Van Macon Stepping Down

[mjmaherjr]

here is what I found fascinating. At JSJs bbq years ago one year Panther couldn’t make it ( I think Otis was at this one ) and Panther told me to tell Van he said hi. Van lit up and totally let his guard down and opened up a lot just about hoops and obviously St. John’s in general. The next year Panther was able to make JSJs bbq I think it was Rick got hired. Panther will never admit this but when Panther arrived Vans wyes lit up like a father son type thing im not saying that’s their relationship but Van totally looks up to Panther and followed him around the entire party . He’s a good dude. He will be missed. I hope it’s not health related and his wife absolutely super move person too btw

 

[MainMan]

I view it as the guy Pitino retained for transitional purposes who now has served that purpose and is going to do something else. Good luck to him.

 

[MainMan]

Whenever you get the canned "wish him the best in his future endeavors" quote, well, let's just say it is what you think it is.

 

[panther2]

here is what I found fascinating. At JSJs bbq years ago one year Panther couldn’t make it ( I think Otis was at this one ) and Panther told me to tell Van he said hi. Van lit up and totally let his guard down and opened up a lot just about hoops and obviously St. John’s in general. The next year Panther was able to make JSJs bbq I think it was Rick got hired. Panther will never admit this but when Panther arrived Vans wyes lit up like a father son type thing im not saying that’s their relationship but Van totally looks up to Panther and followed him around the entire party . He’s a good dude. He will be missed. I hope it’s not health related and his wife absolutely super move person too btw

In our culture, more like his old ass uncle, lol. I have known Van for almost 30 years. He is a fine gentleman and a very good coach. He will be successful in whatever he chooses to do in the future.

 

[mjmaherjr]

In our culture, more like his old ass uncle, lol. I have known Van for almost 30 years. He is a fine gentleman and a very good coach. He will be successful in whatever he chooses to do in the future.

I should also say that Panther while looks young pretty much everyone here looks up to him like an old ass uncle The Best of The Best

 

[Knight]

here is what I found fascinating. At JSJs bbq years ago one year Panther couldn’t make it ( I think Otis was at this one ) and Panther told me to tell Van he said hi. Van lit up and totally let his guard down and opened up a lot just about hoops and obviously St. John’s in general. The next year Panther was able to make JSJs bbq I think it was Rick got hired. Panther will never admit this but when Panther arrived Vans wyes lit up like a father son type thing im not saying that’s their relationship but Van totally looks up to Panther and followed him around the entire party . He’s a good dude. He will be missed. I hope it’s not health related and his wife absolutely super move person too btw

I was at the same bbq and had the opportunity to sit and speak to coach for a while about SJU hoops. Cordial and friendly he quickly put me at ease as we discussed some hoops. Good man. I wish him well.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I was at the same bbq and had the opportunity to sit and speak to coach for a while about SJU hoops. Cordial and friendly he quickly put me at ease as we discussed some hoops. Good man. I wish him well.

great memory yep you were there and billy Schaefer made sure to say goodbye to you don't think I didn't notice

Then he said " Good Knight "

 

[Andrew]

Would always see Macon at local HS basketball games. It would seem like he would make a good head coach for a program in a conference like the America East, NEC or MAAC. Those schools could serve as feeders and he has a good eye for talent.

 

[Beasts of the East]

I would expect Greg Youncofski to move up from the DOBO position. He has four years experience as an Assistant Coach at Loyola Marymount prior to arriving here last year and has also served in various roles under Mick Cronin.

One of the Grad Assistants can then take his place as the DOBO.

On the other hand with a GM intimately involved in recruiting, we may be set. You have to be all in on social media to know what's going on and to communicate. I imagine there's a whole lot less travel to gyms to get it done, but would appreciate comments from folks here in the know.

 

[SJU85]

On the other hand with a GM intimately involved in recruiting, we may be set. You have to be all in on social media to know what's going on and to communicate. I imagine there's a whole lot less travel to gyms to get it done, but would appreciate comments from folks here in the know.

I guess you could do that but why would you want to? You are allowed to have five full time assistants and we can afford it.

The GM role is so much more than just the recruiting aspects. It involves cultivating sponsorships and donors, working with the Collectives, the Administration, bookkeeping, accounting, analytics to come up with the NIL Deal based on the value the staff has placed on the recruit and that’s just off the top of my head. It is a full time job in itself without adding assistant coaching duties and responsibilities to it.

Matt has been quoted in print (and others here including myself have heard him say it) that one of the things that attracted him to the GM role here is that it did not involve any coaching responsibilities. Now things change, but I think Matt left that role behind him when he became an Agent and is not looking back.

 

[gregbodkin]

Good luck to you, Van and thank you for all the hard work and success that you have brought to our program.

May God bless you with much more success.

 

[dk423]

I guess you could do that but why would you want to? You are allowed to have five full time assistants and we can afford it.

The GM role is so much more than just the recruiting aspects. It involves cultivating sponsorships and donors, working with the Collectives, the Administration, bookkeeping, accounting, analytics to come up with the NIL Deal based on the value the staff has placed on the recruit and that’s just off the top of my head. It is a full time job in itself without adding assistant coaching duties and responsibilities to it.

Matt has been quoted in print (and others here including myself have heard him say it) that one of the things that attracted him to the GM role here is that it did not involve any coaching responsibilities. Now things change, but I think Matt left that role behind him when he became an Agent and is not looking back.

I wouldn’t mind using some of this money to bolster the front office instead of an assistant role — especially someone who’s a full-time scout dedicated to international prospects. If we’re going to have 25-35% of our roster those guys, the ROI is easy to see

 

[Amaseinyourface]

I wouldn’t mind using some of this money to bolster the front office instead of an assistant role — especially someone who’s a full-time scout dedicated to international prospects. If we’re going to have 25-35% of our roster those guys, the ROI is easy to see

Has trilly mentioned staffs having this?

 

[mjmaherjr]

I wouldn’t mind using some of this money to bolster the front office instead of an assistant role — especially someone who’s a full-time scout dedicated to international prospects. If we’re going to have 25-35% of our roster those guys, the ROI is easy to see

Who needs scouts when you have us Redfans scouring 3 minute clips from guys from Slovenia declaring them the next big recruit

 

[SJU85]

I wouldn’t mind using some of this money to bolster the front office instead of an assistant role — especially someone who’s a full-time scout dedicated to international prospects. If we’re going to have 25-35% of our roster those guys, the ROI is easy to see

Only coaches can go on the road to scout and recruit so in essence you are hiring an Assistant Coach and that could be part of his role.

I know in the past teams would have positions on their staff for Director of Scouting or Player Development or Recruiting but most of those folks were defacto assistant coaches when you were only allowed three assistant coaches. Again, they were not allowed on the road to recruit/scout. When the number of coaches allowed increased, for the most part those who held those roles became assistant coaches and the titles went away. I noticed one team (I don’t recall which one, had guys with the Assistant Coach Moniker and the Director of ____ was added to it.

 

[Beasts of the East]

I guess you could do that but why would you want to? You are allowed to have five full time assistants and we can afford it.

The GM role is so much more than just the recruiting aspects. It involves cultivating sponsorships and donors, working with the Collectives, the Administration, bookkeeping, accounting, analytics to come up with the NIL Deal based on the value the staff has placed on the recruit and that’s just off the top of my head. It is a full time job in itself without adding assistant coaching duties and responsibilities to it.

Matt has been quoted in print (and others here including myself have heard him say it) that one of the things that attracted him to the GM role here is that it did not involve any coaching responsibilities. Now things change, but I think Matt left that role behind him when he became an Agent and is not looking back.

Matt as far as I can tell had very limited coaching responsibilities on Mullin's staff. Basically recruited and had no visible role in coaching players, in game decisions, etc. Great, bulldog at recruiting and relationships.

Re: "We can afford it.." I've been told that we actually lose money on basketball, so I don't know where you get the afford part. We spend a ton on coaching, a ton on NIL (which costs the school nothing for product at this point) but I think Rick is aware of limitations and is getting his facility but is smart enough to spent and save where he sees fit.

I'm gking to guess that since Van was making Associate HC money under CMA, that he didn't take a cut to be part of CRP's staff. So I think this move was largely economic so you may be right about a promotion but I'd leave that to Rick.

 

[dk423]

Only coaches can go on the road to scout and recruit so in essence you are hiring an Assistant Coach and that could be part of his role.

I know in the past teams would have positions on their staff for Director of Scouting or Player Development or Recruiting but most of those folks were defacto assistant coaches when you were only allowed three assistant coaches. Again, they were not allowed on the road to recruit/scout. When the number of coaches allowed increased, for the most part those who held those roles became assistant coaches and the titles went away. I noticed one team (I don’t recall which one, had guys with the Assistant Coach Moniker and the Director of ____ was added to it.

So I’d be fine adding this person as an assistant then. Maybe can’t catch every game but that’s probably fine.

Has trilly mentioned staffs having this?

No, but I can’t help to think this type of stuff will start to happen once the ncaa adjusts more rules.

 

[SJU85]

Matt as far as I can tell had very limited coaching responsibilities on Mullin's staff. Basically recruited and had no visible role in coaching players, in game decisions, etc. Great, bulldog at recruiting and relationships.

Re: "We can afford it.." I've been told that we actually lose money on basketball, so I don't know where you get the afford part. We spend a ton on coaching, a ton on NIL (which costs the school nothing for product at this point) but I think Rick is aware of limitations and is getting his facility but is smart enough to spent and save where he sees fit.

I'm gking to guess that since Van was making Associate HC money under CMA, that he didn't take a cut to be part of CRP's staff. So I think this move was largely economic so you may be right about a promotion but I'd leave that to Rick.

We can afford it because we will come up with the money. Basketball may have been losing direct money, but the money the program brought in this year to the school due to the successful season and increased visibility that does not go on the basketball books was a win win. They are not hurting and can afford to pay the fifth assistant coach who probably would not make what Van was making as you pointed out whether we promote from within or get someone from outside.

 

[Beasts of the East]

We can afford it because we will come up with the money. Basketball may have been losing direct money, but the money the program brought in this year to the school due to the successful season and increased visibility that does not go on the basketball books was a win win. They are not hurting and can afford to pay the fifth assistant coach who probably would not make what Van was making as you pointed out whether we promote from within or get someone from outside.

Currently enrollment is down significantly across every school on campus and there is a hiring and possibly wage freeze. Don't be deluded by on court success or a few major donors kicking in. In 2014 i attended the Villanova campaign kickoff which had a $600 mm goal. By kickoff night they had >50 commitments of $1 million or more including Finneran's $60 million donation to build a new arena.

The announced major gifts for this campaign are fantastic but a much greater % at Sju will go to scholarship and grants than at Nova, which is notorious for not spending much in that regard. By comparison they are much better armed (as is most of the big east) to spend money on athletics and capital improvements than we are.

It's a harsh reality, but the campaign kickoff was not designed to celebrate our biggest donors but to encourage everyone to give till it hurts.

Someone else can post Bill J's parable of bacon and eggs.

 

[Silly Donovan]

Who needs scouts when you have us Redfans scouring 3 minute clips from guys from Slovenia declaring them the next big recruit

Redfan scouts??????If that were really the case then players like RJ Luis and Danis Jenkins would have never seen the court much less recruited in the first place by our poster’s standards.