MBB: NESCAC

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

For the record ... I didn't quite understand how Amherst was the preseason #4 (actually) team in the country. I can't remember off the top of my head, but I don't even think they were on my ballot. If I had them on there, it would have been low because I felt not having Hixon at the helm affected things.

I hope Toomey was realistic and I hope those around him were realistic. First, it wasn't absolutely sure Hixon was going to walkaway (Hixon didn't really make the decision to retire until C19 changed the equation), so Toomey wouldn't have been head coach next season in that case. Secondly, it had to be known that the idea of Toomey being hired was an uphill battle. Remember, there was talk when he supposedly turned down the HSC job that he was the "heir apparent." Once that came out, it was quickly dismissed as being very inaccurate. That is when the talk about there being a national search for whenever Hixon retired started. If there was any indication out of that Toomey was going to get this job like many interims possibly do ... someone was misinforming Toomey. That would be too bad.

[jayhawk]

My sense is Aaron Toomey has had a good perspective on the Amherst coaching situation
He is indeed very young with only one year of head coaching experience
As I said before Aaron will be successful and I would not be surprised it some day he ends up being the head coach person
Great person, player, coach and has a great family


I checked out the website at Columbia basketball which has more granular details about Marion Sears
Definitely good experience at recruiting academic basketball players

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

My sense is Aaron Toomey has had a good perspective on the Amherst coaching situation
He is indeed very young with only one year of head coaching experience
As I said before Aaron will be successful and I would not be surprised it some day he ends up being the head coach person
Great person, player, coach and has a great family


I checked out the website at Columbia basketball which has more granular details about Marion Sears
Definitely good experience at recruiting academic basketball players

Yeah. From what I have been told off Aaron Toomey as a coach, he will be successful. He just needs to find that next level of experience and I am sure we will be talking about him in the future.

As for Sears, I believe one of his recruits was the second leading scorer in Ivy League history. From what I was told, not being heavily recruited. So Sears found him, did his homework, and then got the student to buy in. That doesn't happen all that often. We shall see how that translates.

[Mr. Ypsi]

My sense is Aaron Toomey has had a good perspective on the Amherst coaching situation
He is indeed very young with only one year of head coaching experience
As I said before Aaron will be successful and I would not be surprised it some day he ends up being the head coach person
Great person, player, coach and has a great family


I checked out the website at Columbia basketball which has more granular details about Marion Sears
Definitely good experience at recruiting academic basketball players

Yeah. From what I have been told off Aaron Toomey as a coach, he will be successful. He just needs to find that next level of experience and I am sure we will be talking about him in the future.

As for Sears, I believe one of his recruits was the second leading scorer in Ivy League history. From what I was told, not being heavily recruited. So Sears found him, did his homework, and then got the student to buy in. That doesn't happen all that often. We shall see how that translates.

Dave, who is the all-time leading scorer in Ivy League history?  If it is not Bill Bradley, I'm out of guesses.

[Pat Coleman]

It is Bill Bradley.

[NEhoops]

Is it confirmed that Maker applied?

[SpringSt7]

Yes

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Is it confirmed that Maker applied?

From my sources, he was a finalist.

[jayhawk]

I believe both Maker and Aaron toomey were finalists

[nescac1]

It's been a few years, so folks may forget, but Maker, after taking over a team (granted, with some really strong talent) that had been to only one NCAA tourney in the prior four years, in six years as a D3 coach, coached his team to two national title games, a third Final Four, and an elite 8, recruited a guy who is now an NBA starter, coached a national POY, and beat Amherst in both the Final Four (handily, as an underdog) and the Elite 8.   If he DOES one day end up as a D3 coach, whoever hires him is getting the most overqualified D3 coach in recent memory, at least, other than Jim Calhoun! 

[SpringSt7]

The class of 2011 only ever played NCAA tournament games in Chandler and in the Salem Civic Center--if I have those facts right. The man can really coach, and it's hard to believe he's been out of the game for two years. Wherever he ends up, keep an eye on.

[ThumannsOwn]

Is it confirmed that Maker applied?

From my sources, he was a finalist.

The 6 finalists were Aaron Toomey, Marlon Sears, Mike Maker, Matt Goldsmith, Adam Hutchinson, and Larry Anderson.

[Bucket]

Is it confirmed that Maker applied?

From my sources, he was a finalist.

Yes, I can confirm that Mike was a finalist.

[Bucket]

It's been a few years, so folks may forget, but Maker, after taking over a team (granted, with some really strong talent) that had been to only one NCAA tourney in the prior four years, in six years as a D3 coach, coached his team to two national title games, a third Final Four, and an elite 8, recruited a guy who is now an NBA starter, coached a national POY, and beat Amherst in both the Final Four (handily, as an underdog) and the Elite 8.   If he DOES one day end up as a D3 coach, whoever hires him is getting the most overqualified D3 coach in recent memory, at least, other than Jim Calhoun!

I know. Plus associate head coach at Dartmouth for a decade, and assistant to Dana Altman at Creighton and John Beilein at West Virginia. Far and away the best experience among the finalists. I'm disappointed for him, though I also know he's at peace with Amherst's decision.

[saratoga]

All I can say is hopefully, this hire will work out for Amherst.
However, I can only pray that either Mike or Aaron will still be available in two years (which I sincerely doubt) when the Danzig tenure at Scranton hopefully & unceremoniously comes to an end.