I love the positive sentiment on this board today, and am not happy with the result last night, but happy with the effort nonetheless.
Throughout this past season, Mack came under fire for a lot of different reasons, some deserved, others a bit unfair. I think it is important to keep in mind how fortunate we are to have what we have in Mack. We have to keep it in perspective.
Mack has taken his lumps on the recruiting trail for sure, and I think it took him a couple years to understand what type of player he was looking for. Because of that, we were left with some barren recruiting classes with players transferring and Dez and Semaj leaving early for other reasons.
Chris Mack has taken XU to 3 Sweet Sixteens in 6 years. Yes, I know - we want more than that. So do I. And I can guarantee you none of us want it more than Mack.
One of the issues with Xavier over the decades has been our coaches leaving for "bigger" or "better" programs once they find sustained success in the Queen City. In my opinion, this has kept XU from achieving its ultimate goal of reaching a FF and getting a championship.
Sometimes it is hard to keep our expectations of coaches in check. Look what we have become accustomed to over the years? We have found INCREDIBLE basketball coaches time and time again to lead our program. Instead of looking at Mack's weaknesses, I think people need to focus more on his strengths. By all accounts, Mack is here for the long haul. He LOVES Xavier University and his family loves Cincinnati. I love how proud he is of our history, our tradition and our program. He gets it. These are intangible qualities that you CAN'T find in other coaches! How many programs have an alma mater determined to take his program that he loves to the next level? It really is something special, something I don't think we focus on enough.
Mack's personal history aside, I think this year was a bellwether season for him from a coaching standpoint. There were a lot of moving pieces this year, and while we were talented, I don't think we were quite as developed as we would have liked. Our offensive efficiency was one of the best in the country, and more importantly, our defense made ENORMOUS strides throughout the year. Mack had us playing the best basketball when we needed to.
Mack can recruit.
Mack can coach.
He actually does both of them at a very high level.
His players LOVE playing for him.
I love Xavier basketball - some would say too much. And watching Miller all week with his AZ gear on reminiscing about his time at X, I began to realize something. Miller loved it here, he did. But it was just a school for him. It was another city. He's a Pitt guy. Cincinnati was no different to him when he got here than any other city.
Mack is a Xavier man. He loves his alma mater, which just so happens to be mine.
Mack hates UC.
Mack hates Butler.
Although he wouldn't publicly admit to either.
Chris Mack is MY COACH. And I can't wait for him to take us to the promised land. He will enjoy more than anyone knows.
I am going to raise a glass to Coach Mack tonight while watching the NCAAs and get all kinds of jacked up thinking about Mack leading another group of young, coachable Muskies to another run at the title next season and for many years to come.
