Hire Mike Rice

All this Mike Rice talk is just chatter. I don't believe this will happen or anything close to this.

CM strikes me as a person who must be in control at this point. Slice came in and I believe he had a slightly condescending attitude towards CM in that he had coached before, and CM never had, was tentative, and too freely gave Slice the huddles and lived to regret that. I think he is now comfortable with a younger staff of St. Jean helping w strategy, MAtt A. recruiting, and Mitch as an old trusted friend and advisor on basketball operations.

My guess is that CM will stand pat with staff and the school is essentially paying for a full staff with them on the hook for Slice.

Rice would come in and want more authority, which would impede CM's development as a HC.

I see the reasons for and against Rice. Think the points you make especially if the nuance suggested is true makes a lot of sense. Those dynamics unquestionably matter on a staff not just in hoops but in most professional contexts.

In that scenario the primary issue I see is imbalance and inexperience from a recruiting perspective.

From afar Richmond and St. Jean appear to be doing an ok (and improved) job. Mitch is engaged, I'm sure is helpful in player development (which should only increase if we get better players for him to work with), I'm sure is an advisor to Mullin as you note, and if nothing else his reactions on the bench when our players do something dumb are great entertainment value in the stands (seemed like he was just beside himself watching our play at times). St. Jean appears to really know the game and probably brings that energetic assistant personality Mullin likes.

Just not sure that's enough on-court value to have them occupying 2 of the 3 recruiting assistant spots. Recruiting is so much about grinding and being on the road 250 days per year and connections and building relationships. That's hard work and could be wrong but I'm not sure that's how Mitch wants to be spending his time (wouldn't blame him). If kids are going to come to SJU in part because they want to play for two HOFers and think perhaps they can improve their chances of going pro (which I think may be overstated anyway), Mitch can have that impact without being a recruiter. I'm sure St. Jean can learn to do all of the things required to be a quality recruiter - and he'll likely need to if he wants to coach at the college level - but is unlikely there yet.

So strikes me keeping both of them on staff, but bumping them down to role Keady/Mitch were in previously, and hiring another more experienced assistant might help balance things. Doesn't need to be a household name, but you look at a lot of staffs at successful programs even at conferences lower than the Big East and they have assistants that have been assistants for 10-20 years including at high-major programs. Not suggesting this will have some mega impact, but having one more assistant coach on staff whose core professional competency is being an assistant coach, really knows how to recruit, and can help Matt recruit probably shouldn't be underestimated either.

Seems like sometimes SJU makes assembling a staff slightly more complicated than it needs to be.

Sense an assistant coach addition in spirit of what you suggest, not Rice necessarily. We'll see.
 
All this Mike Rice talk is just chatter. I don't believe this will happen or anything close to this.

CM strikes me as a person who must be in control at this point. Slice came in and I believe he had a slightly condescending attitude towards CM in that he had coached before, and CM never had, was tentative, and too freely gave Slice the huddles and lived to regret that. I think he is now comfortable with a younger staff of St. Jean helping w strategy, MAtt A. recruiting, and Mitch as an old trusted friend and advisor on basketball operations.

My guess is that CM will stand pat with staff and the school is essentially paying for a full staff with them on the hook for Slice.

Rice would come in and want more authority, which would impede CM's development as a HC.

I see the reasons for and against Rice. Think the points you make especially if the nuance suggested is true makes a lot of sense. Those dynamics unquestionably matter on a staff not just in hoops but in most professional contexts.

In that scenario the primary issue I see is imbalance and inexperience from a recruiting perspective.

From afar Richmond and St. Jean appear to be doing an ok (and improved) job. Mitch is engaged, I'm sure is helpful in player development (which should only increase if we get better players for him to work with), I'm sure is an advisor to Mullin as you note, and if nothing else his reactions on the bench when our players do something dumb are great entertainment value in the stands (seemed like he was just beside himself watching our play at times). St. Jean appears to really know the game and probably brings that energetic assistant personality Mullin likes.

Just not sure that's enough on-court value to have them occupying 2 of the 3 recruiting assistant spots. Recruiting is so much about grinding and being on the road 250 days per year and connections and building relationships. That's hard work and could be wrong but I'm not sure that's how Mitch wants to be spending his time (wouldn't blame him). If kids are going to come to SJU in part because they want to play for two HOFers and think perhaps they can improve their chances of going pro (which I think may be overstated anyway), Mitch can have that impact without being a recruiter. I'm sure St. Jean can learn to do all of the things required to be a quality recruiter - and he'll likely need to if he wants to coach at the college level - but is unlikely there yet.

So strikes me keeping both of them on staff, but bumping them down to role Keady/Mitch were in previously, and hiring another more experienced assistant might help balance things. Doesn't need to be a household name, but you look at a lot of staffs at successful programs even at conferences lower than the Big East and they have assistants that have been assistants for 10-20 years including at high-major programs. Not suggesting this will have some mega impact, but having one more assistant coach on staff whose core professional competency is being an assistant coach, really knows how to recruit, and can help Matt recruit probably shouldn't be underestimated either.

Seems like sometimes SJU makes assembling a staff slightly more complicated than it needs to be.

Sense an assistant coach addition in spirit of what you suggest, not Rice necessarily. We'll see.

That's great news, thanks Paultz. Frankly would be somewhat concerning from an internal evaluation standpoint if things stayed structured exactly as they are. Understand potentially given timing with Slice why this may have been a fine interim solution for this past year. But glad to hear this is potentially being addressed going forward now that we are in normal coaching movement timeline.
 
All this Mike Rice talk is just chatter. I don't believe this will happen or anything close to this.

CM strikes me as a person who must be in control at this point. Slice came in and I believe he had a slightly condescending attitude towards CM in that he had coached before, and CM never had, was tentative, and too freely gave Slice the huddles and lived to regret that. I think he is now comfortable with a younger staff of St. Jean helping w strategy, MAtt A. recruiting, and Mitch as an old trusted friend and advisor on basketball operations.

My guess is that CM will stand pat with staff and the school is essentially paying for a full staff with them on the hook for Slice.

Rice would come in and want more authority, which would impede CM's development as a HC.

I see the reasons for and against Rice. Think the points you make especially if the nuance suggested is true makes a lot of sense. Those dynamics unquestionably matter on a staff not just in hoops but in most professional contexts.

In that scenario the primary issue I see is imbalance and inexperience from a recruiting perspective.

From afar Richmond and St. Jean appear to be doing an ok (and improved) job. Mitch is engaged, I'm sure is helpful in player development (which should only increase if we get better players for him to work with), I'm sure is an advisor to Mullin as you note, and if nothing else his reactions on the bench when our players do something dumb are great entertainment value in the stands (seemed like he was just beside himself watching our play at times). St. Jean appears to really know the game and probably brings that energetic assistant personality Mullin likes.

Just not sure that's enough on-court value to have them occupying 2 of the 3 recruiting assistant spots. Recruiting is so much about grinding and being on the road 250 days per year and connections and building relationships. That's hard work and could be wrong but I'm not sure that's how Mitch wants to be spending his time (wouldn't blame him). If kids are going to come to SJU in part because they want to play for two HOFers and think perhaps they can improve their chances of going pro (which I think may be overstated anyway), Mitch can have that impact without being a recruiter. I'm sure St. Jean can learn to do all of the things required to be a quality recruiter - and he'll likely need to if he wants to coach at the college level - but is unlikely there yet.

So strikes me keeping both of them on staff, but bumping them down to role Keady/Mitch were in previously, and hiring another more experienced assistant might help balance things. Doesn't need to be a household name, but you look at a lot of staffs at successful programs even at conferences lower than the Big East and they have assistants that have been assistants for 10-20 years including at high-major programs. Not suggesting this will have some mega impact, but having one more assistant coach on staff whose core professional competency is being an assistant coach, really knows how to recruit, and can help Matt recruit probably shouldn't be underestimated either.

Seems like sometimes SJU makes assembling a staff slightly more complicated than it needs to be.

Everything you say is reasonable. I don't want to impede CM's development as an in charge HC. Since recruiting is the name of the game, perhaps a recruiter along the lines of a Matt who doesn't bring a lot of game input at least on the bench makes most sense, if they do anything at all.
 
If Chris feels Rice can be an asset in coaching and recruiting hire him today. There will be objections because of his behavioral issues and just as many comments that he deserves a second chance.
There were reports that Lavin turned down Whitehead as a recruit because he didn't want to hire his high school coach as an ass't. Seton Hall takes them and saves Willard's job. Lavin ends up announcing.
Chris is starting year 3 and the same people who feel hiring Rice is a no no will be demanding a new coach in a year or so.
 
All this Mike Rice talk is just chatter. I don't believe this will happen or anything close to this.

CM strikes me as a person who must be in control at this point. Slice came in and I believe he had a slightly condescending attitude towards CM in that he had coached before, and CM never had, was tentative, and too freely gave Slice the huddles and lived to regret that. I think he is now comfortable with a younger staff of St. Jean helping w strategy, MAtt A. recruiting, and Mitch as an old trusted friend and advisor on basketball operations.

My guess is that CM will stand pat with staff and the school is essentially paying for a full staff with them on the hook for Slice.

Rice would come in and want more authority, which would impede CM's development as a HC.

I see the reasons for and against Rice. Think the points you make especially if the nuance suggested is true makes a lot of sense. Those dynamics unquestionably matter on a staff not just in hoops but in most professional contexts.

In that scenario the primary issue I see is imbalance and inexperience from a recruiting perspective.

From afar Richmond and St. Jean appear to be doing an ok (and improved) job. Mitch is engaged, I'm sure is helpful in player development (which should only increase if we get better players for him to work with), I'm sure is an advisor to Mullin as you note, and if nothing else his reactions on the bench when our players do something dumb are great entertainment value in the stands (seemed like he was just beside himself watching our play at times). St. Jean appears to really know the game and probably brings that energetic assistant personality Mullin likes.

Just not sure that's enough on-court value to have them occupying 2 of the 3 recruiting assistant spots. Recruiting is so much about grinding and being on the road 250 days per year and connections and building relationships. That's hard work and could be wrong but I'm not sure that's how Mitch wants to be spending his time (wouldn't blame him). If kids are going to come to SJU in part because they want to play for two HOFers and think perhaps they can improve their chances of going pro (which I think may be overstated anyway), Mitch can have that impact without being a recruiter. I'm sure St. Jean can learn to do all of the things required to be a quality recruiter - and he'll likely need to if he wants to coach at the college level - but is unlikely there yet.

So strikes me keeping both of them on staff, but bumping them down to role Keady/Mitch were in previously, and hiring another more experienced assistant might help balance things. Doesn't need to be a household name, but you look at a lot of staffs at successful programs even at conferences lower than the Big East and they have assistants that have been assistants for 10-20 years including at high-major programs. Not suggesting this will have some mega impact, but having one more assistant coach on staff whose core professional competency is being an assistant coach, really knows how to recruit, and can help Matt recruit probably shouldn't be underestimated either.

Seems like sometimes SJU makes assembling a staff slightly more complicated than it needs to be.

Sense an assistant coach addition in spirit of what you suggest, not Rice necessarily. We'll see.

Truth is that it doesn't have to be Mike Rice. I think he's the most bandied about example of an energetic local guy with good ties and good work ethic. I think there a lot of guys out there that fit this bill. We definitely need another guy out there doing significant recruiting for us, and any coaching experience is welcome too.
 
Rice would come in and want more authority, which would impede CM's development as a HC.

I disagree. He hit rock bottom and would still be in the process of building himself back up. He would know his place. Might get antsy later on, but he'd be on his best behavior for at least several years. And by that time he may be in line to take over anyway -- I never viewed Mullin as a long-term guy here.
 
[I think he's the most bandied about example of an energetic local guy with good ties and good work ethic. I think there a lot of guys out there that fit this bill. We definitely need another guy out there doing significant recruiting for us, and any coaching experience is welcome too.

Anyone have an opinion on Steve DeMeo's X's and O's? And does he want to come back north?
 
[I think he's the most bandied about example of an energetic local guy with good ties and good work ethic. I think there a lot of guys out there that fit this bill. We definitely need another guy out there doing significant recruiting for us, and any coaching experience is welcome too.

Anyone have an opinion on Steve DeMeo's X's and O's? And does he want to come back north?

I like him from Iona days, certainly has done well in JC world. Great recruiter, but frankly not sure of X&O stuff.
 
[I think he's the most bandied about example of an energetic local guy with good ties and good work ethic. I think there a lot of guys out there that fit this bill. We definitely need another guy out there doing significant recruiting for us, and any coaching experience is welcome too.

Anyone have an opinion on Steve DeMeo's X's and O's? And does he want to come back north?

Do successful JUCO coaches usually leave for assistant jobs? Especially one where he won't be paid as the top assistant.
 
All this Mike Rice talk is just chatter. I don't believe this will happen or anything close to this.

CM strikes me as a person who must be in control at this point. Slice came in and I believe he had a slightly condescending attitude towards CM in that he had coached before, and CM never had, was tentative, and too freely gave Slice the huddles and lived to regret that. I think he is now comfortable with a younger staff of St. Jean helping w strategy, MAtt A. recruiting, and Mitch as an old trusted friend and advisor on basketball operations.

My guess is that CM will stand pat with staff and the school is essentially paying for a full staff with them on the hook for Slice.

Rice would come in and want more authority, which would impede CM's development as a HC.

I see the reasons for and against Rice. Think the points you make especially if the nuance suggested is true makes a lot of sense. Those dynamics unquestionably matter on a staff not just in hoops but in most professional contexts.

In that scenario the primary issue I see is imbalance and inexperience from a recruiting perspective.

From afar Richmond and St. Jean appear to be doing an ok (and improved) job. Mitch is engaged, I'm sure is helpful in player development (which should only increase if we get better players for him to work with), I'm sure is an advisor to Mullin as you note, and if nothing else his reactions on the bench when our players do something dumb are great entertainment value in the stands (seemed like he was just beside himself watching our play at times). St. Jean appears to really know the game and probably brings that energetic assistant personality Mullin likes.

Just not sure that's enough on-court value to have them occupying 2 of the 3 recruiting assistant spots. Recruiting is so much about grinding and being on the road 250 days per year and connections and building relationships. That's hard work and could be wrong but I'm not sure that's how Mitch wants to be spending his time (wouldn't blame him). If kids are going to come to SJU in part because they want to play for two HOFers and think perhaps they can improve their chances of going pro (which I think may be overstated anyway), Mitch can have that impact without being a recruiter. I'm sure St. Jean can learn to do all of the things required to be a quality recruiter - and he'll likely need to if he wants to coach at the college level - but is unlikely there yet.

So strikes me keeping both of them on staff, but bumping them down to role Keady/Mitch were in previously, and hiring another more experienced assistant might help balance things. Doesn't need to be a household name, but you look at a lot of staffs at successful programs even at conferences lower than the Big East and they have assistants that have been assistants for 10-20 years including at high-major programs. Not suggesting this will have some mega impact, but having one more assistant coach on staff whose core professional competency is being an assistant coach, really knows how to recruit, and can help Matt recruit probably shouldn't be underestimated either.

Seems like sometimes SJU makes assembling a staff slightly more complicated than it needs to be.

Sense an assistant coach addition in spirit of what you suggest, not Rice necessarily. We'll see.

Quick question on this. The "special assistant" or whatever role Richmond had last year can work with individual players, correct? I sense his biggest contribution to the team is in individual player development and if he can do that without taking a recruiting or team xo assistant's position on the staff he might be better suited going back to that type of job.
 
[I think he's the most bandied about example of an energetic local guy with good ties and good work ethic. I think there a lot of guys out there that fit this bill. We definitely need another guy out there doing significant recruiting for us, and any coaching experience is welcome too.

Anyone have an opinion on Steve DeMeo's X's and O's? And does he want to come back north?

Do successful JUCO coaches usually leave for assistant jobs? Especially one where he won't be paid as the top assistant.

How much do successful juco coaches make I guess would be another question to ask. And what is his budget? I guess if he wanted to get back to D1 and D1 perks, assistant might be the way to go since no one seems to be offering him a head job outside of juco and his D-II stint.
 
[I think he's the most bandied about example of an energetic local guy with good ties and good work ethic. I think there a lot of guys out there that fit this bill. We definitely need another guy out there doing significant recruiting for us, and any coaching experience is welcome too.

Anyone have an opinion on Steve DeMeo's X's and O's? And does he want to come back north?

Do successful JUCO coaches usually leave for assistant jobs? Especially one where he won't be paid as the top assistant.

How much do successful juco coaches make I guess would be another question to ask. And what is his budget? I guess if he wanted to get back to D1 and D1 perks, assistant might be the way to go since no one seems to be offering him a head job outside of juco and his D-II stint.

Demeo's predecessor left to become an assistant to Marshall at Wichita St. so I guess it happens.
 
Rice would come in and want more authority, which would impede CM's development as a HC.

I disagree. He hit rock bottom and would still be in the process of building himself back up. He would know his place. Might get antsy later on, but he'd be on his best behavior for at least several years. And by that time he may be in line to take over anyway -- I never viewed Mullin as a long-term guy here.

I would in fact welcome Rice using time here as a stepping stone. Stay for two years then go get back to the HC position somewhere. CM could figure a lot out with his type of experience. It would be a win win. Plus you know he's got to be hungry to succeed and make it. I think it's a no brainer. (Of course this all hypothetically speaking)
 
[I think he's the most bandied about example of an energetic local guy with good ties and good work ethic. I think there a lot of guys out there that fit this bill. We definitely need another guy out there doing significant recruiting for us, and any coaching experience is welcome too.

Anyone have an opinion on Steve DeMeo's X's and O's? And does he want to come back north?

Do successful JUCO coaches usually leave for assistant jobs? Especially one where he won't be paid as the top assistant.

How much do successful juco coaches make I guess would be another question to ask. And what is his budget? I guess if he wanted to get back to D1 and D1 perks, assistant might be the way to go since no one seems to be offering him a head job outside of juco and his D-II stint.

Demeo's predecessor left to become an assistant to Marshall at Wichita St. so I guess it happens.

I think he was one of the guys caught up in the Bruce Pearl BBQ scandal, so going assistant route for him at a great program may have been last part of his penance.
 
[I think he's the most bandied about example of an energetic local guy with good ties and good work ethic. I think there a lot of guys out there that fit this bill. We definitely need another guy out there doing significant recruiting for us, and any coaching experience is welcome too.

Anyone have an opinion on Steve DeMeo's X's and O's? And does he want to come back north?

Do successful JUCO coaches usually leave for assistant jobs? Especially one where he won't be paid as the top assistant.

How much do successful juco coaches make I guess would be another question to ask. And what is his budget? I guess if he wanted to get back to D1 and D1 perks, assistant might be the way to go since no one seems to be offering him a head job outside of juco and his D-II stint.

Demeo's predecessor left to become an assistant to Marshall at Wichita St. so I guess it happens.

I think he was one of the guys caught up in the Bruce Pearl BBQ scandal, so going assistant route for him at a great program may have been last part of his penance.

Same goes for Demeo being associated with Hofstra. ;)
 
Does anyone know what Mitch Richmond's long term goal is? Strange to see a hall of fame NBA player hang on as an assistant for long term unless he's hoping for a head coaching gig himself. I've just never heard anyone say that.
 
Does anyone know what Mitch Richmond's long term goal is? Strange to see a hall of fame NBA player hang on as an assistant for long term unless he's hoping for a head coaching gig himself. I've just never heard anyone say that.

No i do not know but I have asked what does he do??
 
DeMeo know's his X's & O's. As most of you know, he won the JUCO championship his 2nd year. His record as JUCO head coach is great. When he was an assistant to Welsh at PC he was a great recruiter, and considering what he had to deal with to get kids to go there that was a job well done. Can't hold him to the fire for Welsh DUI at Hofstra.

Now, if we were to graph out a bell curve with clean on the left side and shady on the right.....
 
Wow, this thread has Mike Rice at an extremely elevated value. The guy did a nice job at Robert Morris and had a losing record at Rutgers. Is he really that good?

Of course, if we hire him, the media will roll out all the video of him having aggressive meltdowns and SJU will be the program that hired him. Not sure we need that. I am sure there are other strong coaches out there. Confused by all the love for Mike Rice.
 
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