{"id":3687,"date":"2012-03-04T21:19:47","date_gmt":"2012-03-05T02:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=3687"},"modified":"2012-03-05T18:16:26","modified_gmt":"2012-03-05T23:16:26","slug":"rebuilding-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=3687","title":{"rendered":"Rebuilding Again?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brady<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, it’s that time again.\u00a0 Rob was at JMU the last time the Dukes won the CAA and went to the Big Dance, but anyone from my class (’99) on down has never known anything better than what’s about to happen.\u00a0 The firing of a men’s hoops coach, the boring and disappointing “search committee,” the hiring of some new guy not even on anyone’s wishlist, and the inevitable positive buildup to accompany all of us convincing ourselves things can only get better while really knowing deep down we’ll be right back here 3-5 years from now.<\/p>\n

In the aftermath of another quick, quiet Friday exit from the CAA tourney, we set the over\/under on Coach Matt Brady’s firing at two weeks.\u00a0 After a weekend to think about it (and read the Boards), we’ll take the under and say Brady’s gone by Wednesday.\u00a0 By now, you probably know the particulars (one year left on his contract so they’ve really got to buy him out and fire his ass or extend him to avoid a lame-duck recruiting situation).\u00a0 The idea of extending Coach Brady just seems ridiculous at this point.\u00a0 We’ve been measured in our approach this year and have a great deal of respect for guys like @MarkRSelig who think Brady’s a better X’s and O’s guy than anyone JMU is likely to attract, has actually gotten the program on the right track and is closer to success than the record indicates.\u00a0 It’s also foolish, yes foolish, to not consider what might’ve been but for all the injuries this year.<\/p>\n

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Do plugs fall out afterwards?<\/p><\/div>\n

But excuses and X’s and O’s aren’t going to be the death of Brady. Recruiting and an AD already on thin ice working for a new President will be the factors that finish him off.\u00a0 Putting everything else aside, the one thing we keep circling back to is the fact that Brady has struggled mightily in recruiting and retaining quality players.\u00a0 A lot of things go into this, but other than the first class he brought with him from Marist (potentially illegally – that’s a joke, settle down), every other major contributor brought into the program during his tenure (Bowles, Hitchens, Goins, Davis, et al) has been a transfer rather than a high school recruit).\u00a0 Transfers do count, plus\u00a0the Convo, the lack of success, and the meteoric rise of other nearby CAA programs all factor in, but the only word for that recruiting record is “shabby.”<\/p>\n

Next<\/strong><\/p>\n

If Brady gets canned, there will be ample opportunities for gnashing on potential replacements, but for those of you calling for “a big name” or “a shady guy who’s fallen from grace,” just get your head out of your ass.\u00a0 JMU will have to buy out Brady and the job’s just not that good.\u00a0 Those are facts.\u00a0 We think the potential for a rapid rise is there and of course we all love JMU, but the money, facilities, recent “tradition,” and the competition all make this a tough sell.\u00a0 I’ve got someone I like who falls somewhere between the two catergories I mention, but hey, we’re gonna need more material soon, so we’ll wait for all that.<\/p>\n

Good News for the CAA!<\/strong><\/p>\n

With VCU thankfully holding off a huge rally from Mason and Drexel easily disposing of ODU in the semis today, a Drexel\/VCU title game tomorrow night definitely sets up great for the conference as the loser in either case should have a great arguement for #twobids4CAA<\/p>\n

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