady still sparks debate proves that it wasn't a no brainer. His time with JMU was a mixed bag- real close at times to getting over the hump but filled with disappointment. I think some of the off the court stuff obviously put Matt on thin ice with the admin but ultimately it was the back to back 20 win teams who were non competitive in the CAAT that led to him losing his job. When you are a little skeptical of a guy due to the contract issue, the APR stuff, the player turnover etc. and then you sit there and watch his team get trounced in back to back CAAT's that's the last straw.

(06-13-2018 11:12 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  The fact that Brady still sparks debate proves that it wasn't a no brainer. His time with JMU was a mixed bag- real close at times to getting over the hump but filled with disappointment. I think some of the off the court stuff obviously put Matt on thin ice with the admin but ultimately it was the back to back 20 win teams who were non competitive in the CAAT that led to him losing his job. When you are a little skeptical of a guy due to the contract issue, the APR stuff, the player turnover etc. and then you sit there and watch his team get trounced in back to back CAAT's that's the last straw.

I think that’s a fair summary. It’s ultimately what got Lefty canned too. Getting repeatedly bounced, and often early, from the CAAT will get any JMU MBB HC fired.

(06-14-2018 05:29 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(06-13-2018 11:12 PM)NJDuke97 Wrote:  The fact that Brady still sparks debate proves that it wasn't a no brainer. His time with JMU was a mixed bag- real close at times to getting over the hump but filled with disappointment. I think some of the off the court stuff obviously put Matt on thin ice with the admin but ultimately it was the back to back 20 win teams who were non competitive in the CAAT that led to him losing his job. When you are a little skeptical of a guy due to the contract issue, the APR stuff, the player turnover etc. and then you sit there and watch his team get trounced in back to back CAAT's that's the last straw.

I think that’s a fair summary. It’s ultimately what got Lefty canned too. Getting repeatedly bounced, and often early, from the CAAT will get any JMU MBB HC fired.

Certainly some of this but rest assured, JMU wanted him gone long before the CAA tournament losses. You don’t embarrass your boss.