New Coach

[skyhops]

Agreed AH. Time for Chris to make a decision.

[X-Expert]

3 million is what it will take to keep Mack...

If that was the case, he wouldn't have left for Louisville on Friday. The deal was done w/L-ville in principle weeks ago. I'm not an insider, and even I know that. The time lag is simply to save face for CM, so it looks like his interest only started after the tourney. I don't blame him, and frankly respect him for doing it this way.

I wish him the best. Good coach, and seemingly a good man.

I would guess that a conversation with Louisville and their agent has taken place early in the season and heated up later in the year. I would think the numbers have already been communicated to Mack. He would have to go to Louisville to see the campus, facilities, and meet the administration. If Mack accepts, i am sure that would also lock on Tyra too. Mack may be a good guy but if he leaves, he is no different than the previous coaches in my eyes. Yes he turned down many jobs but X was very good to him. Mack has had three strong years (2 in regular season and one in tourney). Prior to that, he has been good but not great. Like Miller, X gave him a chance and by all accounts, offering Mack a raise of over 70% is extremely generous for a team that won the BE, didn't win the BE tourney or advance to S-16. In the end, money talks. Louisville has money for hookers and players, why not coaches.

As much as i would like it, i don't see Miller coming to X. I just hope it is Steele

[X-lucidity]

I’m lifting my self-imposed temporary ban on this site to weigh in as the rumored impending loss of Mack has raised the anti of our normal, season-ending loss woes. I agree with many of the comments expressed prior by Skyhops, AH and X-Expert. But let’s get serious here fellas – if/when CM bolts, this is both a serious blow and a terrific opp. A blow because who’d have thunk-it a month ago. Certainly not me. But two of last three seasons have ended in an underachieving thud. Last season Mack was forced to play slow in the dance due to a thin & limited roster. Served us well & Big Sean was effective. Did we even try to establish Sean versus FSU..? When Bluiett was ineffective, when Gates was his typical MIA and JP hindered with foul trouble midway through the 2nd half, we were still decently ahead. That scenario cried out for slowing the game down. Run a double post with Sean & Kanter at the four. Fall back in a 2-3 D with our guards finding Savoy. Ok, second guessing is for fools but I was yelling for that with about 8 min left to my trusted cat Presley. (who never seems to care) My point is that I witnessed similar flaws 2 years ago during a winnable game gone South verses Wiscy, and then 1st hand in NY versus Providence. Point is, as much as I love & respect Chris Mack, he is not an elite bench coach at crunch time. I do want him to stay badly because I like his style and appreciate where he has come from and his work ethic. That said, should a coaching change be necessary, we need to be bold. No retreads! No Matta. No Crean. No Miller. No Schmidt, (although a good man). I want younger, in tune with the new-age athlete, aggressive and fearless. I want a guy that does not give a crap who he is playing but cares more about how he will get his group to impose their will. I want a coach that knows how to teach aggressive, physical & effective man defense. I want a dude that wants to rip your heart out and isn’t afraid to say it. I want a leader with a Tim Krumrie motor: As Thor mentioned earlier:
I WANT NATE OATS………… and I want him now.

[X-Expert]

I’m lifting my self-imposed temporary ban on this site to weigh in as the rumored impending loss of Mack has raised the anti of our normal, season-ending loss woes. I agree with many of the comments expressed prior by Skyhops, AH and X-Expert. But let’s get serious here fellas – if/when CM bolts, this is both a serious blow and a terrific opp. A blow because who’d have thunk-it a month ago. Certainly not me. But two of last three seasons have ended in an underachieving thud. Last season Mack was forced to play slow in the dance due to a thin & limited roster. Served us well & Big Sean was effective. Did we even try to establish Sean versus FSU..? When Bluiett was ineffective, when Gates was his typical MIA and JP hindered with foul trouble midway through the 2nd half, we were still decently ahead. That scenario cried out for slowing the game down. Run a double post with Sean & Kanter at the four. Fall back in a 2-3 D with our guards finding Savoy. Ok, second guessing is for fools but I was yelling for that with about 8 min left to my trusted cat Presley. (who never seems to care) My point is that I witnessed similar flaws 2 years ago during a winnable game gone South verses Wiscy, and then 1st hand in NY versus Providence. Point is, as much as I love & respect Chris Mack, he is not an elite bench coach at crunch time. I do want him to stay badly because I like his style and appreciate where he has come from and his work ethic. That said, should a coaching change be necessary, we need to be bold. No retreads! No Matta. No Crean. No Miller. No Schmidt, (although a good man). I want younger, in tune with the new-age athlete, aggressive and fearless. I want a guy that does not give a crap who he is playing but cares more about how he will get his group to impose their will. I want a coach that knows how to teach aggressive, physical & effective man defense. I want a dude that wants to rip your heart out and isn’t afraid to say it. I want a leader with a Tim Krumrie motor: As Thor mentioned earlier:
I WANT NATE OATS………… and I want him now.

Assessment of game is spot on. Don't know anything about Oats but I do think he will land in Pitt. I vote for Steele because he appears to be on top of all the recruits and has a great reputation nationally as evidenced by the two schools that have wanted him that he declined. Who knows, i personally believe there are a lot of good coaches out there. They just need an opportunity. I liked Mack because i thought he was going to retire here. As for Miller, i do really think he was X best coach-although there are some major rain clouds over his head

[tacitus]

3 million is what it will take to keep Mack...

If that was the case, he wouldn't have left for Louisville on Friday. The deal was done w/L-ville in principle weeks ago. I'm not an insider, and even I know that. The time lag is simply to save face for CM, so it looks like his interest only started after the tourney. I don't blame him, and frankly respect him for doing it this way.

I wish him the best. Good coach, and seemingly a good man.

So you think he has already accepted and, I suppose, we have offered to Steele?

[X-Expert]

My understanding that the only thing left is that Mack wants to tell his players before it gets out. Christi was a big part of the engine that drove to Louisville i'm told

[mumuskie87]

3 million is what it will take to keep Mack...

If that was the case, he wouldn't have left for Louisville on Friday. The deal was done w/L-ville in principle weeks ago. I'm not an insider, and even I know that. The time lag is simply to save face for CM, so it looks like his interest only started after the tourney. I don't blame him, and frankly respect him for doing it this way.

I wish him the best. Good coach, and seemingly a good man.

Yep...don't think $$$ was the sole driver here. Family and a one of the top b/ball programs in the country.
Glad that U of L makes a decision in March vs. what happened with Matta and Miller.
It's FIDO time for X.

[Murph85]

I’m lifting my self-imposed temporary ban on this site to weigh in as the rumored impending loss of Mack has raised the anti of our normal, season-ending loss woes. I agree with many of the comments expressed prior by Skyhops, AH and X-Expert. But let’s get serious here fellas – if/when CM bolts, this is both a serious blow and a terrific opp. A blow because who’d have thunk-it a month ago. Certainly not me. But two of last three seasons have ended in an underachieving thud. Last season Mack was forced to play slow in the dance due to a thin & limited roster. Served us well & Big Sean was effective. Did we even try to establish Sean versus FSU..? When Bluiett was ineffective, when Gates was his typical MIA and JP hindered with foul trouble midway through the 2nd half, we were still decently ahead. That scenario cried out for slowing the game down. Run a double post with Sean & Kanter at the four. Fall back in a 2-3 D with our guards finding Savoy. Ok, second guessing is for fools but I was yelling for that with about 8 min left to my trusted cat Presley. (who never seems to care) My point is that I witnessed similar flaws 2 years ago during a winnable game gone South verses Wiscy, and then 1st hand in NY versus Providence. Point is, as much as I love & respect Chris Mack, he is not an elite bench coach at crunch time. I do want him to stay badly because I like his style and appreciate where he has come from and his work ethic. That said, should a coaching change be necessary, we need to be bold. No retreads! No Matta. No Crean. No Miller. No Schmidt, (although a good man). I want younger, in tune with the new-age athlete, aggressive and fearless. I want a guy that does not give a crap who he is playing but cares more about how he will get his group to impose their will. I want a coach that knows how to teach aggressive, physical & effective man defense. I want a dude that wants to rip your heart out and isn’t afraid to say it. I want a leader with a Tim Krumrie motor: As Thor mentioned earlier:
I WANT NATE OATS………… and I want him now.

Assessment of game is spot on. Don't know anything about Oats but I do think he will land in Pitt. I vote for Steele because he appears to be on top of all the recruits and has a great reputation nationally as evidenced by the two schools that have wanted him that he declined. Who knows, i personally believe there are a lot of good coaches out there. They just need an opportunity. I liked Mack because i thought he was going to retire here. As for Miller, i do really think he was X best coach-although there are some major rain clouds over his head

How is making the Elite Eight last year a thud?

[mumuskie87]

How is making the Elite Eight last year a thud?

It wasn't but not making past the 1st weekend the year before as 2 seed and this year as a 1 seed were.

[muskieman]

The Louisville athletic department has asked Kentucky for permission to speak to Associate Head Coach Kenny Payne about their open coaching vacanacy, multiple sources tells @247Sports. A move to make Mack make a decision?