With the complete understanding that this is definitely the time of year to drink all of the Kool-Aid, there's a lot to like about CC. Thought he did very well today. He has a sneaky-good sense of humor and seems clearly ready to take on the role of a head coach. What was very impressive is that he appears to know exactly how to sell GW on recruits. He's selling the city campus, the city, the academics viewed within the prism of his program (how many top 60 academic institutions play in multi-bid leagues? Maybe 15?) He often mentions 5 Maryland players starting for the Final 4 team at George Mason.
Enjoyed him saying that he doesn't know how to win but he does know how to eliminate losing. Great philosophy that reinforces the notion that too many turnovers and mental mistakes will almost always result in losing. Unlike Jamion who assembled a staff based largely on coaches he knew and had worked with before, CC has assembled his staff based on coaches who knew the A10, the DMV, or both, without worrying that he hadn't coached with them in the past. I think this is going to make a big difference.
Also said that the team he has for the most part inherited has been great to work with. Great to hear. Interesting analysis on Max. Because he hardly played last year, he views him as a true freshman, based on experience even though this is not really the case. But on that basis, he feels that Max would be an outstanding true freshman to have.
My biggest concern has to do with how he handles himself and his team once they face adversity. Unlike Coach L. who was everyone's favorite uncle (at least when the cameras were rolling), will CC keep his cool, lose his temper, or a bit of both? Will his players love playing for him even when things aren't going their way? Not at all expecting him to be a perfect gentleman under any and all circumstances (in reality, no coach truly is) but the one thing that nobody has seen out of CC is how he will comport himself as a head coach. Will he be tolerant and patient? Will he blow a quick fuse? Will he effectively read his players and know that the best ways to motivate will likely vary from player to player?
Am certainly excited to watch him begin his journey.
Long Suffering Fan wrote: