MBB: NESCAC

[ephoops]

And looks like Williams first-years have arrived as well, impressive size here in this class also..

https://twitter.com/CoachKevinApp/status/1165983384449011713?s=20

Back in the early '80's our starting center was 6'5" at Williams -- and he was the tallest player on the team!!

[Pat Coleman]

Key info for the NESCAC board from the Hoopsville and D3hoops team:

https://d3hoops.com/notables/2019/09/hixon-taking-sabbatical-from-amherst

[Colby Hoops]

Key info for the NESCAC board from the Hoopsville and D3hoops team:

https://d3hoops.com/notables/2019/09/hixon-taking-sabbatical-from-amherst

Wow! That's very interesting. A great opportunity for Aaron Toomey, who I expect will fill in capably. Still, hard to replace 42 years of experience.

[Pat Coleman]

Agreed - and good hands-on training for a head coaching job somewhere someday. If Amherst were to open this job up on a permanent basis for this season, they probably hire someone other than Toomey, but with the late announcement, you have to make do with whom you have on staff.

Will be interesting to see who else he can get on staff as an assistant.

[nescac1]

I think Toomey will be a strong candidate whenever the Amherst job becomes open on a permanent basis.  If he has success this year, that will only make his case stronger (and of course he is well-positioned to do so returning 4/5 starters and 8/10 leading scorers from a NESCAC champion).  I wonder if Johnny McCarthy might be interested in returning state-side to serve as an assistant coach?  Even though it's short notice, I imagine Amherst will find someone very capable.  Given that Toomey is a (the?) main recruiter for Amherst, they should not miss a beat on that front. 

[thebear]

I'm Thinking Andrew Olson [Cav's NBA] will be interested in the Amherst Job when it's open.

[toad22]

I'm Thinking Andrew Olson [Cav's NBA] will be interested in the Amherst Job when it's open.

A lot of the potential Amherst candidates are probably now making a lot more money than Amherst will be offering. Olson may be one of them. I think that will likely limit the interest of some of the Amherst related candidates. The interest in the job would still be enormous.

[JEFFFAN]

Strange language around the announcement of reconnecting with Amherst alumns playing abroad, etc.  Not sure I get that but I trust Hixon based on his exemplary track record as a head coach.   No reason to date to suggest that it is a disingenuous announcement.   

Why does anyone think that Amherst wouldn't pay up for this position?  Largest endowment per student of any liberal arts college once this campaign is announced should allow them to pay whatever it takes.

[toad22]

Strange language around the announcement of reconnecting with Amherst alumns playing abroad, etc.  Not sure I get that but I trust Hixon based on his exemplary track record as a head coach.   No reason to date to suggest that it is a disingenuous announcement.   

Why does anyone think that Amherst wouldn't pay up for this position?  Largest endowment per student of any liberal arts college once this campaign is announced should allow them to pay whatever it takes.

I must first state that I know very little about how Amherst pays their coaches. I do know a lot about how Williams pays their coaches, and my assumption is that they do things fairly similarly. There is a fairly broad financial range that a coaching position is slotted into. A new coach is offered a number in that range with is calculated by assessing a candidates experience. There is room for negotiation, but the range is almost never exceeded. I have never heard of Williams "paying up" to get a coach. I know that coaches in the past with higher salaries at prior jobs have had to take drastic pay cuts to come to Williams. It is a rare person that is willing, or able, to do that. Williams, with an endowment well in excess of $1MM per student could pay whatever it takes to get coaches or professors, but they don't. They are very disciplined about. I believe that Amherst will act in a similar fashion.

[amh63]

The timing of the announcement of Coach Hixon is key, IMO.  Coach Hixon is close to his parents and family members.  Hixon's mother died recently....Toomey took over for a game.  The announcement mentioned that Hixon wants to spend some time with his father.  Met Hixon's parents in Salem, Va.....many years ago.  We stayed in the same hotel/motel.  Hixon's youngest son was a diver for the UN of Texas and participated in the Olympics....parents attended/watched.  Older son went to Wes. and went West to Hollywood to get into the "film Industry".  Amherst alums provided support and opened doors.  Hixon's wife was a diving coach at UMass-Amherst. 
Hixon may return.  His time with his father/family comes first. 

[Greek Tragedy]

And looks like Williams first-years have arrived as well, impressive size here in this class also..

https://twitter.com/CoachKevinApp/status/1165983384449011713?s=20

Back in the early '80's our starting center was 6'5" at Williams -- and he was the tallest player on the team!!

Stevens Point's National Championship team started a 6'4 "center", their starting lineup was 6'4", 6'4", 6'3", 6'1" and 6'0" and they all played 30 minutes a game.

[nescac1]

For what it's worth, and it's worth basically nothing, Trinity (CT) is ranked 7th in D3 in Street and Smith's basketball preview.  And yes, both Amherst and Midd are not ranked.  Umm ... OK. 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

For what it's worth, and it's worth basically nothing, Trinity (CT) is ranked 7th in D3 in Street and Smith's basketball preview.  And yes, both Amherst and Midd are not ranked.  Umm ... OK.

And Oswego is 4th...

Basically ... ignore that list and don't bother with it.

[nescac1]

Yeah. Seems like darts on a dartboard after number one.   No Swarthmore or Amherst is pretty nuts.  And Nichols, sans their all-American, sixth???  I do actually like Trinity's team next year ... meaning I like them for top 4-5 in NESCAC, not the country! 

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I think Toomey will be a strong candidate whenever the Amherst job becomes open on a permanent basis.  If he has success this year, that will only make his case stronger (and of course he is well-positioned to do so returning 4/5 starters and 8/10 leading scorers from a NESCAC champion).  I wonder if Johnny McCarthy might be interested in returning state-side to serve as an assistant coach?  Even though it's short notice, I imagine Amherst will find someone very capable.  Given that Toomey is a (the?) main recruiter for Amherst, they should not miss a beat on that front.

I'll be clear about something I said last season when this topic came up before ... and it is by no means a knock on Toomey or being disrespectful whatsoever.

Amherst is the type of job that a LOT of candidates will be interested in and the number of former Hixon players and assistants who have gone on to do great things with other programs is pretty lengthy. Toomey is going to get caught behind a LOT of those names. I just don't see Toomey, no matter how he does this year, jumping that list to position himself for the job - unless, of course, a number of names drop out or are not interest. I can't speak for them.

As Pat alluded, Toomey is going to get some experience this year and that is going to go a long way. He probably is going to need more than a year of experience to take over the program. That said, Toomey with a good year is going to set himself up VERY well for a chance at a program to better position himself for a good gig elsewhere.

Could I be wrong ... absolutely. I just don't think trying to angle for Toomey to replace Hixon is a wise one. I think it sets Toomey up for disappointment or failure - or sets up fans who don't know better for the same.

I wish Toomey all the best this season - gut feeling is we will chat with him on Hoopsville - I just hope people can enjoy this season and not get in the weeds on what ifs and theories.

Strange language around the announcement of reconnecting with Amherst alumns playing abroad, etc.  Not sure I get that but I trust Hixon based on his exemplary track record as a head coach.   No reason to date to suggest that it is a disingenuous announcement.   

Why does anyone think that Amherst wouldn't pay up for this position?  Largest endowment per student of any liberal arts college once this campaign is announced should allow them to pay whatever it takes.

I am not sure what you find strange about the announcement reconnecting with alums around the world. Maybe you are referring to the Amherst release which I barely read for a LOT of reasons? I spoke at length with Hixon about all of this and he is excited that the college has granted him a sabbatical (rare, but not unheard of in Division III athletics) and he can't wait to connect with players and assistants especially at the D1 and NBA levels. It gives him a chance he never gets to see high-profile programs work and maybe get some good ideas. There are those at those programs looking forward to having him with them for a day or two.

He isn't being disingenuous. He is being genuine instead of, like some others, who try and be cagy.

Per the pay for coaches - I think it is a valid thought. I have had the same thought. I have a list of coaches I can think of who I think would be in line for the job if Hixon were to step down, however I also realize those individuals are either at institutions that either pay about the same or more removing that as an option to leave. They also may have families or situations they are now more comfortable with and the idea of going to central Amherst no longer is as enticing. I think they are all valid reasons. Amherst could still pay well, but it doesn't mean it will entice some good candidates to leave because they may be happy. That is going to be a very tough internal conversation for them I am sure.

I look forward to updates from Hixon during his sabbatical, I am thrilled the college faculty felt he deserved the opportunity, and I am sure Toomey will do well this season - he certainly has a solid unit returning for the Mammoths.