He is a San Ramon HS grad (like myself) and I played with him at some open gyms back in the day. He is one of the nicest people I've ever met. Extremely hard working and even tempered. Without looking at any of his Utah Valley teams, I'd assume they are pretty solid fundamentally (dude loved his box outs). Not sure he would be great as a salesperson selling recruits, but thats probably more than we could ask for at this point anyway. I hope it works out.
Having two rings and being able to say he played with Shaq and Kobe is pretty sweet. I'm sure recruits wouldn't mind trying one of those rings on if they get the opportunity I am just saying.
What I am actually saying is that I want to try one of those rings on.
I'm good with this. We're not going to hire a big name coach; we're gonna pay for the diamond in the rough, and I'm not sure he's even that rough with 48 wins in two years. Good character guy for sure. He played in the NBA, won a ring, can probably laugh at his own dancing, was great a 'Furd, and him BEING at 'Furd is my only problem with him, but if he wants to be at Cal then I want him to be at Cal. Let the Madsen era begin.
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.
I think it will be favorable. The trend line is upward and Madsen has experience at the highest levels of the NBA and he has been praised by Magic Johnson and Shaq. What's not to like?
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!
tbf, accepting a full ride to be coddled at a Junior University is not necessary a bad decision. Crossing the bridge from the East Bay is almost like going OOS for college.
(I think I read somewhere that his b-school team cleaned up in Intramurals.)
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.
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.
Knows the Bay Area. Received good referral from Mike Montgomery (a high point at Cal MBB). Likely familiar with what he is getting into in terms of support. Also - it can only get better than the last couple of years. Two thumbs up.
Monty's recommendation and $5.00 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. The game is entirely different now because of the NIL and transfer portal. Monty despises both - Madsen will struggle if we do not have the funds to match other schools.
Jimmy: Check out last Sunday nights episode of Sixty Minutes featuring Charles Barkley. He says that NIL and the transfer portal have destroyed college athletics because it will essentially mean a few wealthy haves who can pay for any recruit that they want and everyone else (like us) fighting over scraps and struggling to survive. Cal will definitely have to step up in the era of NIL if it doesn't want to be irrelevant in athletics.
In the end, you still need to know how to coach and we can probably trust Monty on that front. The open questions are whether or not he can function at a P5 level with all that entails, like you said.
@jimmy I've seen you make several similar comments. They make sense generally, but I wonder if you know specifics, or if it's rumor and inference. Do you know that Madsen doesn't have alumni support? Not being confrontational. Genuinely curious how well founded the belief is.
Chatter, albeit hearsay, but through pretty reliable sources.
And it’s not to say that Madsen won’t come in and impress some donors with his personality, energy and character and earn NIL contributions. Hell, he’s a likable guy and really knows basketball. But he’ll have to hustle…
Again, Madsen’s a good hire and if he sticks around long enough, he has potential to do great things. I’m excited to have him…but the NIL will need to be a fundraising focus.
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.
He is a San Ramon HS grad (like myself) and I played with him at some open gyms back in the day. He is one of the nicest people I've ever met. Extremely hard working and even tempered. Without looking at any of his Utah Valley teams, I'd assume they are pretty solid fundamentally (dude loved his box outs). Not sure he would be great as a salesperson selling recruits, but thats probably more than we could ask for at this point anyway. I hope it works out.
Having two rings and being able to say he played with Shaq and Kobe is pretty sweet. I'm sure recruits wouldn't mind trying one of those rings on if they get the opportunity I am just saying.
What I am actually saying is that I want to try one of those rings on.
Hey! Go Wolves!
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 good with this. We're not going to hire a big name coach; we're gonna pay for the diamond in the rough, and I'm not sure he's even that rough with 48 wins in two years. Good character guy for sure. He played in the NBA, won a ring, can probably laugh at his own dancing, was great a 'Furd, and him BEING at 'Furd is my only problem with him, but if he wants to be at Cal then I want him to be at Cal. Let the Madsen era begin.
Just NEVER wear a red tie, dude......
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.
How in the world are we letting an AD who is under investigation hire someone...
It's a great question.
We should direct this inquiry to Chancellor Carol Christ, who can be reached on an Adirondack chair from her wraparound porch.
I think it will be favorable. The trend line is upward and Madsen has experience at the highest levels of the NBA and he has been praised by Magic Johnson and Shaq. What's not to like?
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!
I think we found GB49's burner.
Bob R. has a new handle!
From Mark Fox to Mark Dog.
Coaching the Golden Bears does go along with the animal theme.
I have an Animal tattoo...
Just what our program needs, a mediocre white guy from Stanford.
Why does this forum permit this racism?
He hasn't proven himself mediocre yet beyond his choice in undergraduate (and graduate) education. Fox had already done so when we hired him.
tbf, accepting a full ride to be coddled at a Junior University is not necessary a bad decision. Crossing the bridge from the East Bay is almost like going OOS for college.
(I think I read somewhere that his b-school team cleaned up in Intramurals.)
Knowlton seems drawn to mediocre “safe” white guys. Can’t imagine why.
much better than a mediocre guy from Air Force Academy. (and mediocre is being generous)
Is this better or worse than a mediocre black guy from Georgia?
I hate it. But will reserve judgement. #GoBears
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.
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.
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.
Knows the Bay Area. Received good referral from Mike Montgomery (a high point at Cal MBB). Likely familiar with what he is getting into in terms of support. Also - it can only get better than the last couple of years. Two thumbs up.
“A” high point”, not “the” high point.
Monty's recommendation and $5.00 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. The game is entirely different now because of the NIL and transfer portal. Monty despises both - Madsen will struggle if we do not have the funds to match other schools.
Jimmy: Check out last Sunday nights episode of Sixty Minutes featuring Charles Barkley. He says that NIL and the transfer portal have destroyed college athletics because it will essentially mean a few wealthy haves who can pay for any recruit that they want and everyone else (like us) fighting over scraps and struggling to survive. Cal will definitely have to step up in the era of NIL if it doesn't want to be irrelevant in athletics.
In the end, you still need to know how to coach and we can probably trust Monty on that front. The open questions are whether or not he can function at a P5 level with all that entails, like you said.
All of the 4 finalists can coach...Pasternack can coach, AAR can coach, Stan Johnson can coach....all better than Fox.
2 of them brought the other key component with them.
@jimmy I've seen you make several similar comments. They make sense generally, but I wonder if you know specifics, or if it's rumor and inference. Do you know that Madsen doesn't have alumni support? Not being confrontational. Genuinely curious how well founded the belief is.
Chatter, albeit hearsay, but through pretty reliable sources.
And it’s not to say that Madsen won’t come in and impress some donors with his personality, energy and character and earn NIL contributions. Hell, he’s a likable guy and really knows basketball. But he’ll have to hustle…
Again, Madsen’s a good hire and if he sticks around long enough, he has potential to do great things. I’m excited to have him…but the NIL will need to be a fundraising focus.
Thanks. The BI post tonight would seem to affirm your info.
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.