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1st Assistant Coach Hired: Adam Mazarei
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Last: 1 yr ago by calumnus
I like the West Coast ties part.
Frankly disappointed, "Vanderbilt's West coast recruiter"? Vanderbilt? but it is Madsen's call, and assistants are not that important in basketball.
calumnus said:
Frankly disappointed, "Vanderbilt's West coast recruiter"? Vanderbilt? but it is Madsen's call, and assistants are not that important in basketball.
I don't know about his recruiting chops, but the article says Mazerai took over the associate HC role this past season, and Vandy won 22 games so they had a decent season in his one year as the top assistant.
Also, hiring a coach from the SEC (who wasn't going to be fired) for a lateral position is nice.
I agree that doesn't sound great, but somewhere in my middle-aged brain, I have the sense that I've heard he actually has good recruiting chops. But I could be confusing him with someone named Mazzy Adams or something like thatcalumnus said:
Frankly disappointed, "Vanderbilt's West coast recruiter"? Vanderbilt? but it is Madsen's call, and assistants are not that important in basketball.
Winning 22 games at Vandy is no small feat.PtownBear1 said:
Vandy won 22 games so...
After reading the write up, his player development capabilities sound pretty solid. Scouting and player evaluation are critical. And I can see why people see his "Vandy" experience being applicable to Cal.
Let's see.
1. So Madsen's first asst coach hire, described as "top asst" and/or "associate head coach," is a recruiter/scout/player-development guy. Is recruiting an area that Cal could really use help in, starting right now, today? As well as downstream, as portal importance grows? I'd say yes. I'd say a really good recruiter is/was top priority.
2. This new guy Mazerei has some track record as a recruiter, scout and player-development guy at both collegiate and NBA levels. His length of experience, age, and where he is in his career, seem roughly analagous to Madsen. Credibility, time in the league, on the upswing. I'm guessing that Mazerei wants to be a head coach at some point, which is fine, and maybe that explains the titles of "associate head coach" and "top asst coach" that are being thrown around. But he clearly sees an opportunity in coming here right now, if somewhat laterally, to work with Madsen in a start-up scenario. Hmm. What does that say?
3. Madsen's first two, quick snags through the portal look pretty darn impressive to me. I have not yet seen the big guy play yet, but the guard -- see his highlight video? Wow. He's going to be a whole lot of fun to watch.
4. So I wonder if these three adds right out of the box (2 portal snags and first asst coach hiring) are making any impression on the community of portal potentials, first-year recruits and the recruiting press. As in, take a look at Madsen starting to build a competitive team, right out of the gate, with these two commitments, and then he hires as his first assistant coach, another guy focused on developing players for the NBA, like (NBA-insider) Madsen himself. That's not just talking about prioritizing player development; that's doing it.
5. Were there better options out there than Mazarei? Maybe; I've really no idea. But Madsen's already earned my trust with his first two portal snags, and this asst coach hire is consistent with his goal of first and foremost trying to get the best players he can through the portal. He got this done fast in order to help recruiting right now. The hire also double downs on the NBA-experience and NBA-development aspects that so supported MM's hiring. Altogether the quick three adds give Mazarie and Madsen something concrete to point to in recruiting: "this is what we're building, this is why, and this is what it will look like." That should help recruiting going forward.
6. At least, no one seems to be saying that Cal should have brought in some other assistant coach who could be more help in recruiting! Seriously, though, if right now you were a portal possibility or first-year recruit hoping eventually to get to the NBA, how could you not want to take a look at this program?
7. And who would not want to have MM as a coach. He knows what he faces in trying to turn this losing program around. He knows how far behind they are (or were) at the start. So, at his very first presser does he ask for some patience? Nope. Does he ask for a little forbearance? Nope. Instead, he throws down the marker: "It's not going to take as long as you think."
He believes that. He might just be right.
Go Bears
1. So Madsen's first asst coach hire, described as "top asst" and/or "associate head coach," is a recruiter/scout/player-development guy. Is recruiting an area that Cal could really use help in, starting right now, today? As well as downstream, as portal importance grows? I'd say yes. I'd say a really good recruiter is/was top priority.
2. This new guy Mazerei has some track record as a recruiter, scout and player-development guy at both collegiate and NBA levels. His length of experience, age, and where he is in his career, seem roughly analagous to Madsen. Credibility, time in the league, on the upswing. I'm guessing that Mazerei wants to be a head coach at some point, which is fine, and maybe that explains the titles of "associate head coach" and "top asst coach" that are being thrown around. But he clearly sees an opportunity in coming here right now, if somewhat laterally, to work with Madsen in a start-up scenario. Hmm. What does that say?
3. Madsen's first two, quick snags through the portal look pretty darn impressive to me. I have not yet seen the big guy play yet, but the guard -- see his highlight video? Wow. He's going to be a whole lot of fun to watch.
4. So I wonder if these three adds right out of the box (2 portal snags and first asst coach hiring) are making any impression on the community of portal potentials, first-year recruits and the recruiting press. As in, take a look at Madsen starting to build a competitive team, right out of the gate, with these two commitments, and then he hires as his first assistant coach, another guy focused on developing players for the NBA, like (NBA-insider) Madsen himself. That's not just talking about prioritizing player development; that's doing it.
5. Were there better options out there than Mazarei? Maybe; I've really no idea. But Madsen's already earned my trust with his first two portal snags, and this asst coach hire is consistent with his goal of first and foremost trying to get the best players he can through the portal. He got this done fast in order to help recruiting right now. The hire also double downs on the NBA-experience and NBA-development aspects that so supported MM's hiring. Altogether the quick three adds give Mazarie and Madsen something concrete to point to in recruiting: "this is what we're building, this is why, and this is what it will look like." That should help recruiting going forward.
6. At least, no one seems to be saying that Cal should have brought in some other assistant coach who could be more help in recruiting! Seriously, though, if right now you were a portal possibility or first-year recruit hoping eventually to get to the NBA, how could you not want to take a look at this program?
7. And who would not want to have MM as a coach. He knows what he faces in trying to turn this losing program around. He knows how far behind they are (or were) at the start. So, at his very first presser does he ask for some patience? Nope. Does he ask for a little forbearance? Nope. Instead, he throws down the marker: "It's not going to take as long as you think."
He believes that. He might just be right.
Go Bears
Anylysts raved about the job stackhouse did at Vandy this yr, and that they belonged in dance
3 yrs ago Vandy kept McD AA Tyrin _____ at in state at home , #14 rated in US
Beat out Fox, Gonzaga and Stanfurd. A lot is was going right with that coaching staff. Same yr Fox lost the #1 dude to Stanfurd...as finalist after he dropped Gonzaga from final 3. Near misses for Fox.
3 yrs ago Vandy kept McD AA Tyrin _____ at in state at home , #14 rated in US
Beat out Fox, Gonzaga and Stanfurd. A lot is was going right with that coaching staff. Same yr Fox lost the #1 dude to Stanfurd...as finalist after he dropped Gonzaga from final 3. Near misses for Fox.
" …but somewhere in my middle-aged brain.."
So you must figure if you double your age you will still fog a mirror.
If I double my age I figure even the plastic flowers will have degraded into the soil.
So you must figure if you double your age you will still fog a mirror.
If I double my age I figure even the plastic flowers will have degraded into the soil.
Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside
Send my credentials to the House of Detention
I got some friends inside
ktownbear83 said:
7. And who would not want to have MM as a coach. He knows what he faces in trying to turn this losing program around. He knows how far behind they are (or were) at the start. So, at his very first presser does he ask for some patience? Nope. Does he ask for a little forbearance? Nope. Instead, he throws down the marker: "It's not going to take as long as you think."
He believes that. He might just be right.
Go Bears
I think what really pisses me off about Fox was not just his never ending string of excuses, but that so many people bought his load of crap.
Not just knowlton but also the mainstream media. For instance, that "in depth" piece in the Athletic that basically concluded no one could turn around cal bball cause it was the worst P5 program in the country. That's all Fox just *****ing and moaning to reporters about "how hard his job is" and how many limitations he has to work with.
I think most of us knew that Cal really is a sleeping giant and all we needed was the right coach who could get the donors/fan base engaged again.
I absolutely cannot wait until madsen turns this around in a year and proves Fox and all those other idiots wrong.
getting an assistant coach from another P5 program for a lateral move seems like a good deal. Especially one from another program that is doing well, 22 wins, and wasn't at all at risk of getting fired. Fox was a different case, he failed out of a SEC program, this seems like a case where someone was building a resume and took a lateral move to follow madsen
About the notion that assistants are not important in basketball recruiting. I don't think it was too many years ago that we had an assistant coach in men's basketball who was hired for and acknowledged for his recruiting success. I'm not exactly sure which head coach he worked under but it was back when I still cared. Maybe just prior to the Jalen Brown days?
Anyhow the assistant coach allegedly said something to or did something with some woman athletics staff member, who took offense to whatever it was and filed a sex harrassment charge with Cal's internal bureaucracy. The assistant coach eventually decided to leave and go elsewhere rather than litigate the charge under the procedural rules then in effect.
I don't mean to revisit any aspects of the incident other than to note that there was a fair amount of talk and consensus on here about how an assistant coach could be a key recruiter for men's basketball, how this particular one apparently was, and how his departure would set back basketball recruiting....
Anyhow the assistant coach allegedly said something to or did something with some woman athletics staff member, who took offense to whatever it was and filed a sex harrassment charge with Cal's internal bureaucracy. The assistant coach eventually decided to leave and go elsewhere rather than litigate the charge under the procedural rules then in effect.
I don't mean to revisit any aspects of the incident other than to note that there was a fair amount of talk and consensus on here about how an assistant coach could be a key recruiter for men's basketball, how this particular one apparently was, and how his departure would set back basketball recruiting....
It was Yanni Hufnagel during the Cuonzo era. Publicized right before Cal's NCAA tourney game vs Hawaii.ktownbear83 said:
About the notion that assistants are not important in basketball recruiting. I don't think it was too many years ago that we had an assistant coach in men's basketball who was hired for and acknowledged for his recruiting success. I'm not exactly sure which head coach he worked under but it was back when I still cared. Maybe just prior to the Jalen Brown days?
Anyhow the assistant coach allegedly said something to or did something with some woman athletics staff member, who took offense to whatever it was and filed a sex harrassment charge with Cal's internal bureaucracy. The assistant coach eventually decided to leave and go elsewhere rather than litigate the charge under the procedural rules then in effect.
I don't mean to revisit any aspects of the incident other than to note that there was a fair amount of talk and consensus on here about how an assistant coach could be a key recruiter for men's basketball, how this particular one apparently was, and how his departure would set back basketball recruiting....
Precisely. Spot on.ducky23 said:
I think most of us knew that Cal really is a sleeping giant and all we needed was the right coach who could get the donors/fan base engaged again.
I absolutely cannot wait until madsen turns this around in a year and proves Fox and all those other idiots wrong.
And stunningly, it's actually happeneing. This program's turn around is already underway and gathering steam. Turnaround will be evident within year. Anyone willing to bet against that right now?
The "right coach" indeed. The one
1. who can give recruits and their parents the best, rock-solid, professional and personal reasons to come here, be part of this program, and have him mentor them;
2. who not only believes in his ability to turn around this program, but who has no doubt at all about his getting it done; and
3. who has the character to be able to instill that same belief in and enable optimal performance from those he teaches.
And that's how he engages the donor/fan base. Has engaged, actually.
.
Thanks Philby. Your memory exceed mine.
philbert said:It was Yanni Hufnagel during the Cuonzo era. Publicized right before Cal's NCAA tourney game vs Hawaii.ktownbear83 said:
About the notion that assistants are not important in basketball recruiting. I don't think it was too many years ago that we had an assistant coach in men's basketball who was hired for and acknowledged for his recruiting success. I'm not exactly sure which head coach he worked under but it was back when I still cared. Maybe just prior to the Jalen Brown days?
Anyhow the assistant coach allegedly said something to or did something with some woman athletics staff member, who took offense to whatever it was and filed a sex harrassment charge with Cal's internal bureaucracy. The assistant coach eventually decided to leave and go elsewhere rather than litigate the charge under the procedural rules then in effect.
I don't mean to revisit any aspects of the incident other than to note that there was a fair amount of talk and consensus on here about how an assistant coach could be a key recruiter for men's basketball, how this particular one apparently was, and how his departure would set back basketball recruiting....
I saw this and figured I'd see where he's coaching now.
He's out of basketball, but sure seems to be doing really well:
https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/28/two-years-after-lemon-perfect-was-spotted-in-beyonces-limo-the-superstar-is-now-a-backer/
Hahaha Bearister, I'm on the dark side of 'middle age' - but its all a state of mind, not chronological units, right?bearister said:
" …but somewhere in my middle-aged brain.."
So you must figure if you double your age you will still fog a mirror.
If I double my age I figure even the plastic flowers will have degraded into the soil.
I used to be a gambling man and I'd say I'm playing with the houses money, now. The over/under on Beach's retirement run is currently 18.5 yrs.
Mods, please move this to the Mark Fox Venting Tent.ducky23 said:ktownbear83 said:
7. And who would not want to have MM as a coach. He knows what he faces in trying to turn this losing program around. He knows how far behind they are (or were) at the start. So, at his very first presser does he ask for some patience? Nope. Does he ask for a little forbearance? Nope. Instead, he throws down the marker: "It's not going to take as long as you think."
He believes that. He might just be right.
Go Bears
I think what really pisses me off about Fox was not just his never ending string of excuses, but that so many people bought his load of crap.
Not just knowlton but also the mainstream media. For instance, that "in depth" piece in the Athletic that basically concluded no one could turn around cal bball cause it was the worst P5 program in the country. That's all Fox just *****ing and moaning to reporters about "how hard his job is" and how many limitations he has to work with.
I think most of us knew that Cal really is a sleeping giant and all we needed was the right coach who could get the donors/fan base engaged again.
I absolutely cannot wait until madsen turns this around in a year and proves Fox and all those other idiots wrong.
Because it is spot on (except for the so many people buying loads part - it only required one: Jimmy 'the squeeze' Knowlton). All the media blather is to be expected.
ktownbear83 said:Precisely. Spot on.ducky23 said:
I think most of us knew that Cal really is a sleeping giant and all we needed was the right coach who could get the donors/fan base engaged again.
I absolutely cannot wait until madsen turns this around in a year and proves Fox and all those other idiots wrong.
And stunningly, it's actually happeneing. This program's turn around is already underway and gathering steam. Turnaround will be evident within year. Anyone willing to bet against that right now?
The "right coach" indeed. The one
1. who can give recruits and their parents the best, rock-solid, professional and personal reasons to come here, be part of this program, and have him mentor them;
2. who not only believes in his ability to turn around this program, but who has no doubt at all about his getting it done; and
3. who has the character to be able to instill that same belief in and enable optimal performance from those he teaches.
And that's how he engages the donor/fan base. Has engaged, actually.
.
It is not like he is that unique: a good guy, smart and positive coach who knows basketball and is more than willing to embrace Berkeley, do his job and sell the program for millions of dollars in compensation.
I know there were people who were annoyed but that is why some of us were relentless in saying Fox shouldn't have been hired, we should move on quickly like we did with Wyking and vehemently opposed the contract extension and excuse making.
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