Siena Basketball: GMAC / Blackwell / AO

[PhatOrange]

The year before Gerry got to siena they were 4-28. He's in year 2 and they're 16-7, 2nd in their conference and have a damn good shot at winning their conference tourney and making the dance. I know people want to go outside the program, and I'm all for it. But man did we whiff terribly on who the better coach is between him and Red. The turn around in 2 years at Siena is miraculous.

Not advocating Gerry but he's not much different than Hodgson if not better

Arkansas State
18-11
13-20
Enter Hodgson
20-17
25-11 NIT

South Florida
25-8
13-19
Enter Hodgson
15-8

I mean ...

 

[Dcuse]

Agreed, the fans calling for Gerry, want him solely because he played here. But an athletic director has to factor in the potential to have a lstabke successful hire into the equation. So John looks at Gerry more for his potential to provide a long term sustainable product, not solely because he’s an alum. He’ll hire the guy that he thinks makes the most sense.

I think the plan would be to go get a guy who can produce immediate results, but I would think that There has to be an eye on Gerry because he could provide a long term stability at some point.

Not me. I see a Billy Donovan clone in Gerry McNamara. And it has zero to do with where he went to school.

 

[Newhouser]

One thing is definitely certain. Siena plays 1000 times harder than SU does.

 

[Cstate]

That was an entertaining game. Iona couldn’t miss in the first half, scoring 47 points. 2nd half their shooting cooled off, Siena clamped down on defense and rebounding, holding them to only 25 points. Gerry certainly gets the most out of his players. He’s got some serious fire inside of him at all times! Dude never sat down

 

[Jake]

Not advocating Gerry but he's not much different than Hodgson if not better

Arkansas State
18-11
13-20
Enter Hodgson
20-17
25-11 NIT

South Florida
25-8
13-19
Enter Hodgson
15-8

I mean ...

Yeah, I mean if your argument is “I like Hodgson over Gerry because has had more experience”…eh.

He does seem to be a better talent gatherer.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

One thing is definitely certain. Siena plays 1000 times harder than SU does.

Without a doubt. If you slack off on defense Gerry will either be in your face or sub you out. Doty is a great role model and other guys follow his lead.

 

[Blanko97]

Anyone watching this and thinking that GMAC can’t coach is nuts. Can he recruit is the question.

I would like to point out that Siena got the ball to their best players consistently down the stretch.

I’m not saying he should be Red’s replacement, but that was a well-organized, well-coached, disciplined team.

I haven’t seen anyone say he can’t coach, just that he shouldn’t be the next coach

 

[Orangezoo]

Agreed, the fans calling for Gerry, want him solely because he played here. But an athletic director has to factor in the potential to have a lstabke successful hire into the equation. So John looks at Gerry more for his potential to provide a long term sustainable product, not solely because he’s an alum. He’ll hire the guy that he thinks makes the most sense.

I think the plan would be to go get a guy who can produce immediate results, but I would think that There has to be an eye on Gerry because he could provide a long term stability at some point.

I think a big part of who you bring in these days also comes with who comes with you. What kind of players and talent do you bring over to pair with anyone you successfully recruit to stay. I’m not sure there is much to get excited about at this level he has now. Doty and Folefac are nice players at that level but not sure if they are more than bench pieces at an ACC level for a team that wants to urgently return to national contention.

Who comes with also refers to the financial side. Obviously based on the known rift with Lally there would possibly be issues if Gerry sought to try and have Weitsman back in the fold since he worked with him at Siena. I think this and the aforementioned is the big question mark on recruiting.

Tonight was impressive given he coached against someone whose star is going to get brighter in short order given the pedigree an obvious ability to find talent at Iona. Geriot will be a P4 coach in not too long I’d wager on it.

I said it before being born and raised in NEPA and in Gerry’s class that it would be incredible to see him come full circle an be successful. To me there is still work to do on his part as a coach and recruiter both even if the former shows a lot of promise early on. I’d like to see how he navigates finishing the season and then the pressure of the conference tournament with a team having expectations to possibly win it now.

 

[orangepassion]

Agreed, the fans calling for Gerry, want him solely because he played here. But an athletic director has to factor in the potential to have a stable successful hire into the equation. So John looks at Gerry more for his potential to provide a long term sustainable product, not solely because he’s an alum. He’ll hire the guy that he thinks makes the most sense.

I think the plan would be to go get a guy who can produce immediate results, but I would think that There has to be an eye on Gerry because he could provide long term stability at some point.

I definitely think he'd be an upgrade over Autry. I just don't think he's the best guy out there right now and that should be the sole focus. Right now, Gerry's a good MAAC coach, but SU needs someone who's dominating a lower level of Basketball, not a guy who edged out a .500 MAAC team in the last minute.

 

[FloridaCuse]

Gmac constantly working the officials!

He learned from the best.

[Edit: maybe I should say "one of the best". Coach K was pretty good also.]

 

[FloridaCuse]

 

[FloridaCuse]

 

[FloridaCuse]

 

[FloridaCuse]

Gerry in the post-game presser -

 

[FloridaCuse]

 

[FloridaCuse]

 

[FloridaCuse]

Nostalgia

 

[Irishsecra1]

What Gerry said in that press conference is why I thought he would be a better coach than Red. Talking about what he wants and expects in a player. And actually following thru,
As for Doty, I believe he would perform better than either of our current guards.
And most importantly, he is a leader and leads the team
Please tell me who is the leader on our team?

 

[MSOrange]

Not me. I see a Billy Donovan clone in Gerry McNamara. And it has zero to do with where he went to school.

Oh please. You've been like a teenage girl at a Taylor Swift concert when it comes to Gerry and it has everything to do with where he went to school. Don't act like we're stupid by pretending you're an objective observer after reading years of your posts.

But as far as Gerry, he's done a really nice job at Siena. I echo a lot of Jake's thoughts. Definite upgrade as far as a strategic coach over Red but be interesting to see if he can get the players at this level.

 

[Newhouser]

What Gerry said in that press conference is why I thought he would be a better coach than Red. Talking about what he wants and expects in a player. And actually following thru,
As for Doty, I believe he would perform better than either of our current guards.
And most importantly, he is a leader and leads the team
Please tell me who is the leader on our team?

I'm starting to come around on Doty being better for a team that wants to win over any guard we have. Might not score as easily but would certainly make up for it in effort plays. I'd be interested how his pacing would work against quicker talent.

He works a mismatch in the post better than any player we have had in a while.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I've been pretty anti-Gmac, but if he wins the MAAC it will make for an interesting conversation

 

[Irishsecra1]

It will be especially interesting if he takes Siena back to the NCAAT after only 2 years there after taking over a 4 win program.
I just think GMAC has the intangibles that really good coaches need.
As for recruiting, he brought in Doty and Folefac and has a verbal commitment from a top 10 point guard who would be the highest rated recruit in Sienas history..

I always thought GMACs personality and his ability to point to his accomplishments as a player would go a long way in recruiting as a head coach when he basically could call the shots.
Seriously, he won a national championship with Carmelo and had a pretty storied career right up to the final Big East Tournament.

He literally isn't asking his team to do anymore than he did as a player.
He can walk the walk so to speak. I think that still resonates with young players.
He isn't just talking a bunch of hot air.

And he did it with hard work and a never surrender attitude.

 

[orange7]

The more I watch that video and the more I see Siena winning and the improvements in that program…it’s time to bring Gerry home if we cannot get Schertz.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Nostalgia

No, he's not.

 

[DoctahLexus]

I've been pretty anti-Gmac, but if he wins the MAAC it will make for an interesting conversation

Interesting in that he could be a good coach somewhere down the line. Not interesting in that he should be taking Red's job next year...right??