GW Hoops » Brenden Straughn to Syracuse

gwstudent2024 · 3/16/2023 9:29 am

According to Samurai Hoops on Twitter, Brenden Straughn is closing in on a move to become an assistant at Syracuse.

https://twitter.com/samurai_hoops/status/1636372383308333058?s=20

Florida Colonial · 3/16/2023 9:32 am

Not good news. He's the reason we have Jacoi coming in and an excellent recruiter in the DMV overall

Gwmayhem · 3/16/2023 10:55 am

How the hell can he do this to his own son?

Let's see how it plays out.

GW0509 · 3/16/2023 11:00 am

He did this last year to St. Joe's with Christian Winborne coming in and everyone expected him to follow Straughn to GW.

However, Syracuse is no comparison to GW so I guess we just have to cross our fingers tight until Jacoi shows up on campus.

GWRising · 3/16/2023 11:08 am

Going to be very tough to retain talented assistants at GW until the school steps up and pays them better.

Mentzinger · 3/16/2023 11:10 am

But but. We were assured by another poster that Autry's hiring at Syracuse would have no impact on GW's recruiting. (Post now mysteriously deleted.)

Last edited by Mentzinger (3/16/2023 11:12 am)

Free Quebec · 3/16/2023 11:17 am

Mentzinger wrote:
But but. We were assured by another poster that Autry's hiring at Syracuse would have no impact on GW's recruiting. (Post now mysteriously deleted.)

Come on man. I said Autry is still coming here. Not that it would have no impact on GW’s recruiting.

jf · 3/16/2023 12:21 pm

It's not a good sign, admittedly for both Trey and our recruiting efforts (though doubt we are pursuing the same players). But we'll see.

Mentzinger · 3/16/2023 12:33 pm

Free Quebec wrote:
Mentzinger wrote:
But but. We were assured by another poster that Autry's hiring at Syracuse would have no impact on GW's recruiting. (Post now mysteriously deleted.)
Come on man. I said Autry is still coming here. Not that it would have no impact on GW’s recruiting.

What's odd is my post -- "Boeheim retires. GW impact?" -- is nowhere to be found.

The Dude · 3/16/2023 12:46 pm

Hired at GW just 11 months ago. Made a lateral move to come here.

Lot of moving around for a guy whose job is to convince young men to commit and buy in to a program.

prefer guys who demonstrate loyalty, help build and grow something and then land a head coaching job, like CC did.

Florida Colonial · 3/16/2023 1:00 pm

Not at all suggesting this is a GW player.

Samurai Sources tell The Dojo… Straughn will be accompanied by a high profile transfer #TTO=inherit #StayTuned

Last edited by Florida Colonial (3/16/2023 1:00 pm)

MG14 · 3/16/2023 1:59 pm

https://twitter.com/BelkReport/status/1636430373398937600

jf · 3/16/2023 6:49 pm

If it has no connection to us,Reynolds from St Joe's appears to be Team Takeover.

Mike K · 3/16/2023 7:37 pm

jf wrote:
If it has no connection to us,Reynolds from St Joe's appears to be Team Takeover.

Let’s hope this is the case.

Based on the team responding to the coaching staff, and especially his DC connections, I really believe losing Coach is a big loss.

ColonialNY · 3/17/2023 4:47 am

We need a new assistant coach? Would someone please just call Mike Hall and get him on staff? I guarantee he'll be a great recruiter and develop into a solid coach.

GW0509 · 3/17/2023 6:49 am

GWRising wrote:
Going to be very tough to retain talented assistants at GW until the school steps up and pays them better.

While undoubtedly true vis a vis other A10 or mid major programs, is it really realistic that GW could pay enough to keep an AC from going to the ACC?

Just spitballing, but it wouldn't surprise me if Brenden is making at least double (possibly triple?) what he made here in addition to coaching/recruiting at the P5 level. As much of a bad break it is to lose an up and coming coach like Straughn, it would be a coup to retain anyone given this opportunity.

Last edited by GW0509 (3/17/2023 6:55 am)

Gwmayhem · 3/17/2023 8:51 am

The Dude wrote:
Hired at GW just 11 months ago. Made a lateral move to come here.

Lot of moving around for a guy whose job is to convince young men to commit and buy in to a program.

prefer guys who demonstrate loyalty, help build and grow something and then land a head coaching job, like CC did.

You stole my thunder, GW0509, with respect to a response to the above post.

By all means, let's frown upon career advancement for an individual who stands to at least double his salary while coaching in the ACC rather than the A10. An Assistant Coach, no less.

Not sure if it's official but should this happen, I offer nothing but heartfelt congratulations to Coach Straughn. So should all of us.

GWRising · 3/17/2023 10:29 am

GW0509 wrote:
GWRising wrote:
Going to be very tough to retain talented assistants at GW until the school steps up and pays them better.
While undoubtedly true vis a vis other A10 or mid major programs, is it really realistic that GW could pay enough to keep an AC from going to the ACC?

Just spitballing, but it wouldn't surprise me if Brenden is making at least double (possibly triple?) what he made here in addition to coaching/recruiting at the P5 level. As much of a bad break it is to lose an up and coming coach like Straughn, it would be a coup to retain anyone given this opportunity.

Yes and no. As I understand it, our assistant salaries are near the bottom of the A-10 even in (other than Fordham) the highest cost of living area. Not sure Brenden is making double but could be. My point was more towards if we want guys to develop here and have staff continuity at least until we win, we probably better pay better. Guys have to eat and often have families. If there is huge financial pressure, they are going to be looking.

Now that may or may not apply to Brenden. Clearly Syracuse is a great opportunity and no question he will get paid a significant amount more. But will he develop as much as a future head coach there or be designated as a recruiter as the third assistant? That one is not as clear. And when the finances are so different it makes it a lot harder to even consider staying. We've had other assistants turn down P5 offers before but that was back 10-15 years ago when GW was not as far behind as it is now. One of them is currently a pretty successful B10 head coach.

I am not for a minute saying Brenden should pass this opportunity up. I am just saying we need to make it more difficult for assistants to leave generally. They still may leave and it still may be the best move but we ought to at least try to put a speed bump in place. Next time it may not be Syracuse but a more lateral move.

Mike K · 3/18/2023 8:13 am

There are others here who are more qualified than me to spout off about maintaining and building a successful program.

OK, we obviously have a qualified, good HC AND STAFF who made a big difference on the court, and also off the court re-developing student enthusiasm.

With that being said, the next step to keep the momentum moving is to ensure continuity. This means maintaining and improving the staff, facilities, and all other aspects of the program.

How about the AD staff making motions to the Powers That Be indicating we need to upgrade and pay assistant coaches so GW is at least competitive within the A-10 and other comparable conferences. This will help ensure they think twice about leaving for greener pastures.

Best of luck to Coach at Cuse, and thanks for helping turn around our program.

Mike K · 3/24/2023 9:19 am

Can’t imagine CC doing this…

https://twitter.com/joeyburton/status/1639085543198797827?s=46&t=rq_kvnI4vHTGZ81vWU9nxQ