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Xavier
03-25-2025, 08:56 PM
https://x.com/jonrothstein/status/1904713194276265985?s=46&t=KSvFnm-Lpouy3B6BA2rQBg

Blue Blooded-05
03-25-2025, 08:59 PM
Interesting. I take back what I said in the other thread.

atljar
03-25-2025, 08:59 PM
Someone who will leave as soon as daddy moves on

Xavier
03-25-2025, 09:02 PM
If he brings the guys he can from NM- X is a top 25 team next year. Dent is the top transfer though, can’t see him coming.

drudy23
03-25-2025, 09:02 PM
Not sure how I feel about this. First outsider in my lifetime.

noteggs
03-25-2025, 09:03 PM
With all the names floated, he was pretty far down my list. Hope he proves me wrong. Oh well, at least he has name recognition.

Xavier
03-25-2025, 09:04 PM
What is his style? I mean- NM looked solid enough against Marquette and MSU

LOLmickcronin
03-25-2025, 09:04 PM
Yes he may be a stone stepper but at least it’s on the surface and he won’t be bullshitting.

As long as we get 4/5 years I think this is a perfect hire. Pedigree, head coaching experience, still young and hungry.

Husman
03-25-2025, 09:05 PM
Great hire.

Give Xavier Administration credit for getting it done in a quick and efficient fashion.

You can be assured that Jr. will bring his very good point guard with him.

IM4X
03-25-2025, 09:07 PM
Wow. Didn’t see that coming. Thought he was all but hired at Villanova.

Would love to know what happened with Mack that it didn’t work out with him.
Money?
Decision makers who were done with taking back coaches who lie through their teeth?

Xavier
03-25-2025, 09:07 PM
If he brings Dent and we keep Conwell…watch out.

Unlikely

X-band '01
03-25-2025, 09:10 PM
Pitino did win the Mountain West regular season title at New Mexico along with their first-round win against Marquette. Suddenly glad they didn't beat Michigan State.

noteggs
03-25-2025, 09:10 PM
Not sure how I feel about this. First outsider in my lifetime.

You weren’t around for Gillen? He was HC while I was there. You must be a young buck (as I just showed my age with that reference).

xukeith
03-25-2025, 09:10 PM
This blows me away. I was oh well ho hum Chris Mack is back. And I am totally backing this great hire. He knows talent, X will help with some definite NIL$.

He is an outsider whoi likely wowed GC.

I know what Mack is like . We knew Mack. I ddint want another 4-5 years of "local boy" Mack,.

GoMuskies
03-25-2025, 09:11 PM
Someone who will leave as soon as daddy moves on

I don't think dad's career is going to affect Jr. If he wins at Xavier, he'll leave, but i seriously doubt it will be for St. Johns. His dad doesn't even want to be at St. John's. Just where he ended up.

X-band '01
03-25-2025, 09:15 PM
Not sure how I feel about this. First outsider in my lifetime.

Thad Matta didn't have any Xavier ties when he was hired in 2001.

atljar
03-25-2025, 09:17 PM
I don't think dad's career is going to affect Jr. If he wins at Xavier, he'll leave, but i seriously doubt it will be for St. Johns. His dad doesn't even want to be at St. John's. Just where he ended up.

My comment stemmed from this: https://nypost.com/2024/02/06/sports/rick-pitino-wants-son-richard-to-take-st-johns-job-when-he-leaves/

Xavier
03-25-2025, 09:17 PM
So Pitino recruited Dent, the number one player in the portal, and Toppin who transferred to TT- who is an all American.

He had a better year than X with less NIL. I’m willing to give him a shot

Section 200
03-25-2025, 09:18 PM
Thad Matta didn't have any Xavier ties when he was hired in 2001.

I was thinking that Matta was the last outsider. Worked out better than we hoped

XUOWNSUC
03-25-2025, 09:18 PM
Great hire.

Give Xavier Administration credit for getting it done in a quick and efficient fashion.

You can be assured that Jr. will bring his very good point guard with him.

His PG isn’t coming here.

kxblue
03-25-2025, 09:19 PM
He’s had 2 good seasons in 10+ years. Wouldn’t have been my first choice but doesn’t matter

I hope he crushes it, we need him to

Xville
03-25-2025, 09:19 PM
I dunno what to feel about this. If we get dent I’ll feel a lot better about it. He’ll be gone either way in 3-4 years, just hope it’s for a better job and not because he was fired.

Xavier
03-25-2025, 09:21 PM
I dunno what to feel about this. If we get dent I’ll feel a lot better about it. He’ll be gone either way in 3-4 years, just hope it’s for a better job and not because he was fired.

It’s the first time Greg really made a move. So at least if it doesn’t work you’d think he takes Greg with him.

His Minnesota team did beat Chris Mack Louisville team in the tournament.

GoMuskies
03-25-2025, 09:23 PM
Someone already updated Pitino's Wikipedia entry.

Section 200
03-25-2025, 09:23 PM
Big time assistant, Big Ten coach for 8 years, rumored for Villanova and West Virginia and only 42 - I’m sold

Caveat
03-25-2025, 09:24 PM
I hate every bit of this.

Turning down a guy who has been to the Elite 8 and won a BE regular season title for a dude who washed out of his only major conference gig is just bizarre.

XUBand
03-25-2025, 09:27 PM
I hate every bit of this.

Turning down a guy who has been to the Elite 8 and won a BE regular season title for a dude who washed out of his only major conference gig is just bizarre.

Right there with you. No 2% donation from me this year.

Section 200
03-25-2025, 09:28 PM
Im guessing this ends the traditional Xavier pack line defense?

Blue Blooded-05
03-25-2025, 09:29 PM
I guess give Greg some credit on this. Pitino was rumored to be linked to West Virginia and was, at one point, a supposed done deal to Villanova. At the very least, he coaxed Pitino to X over both of those programs. Furthermore, he chose him over the “safe” pick in Chris Mack.

Greg got his guy. I hope he’s right.

Xville
03-25-2025, 09:29 PM
Im guessing this ends the traditional Xavier pack line defense?

God I hope so

kxblue
03-25-2025, 09:29 PM
It’s the first time Greg really made a move. So at least if it doesn’t work you’d think he takes Greg with him.

His Minnesota team did beat Chris Mack Louisville team in the tournament.

The fact that Greg has a job after what he’s done to the women’s program is mind boggling. If Pitino doesn’t t work out and he’s still here, Xavier should just get rid of athletics

FishingXfan
03-25-2025, 09:31 PM
Hopefully Dent comes to X


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kxblue
03-25-2025, 09:32 PM
I guess give Greg some credit on this. Pitino was rumored to be linked to West Virginia and was, at one point, a supposed done deal to Villanova. At the very least, he coaxed Pitino to X over both of those programs. Furthermore, he chose him over the “safe” pick in Chris Mack.

Greg got his guy. I hope he’s right.

There is no chance Pitino took Xavier over Nova

bjf123
03-25-2025, 09:33 PM
I hate every bit of this.

Turning down a guy who has been to the Elite 8 and won a BE regular season title for a dude who washed out of his only major conference gig is just bizarre.

You’re assuming we turned down Mack and not that he might have turned down the offer.


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bjf123
03-25-2025, 09:35 PM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250326/14f4ec1b34d3df516bd2ce5ac00e369d.gif


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Section 200
03-25-2025, 09:38 PM
There is no chance Pitino took Xavier over Nova

I agree but assuming Pitino was in the running for Villanova, that says a lot to me. Villanova is the one school like Xavier that has actually won it all & they did it twice.

Blue Blooded-05
03-25-2025, 09:38 PM
There is no chance Pitino took Xavier over Nova

Do you have any inside information on this? It could be that X’s NIL buy in was similar to Nova and Pitino didn’t want to live in Jay Wright’s shadow.

FishingXfan
03-25-2025, 09:39 PM
I think this is a good hire. He will be here 3-5 years. I believe with his team and his father’s team doing so well and both the Pitino names will bring g good recruits. Hopefully he brings Dent and whatever players or recruits they had here. At least with him we can be competitive next year. Not that Mack wouldn’t. But I’m onboard. Still would have rather had Mack.


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IM4X
03-25-2025, 09:39 PM
You weren’t around for Gillen? He was HC while I was there. You must be a young buck (as I just showed my age with that reference).

If Pitino can win like Gillen, we are in good hands. Gillen was at X when I was there. Hill. Strong. Walker. Kimbrough. Wow, did I love that scrappy team and Pete’s pithy remarks.

Do you remember what Gillen said when asked how he felt about losing a close, first round NCAA Tournament game to the eventual winners of the tournament. “I guess you could say we’re the breakfast of Champions.”

God I loved those college years.

Caveat
03-25-2025, 09:40 PM
You’re assuming we turned down Mack and not that he might have turned down the offer.


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I highly doubt that Mack turned us down.

ArizonaXUGrad
03-25-2025, 09:47 PM
I highly doubt that Mack turned us down.

This 100%, Mack did not turn us down. I want to see the contract details. If Pitino's buyout is on the large side then we have our answer or least part of the answer. That said, I am not sold on Pitino Jr. Mack is a known quantity and Pitino has won tourney games and had a few winning seasons at Minnesota and that is nearly impossible.

I could see a world where GC offered them both the same/similar deals and Pitino Jr. just pulled the trigger first. I could also see a world where Mack insisted on that same low buyout and GC went in a different direction with a hungrier hire.

GoMuskies
03-25-2025, 09:49 PM
By the way, New Mexico has a surprisingly large and very enthusiastic following. Wouldn't be surprised if some Lobos start turning up here to hate us.

xukeith
03-25-2025, 09:52 PM
Maybe Pitino can bring New Mexico pg Donovan Dent to X. Not too impossible? Conwell stays? Conwell , Dent , Swain ....possible?

bjf123
03-25-2025, 09:54 PM
Maybe Pitino can bring New Mexico pg Donovan Dent to X. Not too impossible? Conwell stays? Conwell , Dent , Swain ....possible?

Swain will be in Texas next year.


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A Fan
03-25-2025, 09:55 PM
Pitino v. Pitino brings some hype and drama to the Big East. The media will love it. Lots of pre game narratives. If the NIL money is there it should help with recruiting.

Xavier
03-25-2025, 09:55 PM
Dent coming I think is never going to happen. He’s the number one guy in the portal. Duke and Kentucky want him bad. Maybe X/Big East is enticing with his coach. But I’d be shocked.

LOLmickcronin
03-25-2025, 09:56 PM
This 100%, Mack did not turn us down. I want to see the contract details. If Pitino's buyout is on the large side then we have our answer or least part of the answer. That said, I am not sold on Pitino Jr. Mack is a known quantity and Pitino has won tourney games and had a few winning seasons at Minnesota and that is nearly impossible.

I could see a world where GC offered them both the same/similar deals and Pitino Jr. just pulled the trigger first. I could also see a world where Mack insisted on that same low buyout and GC went in a different direction with a hungrier hire.

I think it’s clear what happened now from the timing. They talked to both and offered to pitino. He accepted. Then they told Mack he didn’t get it first privately (at which point he made his returning to Charleston tweet). Then they released it to rothstein who reported it.

xudash
03-25-2025, 09:58 PM
I guess give Greg some credit on this. Pitino was rumored to be linked to West Virginia and was, at one point, a supposed done deal to Villanova. At the very least, he coaxed Pitino to X over both of those programs. Furthermore, he chose him over the “safe” pick in Chris Mack.

Greg got his guy. I hope he’s right.

Great post. I hope the buyout clause is painful.

Section 200
03-25-2025, 09:59 PM
Pitino v. Pitino brings some hype and drama to the Big East. The media will love it. Lots of pre game narratives. If the NIL money is there it should help with recruiting.

Could be 2 weekend games on Fox

Blue Blooded-05
03-25-2025, 10:02 PM
Everyone keeps saying Mack “is a known quality/commodity/etc”…

Yes. Everyone in college basketball knows him. He is also coaching in the CAA. Exactly where “everyone” in college basketball thinks he belongs. Has his name been brought up for any other job in the past 3 years? No. There is a reason for that. He’s a first class prick. The way he left here was a disgrace to the university and everyone who loves it.

I’m frankly surprised he even got a serious interview. There were well known reports of him and Greg not getting along during their time together. It makes me smile to think Greg used Mack as bait to get his real target.

I’m giving Pitino a well deserved chance. Chris Mack can rot in the CAA where he belongs.

Xville
03-25-2025, 10:02 PM
Fanta has made me feel a whole lot better about this hire. Let’s fucking go

Xavier
03-25-2025, 10:02 PM
So looking into it more- Pitino loves physicality/toughness and tempo. They were top 10 in tempo each of last 3 years, and top 50 offense in 2 of them. Top 25 defense each of the last two years. They finished higher than X in kenpom this year

So hard nose defense and push the ball….but pretty low in 3pt shooting and attempts. Sounds like his dad lol

ArizonaXUGrad
03-25-2025, 10:02 PM
Swain is gone. Dent is going to a million or more from a big boy school. Pitino is very good at finding talent. I think he will be a good coach for us but maybe not great.

Reading some tweets, some Bearcat guy Brendel said Mack was interested but it was not mutual. I bet he is full of crap.

GoMuskies
03-25-2025, 10:07 PM
Not sure i love Pitino, but I'm glad it's not Mack. I think that guy is done. He's past his prime. He's Lefty Driesell at James Madison. He's Jerry Tarkanian at Fresno. He's Paul Westhead at George Mason. He's Fran Dunphy at St. Joe's. He's Bobby Cremmins at....well, oddly enough, College of Charleston.

waggy
03-25-2025, 10:10 PM
Out of left field. This is wild. I like it.

Xville
03-25-2025, 10:16 PM
I don’t think I mind that that we went outside the family for once. It may not work, but young, hungry and obviously name recognition is interesting. It’s a culture change, which may not be a bad thing

Xavier
03-25-2025, 10:19 PM
We’ve been desperate for a final four and kept doing the same thing hoping for that outcome. (From Thad on). I’m ok trying a new face outside of the program

Still woulda been happy with Mack though.

GoMuskies
03-25-2025, 10:19 PM
Matta is probably (almost inarguably, honestly) our best coach ever. That was obviously outside the family.

Xavier
03-25-2025, 10:24 PM
Fanta reported that buzz Williams was in the mix. My god I hate that guy.

D-West & PO-Z
03-25-2025, 10:24 PM
Not sure how I feel about this. First outsider in my lifetime.

First outsider since Thad.

CP05XU08CU13
03-25-2025, 10:28 PM
Will be interesting to see how this all unfolded. I doubt Mack turned down Xavier, and I doubt Pitino turned down Nova for the Xavier job. Seems to be a lot of misinformation out there.

D-West & PO-Z
03-25-2025, 10:30 PM
If he brings Dent and we keep Conwell…watch out.

Unlikely

Would be top 5 backcourt in the country.

We can dream right?

Caveat
03-25-2025, 10:32 PM
Fanta reported that buzz Williams was in the mix. My god I hate that guy.

I’m glad I heard that because it’s a reminder tonight could have been worse.

GoMuskies
03-25-2025, 10:34 PM
Here's NM's statement on Pitino. These guys all obviously start from the same form and just tweak around the edges.

https://x.com/UNMLoboMBB/status/1904732524846121209

waggy
03-25-2025, 10:34 PM
I watched most of the MSU/N Mexico tourney game, and thought N Mexico got jobbed by the refs.


“They’re big, they’re strong, they’re athletic. They had some blocked shots from behind that I hadn’t seen all year. Certainly, there’s another level of athleticism that we’re not used to,” Pitino said about Michigan State. “We knew they’d make us earn it. I was wishing we could get to the foul line a little bit more. We did not. Making five free throws versus a very, very physical team is hard.”

D-West & PO-Z
03-25-2025, 10:37 PM
I actually respect the hell out of GC for this hire. He went with the higher ceiling hire as opposed to the higher floor. His legacy will depend on how this goes.

MHettel
03-25-2025, 10:38 PM
Matta is probably (almost inarguably, honestly) our best coach ever. That was obviously outside the family.

Disagree. Happy to have that debate anytime

Section 200
03-25-2025, 10:40 PM
Here's NM's statement on Pitino. These guys all obviously start from the same form and just tweak around the edges.

https://x.com/UNMLoboMBB/status/1904732524846121209

Wow that is remarkably similar

Xavier
03-25-2025, 10:41 PM
Disagree. Happy to have that debate anytime

Agreed. Unless you’re including success outside of Xavier, too. Then I can see it

Norlander reported Greg flew to NM to get it done. No clue where the Mack stuff was coming from, probably just if Pitino didn’t accept. A lot of donors were stunned

MHettel
03-25-2025, 10:41 PM
Fanta reported that buzz Williams was in the mix. My god I hate that guy.

Some shit is just crazy. Buzz has TAMU in a pretty good spot. They finished in the top 3rd of the SEC. Texas finished 3rd from last. Texas takes out coach and then we take a TAMU.

Makes no sense. But none of it does

GoMuskies
03-25-2025, 10:42 PM
Disagree. Happy to have that debate anytime

If you name the other one who's been to the Final Four, I guess I'll have to change my mind.

IM4X
03-25-2025, 10:45 PM
Wow that is remarkably similar

ChatGPT

D-West & PO-Z
03-25-2025, 10:48 PM
You’re assuming we turned down Mack and not that he might have turned down the offer.


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Mack didn't turn down the offer because Greg got his guy. This is clear as day. Mack was clamoring for the job and as soon as he heard it wasnt him he tweeted his return at 9pm at night and we had Pitino hired within minutes. It doesnt make any logical sense the other way around.

XUBand
03-25-2025, 10:50 PM
Regardless of how it happened it unfortunately did.

Caveat
03-25-2025, 10:50 PM
Mack didn't turn down the offer because Greg got his guy. This is clear as day. Mack was clamoring for the job and as soon as he heard it wasnt him he tweeted his return at 9pm at night and we had Pitino hired within minutes. It doesnt make any logical sense the other way around.

I think it’s very obvious that Christopher wanted to go his own way and finally make a coaching hire of his own.

IM4X
03-25-2025, 10:51 PM
If you name the other one who's been to the Final Four twice and a National Championship game, I guess I'll have to change my mind.

Fixed it for you.

XUBand
03-25-2025, 10:52 PM
I think it’s very obvious that Christopher wanted to go his own way and finally make a coaching hire of his own.

He will go down as the worst AD in X history.

D-West & PO-Z
03-25-2025, 10:52 PM
I think it’s clear what happened now from the timing. They talked to both and offered to pitino. He accepted. Then they told Mack he didn’t get it first privately (at which point he made his returning to Charleston tweet). Then they released it to rothstein who reported it.

100%

Section 200
03-25-2025, 10:54 PM
He will go down as the worst AD in X history.

Who hired Tay Baker or dropped football? Maybe that was before we had an AD?

IM4X
03-25-2025, 11:00 PM
I think it’s very obvious that Christopher wanted to go his own way and finally make a coaching hire of his own.

Or someone on the hiring committee spoke up saying, "Enough of this ‘I'm really staying at X this time’ BS from former coaches. Mack is a hard no for me and It should be for everyone."

Caveat
03-25-2025, 11:05 PM
Or someone on the hiring committee spoke up saying, "Enough of this ‘I'm really staying at X this time’ BS from former coaches. Mack is a hard no for me and I should be for everyone."

You can not like Mack, but his resume absolutely washes Pitino.

GIMMFD
03-25-2025, 11:05 PM
Interesting hire, I'm going to support it until he proves me wrong, even if he leaves in 5 years or so, it should hopefully be because he brought X to a better place, his New Mexico team plays hard, and is outside the box in the grand scheme of things. I'm not excited or sad, I'm just... intrigued I guess.

XUBand
03-25-2025, 11:09 PM
Interesting hire, I'm going to support it until he proves me wrong, even if he leaves in 5 years or so, it should hopefully be because he brought X to a better place, his New Mexico team plays hard, and is outside the box in the grand scheme of things. I'm not excited or sad, I'm just... intrigued I guess.

Intrigued won't open my wallet. Mack would have.

Strange Brew
03-25-2025, 11:17 PM
Welcome to Xavier and the Big East Coach Pitino.

I like what his Father said about the current state of the game and I believe/hope he wants to build programs, teams and players.

Once all the money logically dries up for basketball to go to football universally (and esp baseball in the SEC). I hope this will work out well for our Muskies.

Let’s go X! Because in the present, the Brand is going to have to buy one heck of a roster. Which is something that will likely pass. :)

bleedXblue
03-25-2025, 11:22 PM
Small time programs let weak Presidents and AD’s make big decisions. To not hire Mack may go down in history as the biggest blunder in this programs history. I just don’t get it at this juncture. NO ONE questions the Mack hire. At all. Huge risk taken from a guy who hasn’t made good hire since he’s been here. I’ll support Pitino and give it a go. The school and board better get serious about the leadership at this school. Extremely important to have the right people at the top.

N67ER
03-25-2025, 11:28 PM
Who hired Tay Baker or dropped football? Maybe that was before we had an AD?

Are you kidding? Tay Baker was a breath of fresh air after Dick Campbell. Campbell coached 1971 to 1973. His record was 15 and 37. In 1972-73 we finished 3 and 23. He was a complete fraud and lied to our AD about his resume to get the job. Baker could not recruit but at least he knew something about the game!

Xavier
03-25-2025, 11:29 PM
From what Norlander reported- the messiness of the rehire in miller impacted Greg and his decision for Mack. You literally just went thru the process of selling everyone on “I know he left but he had promised he is staying this time” and the hundreds of other lies out of miller. It’s hard to trust Mack. I did, I wanted Mack first. But I can understand the hesitation and X hasn’t been Xavier in 7 years.

Maybe it needs a breath of fresh air. It’s bold, it’s not the first time Greg took the easy way out. I think it can work out despite thinking Mack was an easy choice

D-West & PO-Z
03-25-2025, 11:33 PM
You can not like Mack, but his resume absolutely washes Pitino.

Yes, but Pitino was in a tough spot at Minnesota.

Also, there is no doubt in my mind that Pitino is a hungrier coach than Mack. I am excited about his youth and his recruiting chops.

If Mack wasn't a Xavier guy and you just purely looked at his resume, you see he had a lot of success at Xavier, a place all his predecessors had success at as well and then a disastrous run at Louisville followed by some years off and a good but non tournament season at a low major team.

Strange Brew
03-25-2025, 11:35 PM
Are you kidding? Tay Baker was a breath of fresh air after Dick Campbell. Campbell coached 1971 to 1973. His record was 15 and 37. In 1972-73 we finished 3 and 23. He was a complete fraud and lied to our AD about his resume to get the job. Baker could not recruit but at least he knew something about the game!

Sorry, responding to the quote in your post. Let’s be honest, Title 9 ended Xavier football. The timing is obvious. Sorry if no one wants to talk about it.

That said, X figured out that hoops was the way to promote the SCHOOL. X adapted and went “All In” (sorry) on it. Then again, that was Fr. Hoff’s vision.

Again, let’s go X!

D-West & PO-Z
03-25-2025, 11:37 PM
Small time programs let weak Presidents and AD’s make big decisions. To not hire Mack may go down in history as the biggest blunder in this programs history. I just don’t get it at this juncture. NO ONE questions the Mack hire. At all. Huge risk taken from a guy who hasn’t made good hire since he’s been here. I’ll support Pitino and give it a go. The school and board better get serious about the leadership at this school. Extremely important to have the right people at the top.

I think the small time program hire would have been the safe higher, which would have been Mack.

We just got a guy who was in the running for two other jobs at two other high major programs. Mack had no other suitors and was tweeting his return to CoC as soon as X said no.

It may not work out, but it was not a small time program decision. Pitino has a lower floor but a higher ceiling. I am excited for a blank slate!

XUBand
03-25-2025, 11:49 PM
I think the small time program hire would have been the safe higher, which would have been Mack.

We just got a guy who was in the running for two other jobs at two other high major programs. Mack had no other suitors and was tweeting his return to CoC as soon as X said no.

It may not work out, but it was not a small time program decision. Pitino has a lower floor but a higher ceiling. I am excited for a blank slate!

Sorry but I’m not buying that either nova or WVU wanted him that badly. Both would have paid him more and given him more NIL resources. That being said I’m sure his dad being in conference also played a part in the decision.

D-West & PO-Z
03-25-2025, 11:58 PM
Sorry but I’m not buying that either nova or WVU wanted him that badly. Both would have paid him more and given him more NIL resources. That being said I’m sure his dad being in conference also played a part in the decision.

I am not saying they offered him. He was a candidate in both jobs. Also the top choice at VCU (an A10 program but very good program).

Mack literally has ZERO other suitors. X fans don't find that strange?

waggy
03-26-2025, 12:01 AM
https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/xavier-hiring-richard-pitino-musketeers-move-quickly-hire-new-mexico-coach-after-sean-millers-departure/

IM4X
03-26-2025, 12:08 AM
You can not like Mack, but his resume absolutely washes Pitino.

His resume may not look as impressive as Mack’s at this point, but let’s remember that Mack is more than a decade older than Pitino. Let’s also take into consideration that Mack had the unique advantage of getting started at a school with a winning tradition (in X) and he had some very good players to start off his tenure there.

I have no doubt Mack would be a solid choice to help us get to another Sweet Sixteen. Like Sean, he already suggested it was all but impossible to recruit well enough at X to get to a Final Four. Like Sean, he would likely BS us about sticking around and then bolt to another school for more money, fixing the same BS message about having a better chance to reach a Final Four at that new school. We’ve seen this movie before. It doesn’t end well for X.

I don’t know what Pitino’s ceiling is, but I do know his mid major team beat a very good high major Marquette team recently in the NCAA tournament while the mid major team Chris coached this season didn’t even make the NCAA tournament. So there is that.

I am excited give Pitino a chance to show us he can recruit well enough at X to get us to our first Final Four. I’m also excited about hiring a coach who didn’t yet stab us in the back.

With all that said, I am ready to welcome Mr. Pitino with an enthusiastic smile, open arms and a renewed feeling of hope for our program’s future. Let’s go X!

FishingXfan
03-26-2025, 02:16 AM
I’m excited about Lil Pitino too! I really hope he has some guys to bring. But J think his name alone will bring some decent recruits and hopefully Dent too. Let’s Go Muskies!!! #Nationalbrand


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

XUGRAD80
03-26-2025, 05:44 AM
Are you kidding? Tay Baker was a breath of fresh air after Dick Campbell. Campbell coached 1971 to 1973. His record was 15 and 37. In 1972-73 we finished 3 and 23. He was a complete fraud and lied to our AD about his resume to get the job. Baker could not recruit but at least he knew something about the game!

It’s hard to recruit basketball players when you’re on the golf course.

bjf123
03-26-2025, 06:28 AM
It’s hard to recruit basketball players when you’re on the golf course.

Played a lot of golf with Tay at the friendly confines at Clovernook. Just when you thought he was out of the hole, he’d get up and down from anywhere.


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xu82
03-26-2025, 06:52 AM
Is it too soon to start a pool for when he leaves? Is he fired, or does he take his “dream job”? Name the conference he goes to for extra bonus points!

This has gotten old. I’d care if not for the state of the sport. NIL and the portal have killed the game I used to enjoy.

Xville
03-26-2025, 06:56 AM
Just think if he can convince dent to come along and conwell stays. Best back court in the big east and it’s not close. That should convince a front court or two player to come here. Getting excited already. When’s the season start?

If conwell doesn’t stay, Washington isn’t a bad fallback option. Still two years left and improved a lot last year. Still needs to bump up his 3pt shooting but he can guard.

drudy23
03-26-2025, 06:57 AM
Just go get us some dudes Richard!

I’m assuming the big dogs donors are on board here because that’s where it starts?

If this is the end for Mario, he had a great run. The University should find him a spot somewhere if he’s not retained.

Xavier
03-26-2025, 07:11 AM
I wouldn’t bank on Dent/Conwell. I’m still excited about the players he has recruited. I said throughout the year I think X needs to pivot to a defensive team first. D/rebounding. For 2 reasons- I was tired of watching X get pushed around so much, and in this portal era it is hard to compete with the top teams year in year out for the best offensive guys. Might need a different approach to give us the best chance.

NM hadn’t made the tournament in 10 years before he arrived. They did each of the past two years. While everyone agrees the MW chokes come tournament time, they’ve sent a lot of teams the past two years and NM won a regular season and tournament championship in those years. Objectively- NM has been better than Xavier the past two seasons as well.


Any word if Mario leaves? And I think at least a portion of the big donors were surprised and wanted Mack. Doesn’t seem like they were as involved, or at the very least they were and Greg still went after Pitino.

xu 89
03-26-2025, 07:14 AM
Wonder if he will bring his assistants? Will Dante stay around? Where did BJ Raymond go?

murray87
03-26-2025, 07:18 AM
Feels good that we went outside the Xavier family, welcome Coach Pitino! The word swirling around Dent is he "wants" north of 2mill?? Yowza

Xville
03-26-2025, 07:22 AM
Feels good that we went outside the Xavier family, welcome Coach Pitino! The word swirling around Dent is he "wants" north of 2mill?? Yowza

if he doesn't come to X, he's probably going to UK or Duke..no shame in losing him to those programs, is what it is. Will he accept a million or so to play for his coach again? That'd be nice, but yeah not banking on it.

In regards to Nova, Pitino was a finalist, but I think he was their fall back option if Willard said no. He was never offered the job there, but definitely had multiple conversations with them.

xuphan
03-26-2025, 07:32 AM
IÂ’m excited about Lil Pitino too! I really hope he has some guys to bring. But J think his name alone will bring some decent recruits and hopefully Dent too. LetÂ’s Go Muskies!!! #Nationalbrand


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Home run hire for the program. Great hire by Greg. I am not sure why Pitino is getting much stick from fans on here but I am over the moon with the hire. Exciting times for the program ahead.

Xville
03-26-2025, 07:34 AM
Who knows if this is true, but Goodman says X has around 5 mil in NIL. That's strong money when you don't have any going to football.

JEHARDI
03-26-2025, 07:38 AM
Wow. Didn’t see that coming. Thought he was all but hired at Villanova.

Would love to know what happened with Mack that it didn’t work out with him.
Money?
Decision makers who were done with taking back coaches who lie through their teeth?

He was never close to going to Nova.

D-West & PO-Z
03-26-2025, 07:48 AM
Any word if Mario leaves? And I think at least a portion of the big donors were surprised and wanted Mack. Doesn’t seem like they were as involved, or at the very least they were and Greg still went after Pitino.

This may be true, however, Greg (while having some coaching hire issues) is by all accounts really good at the fundraising portion of his job. He isn't a stupid guys, especially around that subject. Also Pitino had other options. He knows what it takes to win and I am positive he asked about the ability to raise NIL funds. Pitino I am sure also knew Mack was a guy fans were clamoring for.

I am absolutely positive that both GC and Pitino feel very confident about funding NIL which means they are in a good spot with the important donors.

D-West & PO-Z
03-26-2025, 07:51 AM
Who knows if this is true, but Goodman says X has around 5 mil in NIL. That's strong money when you don't have any going to football.

When Miller was considering leaving (or negotiating) I heard Texas was committing 8ish million to NIL and Xavier was confident they had 5 million for next year. I think I posted that in another thread a couple of days ago.

Like I have been saying, X has solid NIL money. Not Texas level but very good. Pitino should be able to out together a solid team.

D-West & PO-Z
03-26-2025, 07:52 AM
He was never close to going to Nova.

He was certainly an option there but not their first choice. Seems inevitable its Willard to Nova.

If that falls through though, where does Nova go? They are taking a big risk waiting, but I think that means they are confident.

Xavier
03-26-2025, 08:00 AM
He was Nova back up plan to Willard. For sure. A lot of nova fans (message boards at least) wanted nova to move forward with Pitino bc worried Willard stays at Maryland

No clue if Fanta is connected but he said Moser, buzz Williams, Mack, Huss were all in the mix but in his opinion they got the best option. He’d prolly say that no matter what but interesting to see the other names

drudy23
03-26-2025, 08:06 AM
Feels good that we went outside the Xavier family, welcome Coach Pitino! The word swirling around Dent is he "wants" north of 2mill?? Yowza

As much as I say this city is too traditional and doesn't take any risks, I have to give this a shot. It's very interesting to see how things will evolve with an outsider. Perhaps it takes us to a new level. Only time will tell.

It was time to turn the page. A new era is upon us.

But I will say this. Our fans cannot start whining about "things just aren't the same". Correct, they will not be the same. Cincinnati is ALWAYS clinging to the past. We will likely start to see much change, including the profiles of the athletes that will be playing for X. Embrace the newness and the change.

I hope this gets us out of our Midwest comfort zone. It's what the big time programs do. Be bold!

drudy23
03-26-2025, 08:25 AM
Home run hire for the program. Great hire by Greg.

To be completely fair, no one can make this claim yet. That assessment comes with time. Sean Miller was the "home run hire" too - and his tenure was pretty average and his departure was a disaster.

Also, who cares about "winning the press conference". I'd rather win games.

GreatWhiteNorth
03-26-2025, 08:49 AM
I am anxiously waiting to see what players he can bring in before making any judgement.

Caveat
03-26-2025, 09:00 AM
Who knows if this is true, but Goodman says X has around 5 mil in NIL. That's strong money when you don't have any going to football.

People need to remember though that they're going to be going to a revenue share model here imminently -- meaning the schools with huge media deals will be able to augment the NIL pool with additional cash. There's also concern (not unique to X by any means) that the donor pool for NIL is going to dry up once the school starts paying players directly. X has some advantage not having a football team to split money with, but the BE media deal is also peanuts compared to what the SEC / B10 / ACC / B12 get.

I assume the hold up with Miller at Texas was getting assurances about how much of the revenue split was going to go to hoops -- because the second Texas football has a down year, there will be clamoring to invest more money there since it's the thing all their boosters care about.

ETA -- Should probably add that a Title IX challenge to all this is inevitable and will blow the entire sport up again in the near future.

drudy23
03-26-2025, 09:06 AM
People need to remember though that they're going to be going to a revenue share model here imminently -- meaning the schools with huge media deals will be able to augment the NIL pool with additional cash. There's also concern (not unique to X by any means) that the donor pool for NIL is going to dry up once the school starts paying players directly. X has some advantage not having a football team to split money with, but the BE media deal is also peanuts compared to what the SEC / B10 / ACC / B12 get.

I assume the hold up with Miller at Texas was getting assurances about how much of the revenue split was going to go to hoops -- because the second Texas football has a down year, there will be clamoring to invest more money there since it's the thing all their boosters care about.

The donor pool can't dry up. Even though the schools will start paying, it's still coming from the donors, it's just how they move the money.

It's not like the schools have just increased budgets to pay players. It's too expensive for them, they can't afford to just start paying market driven wages to these players. The donors are still as crucial as they've ever been (probably even more).

Xavier
03-26-2025, 09:07 AM
I’ve seen it was 5.2-5.5 million. I saw a rumor Sean wanted 25% more every year until they got up to around 8 million/year.

But frankly, I mentioned a long time ago that Sean and Texas had something in in the works after beard got fired and it fell through because Terry took Texas to the elite 8. And so, any rumor coming out now that’s negative towards X regarding the split I just don’t trust. Sean wanted to go after year 1, now his people will push narratives to make him look better.

Caveat
03-26-2025, 09:10 AM
The donor pool can't dry up. Even though the schools will start paying, it's still coming from the donors, it's just how they move the money.

It's not like the schools have just increased budgets to pay players. It's too expensive for them, they can't afford to just start paying market driven wages to these players. The donors are still as crucial as they've ever been (probably even more).

On cue -- I had a few things wrong (as per usual):

https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/article/could-impending-rev-share-changes-help-cinderellas-in-the-future-everybody-will-be-in-the-game-130005097.html

This is a good read about the future of the sport. I expect a ton of legal challenges to this new framework under both anti-trust and title-ix -- but the status quo isn't going to be the status quo for much longer imo.

drudy23
03-26-2025, 09:16 AM
On cue -- I had a few things wrong (as per usual):

https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/article/could-impending-rev-share-changes-help-cinderellas-in-the-future-everybody-will-be-in-the-game-130005097.html

This is a good read about the future of the sport. I expect a ton of legal challenges to this new framework under both anti-trust and title-ix -- but the status quo isn't going to be the status quo for much longer imo.

If things start to pan out this way, Sean Miller will have made an enormous mistake. We all hope it works out this way.

After his second stint, I'm not convinced SM has his eye on the pulse of where this is going. I think he was just chasing more for himself, as that seems to be who he is.

D-West & PO-Z
03-26-2025, 09:21 AM
Also, who cares about "winning the press conference". I'd rather win games.

Agreed, but these press conferences are insanely easy to win, so any time a coach doesnt, that can be a little concerning, lol.

D-West & PO-Z
03-26-2025, 09:22 AM
I’ve seen it was 5.2-5.5 million. I saw a rumor Sean wanted 25% more every year until they got up to around 8 million/year.

But frankly, I mentioned a long time ago that Sean and Texas had something in in the works after beard got fired and it fell through because Terry took Texas to the elite 8. And so, any rumor coming out now that’s negative towards X regarding the split I just don’t trust. Sean wanted to go after year 1, now his people will push narratives to make him look better.

100%

MHettel
03-26-2025, 09:24 AM
If you name the other one who's been to the Final Four, I guess I'll have to change my mind.

Well Travis Steel has a smoking hot wife. And that has as much to do with Xavier Basketball as Ohio State going to the Final 4 under Matta.

drudy23
03-26-2025, 09:29 AM
Has anyone seen St John's season-long documentary (similar to what Paul is doing). It's very interesting, mostly because Pitino is super intriguing, and they spend alot of time talking about NIL.

They have a GM for NIL, who gets alot of screen time, and they have a billionaire booster who has basically said he will do whatever it takes to keep St John's in the conversation. You can tell the administration has agreed that NIL is here, and it's going to be embraced.

I think it's called Red Storm Rising or something like that. You can find it on Youtube. Lots of good NIL perspective in it.

Xville
03-26-2025, 09:30 AM
Sean has shown his character twice now, no reason to believe anything him or his "camp" says at this point. He's a ring chaser who wants to take the easy way out. F him.

GoMuskies
03-26-2025, 09:34 AM
Well Travis Steel has a smoking hot wife. And that has as much to do with Xavier Basketball as Ohio State going to the Final 4 under Matta.

Seems like pretty good evidence that Steele is the best recruiter and Matta is the best coach Xavier ever had.

GoMuskies
03-26-2025, 09:35 AM
He's a ring chaser

And a very, very bad one at that.

murray87
03-26-2025, 09:45 AM
If things start to pan out this way, Sean Miller will have made an enormous mistake. We all hope it works out this way.

After his second stint, I'm not convinced SM has his eye on the pulse of where this is going. I think he was just chasing more for himself, as that seems to be who he is.

This is quite eye opening!
“Big East schools next year can pay $6 million or more to their basketball team,” said Houston athletic director Eddie Nunez, “and that’s a game-changer.”

As many as a dozen non-power league Division I schools — many of them in the Big East — are planning to spend at least $5 million on their men’s basketball roster next year, with a smaller group hoping to reach the $6 million and $7 million marks, those with knowledge of the plans told Yahoo Sports.

MHettel
03-26-2025, 09:56 AM
Seems like pretty good evidence that Steele is the best recruiter and Matta is the best coach Xavier ever had.

And if down the road Steel coaches his way to National Championship, then would that make him the best Coach Xavier ever had?

ArizonaXUGrad
03-26-2025, 09:58 AM
I read Kansas is going to spend 15M. I would like some transparency for total spending at least come tourney time.

Xville
03-26-2025, 10:02 AM
I read Kansas is going to spend 15M. I would like some transparency for total spending at least come tourney time.

15? on basketball? Are they just punting football, pun intended?

X-band '01
03-26-2025, 10:03 AM
And if down the road Steel coaches his way to National Championship, then would that make him the best Coach Xavier ever had?

Would the CBI count? Even with multiple teams turning the NIT down, they didn't have enough room to sneak Miami into their field (even over a Kent State team they beat three times, mind you).

MHettel
03-26-2025, 10:07 AM
On cue -- I had a few things wrong (as per usual):

https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/article/could-impending-rev-share-changes-help-cinderellas-in-the-future-everybody-will-be-in-the-game-130005097.html

This is a good read about the future of the sport. I expect a ton of legal challenges to this new framework under both anti-trust and title-ix -- but the status quo isn't going to be the status quo for much longer imo.

Much of that report is just old ideas being repackaged. Nearly all of that has been discussed here before.

What I did t see, but what I fully expect, is that we will see schools dropping non-revenue sports. They will keep the men’s & women’s basketball and then enough other women’s teams to equal the number of football players. I could see a lot of men’s and women’s sports just straight up cut.

The article said something like 5% percent of the money going to the “other sports”. That’s a million bucks. I’m sure they will have to give every player something so less players to give something to means needing less and less of that 1M.

And cutting sports means less staff and coaches to. Direct savings to the university. Oh, and less scholarships. I know it’s not like those exact dollars can get earmarked to pay the football team…but it kinda will mean exactly that.

Other ideas I’ve heard of is that football roster will get trimmed. I hear that the scholarship limit is 85, but many teams carry up to 115 players or something. 30 walk ons just living the dream. Wake up! Dream over! I can’t see any dollars being paid to a guy that literally will never play. And you probably have to give them SOMETHING.

Did I hear right that XU was paying the walking like 50K this year? We don’t have to give them anything of the NIL pool I think. Why would we do that?

boozehound
03-26-2025, 10:19 AM
From what Norlander reported- the messiness of the rehire in miller impacted Greg and his decision for Mack. You literally just went thru the process of selling everyone on “I know he left but he had promised he is staying this time” and the hundreds of other lies out of miller. It’s hard to trust Mack. I did, I wanted Mack first. But I can understand the hesitation and X hasn’t been Xavier in 7 years.

Maybe it needs a breath of fresh air. It’s bold, it’s not the first time Greg took the easy way out. I think it can work out despite thinking Mack was an easy choice

I agree that going back to back on rehires is a tough look, and almost suggests that you have no other options than to recycle coaches that failed elsewhere. Couple that with the fact that Louisville was a hall of fame level disaster, and I'm OK with passing on Mack even though he was a good coach is first time here.

GoMuskies
03-26-2025, 10:27 AM
And if down the road Steel coaches his way to National Championship, then would that make him the best Coach Xavier ever had?

It's really a combination of what Matta did at Xavier (won 77% of his game and won 5 NCAA Tournament games in 3 years after Xavier has won 1 in about 7 years before his arrival) PLUS what he did after he left Xavier (compared to the guys he'd be compared to). Getting to the Final Four at Ohio State is a bit of a tie-breaker for me when you're comparing him to Mack or Miller (or Gillen, I guess).

bleedXblue
03-26-2025, 10:31 AM
After sleeping on it, I think Pitino was the right choice. I still don't think we have the right AD and leadership at Xavier. There should be no confusion over what is #1 for the school.

Caveat
03-26-2025, 10:51 AM
Did I hear right that XU was paying the walking like 50K this year? We don’t have to give them anything of the NIL pool I think. Why would we do that?

Because they're members of the team and putting in the work and effort every day in the weight room, on the practice floor, etc. Giving them a few bucks is the right thing to do.

JTG
03-26-2025, 11:01 AM
Are you kidding? Tay Baker was a breath of fresh air after Dick Campbell. Campbell coached 1971 to 1973. His record was 15 and 37. In 1972-73 we finished 3 and 23. He was a complete fraud and lied to our AD about his resume to get the job. Baker could not recruit but at least he knew something about the game!

What!!!! Is he a relative of yours? He was an absolutely worthless coach. Was McCaffery the idiot who t hought hiring a UC cast off was a good idea? Plus having Mulligan as Pres it was the worst years ever of X sports and school leadership

MHettel
03-26-2025, 11:15 AM
It's really a combination of what Matta did at Xavier (won 77% of his game and won 5 NCAA Tournament games in 3 years after Xavier has won 1 in about 7 years before his arrival) PLUS what he did after he left Xavier (compared to the guys he'd be compared to). Getting to the Final Four at Ohio State is a bit of a tie-breaker for me when you're comparing him to Mack or Miller (or Gillen, I guess).

Matta was here for 3 years. He inherited a roster including Kevin Frey as a Sr, David West as a JR, and Sato and Chalmers as Sophs. There were some other pieces as well, but that’s a nice start. That team finished 26-6 won the A-10 West and the A10 tourney. West was A10 POY and DPOY. And Matta had nothing to do with Wests success. He had won A10 POY the prior year as well.

Matta took that loaded roster and lost 3 of 4 of the difficult non-conference games. We mopped up (14-2) a weak A10, beat Hawaii in the first round of the dance, and then got trounced by Oklahoma in round 2. Let down performance by any measure.

Next year, more of the same but added Myles, Finn, and Caudle….meh. Similar story during the season. Preseason ranked 10 in the AP poll. By Jan 13th….not ranked. Won 2 of 5 challenging OOC games. Went 15-1 in the A10, then lost in the A10 tourney. Beat Troy in the NCAA and then got drubbed by 6 seed Maryland. Another missed opportunity, but this time it was the end of DWests career which he cappped off with 1st team AA honors and AP POY (goes without saying he was A10 POY). TOTAL letdown year. (Finished 12 in the AP by virtue of the 15-1 A10 performance)

In year 3 we added Doellman and Cage. 2 of 5 vs difficult non-con opponents and even lost a game to Ball state. 10-6 in the A10 (3rd in the West). And most importantly on the wrong side of the bubble until March 11th. Then We turned it on and beat #1 SJU, romped to an A10 tourney title and the auto bid (shockingly a #7) and then of course won 3 NCAA games. It ended on March 28th at the hands of Duke.

So by my count, there was 17 days of “magic” in a 3 year period. We were below .500 vs quality noncon opponents, drubbed a fairly weak A10, and went 5-3 overall in the NCAAs. All while having several “legends” on the team.

Sorry, but if that’s the best coaching job we’ve seen then I would never imagine we had a run of like 5 straight sweet 16s, 2 more elite 8s and several protected seeds including a #1 and #2. Mostly against tougher competition. And a couple guys that while not quite as good as West did achieve AA status and were also recruited by the sitting coach and not just inherited.

I’d say Mack is #1. Then Miller. Maybe Gillen after that. Matta is 4 in my world. Prosser couldn’t break through to the S16….but he did beat #1 UC twice. He comes in 5th regardless.

MHettel
03-26-2025, 11:19 AM
Because they're members of the team and putting in the work and effort every day in the weight room, on the practice floor, etc. Giving them a few bucks is the right thing to do.

Since when exactly did anyone win anything by doing the “right thing”? We literally just got F’d by our coach and you defend his actions by saying he did the right thing? Give them ZERO. And take whatever we have to Hugley and bring in an actual big guy that wasn’t a total disaster every time he was on the floor. Hugley somehow was a Reggie Butler/will Caudle/ Dionte Miles hybrid.

Bottom line is that the walk on would do it for free. In fact they would PAY us to get the chance. And if not them, then some other guys would have.

Fucking dumb

GoMuskies
03-26-2025, 11:21 AM
Paying the walk ons is really dumb. Almost as dumb as downplaying the job Matta did at Xavier. :)

BandAid
03-26-2025, 11:37 AM
We should at least give the walk-ons enough to cover their education expenses...

Xville
03-26-2025, 11:39 AM
Walk ons are an extremelly important part of the program. They are the scout team, and doing a shit ton of work day in and day out without being able to play in games. It is extremely important, that they are as talented as possible for obvious reasons. These are guys that could play at the d2/d3 people. They are valuable. Whining about paying them 50k or whatever Pennie’s it is compared to our scholarship guys amounts to is something

Dblue
03-26-2025, 11:45 AM
After sleeping on it, I think Pitino was the right choice. I still don't think we have the right AD and leadership at Xavier. There should be no confusion over what is #1 for the school.

I agree. When news of Miller leaving broke Sunday, I told my wife that I hope it isn't Mack. He's got a great resume, but I just didn't like the idea of giving 2nd chances to everyone that had a good run in the past. Plus, I question if he's going to have issues with trust around CBB after secretly recording discussions in his office. By Tuesday I was convinced he was going to be announced HC and he was the best option considering the timing with the portal, expecting anyone else to take much longer to hire.

I do feel that Pitino is the right guy, especially since we didn't have to wait a week. He seems to have had more success with roster construction with less resources than Miller had here. I'm actually getting quite excited to see the type of players he can get in and hopefully a defensive scheme more than pack line and hope for a strong offense.

MHettel
03-26-2025, 11:59 AM
Walk ons are an extremelly important part of the program. They are the scout team, and doing a shit ton of work day in and day out without being able to play in games. It is extremely important, that they are as talented as possible for obvious reasons. These are guys that could play at the d2/d3 people. They are valuable. Whining about paying them 50k or whatever Pennie’s it is compared to our scholarship guys amounts to is something

By all accounts Miller left due to NIL, and yet he used how much of it on walk ons, Anderson and Fletcher?

If it’s that tight and such a huge issue you spend it on the essentials. Walk ons will play for zero. Period!

GoMuskies
03-26-2025, 12:07 PM
We should at least give the walk-ons enough to cover their education expenses...

But why?

Xville
03-26-2025, 12:12 PM
By all accounts Miller left due to NIL, and yet he used how much of it on walk ons, Anderson and Fletcher?

If it’s that tight and such a huge issue you spend it on the essentials. Walk ons will play for zero. Period!

You have no way of knowing that in today's market, and what kind of walk-ons? Xavier wasn't brimming with high caliber athletes that could even handle practice when I went there, and that was during the A-10 days. You want the best you can possibly get...you need guys that will actually put up a challenge, and/or run things effectively. Have you been to a practice lately, it's not like a run at the local YMCA gym.

Anyways, I'm excited for Pitino the more I think about it. No more pack line thank effing gawd, and he still runs a fast offensive style that is fun to watch. I'm looking forward to a more tough minded and physical team with him...i think that part has been missing for a long time in the Xavier program.

BandAid
03-26-2025, 12:22 PM
But why?

Because it's ironic to pay them the value of their education when they arent allowed to be on scholarship

GoMuskies
03-26-2025, 12:27 PM
It's just weird to me to pay walkons, but whatever...it's not my money!

Xavier
03-26-2025, 12:31 PM
By all accounts Miller left due to NIL, and yet he used how much of it on walk ons, Anderson and Fletcher?

If it’s that tight and such a huge issue you spend it on the essentials. Walk ons will play for zero. Period!

So Miller left because of NIL limitations yet he still chose to pay walk ons (allegedly?). So he deemed that to be important. Pretty simple

But at the end of the day- here is the bucket you have. How you spend it and what you think is best for the program is up to you. Not me.

IM4X
03-26-2025, 12:56 PM
Wonder if he will bring his assistants? Will Dante stay around? Where did BJ Raymond go?

I hope he can absorb Dante. I think he’d probably like to stay at X. He’s be a good coach to help him better understand our culture.

bleedXblue
03-26-2025, 12:56 PM
NFW should walk ons get any NIL money. Free education is plenty. Please stop with this.

Xavier
03-26-2025, 01:00 PM
NFW should walk ons get any NIL money. Free education is plenty. Please stop with this.

Walk ons get free education? Since when? Wouldn’t that make them scholarships players? Genuinely asking…

IM4X
03-26-2025, 01:00 PM
On cue -- I had a few things wrong (as per usual):

https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/article/could-impending-rev-share-changes-help-cinderellas-in-the-future-everybody-will-be-in-the-game-130005097.html

This is a good read about the future of the sport. I expect a ton of legal challenges to this new framework under both anti-trust and title-ix -- but the status quo isn't going to be the status quo for much longer imo.


That is some good information. Thanks for sharing.

Xville
03-26-2025, 01:02 PM
NFW should walk ons get any NIL money. Free education is plenty. Please stop with this.

Well they aren’t getting free education so…..essentially what they are getting in terms of dollars (allegedly) is paying for their education

IM4X
03-26-2025, 01:12 PM
Has anyone seen St John's season-long documentary (similar to what Paul is doing). It's very interesting, mostly because Pitino is super intriguing, and they spend alot of time talking about NIL.

They have a GM for NIL, who gets alot of screen time, and they have a billionaire booster who has basically said he will do whatever it takes to keep St John's in the conversation. You can tell the administration has agreed that NIL is here, and it's going to be embraced.

I think it's called Red Storm Rising or something like that. You can find it on Youtube. Lots of good NIL perspective in it.

Thanks for sharing. Will check it out.

MuskiePimp23
03-26-2025, 01:16 PM
Home run hire for the program. Great hire by Greg. I am not sure why Pitino is getting much stick from fans on here but I am over the moon with the hire. Exciting times for the program ahead.

I'm generally curious to hear from the people who say this is a "home run hire" and "has more upside than Mack." He has 13 years of head coaching experience has been to a whopping 4 NCAA tourneys and won a grand total of 2 games. Not getting to the 2nd weekend twice but the 2nd round. Twice in 13 years. Where is all this upside and home run hire coming from? I see a guy who would have been fired years ago had he put up these results at Xavier and he was already fired from Monnesota. I think this is a terrible hire on a guy who will either be fired in 4 years or leave for a bigger program in 4 years. Either way we're starting over.

Mack left for Louisville and everyone knew that would always be a possibility with his wife from there and wanting to move back there to be closer to her family. Mack has also said he wants to retire at a young age in mid to late 50's which he is there now. If Mack missed coaching that, bad I trust him a lot more than Miller or Pitino to be at X for 8-10 years before officially retiring.

Also watching Pitino on Red Storm rising, I get the impression he does not want to work as hard as his dad to have that kind of success. Seeing him there versus his dad was very telling and not in a good way. I remember walking away from that thinking, I'm really glad he's not our coach...and now he is.

bleedXblue
03-26-2025, 01:21 PM
Well they aren’t getting free education so…..essentially what they are getting in terms of dollars (allegedly) is paying for their education

fair enough, I guess it doesnt matter where it comes from......

94GRAD
03-26-2025, 01:26 PM
Not sure how I feel about this. First outsider in my lifetime.
Thad was the last outsider. Did you start X after 2003?


The fact that Greg has a job after what he’s done to the women’s program is mind boggling. If Pitino doesn’t t work out and he’s still here, Xavier should just get rid of athletics
The Women's Basketball team is the only team in the Athletic Dept that is underachieving.


He will go down as the worst AD in X history.
You obviously don't remember Dawn Rogers


NFW should walk ons get any NIL money. Free education is plenty. Please stop with this.
They are called Walk-ons because they don't receive scholarships.

xubrew
03-26-2025, 01:36 PM
thad was the last outsider. Did you start x after 2003?


The women's basketball team is the only team in the athletic dept that is underachieving.


You obviously don't remember dawn rogers


they are called walk-ons because they don't receive scholarships.

now this oughta clear a few things up around here!!!!!

Tim
03-26-2025, 01:42 PM
I'm generally curious to hear from the people who say this is a "home run hire" and "has more upside than Mack." He has 13 years of head coaching experience has been to a whopping 4 NCAA tourneys and won a grand total of 2 games. Not getting to the 2nd weekend twice but the 2nd round. Twice in 13 years. Where is all this upside and home run hire coming from? I see a guy who would have been fired years ago had he put up these results at Xavier and he was already fired from Monnesota. I think this is a terrible hire on a guy who will either be fired in 4 years or leave for a bigger program in 4 years. Either way we're starting over.

Mack left for Louisville and everyone knew that would always be a possibility with his wife from there and wanting to move back there to be closer to her family. Mack has also said he wants to retire at a young age in mid to late 50's which he is there now. If Mack missed coaching that, bad I trust him a lot more than Miller or Pitino to be at X for 8-10 years before officially retiring.

Also watching Pitino on Red Storm rising, I get the impression he does not want to work as hard as his dad to have that kind of success. Seeing him there versus his dad was very telling and not in a good way. I remember walking away from that thinking, I'm really glad he's not our coach...and now he is.

Agree with every word. I hope I eat crow.

I mean, you can't NOT hire the best candidate because he left us once already. Most posters here are saying Pitino is gone in 3 to 4 years either because he's great or horrible. How is that better than rehiring an alum with past SOLID results who MIGHT leave again.

Instead of a high floor and a middle ceiling, we hired a low floor with a high ceiling. We desperately needed a high floor guy after what Steele did.

Again I truly truly hope I'm eating crow in 1 to 2 years.

D-West & PO-Z
03-26-2025, 01:44 PM
I'm generally curious to hear from the people who say this is a "home run hire" and "has more upside than Mack." He has 13 years of head coaching experience has been to a whopping 4 NCAA tourneys and won a grand total of 2 games. Not getting to the 2nd weekend twice but the 2nd round. Twice in 13 years. Where is all this upside and home run hire coming from? I see a guy who would have been fired years ago had he put up these results at Xavier and he was already fired from Monnesota. I think this is a terrible hire on a guy who will either be fired in 4 years or leave for a bigger program in 4 years. Either way we're starting over.

Mack left for Louisville and everyone knew that would always be a possibility with his wife from there and wanting to move back there to be closer to her family. Mack has also said he wants to retire at a young age in mid to late 50's which he is there now. If Mack missed coaching that, bad I trust him a lot more than Miller or Pitino to be at X for 8-10 years before officially retiring.

Also watching Pitino on Red Storm rising, I get the impression he does not want to work as hard as his dad to have that kind of success. Seeing him there versus his dad was very telling and not in a good way. I remember walking away from that thinking, I'm really glad he's not our coach...and now he is.

1. He was 30 years old when he got the job at Minnesota. 30! Think about how young that is.

2. It's Minnesota, they've only been to 14 tournaments in their history and Pitino took them to two of them. He got them their 2nd highest seed ever since the tourney expanded in 1985. Won the NIT in his first year.

3. New Mexico had not been to the tournament in a decade before he got there. He just went to the last 2.

4. He is pretty young still (42) and eager for high major success that he has never had. He is not on the last leg of his career like Mack.

5. Plays at a fast tempo and was 20th and 23rd in KenPom defensive efficiency the last 2 years.

6. The talent he recruited to NM has been pretty astounding. 2 guys were transfers this past year and ended up as AA's. Then he had Dent the POY in the conference this year. The guy clearly has an eye for finding talent with lesser resources.

7. Beat UCLA, Marquette, Colorado State (twice) this year and gave MSU all they could handle.

8. I am excited for a new perspective and a fresh start in our program.

9. We are going to get National attention at times throughout the season like we have never seen.

I was getting pretty excited for Mack but that would have been a safe, boring hire. Before we turned Mack down I was on record worried about his motivation. He has always been a guy who has made it clear he isn't a lifer coach and he's already 55. By other accounts as well his assistant did all the heavy lifting with recruiting. A LOT has changed since Mack was a high major coach.

Mack also literally had ZERO other suitors this offseason with a lot of pretty good jobs open. If he wasn't a former Xavier coach, and winningest coach in our programs history, none of us would have been interested.

Too often our program has taken the safe route. Most of the time that has worked out but it has also burned us bad. I like taking this new route and I think it presents us with a much higher ceiling even though the floor may be lower as well.

D-West & PO-Z
03-26-2025, 01:47 PM
We desperately needed a high floor guy after what Steele did.



This is much too often the mindset of Cincinnati fans and exactly why Marvin Lewis got to spend a decade and a half basking in mediocrity, while any other NFL coach would have been fired in 1/3rd of the time.

Xavier
03-26-2025, 01:53 PM
I would’ve been happy with Mack. Hell, he was who I wanted. But overall, X has taken the safe route ever since Mack left and look where it brought us. The idea that a fresh face is needed to elevate the program makes sense to me. I can buy that. I don’t know if he’s the right guy, there’s a lot to like.

With less resources and a smaller program, he did more at NM than Miller did at X the past two years. If X does have to do more with less (as Sean puts it) at least Pitino has shown that he can do just that in his rebuild of NM.

Dblue
03-26-2025, 01:59 PM
Agree with every word. I hope I eat crow.

I mean, you can't NOT hire the best candidate because he left us once already. Most posters here are saying Pitino is gone in 3 to 4 years either because he's great or horrible. How is that better than rehiring an alum with past SOLID results who MIGHT leave again.

Instead of a high floor and a middle ceiling, we hired a low floor with a high ceiling. We desperately needed a high floor guy after what Steele did.

Again I truly truly hope I'm eating crow in 1 to 2 years.

Serious question because I don't know the answer...has there ever been a coach return to a school and matched or improved the second time there? Small sample size, but Miller, Matta, Dave Leito all had less success when they returned.

IM4X
03-26-2025, 02:01 PM
Agree with every word. I hope I eat crow.

I mean, you can't NOT hire the best candidate because he left us once already. Most posters here are saying Pitino is gone in 3 to 4 years either because he's great or horrible. How is that better than rehiring an alum with past SOLID results who MIGHT leave again.

Instead of a high floor and a middle ceiling, we hired a low floor with a high ceiling. We desperately needed a high floor guy after what Steele did.

Again I truly truly hope I'm eating crow in 1 to 2 years.

Pitino is no Steele. Great recruiter but Steele didn’t take his team to the dance and then beat a good team like Marquette.

The more I think about this choice the better I feel.

X is bigger than any one coach we’ve had. Good on Greg for saying “No more coaches are welcomed back who walked out on us.” We are no longer interested in the prodigal son coming home expecting opened arms.

Nope. Our message moving forward is this: If you leave us for what you believe to be greener pastures, don’t even think of come back. If you fail, go find some other place to try to resurrect your career. We are now only going to be loyal to those who are loyal to us. We will keep moving forward and upward.

I believe Pitino is going to be a very pleasant surprise.

drudy23
03-26-2025, 02:24 PM
This is much too often the mindset of Cincinnati fans and exactly why Marvin Lewis got to spend a decade and a half basking in mediocrity, while any other NFL coach would have been fired in 1/3rd of the time.

Exactly right.

It's a risk, but what isn't? We're taking a swing. I'm also ready for a fresh perspective and some new ideas. It's time.

As I said previously, if you continue to grasp the safe Midwest mentality, this is probably going to be frustrating for you. But I'm excited to see what's possible from a new player, new scheduling, and especially a new defensive perspective.

People in this city cannot get out of their own way with fear of something new. It 100% holds this cities sports programs back.

Nothing is guaranteed, but at least someone shot their shot.

Tim
03-26-2025, 02:42 PM
Man I hope you are all correct. I definitely have major PTSD from Steele. But the comparison to Marvin Lewis is completely wrong. I was screaming for his head before anyone else lol. And for that matter, for zac Taylor's too.

xudash
03-26-2025, 03:00 PM
1. He was 30 years old when he got the job at Minnesota. 30! Think about how young that is.

2. It's Minnesota, they've only been to 14 tournaments in their history and Pitino took them to two of them. He got them their 2nd highest seed ever since the tourney expanded in 1985. Won the NIT in his first year.

3. New Mexico had not been to the tournament in a decade before he got there. He just went to the last 2.

4. He is pretty young still (42) and eager for high major success that he has never had. He is not on the last leg of his career like Mack.

5. Plays at a fast tempo and was 20th and 23rd in KenPom defensive efficiency the last 2 years.

6. The talent he recruited to NM has been pretty astounding. 2 guys were transfers this past year and ended up as AA's. Then he had Dent the POY in the conference this year. The guy clearly has an eye for finding talent with lesser resources.

7. Beat UCLA, Marquette, Colorado State (twice) this year and gave MSU all they could handle.

8. I am excited for a new perspective and a fresh start in our program.

9. We are going to get National attention at times throughout the season like we have never seen.

I was getting pretty excited for Mack but that would have been a safe, boring hire. Before we turned Mack down I was on record worried about his motivation. He has always been a guy who has made it clear he isn't a lifer coach and he's already 55. By other accounts as well his assistant did all the heavy lifting with recruiting. A LOT has changed since Mack was a high major coach.

Mack also literally had ZERO other suitors this offseason with a lot of pretty good jobs open. If he wasn't a former Xavier coach, and winningest coach in our programs history, none of us would have been interested.

Too often our program has taken the safe route. Most of the time that has worked out but it has also burned us bad. I like taking this new route and I think it presents us with a much higher ceiling even though the floor may be lower as well.

Spot on D-West with every one of your points. I'm not sure Point #4 is registering fully enough around here. In this new era of big money, high pressure, transitory basketball, it just seems that a younger, full-of-energy, talented coach is what is needed. I would have been fine had the decision been about Mack. I'm actually ecstatic that Greg went with Richard Pitino. The 42 years old thing coupled with his deep experience and recent resume at UNM seals it for me. I'm not suggesting that any coach is over the hill once they hit 50, but I just feel that the passion and energy level will be fully present in someone in their 40's who otherwise eats, breathes and sleeps college basketball.

It's rather ridiculous to factor Pitino's Minnesota experience into this. It's a backwater B1G job, and he went into it when he was 30 years old. MN had funding issues for basketball when he was there. They play in a building that is close to 100 years old - it opened the same year as Schmidt Memorial Fieldhouse (1928). It's last major renovation was in 1950. It makes Hinkle look nice.

One other thing. Whether you believe it or not - and you should believe it - this move is going to present a unique and wild marketing/PR opportunity for Xavier. The television executives behind our media agreement are salivating over this news. We just blew up their inventory pecking order. National Fox broadcasts for this coming year probably had UCONN, UCONN and UCONN at or close to the top of their scheduling list. Not anymore. When these two go at each other in MSG and the Cintas Center, national interest will be in play.

Hiring Pitino was a masterstroke by Greg.

Richard Pitino succeeding at Xavier, coupled with the changing landscape of college basketball, especially on the funding advantages side, should advance our standing. The glass is very much half full.

D-West & PO-Z
03-26-2025, 03:01 PM
Man I hope you are all correct. I definitely have major PTSD from Steele. But the comparison to Marvin Lewis is completely wrong. I was screaming for his head before anyone else lol. And for that matter, for zac Taylor's too.

But that’s why Marvin got so long. His floor was high despite his ceiling being low. People shouted “remember what it was like before Marvin?! I don’t want to go back to that!”

Even if that’s not what you did that’s what hiring someone with a high floor, middle ceiling would have done.

I think we were at a point where it’s worth the risk.

I also love we got a guy not from a low major but a true upper kid major multi bid league who got an at large birth.

American X
03-26-2025, 03:41 PM
We had a douche, then we had a prick, and now we have a Dick. At least we did not hire another Butler guy.

GoMuskies
03-26-2025, 03:54 PM
Imagine how much more cut like a diamond Smydra would have gotten if he was being paid.

MuskiePimp23
03-26-2025, 04:48 PM
Serious question because I don't know the answer...has there ever been a coach return to a school and matched or improved the second time there? Small sample size, but Miller, Matta, Dave Leito all had less success when they returned.

I think Miller's second stint was a major disappointment. With that said the last 3 years were a lot better than Steele and they were also better than Miller's first 3 years at X. I guess it's about how you define success. Miller also won 3 NCAA games in 3 years including getting to a Sweet 16. So he won more games than Pitino has in 13 years and also took a team to the second weekend. Miller also had the Sweet 16 team with Steeles players + Souley Boum.

xuphan
03-26-2025, 04:50 PM
I think Miller's second stint was a major disappointment. With that said the last 3 years were a lot better than Steele and they were also better than Miller's first 3 years at X. I guess it's about how you define success.

Welcome coach! Now hit the portal. Gotta buy a whole new team in the next couple of months.

Strange Brew
03-26-2025, 04:51 PM
Imagine how much more cut like a diamond Smydra would have gotten if he was being paid.

:). Wow, that’s one from the lore chest annnd thank you for the laugh.

MuskiePimp23
03-26-2025, 04:54 PM
Spot on D-West with every one of your points. I'm not sure Point #4 is registering fully enough around here. In this new era of big money, high pressure, transitory basketball, it just seems that a younger, full-of-energy, talented coach is what is needed. I would have been fine had the decision been about Mack. I'm actually ecstatic that Greg went with Richard Pitino. The 42 years old thing coupled with his deep experience and recent resume at UNM seals it for me. I'm not suggesting that any coach is over the hill once they hit 50, but I just feel that the passion and energy level will be fully present in someone in their 40's who otherwise eats, breathes and sleeps college basketball.

It's rather ridiculous to factor Pitino's Minnesota experience into this. It's a backwater B1G job, and he went into it when he was 30 years old. MN had funding issues for basketball when he was there. They play in a building that is close to 100 years old - it opened the same year as Schmidt Memorial Fieldhouse (1928). It's last major renovation was in 1950. It makes Hinkle look nice.

One other thing. Whether you believe it or not - and you should believe it - this move is going to present a unique and wild marketing/PR opportunity for Xavier. The television executives behind our media agreement are salivating over this news. We just blew up their inventory pecking order. National Fox broadcasts for this coming year probably had UCONN, UCONN and UCONN at or close to the top of their scheduling list. Not anymore. When these two go at each other in MSG and the Cintas Center, national interest will be in play.

Hiring Pitino was a masterstroke by Greg.

Richard Pitino succeeding at Xavier, coupled with the changing landscape of college basketball, especially on the funding advantages side, should advance our standing. The glass is very much half full.
Who cares about how old someone is? How old was Shaka when he took VCU to the Final Four? Wasn't Brad Steven's early 30's when he took Butler to back to back championship games? All age tells me is he's more likely to leave for a bigger program with success versus Mack who's been to a bigger program and wants to come home, take X to new heights and eventually sail off into the sunset to become a bass masters champion.

94GRAD
03-26-2025, 04:57 PM
Who cares about how old someone is? How old was Shaka when he took VCU to the Final Four? Wasn't Brad Steven's early 30's when he took Butler to back to back championship games? All age tells me is he's more likely to leave for a bigger program with success versus Mack who's been to a bigger program and wants to come home, take X to new heights and eventually sail off into the sunset to become a bass masters champion.

If he leaves for a better program, that means we had some great seasons as fans. When he leaves, we will get the next up-and-coming coach to shepherd us forward!

bleedXblue
03-26-2025, 05:05 PM
Who cares about how old someone is? How old was Shaka when he took VCU to the Final Four? Wasn't Brad Steven's early 30's when he took Butler to back to back championship games? All age tells me is he's more likely to leave for a bigger program with success versus Mack who's been to a bigger program and wants to come home, take X to new heights and eventually sail off into the sunset to become a bass masters champion.

He said that 8 years ago and promptly dumped us at the height of the program

Xville
03-26-2025, 05:10 PM
I’m not concerned with coaches leaving any more. If they do great of course they are going to leave if a bigger job opens up. X just have to keep pushing forward and hiring the right guys. Would some continuity be nice? Sure, but I’m not naive anymore to this. There are only so many unicorns out there… few, weight, Bennett, McDermott. I’m just not going to count on getting one of those anymore. Can’t trust Mack’s word or anyone else’s.

I just hope pitino does great things in the time that he is here. Let’s fucking go!

FishingXfan
03-26-2025, 05:14 PM
My take. I’m loving the Pitino hire more and more. Sure, I was all in to bring Mack at first. Safety, familiarity, nostalgia. Then as being a X fan @ heart, I think of the way he ran off and broke my heart when everything was going so good I thought. X doesn’t want to look like the guy who takes the cheater back every time they say sorry then only to leave again. I like the fire now. Hopefully he can bring Dent with him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MHettel
03-26-2025, 05:49 PM
I’m not concerned with coaches leaving any more. If they do great of course they are going to leave if a bigger job opens up. X just have to keep pushing forward and hiring the right guys. Would some continuity be nice? Sure, but I’m not naive anymore to this. There are only so many unicorns out there… few, weight, Bennett, McDermott. I’m just not going to count on getting one of those anymore. Can’t trust Mack’s word or anyone else’s.

I just hope pitino does great things in the time that he is here. Let’s fucking go!

It’s the constant resetting that is the problem. We have a mini set back each time one of these guys leave. Let’s just imagine a world where miller never left the first time. Would we have a Final 4 banner? Gotta think maybe/probably yes. We were rolling. He leaves and we get a hiccup. Mack left some players for Steele but no recruits. Steele fumbled it away. Steele left Miller a veteral team that just won the NIT and Claude as a recruit. Miller is leaving nothing. Those little setbacks just add up.

You mentioned Few and Wright. What did those guys have in common?

Xville
03-26-2025, 05:59 PM
It’s the constant resetting that is the problem. We have a mini set back each time one of these guys leave. Let’s just imagine a world where miller never left the first time. Would we have a Final 4 banner? Gotta think maybe/probably yes. We were rolling. He leaves and we get a hiccup. Mack left some players for Steele but no recruits. Steele fumbled it away. Steele left Miller a veteral team that just won the NIT and Claude as a recruit. Miller is leaving nothing. Those little setbacks just add up.

You mentioned Few and Wright. What did those guys have in common?

They are unicorns, as I said. Those guys are few (no pun intended) and far between. Chances of finding them are less than 1%. If it ever happened, great but at a place like Xavier it’s almost impossible. Who knows maybe pitino ends up being one of those guys, but I’m not going to count on it, or trust a coach’s word that he will.

Also, yeah sometimes there’s a setback in the near term but before Steele and miller 2.0, long term we were having more and more success with each new coach. Hopefully we can get back on that track.

X-band '01
03-26-2025, 06:00 PM
Imagine how much more cut like a diamond Smydra would have gotten if he was being paid.

His aquatic skills would be top-notch.

Olsingledigit
03-26-2025, 06:25 PM
I agree but assuming Pitino was in the running for Villanova, that says a lot to me. Villanova is the one school like Xavier that has actually won it all & they did it twice.

Three times

MuskiePimp23
03-26-2025, 06:42 PM
He said that 8 years ago and promptly dumped us at the height of the program

He left after being the head coach for 9 years getting us a Big East regular season championship and a 1 seed. Went to tournament 8 of 9 years and had X at the highest level it had ever been. Everyone knew at some point he would probably go to Louisville if it opened since his wife was from there. That is no longer an option and Mack is older. Far more likely someone from Cleveland who grew up in Cincy, went to St. X and then XU would coach his last years at his Alma mater and take us to new heights. He's a proven commodity and in my opinion has far greater upside with less risk than Pitino. I'll be glad to be wrong but this hire is a mistake and Christopher should be fired if it doesn't work out.

drudy23
03-26-2025, 06:48 PM
and Christopher should be fired if it doesn't work out.

Well, sure. But at least give it a chance first. It could be amazing.

Xavgrad08
03-26-2025, 07:06 PM
According to Geoff Grammer who cover UNM "Richard Pitino plans to take (and they've accepted) the entire coaching staff with him − assistant coaches Isaac Chew, Tarvish Felton, Aaron Katsuma, Davie Pilipovich − with him at Xavier," Grammer said in a social media post Wednesday, adding that Chew would be a candidate to replace Pitino as New Mexico's head coach.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/report-richard-pitino-bring-mexico-212247614.html

Not only do we have our HC sounds like we got our assistants as well. In looking over the bios some of his coaches have HC experience. It is definitely a veteran experienced staff.

A Fan
03-26-2025, 08:09 PM
I love this whole Pitino setup—it’s like a recruiting ecosystem where Rick Pitino is the apex predator, relentlessly hunting top-tier talent, while Richard is strategically positioned to scoop up players who fall just short of his father’s system.

Rick isn’t about to send his best recruits to Xavier, but he’s always on the hunt for elite prospects. Some guys will impress but won’t quite fit—maybe they’re tweeners, lack defensive intensity, or just aren’t the right personality match. Instead of letting them drift back into the wild, he can steer them toward Richard. Xavier could become a prime landing spot for high-level spillover talent.

It’s a bit like hanging out with a Brad Pitt lookalike—you’re not getting the A-list attention, but suddenly, you’re in the mix with people who never would’ve noticed you otherwise. Richard benefits from the glow of his father’s reputation, and Xavier might quietly build a roster of players who were almost St. John’s-level but end up thriving in a system better suited to them.

And who knows? The old man might just end up splitting the wins with Junior.

Section 200
03-26-2025, 09:09 PM
I love this whole Pitino setup—it’s like a recruiting ecosystem where Rick Pitino is the apex predator, relentlessly hunting top-tier talent, while Richard is strategically positioned to scoop up players who fall just short of his father’s system.

Rick isn’t about to send his best recruits to Xavier, but he’s always on the hunt for elite prospects. Some guys will impress but won’t quite fit—maybe they’re tweeners, lack defensive intensity, or just aren’t the right personality match. Instead of letting them drift back into the wild, he can steer them toward Richard. Xavier could become a prime landing spot for high-level spillover talent.

It’s a bit like hanging out with a Brad Pitt lookalike—you’re not getting the A-list attention, but suddenly, you’re in the mix with people who never would’ve noticed you otherwise. Richard benefits from the glow of his father’s reputation, and Xavier might quietly build a roster of players who were almost St. John’s-level but end up thriving in a system better suited to them.

And who knows? The old man might just end up splitting the wins with Junior.

You just summed up what I hope is possible - then add in getting rid of the packline defense & I'm very encouraged!

Xavier
03-26-2025, 09:17 PM
I love this whole Pitino setup—it’s like a recruiting ecosystem where Rick Pitino is the apex predator, relentlessly hunting top-tier talent, while Richard is strategically positioned to scoop up players who fall just short of his father’s system.

Rick isn’t about to send his best recruits to Xavier, but he’s always on the hunt for elite prospects. Some guys will impress but won’t quite fit—maybe they’re tweeners, lack defensive intensity, or just aren’t the right personality match. Instead of letting them drift back into the wild, he can steer them toward Richard. Xavier could become a prime landing spot for high-level spillover talent.

It’s a bit like hanging out with a Brad Pitt lookalike—you’re not getting the A-list attention, but suddenly, you’re in the mix with people who never would’ve noticed you otherwise. Richard benefits from the glow of his father’s reputation, and Xavier might quietly build a roster of players who were almost St. John’s-level but end up thriving in a system better suited to them.

And who knows? The old man might just end up splitting the wins with Junior.

Gotta be honest. This is an awful take. “How great could it be that all the guys Rick doesn’t want he can send to Xavier!” Is there anything more mid major than that? GTFO. I don’t want Xavier to be pumped about being a second fiddle school to a team in their own conference. Come on. And to end the sentiment with “and who knows, maybe Richard might just be able to win some against him, too!”


I’m a few drinks deep, so hopefully I’m missing the sarcasm. Now, the idea that there is some money behind the name that could be extra towards X NIL- I like.

*after re-reading. I’ve come to the conclusion it was all sarcasm and I guess you aren’t excited about the hire. My mistake

webxu
03-26-2025, 09:26 PM
Full circle for X.. Pitino fired from Lville in 2018, Mack leaves X at our height for Lville. Steele era, back to Miller, Pitino to SJU playing X twice a year. Miller bolts, X hires a Pitino. Like it or not X has been intertwined with Pitinos for years! The webs we weave!

GoMuskies
03-26-2025, 10:49 PM
The webs we weave!

Well, sure, but who were we trying to deceive? Other than ourselves.

Xville
03-27-2025, 07:41 AM
Free article so ok to link

https://t.co/b73dhcHgaQ

Love everything about this. Finally no more stupid bend but don’t break defense. Love everything I’m reading here.

SkyWalker
03-27-2025, 07:57 AM
I love this whole Pitino setup—it’s like a recruiting ecosystem where Rick Pitino is the apex predator, relentlessly hunting top-tier talent, while Richard is strategically positioned to scoop up players who fall just short of his father’s system.

Rick isn’t about to send his best recruits to Xavier, but he’s always on the hunt for elite prospects. Some guys will impress but won’t quite fit—maybe they’re tweeners, lack defensive intensity, or just aren’t the right personality match. Instead of letting them drift back into the wild, he can steer them toward Richard. Xavier could become a prime landing spot for high-level spillover talent.

It’s a bit like hanging out with a Brad Pitt lookalike—you’re not getting the A-list attention, but suddenly, you’re in the mix with people who never would’ve noticed you otherwise. Richard benefits from the glow of his father’s reputation, and Xavier might quietly build a roster of players who were almost St. John’s-level but end up thriving in a system better suited to them.

And who knows? The old man might just end up splitting the wins with Junior.
Wow. We could be like a minor league affiliate for St. John's.

Xavier
03-27-2025, 09:13 AM
Free article so ok to link

https://t.co/b73dhcHgaQ

Love everything about this. Finally no more stupid bend but don’t break defense. Love everything I’m reading here.

Thanks for sharing- definitely gets you excited for the defense. He will bring a bolt of energy to the program.

muskiefan82
03-27-2025, 09:36 AM
Yes. Especially if he can also teach inbounding the ball to any place other than a corner with a doubleteam

GIMMFD
03-27-2025, 11:03 AM
According to Geoff Grammer who cover UNM "Richard Pitino plans to take (and they've accepted) the entire coaching staff with him − assistant coaches Isaac Chew, Tarvish Felton, Aaron Katsuma, Davie Pilipovich − with him at Xavier," Grammer said in a social media post Wednesday, adding that Chew would be a candidate to replace Pitino as New Mexico's head coach.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/report-richard-pitino-bring-mexico-212247614.html

Not only do we have our HC sounds like we got our assistants as well. In looking over the bios some of his coaches have HC experience. It is definitely a veteran experienced staff.

Wonder what this means for Dante, would love to keep him on the staff at least.

D-West & PO-Z
03-27-2025, 12:33 PM
Saw this stat today:

Since the NCAA introduced legislation that permitted athletes to transfer without sitting out a season in 2021, 52 permanent head coaches have been hired at power conference institutions. From that group, 23 have reached the NCAA Tournament in their first season — a rate of about 44%.

I think that goes to reiterate how successful coaches can be in their first year. Let's hope we end up on the right side of that figure.

Jumpin_Jamal_Forever
03-27-2025, 04:45 PM
Saw this stat today:

Since the NCAA introduced legislation that permitted athletes to transfer without sitting out a season in 2021, 52 permanent head coaches have been hired at power conference institutions. From that group, 23 have reached the NCAA Tournament in their first season — a rate of about 44%.

I think that goes to reiterate how successful coaches can be in their first year. Let's hope we end up on the right side of that figure.

When Miller bolted I said next season was done. You disagreed and, after reflection, I concede your argument.

Really like the hire. It wasn't the safe route, and it may not work. But I like the change in culture, philosophy etc. Not sure I'm up for annual roster rotation but the turnover reflects a change in major collegiate sports----not just X. I'll just have to adapt.

XUBand
03-27-2025, 04:46 PM
Press conference next week. Not open to the public. Fucking stupid.

waggy
03-27-2025, 04:53 PM
Pitino Jr seems more muted than his dad or Miller.

XUGRAD80
03-27-2025, 09:09 PM
I have a good friend that is a New Mexico grad. I contacted him to get his opinion on Pitino. He is very high on him and thinks X got a good one. But he feels that it’s not necessarily a good career move for him. He’s afraid that he will get lost in the shuffle of other great coaches in the BE and other eastern centric leagues. At NW he was the toast of the state. I don’t agree, but I can see where he might think that.

I asked him about Dent. He thinks that Dent will end up at Texas Tech with his good friend Toppin, who transferred from NM to TT after last season. However, he does thank that if he doesn’t go to TT he will follow Pitino to X.

American X
03-27-2025, 09:12 PM
Full circle for X.. Pitino fired from Lville in 2018, Mack leaves X at our height for Lville. Steele era, back to Miller, Pitino to SJU playing X twice a year. Miller bolts, X hires a Pitino. Like it or not X has been intertwined with Pitinos for years! The webs we weave!

https://media1.tenor.com/m/qGOzE5eEDbIAAAAC/mc-conaughey-true.gif

Xavier
03-27-2025, 09:19 PM
I have a good friend that is a New Mexico grad. I contacted him to get his opinion on Pitino. He is very high on him and thinks X got a good one. But he feels that it’s not necessarily a good career move for him. He’s afraid that he will get lost in the shuffle of other great coaches in the BE and other eastern centric leagues. At NW he was the toast of the state. I don’t agree, but I can see where he might think that.

I asked him about Dent. He thinks that Dent will end up at Texas Tech with his good friend Toppin, who transferred from NM to TT after last season. However, he does thank that if he doesn’t go to TT he will follow Pitino to X.

That’s a classic thing to say. It’s what you’d argue about the first time Miller left. Fact is, NM was about to really get lost in shuffle as Mountain west is about to get split due to PAC 12. Richard had to leave while he could.

waggy
03-27-2025, 09:59 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7flOQPs1Mc

waggy
03-28-2025, 06:42 AM
There was a comment made in that interview regarding Pitino and the media. Wasn't exactly clear, but given the press conference is closed to the public, I'm guessing Pitino isn't a big fan of media engagement.

Xville
03-28-2025, 07:23 AM
There was a comment made in that interview regarding Pitino and the media. Wasn't exactly clear, but given the press conference is closed to the public, I'm guessing Pitino isn't a big fan of media engagement.

I don't understand this comment. Just because it's closed to the public, doesn't mean its closed to the media.

For those who don't know, Richard is very very different from his father. He's mild-mannered, has a very dry sense of humor, and is a big family man.

I think he's going to be engaged in the community, and is very likeable, but he's certainly not going to be the fiery scream at the ref type like his dad. Think more Greg McDermott than Dan Hurley.

D-West & PO-Z
03-28-2025, 08:26 AM
I don't understand this comment. Just because it's closed to the public, doesn't mean its closed to the media.

For those who don't know, Richard is very very different from his father. He's mild-mannered, has a very dry sense of humor, and is a big family man.

I think he's going to be engaged in the community, and is very likeable, but he's certainly not going to be the fiery scream at the ref type like his dad. Think more Greg McDermott than Dan Hurley.

Yeah there is a press conference after, the media will certainly be there.

You have to wonder if X potentially has some concerns about the fan base clamoring for Mack and some there not giving Pitino a great reception if it was open to the public? Just a guess. Only difference I can think of for Miller and Pitino hirings.

waggy
03-28-2025, 08:36 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDYrqh8twwM

drudy23
03-28-2025, 08:47 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7flOQPs1Mc

Lots of good nuggets in this video. A couple things that stick out to me from this video:

1) Dent probably won't get the $2.5-3M he's looking for - sounds like it may be tough to get him to X, but maybe if Dent finds out his market isn't that high in reality
2) The New York/East Coast personality - no fluff, no frill, straight to the point. He keeps it simple and just tells it like it is - love the no-nonsense, no-spin way of communicating - seems very authentic this way
3) Damn - so many mannerisms and voice that remind you of dad Rick
4) Excited to see how this progresses - he's way different than what we're used to, but I'm eager to watch a new path

BandAid
03-28-2025, 09:32 AM
My brother would text me updates the entire time the process was going down. After each update I replied "not surprised." Miller is going to Texas: "not surprised." X is looking at Mack: "not surprised". Swain is in the portal: "not surprised." Pitino is the hire: "Oh, that's different!"

I would've been perfectly comfortable with Mack being the hire, but I'm excited the program is branching out from its coaching tree. Big risk, big reward situation. At the very least, it'll be fun to watch a new defensive coaching philosophy. And I am probably more interested in following how the team progresses in construction and development.

Most of all, I'm grateful the new hire happened quickly, and I'm grateful the entire coaching staff got filled quickly, too.

Into the unknown!

A Fan
03-28-2025, 09:42 AM
A good article on the different coaching styles of the father and son.
https://www.hoopshq.com/mid-majors/like-father-like-son-richard-pitino-has-new-mexico-winning-big?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Caveat
03-28-2025, 10:01 AM
There was a comment made in that interview regarding Pitino and the media. Wasn't exactly clear, but given the press conference is closed to the public, I'm guessing Pitino isn't a big fan of media engagement.

The man's doing interviews with New Mexico radio after leaving to explain why he did it. He's clearly not opposed to media.

UCGRAD4X
03-28-2025, 10:28 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7flOQPs1Mc

"Talking Grammer"

I thought it was going to be all about the correct way to pronounce 'Xavier'!

XUBand
03-28-2025, 10:52 AM
A good article on the different coaching styles of the father and son.
https://www.hoopshq.com/mid-majors/like-father-like-son-richard-pitino-has-new-mexico-winning-big?utm_source=chatgpt.com

lol ChatGPT.com at the end there.

Final4
03-28-2025, 12:25 PM
I know its only been a few days and it's quite possible Pitino has secured player commitments with announcements forthcoming but it just doesn't feel like he's hit the ground running.

XUBand
03-28-2025, 12:38 PM
I know its only been a few days and it's quite possible Pitino has secured player commitments with announcements forthcoming but it just doesn't feel like he's hit the ground running.

100% agree.

D-West & PO-Z
03-28-2025, 12:38 PM
I know its only been a few days and it's quite possible Pitino has secured player commitments with announcements forthcoming but it just doesn't feel like he's hit the ground running.

I get how it could feel that way but we are what, 4 days into a 30 day process? I honestly can't think of anyone but that Drake kid who has been announced that they found their new team.

Fans obviously want instant results, especially with how many spots we have to fill, but if Pitino hasn't hit the ground running, he won't be here long.

MHettel
03-28-2025, 12:44 PM
Was curious and thought I would share:

Pitino at 42 has 247 career wins.

Miller is 56 and has 487 wins.

Mack is 55 and has 302 wins.

Pitino would need to average 17 wins a year for 14 years to be right where Miller is at the same age. Frankly he’s either gonna crush that, or he’s not even coaching anymore if he can’t average 17 wins a year.

Pitinos dad, Rick, sits at 731 wins in 36 years. He’s 72. That give Junior 30 years to win 484 more games (16 per year).

Let’s look at fat Bob Huggins. 934 wins through age 69. Math there is 687 wins in 27 years (25 per year).

Point being that although he may not stick around forever at XU, we might have a guy that could land in the top 20 all time in wins before it’s all said and done.

D-West & PO-Z
03-28-2025, 12:52 PM
Was curious and thought I would share:

Pitino at 42 has 247 career wins.

Miller is 56 and has 487 wins.

Mack is 55 and has 302 wins.

Pitino would need to average 17 wins a year for 14 years to be right where Miller is at the same age. Frankly he’s either gonna crush that, or he’s not even coaching anymore if he can’t average 17 wins a year.

Pitinos dad, Rick, sits at 731 wins in 36 years. He’s 72. That give Junior 30 years to win 484 more games (16 per year).

Let’s look at fat Bob Huggins. 934 wins through age 69. Math there is 687 wins in 27 years (25 per year).

Point being that although he may not stick around forever at XU, we might have a guy that could land in the top 20 all time in wins before it’s all said and done.

Good stuff Hett.

So at 69 Huggins has coached 27 seasons.

If Pitino misses no seasons he will be at 27 seasons at age 57 I believe?

Guess when you start at 30 or was it 29? I always forget he started at FIU before Minnesota.

GoMuskies
03-28-2025, 12:55 PM
He obviously got some opportunities he never would have had if his name wasn't Pitino. I'm glad we're getting him after that phase. He's had enough success at UNM to deserve this on his own merit.

Caveat
03-28-2025, 12:57 PM
He obviously got some opportunities he never would have had if his name wasn't Pitino. I'm glad we're getting him after that phase. He's had enough success at UNM to deserve this on his own merit.

Interesting perhaps only to me -- he joins the minority of coaches who never actually played D1 basketball.

GoMuskies
03-28-2025, 01:00 PM
Interesting perhaps only to me -- he joins the minority of coaches who never actually played D1 basketball.

2 of our last 3! Plus Skip played at Merchant Marine. Barely counts.

D-West & PO-Z
03-28-2025, 01:06 PM
He obviously got some opportunities he never would have had if his name wasn't Pitino. I'm glad we're getting him after that phase. He's had enough success at UNM to deserve this on his own merit.

Yeah totally agree. I think its clear we are now getting the best version of him.

NM made a great hire snatching him up after Minnesota fired him the day before. That AD probably deserves a raise for the way that hire worked out.

xu 89
03-31-2025, 01:23 PM
Pitino just landed at Lunken

UCGRAD4X
03-31-2025, 04:04 PM
Pitino just landed at Lunken

...and boy are his arms tired.

X Factor
03-31-2025, 07:02 PM
https://x.com/XUCoachPitino/status/1906812114812965188

drudy23
03-31-2025, 08:13 PM
Not downplaying anyone's role here because I know how much Mario has done for X, but how is his job different than a Director of Basketball Operations? What is his main focus and what does he do that is different than the DOBO?

paulxu
03-31-2025, 08:48 PM
In the Xavier athletic staff directory, Mario (Associate Athletics Director for Basketball Administration) is listed in the Administrative Section.
Under men's basketball, there is only Richard Pitino and Jody Geisen,Executive Assistant.
All the assistants are gone (for now I guess).

nickgyp
04-01-2025, 09:30 AM
...and boy are his arms tired.

Inspired by the St. Joe’s Hawk mascot who, inexplicably, cannot get any lift…

Xville
04-01-2025, 02:14 PM
The era has begun. Let's fucking go!

Xville
04-01-2025, 02:27 PM
Love the comments about building a culture, and getting guys that will stay here....emphasis on retaining and developing talent. Love that.

He understands it's a new world, but there will be an emphasis of getting guys to buy in and stay.

Also love the comments about defensive disruption..aggressive and making people feel uncomfortable.

Singular focus of Big East Championships.

drudy23
04-01-2025, 02:30 PM
OK, let the man get to work.

Go get some dudes Richard.

XUBand
04-01-2025, 02:31 PM
It’s all well and good to talk about retaining guys but we’ll see if that’s even a reality. He commented he only has 2 players at the moment.

Caveat
04-01-2025, 02:37 PM
Singular focus of Big East Championships.

I love this.

Win the BE and everything else will take care of itself.

Xville
04-01-2025, 02:38 PM
It’s all well and good to talk about retaining guys but we’ll see if that’s even a reality. He commented he only has 2 players at the moment.

Of course guys will leave, but the "right" ones will stay if they are paid fairly and have any kind of loyalty at all. Free was one of those guys, and I'm sure there are others out there.

Maybe I'm reading into his comments too much or wanting to hear this. However, I get the sense that he is going to get the type of guys with a bit of a chip on their shoulders...tough, defensive minded, vocal, leaders. If you look at the guys who were here from Matta to Mack, those are the guys that propelled this program forward. We've lost that in recent years for the most part.

Yes, there may not be many if any four year starters anymore, but maybe we can still build a culture where guys are here for 2-3 years, and its not a revolving door every freaking year. Miller didn't give a shit because he had one foot out the door from the moment he took the job, I hope Pitino means what he says, and is looking at the job much differently.

xavbball
04-01-2025, 02:48 PM
Of course guys will leave, but the "right" ones will stay if they are paid fairly and have any kind of loyalty at all. Free was one of those guys, and I'm sure there are others out there.

Maybe I'm reading into his comments too much or wanting to hear this. However, I get the sense that he is going to get the type of guys with a bit of a chip on their shoulders...tough, defensive minded, vocal, leaders. If you look at the guys who were here from Matta to Mack, those are the guys that propelled this program forward. We've lost that in recent years for the most part.

Yes, there may not be many if any four year starters anymore, but maybe we can still build a culture where guys are here for 2-3 years, and its not a revolving door every freaking year. Miller didn't give a shit because he had one foot out the door from the moment he took the job, I hope Pitino means what he says, and is looking at the job much differently.

Couldn’t agree with this more.

GoMuskies
04-01-2025, 02:51 PM
I also want to keep good people here multiple years and win Big East championships.

That includes coaches....

Xville
04-01-2025, 03:06 PM
Alright....time to go get some players. I'd have to think we will see a few commitments come in from former UNM guys the next few days

xukeith
04-01-2025, 03:07 PM
Of course guys will leave, but the "right" ones will stay if they are paid fairly and have any kind of loyalty at all. Free was one of those guys, and I'm sure there are others out there.

Maybe I'm reading into his comments too much or wanting to hear this. However, I get the sense that he is going to get the type of guys with a bit of a chip on their shoulders...tough, defensive minded, vocal, leaders. If you look at the guys who were here from Matta to Mack, those are the guys that propelled this program forward. We've lost that in recent years for the most part.

Yes, there may not be many if any four year starters anymore, but maybe we can still build a culture where guys are here for 2-3 years, and its not a revolving door every freaking year. Miller didn't give a shit because he had one foot out the door from the moment he took the job, I hope Pitino means what he says, and is looking at the job much differently.

If memory serves me right, Gillen, Prosser, Mack and Matta also had one foot out the door towards bigger paychecks and bigger conferences(at the time)

Caveat
04-01-2025, 03:12 PM
Pitino referenced the House v. NCAA settlement a few times -- going to be very, very interesting next week.

Xville
04-01-2025, 03:14 PM
He also made mention of having two guys on the roster. Hope that remains the case, especially traore. It’s be nice to start off the roster with that kind of size

D-West & PO-Z
04-01-2025, 03:24 PM
Thought Pitino did really well. (Really bad sign if you stink in one of these tho lol).

Couldn’t stand that Xavier didn’t ask the media walking a question to introduce who they were and where from. Not only for the audience at home but for Pitino himself.

I liked his answer to first year expectations. Acknowledged a hook lot of work to be done and good teams in the league but every year he wants to win a BE championship.

Caveat
04-01-2025, 03:39 PM
He also made mention of having two guys on the roster. Hope that remains the case, especially traore. It’s be nice to start off the roster with that kind of size

Allegedly Traore was at the introduction in the crowd.

xudash
04-01-2025, 04:25 PM
His strong, positive comments about Greg Christopher were telling. Beyond that, I thought Greg did an excellent job of describing how Xavier went to "battle stations" over all of this aggressively, and how a solid process got us to a signed contract with Richard Pitino.

His strong, positive comments about Val Ackerman, especially when the topic of a potential BE/ACC merger came up also were telling.

Some here may pooh-pooh all of that as press conference speak. Others here will know that he was sincere in his comments and that he's correct about them.

I really like this guy. I do love his youth, polished delivery, energy, and professionalism. I love his comfort with Xavier, given his Providence degree.

Layers of potential cake and icing with this one:

1. Winning big again - OOC, BE and NCAAT.

2. At least 2 epic conference games against his HOF father.

3. His son Jack is apparently a hoot.

Will the P2 allow themselves to be locked into a competitive disadvantage vis-a-vis the BE with respect to the House Settlement? They'll probably find a way to fuss, fight and cheat their way around it, but maybe at the margins. The Athletic Director at Duke sees it pretty clearly right now - it's going to provide some level of competitive balance and benefit to the Big East.

Governance and decisions regarding tournaments and payouts will be the next field of battle to take center stage.

Regardless, this was a GREAT day for Xavier.

94GRAD
04-01-2025, 06:07 PM
Allegedly Traore was at the introduction in the crowd.

He was definitely there

drudy23
04-01-2025, 07:13 PM
Coaches praising the AD on public mics? Of course that will happen.

I don't buy into anything said, by anyone. Pitino did fine, and pretty much hit all the key themes that new coaches hit.

It's why I love sports. None of it matters at the end of the day. It becomes blatantly clear in time. You can't hide behind corporate speak and marketing ploys for very long (not saying anyone did that) - but you can't get away with it in sports, you perform or you don't, and the results are typically objective and hit you right in the face.

None of the corporate suit BS talk matters at the end of the day.

It's like grading the draft the day after - completely meaningless and pointless.

Let's go win some stuff. Also, let's ramp up the home schedule.

paulxu
04-03-2025, 08:06 AM
Does he know about bringing $1000 to Dana's when we beat the bear pussies?

webxu
04-03-2025, 11:26 AM
Traore in the portal.

Caveat
04-03-2025, 04:22 PM
Just listened to Pitino on Mo Egger -- man is he a refreshing interview when it comes to college head coaches.

Blunt, insightful, and actually answers questions instead of pivoting to slogans.

drudy23
04-03-2025, 05:26 PM
Just listened to Pitino on Mo Egger -- man is he a refreshing interview when it comes to college head coaches.

Blunt, insightful, and actually answers questions instead of pivoting to slogans.

No spin. Straight to the point. No fluff.