Matt McMahon, come on down...

[APPARJ]

The past is the past and hindsight is 20/20... but what HBK999 posted about Matt McMahon this week is the absolute truth.

There are those that say we need to stop "inbreeding" our coaches. As for me, I respect that view and agree in the right context.

What does that mean?

It means App State is a football school. Make no mistake. And to make a splash in basketball, we need a dynamic hire. Someone who can fundamentally change the program. Someone that can restore App State basketball tradition. Someone who is passionate. Someone who loves (or could come to love) our school. Someone who, above all else, can motivate, LEAD and get the maximum potential out of their roster.

Matt McMahon has proven that he fits the mold in each one of those categories. But what makes this situation even more advantageous for App State is that he loves Boone and he loves this school.

Folks, Jason Capel is not someone who is ignorant about the game of basketball. I happen to know him personally and Coach Capel is actually a pretty nice guy. But he is not a leader of young men. He does not hold his players to a high standard. He does not command respect. But most importantly, he does not know how to motivate his players, to get them to buy into what he wants to build the program to be. Unfortunately for App State, that is exactly what we needed to happen when he was hired.

There is no use arguing over Capel's tenure. The record has been made. The damage has been done.

We all have opinions. This one happens to be mine. I respect anyone that believes the program should cut ties to anyone from the past and start over fresh... and in most cases I would agree.

That being said, I believe we are in a unique position to hire someone that has every qualification and would truly want to transform the App State basketball program with a deep and vested interest in its success.

Fingers crossed.

[proasu89]

This is similar to Satterfield's return as Matt has left the program to gain some valuable experience outside of Boone. It's now time to bring him home.

[Watauga72]

Suppose Bobby Cremins is available?

I was at ASU during the Maravich years. They were not pretty, actually worse than Mr. Caple's tenure. The light at the end of the tunnel was Bobby Cremins. He started the NYC to Boone express and immediately turned the fortunes of the program around. It can happen.

However.....there is always the downside that that once a Cremins is successful at ASU he will move on very quickly. That's life in the college basketball world, and I'll take a few years success!

[AppinVA]

McMahon and Murray State are on ESPNU right now.

[hapapp]

McMahon and Murray State are on ESPNU right now.

Trailing by 9 to EKU. He might available sooner than expected.

[skjellyfetti]

Bruce Pearl, please.

[Rekdiver]

Cremmins is done. Bruce Pearl? Really? No way.

[skjellyfetti]

Cremmins is done. Bruce Pearl? Really? No way.

Why not?

The only reason I see is... he may get a much better offer before we could land him. I'd fire Capel tomorrow and be on the phone with Bruce Pearl as soon as the door closed.

One of his assistants that also got a "show cause" penalty is now an assistant at.....

32-0 Wichita State.

Which school with a 'vision' will hire Bruce Pearl next year?

...

What Pearl accomplished at Tennessee was unprecedented for that program. He made the NCAA tournament all six seasons, advanced to the Sweet 16 three times, the Elite Eight once. He beat Bill Self and Kansas when the Jayhawks were ranked No. 1. He beat John Calipari and Memphis when the Tigers were ranked No. 1. He was 3-1 against Billy Donovan's two national-championship teams at Florida. He took a roster that got Buzz Peterson fired from Tennessee in 2005 and won enough games with it in 2006 to earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament while energizing a fan base that was previously indifferent to men's basketball. Consequently, Pearl remains a remarkably popular figure in Knoxville, proof being how he and his wife, Brandy, co-chaired an event that raised more than $1 million for the UT Cancer Institute after he had already been fired by the school. It was and still is the only million-dollar fundraiser in Knoxville's history. It's evidence of Pearl's ability to rally people, even in exile.

Rest assured, some AD somewhere will be anxious to bring that to his campus.

As he should.

Yes, Pearl messed up. But, in the grand scheme of things, his sins aren't the type of sins that will make him unhireable. So my guess is a school with a strong football program and mostly irrelevant basketball program will recognize that Pearl flourished immediately under similar circumstances at Tennessee and, next March or April, try to lure him back to the coaching profession. The school could then essentially petition the NCAA to get the three-year show-cause lifted early while arguing that Pearl would've already missed three seasons of coaching. If successful, great. If not, so what? All that would mean is that Pearl would be limited in how he could recruit through the summer, but it wouldn't prevent his staff from evaluating prospects in April and July, and, most important, it wouldn't prevent him from sparking enthusiasm on the day of his introduction.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... -next-year


Bruce Pearl has proven he can:

A) energize a football fanbase that does not support its basketball program

B) clean up Buzz Peterson's messes

Normally, we would not be in the stratosphere of programs he'd consider. But, if we get to him quick enough, we could have him... I think? Hope? Dream?

[AppinVA]

McMahon and Murray State are on ESPNU right now.

Trailing by 9 to EKU. He might available sooner than expected.

It wound up being three, but Matt's now available.

[asu66]

Cremmins is done. Bruce Pearl? Really? No way.

Why not?

The only reason I see is... he may get a much better offer before we could land him. I'd fire Capel tomorrow and be on the phone with Bruce Pearl as soon as the door closed.

One of his assistants that also got a "show cause" penalty is now an assistant at.....

32-0 Wichita State.

Which school with a 'vision' will hire Bruce Pearl next year?

...

What Pearl accomplished at Tennessee was unprecedented for that program. He made the NCAA tournament all six seasons, advanced to the Sweet 16 three times, the Elite Eight once. He beat Bill Self and Kansas when the Jayhawks were ranked No. 1. He beat John Calipari and Memphis when the Tigers were ranked No. 1. He was 3-1 against Billy Donovan's two national-championship teams at Florida. He took a roster that got Buzz Peterson fired from Tennessee in 2005 and won enough games with it in 2006 to earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament while energizing a fan base that was previously indifferent to men's basketball. Consequently, Pearl remains a remarkably popular figure in Knoxville, proof being how he and his wife, Brandy, co-chaired an event that raised more than $1 million for the UT Cancer Institute after he had already been fired by the school. It was and still is the only million-dollar fundraiser in Knoxville's history. It's evidence of Pearl's ability to rally people, even in exile.

Rest assured, some AD somewhere will be anxious to bring that to his campus.

As he should.

Yes, Pearl messed up. But, in the grand scheme of things, his sins aren't the type of sins that will make him unhireable. So my guess is a school with a strong football program and mostly irrelevant basketball program will recognize that Pearl flourished immediately under similar circumstances at Tennessee and, next March or April, try to lure him back to the coaching profession. The school could then essentially petition the NCAA to get the three-year show-cause lifted early while arguing that Pearl would've already missed three seasons of coaching. If successful, great. If not, so what? All that would mean is that Pearl would be limited in how he could recruit through the summer, but it wouldn't prevent his staff from evaluating prospects in April and July, and, most important, it wouldn't prevent him from sparking enthusiasm on the day of his introduction.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... -next-year


Bruce Pearl has proven he can:

A) energize a football fanbase that does not support its basketball program

B) clean up Buzz Peterson's messes

Normally, we would not be in the stratosphere of programs he'd consider. But, if we get to him quick enough, we could have him... I think? Hope? Dream?

I'm not a complete purist regarding NCAA rules. I once gave money to Kevin Cantwell to fly a player's Mom from NYC to Raleigh after he was critically injured in Reynolds Coliseum during a game with State. She couldn't possibly afford the airfare. Her son was just 17 at the time; was 500 miles away from home; recovering from emergency surgery; and almost alone in a strange place. (Kathy Cantwell stayed with him around the clock until his Mom could get to his bedside.) I knew it was against the rules, but I did it anyway because it was the right thing to do. I'd do it again today if the circumstances warranted it. What I wouldn't do would be to lie about it.

Pearl broke an almost inconsequential NCAA rule. When he got caught, he lied about it to an NCAA investigator, to his AD and to his chancellor. To me, that's inexcusable. The man can look you directly in the eye, and with no qualms whatsoever, tell you a pure lie. Wouldn't trust him--period. Don't want him in our athletic department if he'd pay us to work. But that's just me. [BTW, there are rumors floating about a movement in Knoxville among some deep pockets UT supporters to dump Cuonzo Martin and rehire Pearl. That's completely nuts!]

[Goapps15]

Cremmins is done. Bruce Pearl? Really? No way.

Why not?

The only reason I see is... he may get a much better offer before we could land him. I'd fire Capel tomorrow and be on the phone with Bruce Pearl as soon as the door closed.

One of his assistants that also got a "show cause" penalty is now an assistant at.....

32-0 Wichita State.

Which school with a 'vision' will hire Bruce Pearl next year?

...

What Pearl accomplished at Tennessee was unprecedented for that program. He made the NCAA tournament all six seasons, advanced to the Sweet 16 three times, the Elite Eight once. He beat Bill Self and Kansas when the Jayhawks were ranked No. 1. He beat John Calipari and Memphis when the Tigers were ranked No. 1. He was 3-1 against Billy Donovan's two national-championship teams at Florida. He took a roster that got Buzz Peterson fired from Tennessee in 2005 and won enough games with it in 2006 to earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament while energizing a fan base that was previously indifferent to men's basketball. Consequently, Pearl remains a remarkably popular figure in Knoxville, proof being how he and his wife, Brandy, co-chaired an event that raised more than $1 million for the UT Cancer Institute after he had already been fired by the school. It was and still is the only million-dollar fundraiser in Knoxville's history. It's evidence of Pearl's ability to rally people, even in exile.

Rest assured, some AD somewhere will be anxious to bring that to his campus.

As he should.

Yes, Pearl messed up. But, in the grand scheme of things, his sins aren't the type of sins that will make him unhireable. So my guess is a school with a strong football program and mostly irrelevant basketball program will recognize that Pearl flourished immediately under similar circumstances at Tennessee and, next March or April, try to lure him back to the coaching profession. The school could then essentially petition the NCAA to get the three-year show-cause lifted early while arguing that Pearl would've already missed three seasons of coaching. If successful, great. If not, so what? All that would mean is that Pearl would be limited in how he could recruit through the summer, but it wouldn't prevent his staff from evaluating prospects in April and July, and, most important, it wouldn't prevent him from sparking enthusiasm on the day of his introduction.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... -next-year


Bruce Pearl has proven he can:

A) energize a football fanbase that does not support its basketball program

B) clean up Buzz Peterson's messes

Normally, we would not be in the stratosphere of programs he'd consider. But, if we get to him quick enough, we could have him... I think? Hope? Dream?

I'm not a complete purist regarding NCAA rules. I once gave money to Kevin Cantwell to fly a player's Mom from NYC to Raleigh after he was critically injured in Reynolds Coliseum during a game with State. She couldn't possibly afford the airfare. Her son was just 17 at the time; was 500 miles away from home; recovering from emergency surgery; and almost alone in a strange place. (Kathy Cantwell stayed with him around the clock until his Mom could get to his bedside.) I knew it was against the rules, but I did it anyway because it was the right thing to do. I'd do it again today if the circumstances warranted it. What I wouldn't do would be to lie about it.

Pearl broke an almost inconsequential NCAA rule. When he got caught, he lied about it to an NCAA investigator, to his AD and to his chancellor. To me, that's inexcusable. The man can look you directly in the eye, and with no qualms whatsoever, tell you a pure lie. Wouldn't trust him--period. Don't want him in our athletic department if he'd pay us to work. But that's just me. [BTW, there are rumors floating about a movement in Knoxville among some deep pockets UT supporters to dump Cuonzo Martin and rehire Pearl. That's completely nuts!]

The Tennessee supporters wanting Pearl back are nuts. He has had multiple issues with the NCAA. App needs someone of character not someone like Bruce.

I am all for making a splash but Bruce isn't the guy I would look to.

[Goapps15]

If I am Charlie Cobb, this man would be getting an interview pronto. He has coached all over the Division 1 and Division 2 ranks and currently is in the midst of a 25-2 season at Lincoln Memorial University this year. His name is Josh Schertz.

Take a look at what he has done wherever he has been, he can flat out coach the game of basketball. He has a record of 137-40 in his nearly six years now at LMU, including a 103-17 record since the beginning of the 2010-2011 season.

I am not saying hire the guy but he definitely deserves a look with what he has accomplished.

http://lmurailsplitters.com/profile.asp?playerID=73

[AppinVA]

If I am Charlie Cobb, this man would be getting an interview pronto. He has coached all over the Division 1 and Division 2 ranks and currently is in the midst of a 25-2 season at Lincoln Memorial University this year. His name is Josh Schertz.

Take a look at what he has done wherever he has been, he can flat out coach the game of basketball. He has a record of 137-40 in his nearly six years now at LMU, including a 103-17 record since the beginning of the 2010-2011 season.

I am not saying hire the guy but he definitely deserves a look with what he has accomplished.

http://lmurailsplitters.com/profile.asp?playerID=73

A Division II coach might be worth a look-see. Especially if we are going to lose some scholarships due to APR deficiencies. D-II operates on 10 scholarships, vs. the 13 we can offer in D-I.

[moehler]

Pearl is a great coach and a hell of a recruiter, great personality, doesn't have any weakness, BUT, he is a repeat offender, when caught tried to lie his way out of it, don't know how any administration can trust him. Personally I think that even if we went after him he would say no, and even if, somehow, he took the job, the minute he had any success he would be gone, doesn't seem worth the effort.

[AppAttack]

Instead of Pearl, maybe his ESPN counterpart Seth Greenberg. Have you seen his daughters? Looking at him that just doesn't seem possible. We need a miracle worker right now.

[hapapp]

Instead of Pearl, maybe his ESPN counterpart Seth Greenberg. Have you seen his daughters? Looking at him that just doesn't seem possible. We need a miracle worker right now.

I'm not interested in someone who would be in the twilight of their career or looking for a second chance. I want someone who would be dedicated to the task of rebuilding our program. Moreover, what would interest either Pearl or Greenberg in App State?

[MountainMan]

Instead of Pearl, maybe his ESPN counterpart Seth Greenberg. Have you seen his daughters? Looking at him that just doesn't seem possible. We need a miracle worker right now.

What's the deal with his daughters? Are they great B-ball players, thus providing evidence of his ability to teach ball players? Or, are they good looking and if seen around ASU would be a nice distraction for the eyes?

[hapapp]

Instead of Pearl, maybe his ESPN counterpart Seth Greenberg. Have you seen his daughters? Looking at him that just doesn't seem possible. We need a miracle worker right now.

What's the deal with his daughters? Are they great B-ball players, thus providing evidence of his ability to teach ball players? Or, are they good looking and if seen around ASU would be a nice distraction for the eyes?

I believe at least one of them was a volleyball player.

[EastHallApp]

McMahon would probably be the first call I'd make if I were Cobb. I don't think ties to Appalachian should be a must by any means. But if you can find a well-qualified candidate who's also an alum - and I believe MM is well qualified - then it is a plus because he not only is already familiar with the program and recruiting territory, but also if he's successful he might not be as quick to leave for a bigger job.

That's not to say he'd stay forever, nor do I think that should be a goal in finding the next coach. Realistically, most coaches who are worth hiring are going to ultimately look to move up. What I would hope is that we could find someone who would be at least somewhat selective in waiting for a major upgrade, rather than actively seeking out the first ticket out of town at places like Marshall or UNCW.

If we're going into to ESPN coach rehab pool, give me Pearl over Greenberg. I want the guy who wins, simple as that. Not saying Pearl has to be the guy, but Greenberg just hasn't been successful enough IMO. No idea whether either would be interested, though I don't think it's that far fetched to think they could be.

I don't follow D2 basketball, so I have no idea about the various coaches at that level that people have mentioned. Would certainly be open to considering someone from that level, though.

[WVAPPeer]

Pearl, Greenberg , etc. Are you serious???
Really???
Really???