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Post by dadster81 on Mar 8, 2024 8:33:27 GMT -5
quote from Buffalo News today
4. College head coaches leaving: I was down at St. Bonaventure earlier this week to visit with the men’s basketball program. I asked coach Mark Schmidt about the football trend of college head coaches leaving to become assistants (like UCLA’s Chip Kelly) or to become NFL coordinators (like Boston College’s Jeff Hafley, who left for Green Bay), citing the constant NIL management duties. “I know there are especially older coaches who are getting a little bit fatigued,” Schmidt said. “To me, (head coaching) is not nearly as fun, so I can see how it could drive (others away). I don’t know if it will drive people to the NBA – there aren’t as many jobs. But it will drive people to retire a little bit earlier.”
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Post by atlbonnie87 on Mar 8, 2024 15:20:46 GMT -5
It has been a while since I’ve posted, but this thread compelled me to check in. 1. Bonaventure has always been and will always be about the people. Period. Our facilities are not great. Our university and donor base is not flush with cash. Mark Schmidt embodies everything great about our university. Incredibly hard worker. Blue collar attitude. More interested in results than flash. There are a few donors who step up annually to ensure this wildly entertaining period of Bona basketball can continue as long as possible. And the fact that there are real people who feel that the all-time winningest coach in Bonaventure history who restored our program from the absolute dead should be fired or has “lost a step” in a season where he’s 18-11 in the NIL era is the truest testament to how much he’s built this program and how far he’s taken us. 2. The fact that this program is above .500 two years into NIL is a minor miracle. For many reasons. First, Schmidt and his staff have always been developers of talent. NIL takes that away. It just does. You don’t get four years with a kid anymore. You get one or two. So all of us who like to brag about finding “diamonds in the rough” and developing them into great players can stop. That was (and is) Schmidt’s biggest strength. And here we are, in an era which it’s gone, and he’s still winning! 3. If you want our program to continue to succeed in the future, a coaching change isn’t even close to the most important thing to accomplish that. You know what is? Raising enough money to build a practice facility and dedicated locker room. Donating on an annual basis to offer financial opportunities to prospective players through collectives. SUPPORTING players instead of riding an emotional roller coaster and trashing them if they don’t play well. Donating money so the Reilly Center can live into the future. Supporting funding for a weight room that doesn’t look like it’s at a local middle school. PAYING THE SUPPORT STAFF - including one of the best strength coaches in America - MORE MONEY! 4. If Mark Schmidt leaves, we better have an athletic director who understands our campus and local community. Steve Watson understood. He brought us Mark Schmidt. A P5 assistant trying to work his way up is not going to be effective here. It will not happen. It takes someone who gets it. Mark Schmidt gets it. Forget about if he’s lost a step. I’m hoping beyond hope he doesn’t retire. Like some of you, I’m frustrated with some things this year. My main frustration is a lack of player leadership. I get frustrated at our lack of creativity on defense. I wish we’d run more stuff away from Chad. But none of this - I mean NONE of it - requires even a split-second thought about whether or not Mark Schmidt isn’t the perfect guy to lead us into the future. We know he is, because he already has. I like a lot of this and respect it. But for sake of it, I feel compelled to be a contrarian. I think the thing that bothers me the most about these kind of discussions is everyone’s existential threat of our perceived ceiling. Jim Baron ran a damn good program in a highly competitive A10 from 95-01. JVBK was ultimately a disaster, but had that 02 team playing very well and was recruiting at a high level. We know what happened after that, but if you eliminate the scandal, we’ve been a good program, period. And we have a comparable budget for a good mid major program. We’re not Canisius. We’re not Niagara. It’s ok to think we can do better than we’re doing. I’m not saying it’s a guarantee, either. I’m just saying it’s time to start wondering. Hell, regardless of anything else, Mark is 61. He won’t be here forever regardless of how much we win. There will be Bonaventure basketball after he leaves. On your points: 1 - agree with all until the end for reasons I just laid out. It’s more than fair to wonder if he is the right guy in the NIL era. Yes he restored us from the dead. He should be memorized on campus forever. But the landscape has changed. Time moves on without all of us. He’s put us on the map. It’s really that ridiculous to suggest someone could take us to another level? I’m sorry I don’t subscribe to that thought. 2- it’s a minor miracle to be 32-29 (18-19 A10) over the last two years? This cannot be a serious comment. I find that appalling. I think it’s fair to not only expect more out of the program, but also not quantify making one postseason every 2 years as a “minor miracle.” Which, at this point, seems unlikely to even accomplish. 3- completely agree. Raising money and donating money should never stop. Whether we’re 29-0 or 0-29. I would disagree on the team comments about an emotional rollercoaster. This is a message board. I want the absolute best for this program. I apologize for my venting. 4- Mark was a great hire. Saved the program. Maybe even saved the university. All good things come to an end at some point. And he should be recognized in eternity. I’m just saying Bona basketball isn’t Mark Schmidt. - only thing I’ll add is that I’m not even saying fire him. We can still go win the tournament in Brooklyn. I don’t expect it, but until we’re out — a lot of this is a moot point. He’s owed the benefit of the doubt to get this right. If this year fizzles out as expected, next year is a big one for this program. But I’m not going to subscribe to doom and gloom, that we’re better off closing our doors once Mark leaves. Spare me. |
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Post by kccgold on Mar 8, 2024 16:03:08 GMT -5
It has been a while since I’ve posted, but this thread compelled me to check in. 1. Bonaventure has always been and will always be about the people. Period. Our facilities are not great. Our university and donor base is not flush with cash. Mark Schmidt embodies everything great about our university. Incredibly hard worker. Blue collar attitude. More interested in results than flash. There are a few donors who step up annually to ensure this wildly entertaining period of Bona basketball can continue as long as possible. And the fact that there are real people who feel that the all-time winningest coach in Bonaventure history who restored our program from the absolute dead should be fired or has “lost a step” in a season where he’s 18-11 in the NIL era is the truest testament to how much he’s built this program and how far he’s taken us. 2. The fact that this program is above .500 two years into NIL is a minor miracle. For many reasons. First, Schmidt and his staff have always been developers of talent. NIL takes that away. It just does. You don’t get four years with a kid anymore. You get one or two. So all of us who like to brag about finding “diamonds in the rough” and developing them into great players can stop. That was (and is) Schmidt’s biggest strength. And here we are, in an era which it’s gone, and he’s still winning! 3. If you want our program to continue to succeed in the future, a coaching change isn’t even close to the most important thing to accomplish that. You know what is? Raising enough money to build a practice facility and dedicated locker room. Donating on an annual basis to offer financial opportunities to prospective players through collectives. SUPPORTING players instead of riding an emotional roller coaster and trashing them if they don’t play well. Donating money so the Reilly Center can live into the future. Supporting funding for a weight room that doesn’t look like it’s at a local middle school. PAYING THE SUPPORT STAFF - including one of the best strength coaches in America - MORE MONEY! 4. If Mark Schmidt leaves, we better have an athletic director who understands our campus and local community. Steve Watson understood. He brought us Mark Schmidt. A P5 assistant trying to work his way up is not going to be effective here. It will not happen. It takes someone who gets it. Mark Schmidt gets it. Forget about if he’s lost a step. I’m hoping beyond hope he doesn’t retire. Like some of you, I’m frustrated with some things this year. My main frustration is a lack of player leadership. I get frustrated at our lack of creativity on defense. I wish we’d run more stuff away from Chad. But none of this - I mean NONE of it - requires even a split-second thought about whether or not Mark Schmidt isn’t the perfect guy to lead us into the future. We know he is, because he already has. I like a lot of this and respect it. But for sake of it, I feel compelled to be a contrarian. I think the thing that bothers me the most about these kind of discussions is everyone’s existential threat of our perceived ceiling. Jim Baron ran a damn good program in a highly competitive A10 from 95-01. JVBK was ultimately a disaster, but had that 02 team playing very well and was recruiting at a high level. We know what happened after that, but if you eliminate the scandal, we’ve been a good program, period. And we have a comparable budget for a good mid major program. We’re not Canisius. We’re not Niagara. It’s ok to think we can do better than we’re doing. I’m not saying it’s a guarantee, either. I’m just saying it’s time to start wondering. Hell, regardless of anything else, Mark is 61. He won’t be here forever regardless of how much we win. There will be Bonaventure basketball after he leaves. On your points: 1 - agree with all until the end for reasons I just laid out. It’s more than fair to wonder if he is the right guy in the NIL era. Yes he restored us from the dead. He should be memorized on campus forever. But the landscape has changed. Time moves on without all of us. He’s put us on the map. It’s really that ridiculous to suggest someone could take us to another level? I’m sorry I don’t subscribe to that thought. 2- it’s a minor miracle to be 32-29 (18-19 A10) over the last two years? This cannot be a serious comment. I find that appalling. I think it’s fair to not only expect more out of the program, but also not quantify making one postseason every 2 years as a “minor miracle.” Which, at this point, seems unlikely to even accomplish. 3- completely agree. Raising money and donating money should never stop. Whether we’re 29-0 or 0-29. I would disagree on the team comments about an emotional rollercoaster. This is a message board. I want the absolute best for this program. I apologize for my venting. 4- Mark was a great hire. Saved the program. Maybe even saved the university. All good things come to an end at some point. And he should be recognized in eternity. I’m just saying Bona basketball isn’t Mark Schmidt. - only thing I’ll add is that I’m not even saying fire him. We can still go win the tournament in Brooklyn. I don’t expect it, but until we’re out — a lot of this is a moot point. He’s owed the benefit of the doubt to get this right. If this year fizzles out as expected, next year is a big one for this program. But I’m not going to subscribe to doom and gloom, that we’re better off closing our doors once Mark leaves. Spare me. Well said, ATL! agree with everything we just came off a final four with Florida Atlantic and San Diego State. Both those teams easily could've won the national title. To think there's no room for success beyond big boys is short sighted. I think the chicken little attitude comes from Buffalo Bills fans honestly... ya, your team blows it every year, we get it, but lets not call a great institution like St. Bona "high school" or D3 level every time we drop a game LOL |
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Post by letsgobonas on Mar 8, 2024 16:44:39 GMT -5
We should expect to compete for NCAA berths every year if we have recruiting classes like we've landed in the past 5-6 years... we only have one berth in a shortened season... I will never stop contributing to the University, the BAF and Team Unfurl, but there needs to be some level of accountability.
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Post by chrismoses on Mar 8, 2024 20:05:25 GMT -5
I like a lot of this and respect it. But for sake of it, I feel compelled to be a contrarian. I think the thing that bothers me the most about these kind of discussions is everyone’s existential threat of our perceived ceiling. Jim Baron ran a damn good program in a highly competitive A10 from 95-01. JVBK was ultimately a disaster, but had that 02 team playing very well and was recruiting at a high level. We know what happened after that, but if you eliminate the scandal, we’ve been a good program, period. And we have a comparable budget for a good mid major program. We’re not Canisius. We’re not Niagara. It’s ok to think we can do better than we’re doing. I’m not saying it’s a guarantee, either. I’m just saying it’s time to start wondering. Hell, regardless of anything else, Mark is 61. He won’t be here forever regardless of how much we win. There will be Bonaventure basketball after he leaves. On your points: 1 - agree with all until the end for reasons I just laid out. It’s more than fair to wonder if he is the right guy in the NIL era. Yes he restored us from the dead. He should be memorized on campus forever. But the landscape has changed. Time moves on without all of us. He’s put us on the map. It’s really that ridiculous to suggest someone could take us to another level? I’m sorry I don’t subscribe to that thought. 2- it’s a minor miracle to be 32-29 (18-19 A10) over the last two years? This cannot be a serious comment. I find that appalling. I think it’s fair to not only expect more out of the program, but also not quantify making one postseason every 2 years as a “minor miracle.” Which, at this point, seems unlikely to even accomplish. 3- completely agree. Raising money and donating money should never stop. Whether we’re 29-0 or 0-29. I would disagree on the team comments about an emotional rollercoaster. This is a message board. I want the absolute best for this program. I apologize for my venting. 4- Mark was a great hire. Saved the program. Maybe even saved the university. All good things come to an end at some point. And he should be recognized in eternity. I’m just saying Bona basketball isn’t Mark Schmidt. - only thing I’ll add is that I’m not even saying fire him. We can still go win the tournament in Brooklyn. I don’t expect it, but until we’re out — a lot of this is a moot point. He’s owed the benefit of the doubt to get this right. If this year fizzles out as expected, next year is a big one for this program. But I’m not going to subscribe to doom and gloom, that we’re better off closing our doors once Mark leaves. Spare me. Well said, ATL! agree with everything we just came off a final four with Florida Atlantic and San Diego State. Both those teams easily could've won the national title. To think there's no room for success beyond big boys is short sighted. I think the chicken little attitude comes from Buffalo Bills fans honestly... ya, your team blows it every year, we get it, but lets not call a great institution like St. Bona "high school" or D3 level every time we drop a game LOL Some fans are so thin skinned it’s wild. |
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Post by skeller6 on Mar 9, 2024 8:07:25 GMT -5
Mark Schmidt has this team competitive in the A10 every single year bare none, and this in the face of the NIL scam which is directly aimed at destroying all mid major programs nationwide.
So for you folks who just dont get the facts of life of the NCAA as it exists today get with it. The Power 6 is now threatening to run their own March Madness Tournament unless and until more Power 6 teams are admitted to the Big Dance.
This either means a major expansion of the tournament field to 80 or 100 teams or the complete exclusion of mid major teams and conferences, like the A10 or the MAAC.
This is the ground reality in mid major D1 programs today, complete chaos every single year with an unlimited transfer portal (so the Power 6 can cherry pick mid major athletes at will) and NIL money failing from the sky.
In the face of this chaos Mark Schmidt makes it happen every single season. Be thankful and rejoice.....or would you rather be CC or LaSalle - your choice down dogs.
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Post by BONA82.5 on Mar 9, 2024 8:24:31 GMT -5
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCWRClWkPpcSick of fighting for the "Scraps" and watching the likes of St. Peters & FDU & FAU et all make runs. I still believe we can and will make our run - with or without Mark. Fight on - Brown and White ... The A10 Tournament is a new season.
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Post by bonnieguy on Mar 9, 2024 9:52:41 GMT -5
The NIL excuse is just an excuse. You are paid a lot of money and have to adapt. If you went to your spouse and said I lost my job or making 40% less and made excuses what would they say.
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Post by fortytwo on Mar 9, 2024 19:47:59 GMT -5
Passing thought - offer AD position to Mark Schmidt.
Use some of the $$$ he is earning as coach to subsidize his role. (a gentle landing and nice path to retirement)
Have him choose his successor, a younger version of himself.
Let him be the guiding light in terms of policy.
Less stress - consistent philosophy in the NIL era.
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Post by letsgobonas on Mar 9, 2024 20:08:49 GMT -5
Passing thought - offer AD position to Mark Schmidt. Use some of the $$$ he is earning as coach to subsidize his role. (a gentle landing and nice path to retirement) Have him choose his successor, a younger version of himself. Let him be the guiding light in terms of policy. Less stress - consistent philosophy in the NIL era. I like these ideas, as they are outside of the box... I'm not sure we should rule out Mark as having the ability to coach, but it does feel that he needs to change his ways in some regards, something I'm not sure he's will want to do at his age. The downside of Schmidt's longevity here at Bona's is that there is plenty of tape on his weaknesses as well as his strengths, particularly against the A-10 competition... the problems that we see have been issues for a long time now with no improvement or change in game plan for years. On the other hand, for those of you who think we can't get a great successor to MS with a $2mm salary, I have a hard time believing that... this program isn't the gravesite that Mark inherited... there is tradition here, and we don't have to go back to the 1960s and 1970s to highlight it. |
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Post by bigcat on Mar 9, 2024 20:33:00 GMT -5
Bona admin would never pay $2 mill for the next coach. Mark gets paid $1.8 mm because (a) he resurrected the program, (b) he has surpassed any expectations (c) bidding wars to stave off other universities.
He’s a fine coach but he’s obviously struggling the last 2 seasons. Both years we had bad endings. Ok, we could conceivably win the A10 title next week.
I also could see Mark rethinking if he wants to put up with the roster turnover much longer. Maybe a year or two.
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Post by letsgobonas on Mar 9, 2024 20:44:23 GMT -5
They could significantly underpay the next coach then and watch him walk out the door in 2-3 years without giving the University a chance to outbid.
The going salary is the going salary… we would just need to bring someone in who has experience and could keep this train moving forward.
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ctm77
Sophomore Member
Posts: 131
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Post by ctm77 on Mar 9, 2024 23:16:24 GMT -5
Passing thought - offer AD position to Mark Schmidt. Use some of the $$$ he is earning as coach to subsidize his role. (a gentle landing and nice path to retirement) Have him choose his successor, a younger version of himself. Let him be the guiding light in terms of policy. Less stress - consistent philosophy in the NIL era. Not a chance in hell would he want that |
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Post by cb3pttee on Mar 10, 2024 10:31:52 GMT -5
Be thankful and rejoice.....or would you rather be CC or LaSalle - your choice down dogs. As in the Lasalle who’s 3-2 against Bona’s over the last 5 seasons, and is fully remodeling their arena this year? Buddy, we’re not as far off from LaSalle as many would choose to believe. Argue all you want over Schmidt, NIL. Opinions over what’s fair, or preferred, or better to donate to don’t really matter. To remain competitive with facilities, market value for coaching (Schmidt or otherwise) and recruitment, we need both, and will continue to for the foreseeable future. Thats the reality. Nothing more or less. |
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Post by ewenke13 on Mar 13, 2024 8:58:55 GMT -5
I’m not saying we “can’t” do better without Schmidt, but it’s extremely unlikely without hitting a lotto ticket.
Look no further than Davidson. Very successful program over the last 15-20 years, always competitive in the SoCon AND A10 under Bob McKillop. He leaves, the program completely loses their mojo and is now bottom feeding. And their succession plan was his son - theoretically having his dad to help “groom” him and was an assistant. And they have Steph Curry as a donor!
At the very least, whenever Schmidt resigns, retires or gets let go, I’d expect at least a few years of severe drop off. I’d rather ride Schmidt and hope we ride the wave a little longer than to start anew especially without a specific target / plan in mind. I hope I’m wrong though…
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