Mark Madsen Press Conference To Air On Pac-12 Networks

Can we add firing Knowlton to the press conference agenda? By only holding 1 press conference, Cal will save a little bit money!

JB was a Chieftain said:

---

Can we add firing Knowlton to the press conference agenda? By only holding 1 press conference, Cal will save a little bit money!

---

Give it up. Let's be positive. Repeating this over and over is not interesting or helpful in any way.

This is a rather high profile introductory press conference for a new HC hire, isn't it? I mean, Pac-12 Network, ESPN/Pac-12 MC, Televised question and answer session with Bernstein, followed by a [televised] press conference? Typically aren't new HC introductory press conferences kind of confined to a rather low-key introduction to the local press who generally cover the team, along with the AD and chancellor, and some questions from the reporters and mods who are typically at a coach's post-game press availabilities? This seems like a lot of free, high profile recruiting pub.

Pittstop said:

---

This is a rather high profile introductory press conference for a new HC hire, isn't it? I mean, Pac-12 Network, ESPN/Pac-12 MC, Televised question and answer session with Bernstein, followed by a [televised] press conference? Typically aren't new HC introductory press conferences kind of confined to a rather low-key introduction to the local press who generally cover the team, along with the AD and chancellor, a some questions from the reporters and mods who are typically at a coach's post-game press availabilities? This seems like a lot of free, high profile recruiting pub.

---

Yes it does. Hiring Madsen has created a buzz that none of the other hires would have.
CAL is instantly relevant again. Not saying CAL will be an instant winner ( although I wouldn't rule it out ) but relevant.

Pittstop said:

---

This is a rather high profile introductory press conference for a new HC hire, isn't it? I mean, Pac-12 Network, ESPN/Pac-12 MC, Televised question and answer session with Bernstein, followed by a [televised] press conference? Typically aren't new HC introductory press conferences kind of confined to a rather low-key introduction to the local press who generally cover the team, along with the AD and chancellor, and some questions from the reporters and mods who are typically at a coach's post-game press availabilities? This seems like a lot of free, high profile recruiting pub.

---

Yes, lots of positive buzz. I am thinking some recruits who didn't consider Cal a month ago may be adding us to the list. Hopefully, Madsen snags a couple of good ones.

Cal Strong! said:

---

BearGreg said:

---

stu said:

---

Will this be open to the public?

---

It is not open to the public. Invite only.

---

He is a religious guy and also a fun-loving goofy athlete. So Cal Strong think he would be open to Cal Strong's penance plan. Please ask him, BearGreg.

If he get mad (strongly unlikely), you can blame the question on Cal Strong.

---

No one cares anymore. 3-29 has left the fan base traumatized.

Cal Strong! said:

---

stu said:

---

Cal Strong! said:

---

BearGreg said:

---

Cal Strong! said:

---

BearGreg said:

---

stu said:

---

Will this be open to the public?

---

It is not open to the public. Invite only.

---

He is a religious guy and also a fun-loving goofy athlete. So Cal Strong think he would be open to Cal Strong's penance plan. Please ask him, BearGreg.

If he get mad (strongly unlikely), you can blame the question on Cal Strong.

---

I would never do that to you. Only you can ask a question that strong. I look forward to you posing it to him

---

Thanks for the strong acknowledgement BearGreg. But I am stuck in New Zealand and won't be at the press conference.

But Cal Strong would love to send you some cool Kiwi knick-knacks if you would be kind (and strong) enough to read him my question.

Cal STRONG!

---

Can we trade places? I'd love to be stuck in New Zealand.

---

Any bear can come visit anytime. Cal Strong offer strong guest bedroom, strong unlimited and free wifi, strong smoothie bar, and strong use of washer and dryer. Just make sure BearGreg asks Coach Madsen the question.

---

Tomatoes ?

That press conference was IMPRESSIVE!!!
Go Bears
Power of vision and positivity. Look where you are going and work hard!!!!

Extend MM! And increase the buyout!

MafDen said:

---

Mark is the basketball version of Jim Harbaugh. Mark's excitement energy gets me and should get everyone excited about CAL basketball.

---

No. He is not Harbaugh. High energy, yes, but Harbaugh is a putz and is a screamer. Madsen is relentlessly positive.

GMP said:

---

calumnus said:

---

MafDen said:

---

Mark is the basketball version of Jim Harbaugh. Mark's excitement energy gets me and should get everyone excited about CAL basketball.

---

No. He is not Harbaugh. High energy, yes, but Harbaugh is a putz and is a screamer. Madsen is relentlessly positive.

---

I think the comparison works on some levels. They both bring an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. That energy is important, and Cal basketball needs it in 2003 like Stanford football needed it in 2007.

---

Harbaugh was winning at Stanford and the alums tired of him. He is just so abrasive. He brought back the Niners but wore out his welcome there too. A lot of people don't like Harbaugh. Everybody loves Madsen.

HoopDreams said:

---

calumnus said:

---

MafDen said:

---

Mark is the basketball version of Jim Harbaugh. Mark's excitement energy gets me and should get everyone excited about CAL basketball.

---

No. He is not Harbaugh. High energy, yes, but Harbaugh is a putz and is a screamer. Madsen is relentlessly positive.

---

agree. Harbaugh is not the right comparison.

---

Good example.

Between the two, Madsen is much more Pete Carroll than Jim Harbaugh. But even more cheery and relentlessly positive.

BeachedBear said:

---

I'm OK with this hire and am hoping to see great results in the upcoming season. I can absolutely see now, how Madsen won the interview with JK. I'm pretty sure JK is of the same vintage as BeachedBear and likely took many of the same command planning courses in the military that I did (later part of cold war). And his hiring decision is classic battle planning, looking at best case/worst case and contingency planning, if Madsen works out GREAT! If not, there are lots of ways that JK can make it look good for him as well. A lot more to unpack - but I have a clear understanding of why he made the decision to hire Madsen over Pasternack, AAR and others.

I'm not saying I would have made the same decision, but this was the best decision in JKs interest.

---

Exactly. Madsen fits exactly what Knowlton wants, especially given his limited vision for Cal basketball.

When Monty was asked about him he undoubtedly said things like "the most honest, sincere and trusting person I have ever met. He will treat the players with respect. He will engage the fan base. He will never break the rules." Music to Knowlton's ears. Basically an even better version of Wilcox for basketball. Monty did not drive the decision. He only confirmed for Knowlton that what Knowlton, what everyone, sees in Madsen is really who Madsen really is. He is genuine.

Is Madsen the best candidate to drive Cal basketball back to national relevance in the NIL era by pushing the limits of pay to play using funds from major donors? By selling Cal as a champion of social Justice, Islamic studies, etc.? Pushing the administration to loosen admission requirements for exceptional athletes? Standing out from the crowd by being the only school in the PAC-12 with an African American coach? It doesn't matter because Knowlton is not interested in any of that. He wants a program that stays safely within the bounds of "name image and likeness" does not rock the boat and wins enough to keep everyone happy with a coach he enjoys being around.

Given Knowlton's idiocy and lack of vision and ambition for the program, given who he selected last time, we are VERY lucky we ended up with a coach as good as Madsen. Despite Knowlton's limited vision, Madsen has ambition and upside. More importantly, he is a smart, very positive coach, who will do right by our student athletes. So yes, I too am more than OK with the hire (even relieved and optimistic) and look forward to the next few years of Cal basketball.

calumnus said:

---

BeachedBear said:

---

I'm OK with this hire and am hoping to see great results in the upcoming season. I can absolutely see now, how Madsen won the interview with JK. I'm pretty sure JK is of the same vintage as BeachedBear and likely took many of the same command planning courses in the military that I did (later part of cold war). And his hiring decision is classic battle planning, looking at best case/worst case and contingency planning, if Madsen works out GREAT! If not, there are lots of ways that JK can make it look good for him as well. A lot more to unpack - but I have a clear understanding of why he made the decision to hire Madsen over Pasternack, AAR and others.

I'm not saying I would have made the same decision, but this was the best decision in JKs interest.

---

Exactly. Madsen fits exactly what Knowlton wants, especially given his limited vision for Cal basketball.

When Monty was asked about him he undoubtedly said things like "the most honest, sincere and trusting person I have ever met. He will treat the players with respect. He will engage the fan base. He will never break the rules." Music to Knowlton's ears. Basically an even better version of Wilcox for basketball. Monty did not drive the decision. He only confirmed for Knowlton that what Knowlton, what everyone, sees in Madsen is really who Madsen really is. He is genuine.

Is Madsen the best candidate to drive Cal basketball back to national relevance in the NIL era by pushing the limits of pay to play using funds from major donors? By selling Cal as a champion of social Justice, Islamic studies, etc.? Pushing the administration to loosen admission requirements for exceptional athletes? Standing out from the crowd by being the only school in the PAC-12 with an African American coach? It doesn't matter because Knowlton is not interested in any of that. He wants a program that stays safely within the bounds of "name image and likeness" does not rock the boat and wins enough to keep everyone happy with a coach he enjoys being around.

Given Knowlton's idiocy and lack of vision and ambition for the program, given who he selected last time, we are VERY lucky we ended up with a coach as good as Madsen. Despite Knowlton's limited vision, Madsen has ambition and upside. More importantly, he is a smart, very positive coach, who will do right by our student athletes. So yes, I too am more than OK with the hire (even relieved and optimistic) and look forward to the next few years of Cal basketball.

---

It's not just what a Knowlton wants. It is what Cal wants. When Knowlton is gone he will be replaced by someone with similar desires. We are never going to be like USC in terms of our tolerance for shenanigans in exchange for athletic prominence.

MM overcoming the JK missteps

@madsen_mark kills it on Zoom call with @CalMBBall Alums.

Extraordinarily positive, great energy, big goals, clear vision, family atmosphere: open invitation for former players to attend practice this season and be around the program. This guy gets it. #GoBears pic.twitter.com/83vNQZdr3j

— Eric McDonough (@McDonoughEric) April 5, 2023