Read many comments here that are criticizing the hire because Montgumery was involved / influential in the selection; i.e. some old gringo once-was, has-been, had a hand in this. There is a another Bay Area BB team that relied on the same type of individual as an advisor and they have done pretty well. --- the GS Warriors and that old, out-of-it, guy was named Jerry West.
NBA has the same player acquisition structure then as it does now. You draft guys, you sign guys, you trade guys. College basketball has radically changed how roster construction is done in the last few years.
Welp, I watched the game tonight. It was a helleva game for both teams. Madsen's lads were well prepared. They handled multiple defensive schemes with relative ease. Offense was very efficient save some 3-point shots and some misses at the foul line they win this game. But overall a very good showing and good coaching by Madsen ~ he was patient with his team's slow start and was clearly positive and supportive of his players. Such a change in demeanor than that previous coach.
Not sure if Cal has the players to play at the level UVU played at tonight. Perhaps with help from the portal? dunno.
This is kid number 4 so I think he should have it somewhat figured out. His parents moved to Provo so might not have as much help from them but I'm sure he still has resources in the Bay Area (especially through the Church or his siblings may still be around).
After attending many games each season my entire life (even at the coliseum), i stopped attending 5 years ago. I’ll be there for multiple games this season. Would have preferred Dennis gates a few years back. Surprised Monty didn’t push for McGuire this time around…
Not a fan of this hire. Could be worse, but could have been much better. My main concern is that we really need to improve our recruiting and Madsen has not proven that is a strength yet. More, he inherited a strong UVU program, and he won't have that luxury at Cal. Pasternack losses the press conference, but come out on top in the other meaningful categories. It reminds me a little bit of that scene from Money Ball where all of the old scouts J(K, Monty and Jay John) project players in areas that don't really matter to winning. Don't get me wrong, as much as he annoyed the eff out of me at Stanford, I get his charm and I get that he's a good guy -- a guy you love if he's on your side. But at the end of the day, it feels like this has a lower ceiling and one that will take longer to get to than the other alternatives we were talking about just a few days ago. That this has also infuriated a large swath of donors who we need to engage to get the type of resources to move this program forward is a particularly troublesome development that does not bode well for a quick start. I will say, I do like that he gives off major Bruce Campbell vibes.
Ok, Madsen is the coach. Now he needs to hire a competent staff and should start with Jerome Randle as an assistant coach. That should help with recruiting and give Jerome some coaching experience! Go Bears!
This could turn out to be a fantastic hire. I'm encouraged that Monty has given his blessing and input and he will certainly know how to recruit players to an academically demanding school. Also, don't forget that another Cal coach (Jeff Tedford) was an under the radar hire and that turned out pretty well (except at the end). I guess the only thing to worry about further down the road is if he does turn things around at Cal, he will be in demand at his alma mater across the bay and Furdies don't often say no to head coaching opportunities down on the farm.
If Mike Montgomery (also with time at Stanford-very successful) recommended him I like the choice of Madsen. Remember, Cal BB was excellent under Montgomery. Madsen will do well.
I think he's a smart guy who believes in doing the tough work on the court. Utah Valley has been mostly good since going D1 so we can't really credit him with a turnaround there, but he did show progress over time. He has Bay Area connections (to the wrong school, of course) and NBA coaching experience. Realistically, have to give his personal experience the credit we're giving AAR through his brother's connections (and it's not clear AAR wanted the job).
So I'm ok with the hire...as long as he shows off those dance moves when we win the Tourney. And if he turns out to be good we can jeer at Furd for missing out (just like they would do to us with Troy Taylor and would have with Hasse if he was doing well).
Agree 100%. If we want a blue chip we will have to pay him. Even Jaylen Brown would expect that nowadays, despite having other interests in the school. The highest bidder won't always win but non-bidders will always lose.
I’ve always liked Madsen, and I’m a LONG time Furd and Laker disliker. Since he’s from the Bay and went to college here, he’s not going to have the culture shock and “I wish I were coaching somewhere else “ issues that some past coaches have had. Sonny Dykes being the obvious recent example.
Read many comments here that are criticizing the hire because Montgumery was involved / influential in the selection; i.e. some old gringo once-was, has-been, had a hand in this. There is a another Bay Area BB team that relied on the same type of individual as an advisor and they have done pretty well. --- the GS Warriors and that old, out-of-it, guy was named Jerry West.
NBA has the same player acquisition structure then as it does now. You draft guys, you sign guys, you trade guys. College basketball has radically changed how roster construction is done in the last few years.
NBA has changed too. Some teams spend way too much money and form super teams.
Okay, his season is over. Let’s announce this!!!!
Welp, I watched the game tonight. It was a helleva game for both teams. Madsen's lads were well prepared. They handled multiple defensive schemes with relative ease. Offense was very efficient save some 3-point shots and some misses at the foul line they win this game. But overall a very good showing and good coaching by Madsen ~ he was patient with his team's slow start and was clearly positive and supportive of his players. Such a change in demeanor than that previous coach.
Not sure if Cal has the players to play at the level UVU played at tonight. Perhaps with help from the portal? dunno.
With Brown, Lara, Alajiki, and Kuany in the portal we're going to need some transfers. We only have 2 incoming signees as far as I can tell.
I didn't catch the game tonight but I appreciate your take on it.
Hope we hold on to Rodney Brown.
Devin Curtis is a project…not sure how much he helps us next year.
Mark Fox isn't exactly Coach K so I'm guessing the commits are interested in things other than the coach. I believe Madsen will convince them.
It’s more a matter of other teams coveting and recruiting Brown now that he’s got the out with the coaching change.
But honestly, if I’m a recruit and I just watched that UVU/UAB game, I want to play for Madsen.
Dude's gotta kid coming any day. . . That's a wrinkle.
This is kid number 4 so I think he should have it somewhat figured out. His parents moved to Provo so might not have as much help from them but I'm sure he still has resources in the Bay Area (especially through the Church or his siblings may still be around).
Cool dad.
After attending many games each season my entire life (even at the coliseum), i stopped attending 5 years ago. I’ll be there for multiple games this season. Would have preferred Dennis gates a few years back. Surprised Monty didn’t push for McGuire this time around…
I was luke warm with MM...but this is encouraging: https://www.si.com/college/cal/basketball/madsen-background
Also, pretty impressive that he went to Senegal to recruit Aziz.
If Mad Dog Madsen can inspire his players to bring half the intensity he played with at Furd, we'll be in great shape.
Not a fan of this hire. Could be worse, but could have been much better. My main concern is that we really need to improve our recruiting and Madsen has not proven that is a strength yet. More, he inherited a strong UVU program, and he won't have that luxury at Cal. Pasternack losses the press conference, but come out on top in the other meaningful categories. It reminds me a little bit of that scene from Money Ball where all of the old scouts J(K, Monty and Jay John) project players in areas that don't really matter to winning. Don't get me wrong, as much as he annoyed the eff out of me at Stanford, I get his charm and I get that he's a good guy -- a guy you love if he's on your side. But at the end of the day, it feels like this has a lower ceiling and one that will take longer to get to than the other alternatives we were talking about just a few days ago. That this has also infuriated a large swath of donors who we need to engage to get the type of resources to move this program forward is a particularly troublesome development that does not bode well for a quick start. I will say, I do like that he gives off major Bruce Campbell vibes.
I disagree. I think Madsen can recruit if given the right resources
Not his fault, but an obstacle nonetheless.
Ok, Madsen is the coach. Now he needs to hire a competent staff and should start with Jerome Randle as an assistant coach. That should help with recruiting and give Jerome some coaching experience! Go Bears!
Bob R. has a new handle!
I think we found GB49's burner.
Utah Valley vs UAB tipping off now on ESPN2 for those who want a look at Mark Madsen
I’m giddy over that court spacing on O
I'm happy with this hire
This could turn out to be a fantastic hire. I'm encouraged that Monty has given his blessing and input and he will certainly know how to recruit players to an academically demanding school. Also, don't forget that another Cal coach (Jeff Tedford) was an under the radar hire and that turned out pretty well (except at the end). I guess the only thing to worry about further down the road is if he does turn things around at Cal, he will be in demand at his alma mater across the bay and Furdies don't often say no to head coaching opportunities down on the farm.
If he turns it around here, he will have much better options than Stanford.
If Mike Montgomery (also with time at Stanford-very successful) recommended him I like the choice of Madsen. Remember, Cal BB was excellent under Montgomery. Madsen will do well.
Was he Monty's guy? Or did Monty help us to get him? I am fine with both.
I think he's a smart guy who believes in doing the tough work on the court. Utah Valley has been mostly good since going D1 so we can't really credit him with a turnaround there, but he did show progress over time. He has Bay Area connections (to the wrong school, of course) and NBA coaching experience. Realistically, have to give his personal experience the credit we're giving AAR through his brother's connections (and it's not clear AAR wanted the job).
So I'm ok with the hire...as long as he shows off those dance moves when we win the Tourney. And if he turns out to be good we can jeer at Furd for missing out (just like they would do to us with Troy Taylor and would have with Hasse if he was doing well).
If my comments read as me not being happy with Madsen, that's not the case. I like him just fine, and mentioned so numerous times on the other thread.
But the NIL is vastly more important now...it needed to be factored into the decision making process. Knowlton did not do that.
Agree 100%. If we want a blue chip we will have to pay him. Even Jaylen Brown would expect that nowadays, despite having other interests in the school. The highest bidder won't always win but non-bidders will always lose.
I’ve always liked Madsen, and I’m a LONG time Furd and Laker disliker. Since he’s from the Bay and went to college here, he’s not going to have the culture shock and “I wish I were coaching somewhere else “ issues that some past coaches have had. Sonny Dykes being the obvious recent example.
Anyone gonna now watch the NIT semifinal tonight between Utah Valley and UAB?
I was, not sure now if he won't be coaching due to the birth of his child, which is way more important.