Gerry McNamara needs to be the next coach

[xc84]

His first year was that losing then?

This is dumb. He has done great given the hand dealt. Neither has been a HC long enough to use stats to show that he is a great HC. It is a crapshoot either way.

 

[Fly Rodder]

The conference has a better profile yes but it is less competitive .. The teams in AAC are way down.. He won and that counts but let’s not act like this is last years AAC with good memphis and top teams

how so? top four teams in the AAC this season ranked by SRS (simple basic efficiency metric based on offense and defense relative to the season):

This season​

USF - 12.9 (regular season champ)​

Tulane - 11.9​

Wichita - 8.7​

Memphis - 4.6​

​

Last Season:​

Memphis - 12.1​

North Texas - 7.7 (had Ross Hodge who jumped to WV this season)​

UAB - 4.7 (had Yaxel Lendeborg and still were meh)​

FAU - 3.7 (had Matas Vokietaitis who starts at Texas)​

​

MAAC this season (yes those are negatives)​

Marist - -3.4​

Merrimack - -4 (regular season champ)​

Siena - -4.1 (won tourney)​

Quinni - -5.3​

​

MAAC last season (yes those are negatives)​

Merrimack - -4.6​

Quinni - -5.9 (regular season champ)​

Siena - -7.5​

Manhattan - -7.7​

St. Mary's - -7.9 (won tourney)​

​

Not that I expect this to change any minds and I'm just yelling into the void, but it certainly looks like the AAC is tougher this year and the MAAC is a bunch of not good teams with this season being slightly better. And to reiterate, this is the best team by the metrics in USF's history and Hodgson could set the record for most wins this season with 2 more. Gerry has Siena's 9th best season by wins and it's their 32nd best season by SRS.

 

[PoppyHart]

According to Barttorvik, the AAC is the 10th best conference this year, while the MAAC is the 25th. If somebody has access to the Kenpom numbers, I'd be more in those results.

Indeed, the AAC was 11th is NET Conference in 2024-25. This year the conference is 10th, so it is in fact better this year as a whole.

 

[OttoMets]

The “good” Hodgkin or the “bad” one.

j/k

 

[Fly Rodder]

This is dumb. He has done great given the hand dealt. Neither has been a HC long enough to use stats to show that he is a great HC. It is a crapshoot either way.

so instead of stats what do you suggest we use to evaluate potential coaches? Vibes, feelings, family, dartboard?

 

[jncuse]

Well, since I started this thread, I guess I should put in my two cents. I am good with either Gerry or Hodgkin. They both bring different strengths. I am not of the opinion that Gerry is fruit from the poisoned tree. That is not his fault. Duke took a chance on Scheyer and Scheyer has been a great coach. He will be at Duke for life. Many Duke fans were rather sick of K by the end, believe it or not. But legacy is important to Duke. If Gerry is successful, he will be here for life.

Hodgkin would be a great hire, but there are no guarantees with him, either. Gerry and Hodgkin are around the same age. Someone made the point that Hodgkin seems to run a more dynamic offense. That is appealing but perhaps Hodgkin has the players to do that. Gerry works with what he has.

The money and NIL make it all the more complicated, and I have no wisdom or insight about that except that I HATE it. Does Gerry even want this job? I am sure he understands the pressure he would be under.

There are no guarantees in life.

So you're the one responsible for this!

 

[RF2044]

He won 23 games this year and is in the tournament. That’s winning

And Hodgson / USF also won 23 games [and counting] this year, in a much tougher conference. So it offsets, at best, if it isn't slated more favorably to Hodgson altogether.

So for the next tiebreaker let's go to the advanced metrics. I've already posted how USF rates in the top 20 in numerous important statistical categories.

How does Siena rate on those same statistical categories? Since we are looking for a tiebreaker.

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

JB says stuff, of course he is going to try and get his guy hired. It's what all good mentors should do. If BC and Georgia Tech were interested in GMac, I am sure they have been back channeling with his reps for a while. It wasn't all of a sudden, "Oh look he won the MAAC, let's call him!" Haha.

 

[Moontan]

He’s not qualified

Yet.
Give him another gig and we'll see how things go 3-8 years from now.

 

[Cuseregular]

It's not ALL about number crunching, but let's not be naiive -- you are what the numbers say you are.

And we're coming off of a multi-year stretch where the program's performance isn't just taking on water, we're about to sink and capsize.

Every team we play of quality beats us by double digits -- and last time I checked, score was also about numbers.

So do the metrics paint the full picture? No, but when one team is at the top of the national rankings in a bunch of important statistical categories, and the other is not, and one head coach is associated with a mentor that has his teams in the top 10 every year, and the other is associated with a head coach who oversaw a period of significant program decline -- yes, the numbers matter. And should be considered.

Last time, the powers that be emphasized a largely irrelevant factor [ties to the program] over more important criteria, and allowed dysfunctional political nonsense to influence the choice of hire.

We need to be smarter this time.

Damn your objective rational eyes, I can’t counter that. That said I’m all in still on the potential of a Gerry era and will hope it’s just that and not an error if it comes to pass.

If not still will be all in too on your guy BH after reading the detailed analysis you bring and then hope he’s a fit Cuse fans will get behind. But yeah, damn ur eyes!

 

[kingtidge]

JB says stuff, of course he is going to try and get his guy hired. It's what all good mentors should do. If BC and Georgia Tech were interested in GMac, I am sure they have been back channeling with his reps for a while. It wasn't all of a sudden, "Oh look he won the MAAC, let's call him!" Haha.

OK, but get in the boat and row with everyone else for Christ's sake!

Whether he wants GMAC or not... whomever the coach will be... What's the point of going on national media and saying we don't have the resources any new coach will need?? How does that help any candidate or the program land their candidate?? Especially if it's a dubious statement to begin with??

 

[ChrisIsCitrus]

I don't have time to read through the entire thread today, but I think this is a salient point to make, if it hasn't already be made.

If Gerry continues to win and rise through the coaching ranks, there is a strong chance that he comes home to Syracuse if and when he gets the call, whenever that is. That could be in 15 days, 3 years or 6 years from now. The same is likely true of Hopkins. With a guy like Hodgson, this is likely the only chance of getting him. It's now or never. If Hodgson doesn't work out and Gerry continues to impress, he will likely be available when the time comes. I'm super-happy for Gerry and want him to continue to succeed, but I'm firmly in the Hodgson camp.

 

[tptcuse]

I don't have time to read through the entire thread today, but I think this is a salient point to make, if it hasn't already be made.

If Gerry continues to win and rise through the coaching ranks, there is a strong chance that he comes home to Syracuse if and when he gets the call, whenever that is. That could be in 15 days, 3 years or 6 years from now. The same is likely true of Hopkins. With a guy like Hodgson, this is likely the only chance of getting him. It's now or never. If Hodgson doesn't work out and Gerry continues to impress, he will likely be available when the time comes. I'm super-happy for Gerry and want him to continue to succeed, but I'm firmly in the Hodgson camp.

Very good post.

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

OK, but get in the boat and row with everyone else for Christ's sake!

Whether he wants GMAC or not... whomever the coach will be... What's the point of going on national media and saying we don't have the resources any new coach will need?? How does that help any candidate or the program land their candidate?? Especially if it's a dubious statement to begin with??

It doesn't. Nothing good really came from that interview.

 

[kingtidge]

It doesn't. Nothing good really came from that interview.

It just sounded like he was making up a BS excuse for Red at the expense of the program. Just more foot-in-mouth disease...

 

[bballbeadle]

So you're the one responsible for this!