Who will George Mason target in their search for a new head coach?
The Patriots find themselves in the coaching carousel once again
George Mason finds themselves in search of a new leader for their men’s basketball program once again as Kim English has left for Providence after just two seasons. The question now is who will they target and what direction will they try to go in? Will they try to find the next new, hot assistant coach like they did with English, or will they go for the established head coach at perhaps a lower level. I for one loved the move to go after and get a guy like Kim English, of course don’t like how it ended, but the potential and hope with a hire like that was something the fan base and alumni can easily get on board with. It’s always a risk that a younger coach like that may not stay long and view the school as a stepping stone much like English did. On the other hand, the Atlantic 10 may be down currently but is still a tough league to win in. A hire with head coaching experience can’t be ignored if the right one is there. Here is my list of who I think they may target early on:
Tony Skinn - This is the obvious no-brainer choice that the fan base, including myself, have been clamoring for since the English to Providence rumors emerged. Skinn is a former ‘06 Final Four team hero and has been an assistant coach at the college level since 2015. He started at Louisiana Tech and had stops at Seton Hall and Ohio State before arriving in College Park to join Kevin Williard’s staff last year at Maryland. We know he interviewed last go around and also after the Paul Hewitt firing. He talked in interviews about how much he wanted the job (see video below) and how much he’d “love it” to be a part of the program in some coaching capacity. I questioned if he was ready to be a head coach back in 2021 but now it seems like Mason’s in a position where even if that’s a risk they need to take it.
Skinny is probably the only real candidate that could bring the fire back in the fan base and have the passion to stay because of his ties to the university and the area. He will work to get the job done with way more passion than an outside the program type of hire. Fans are angry over the handling of English and a move like this buys President Dr. Washington a lot of goodwill.
Jason Williford - Here is a name that seems to pop up every time Mason has a coaching vacancy. Williford has been an associate head coach at UVA for quite some time and would certainly be a strong hire. While it wouldn’t be the most sexy move it was definitely be a safe one with the experience he has and discipline of building strong defensive teams. I have wonder why he has stayed in his current role so long considering he was mentioned as a possibly to replace Jim Larranaga many years ago.
Ryan Odom - Here is a current head coach who is riding hot over the last couple of years. John Feinstein was talking him up yesterday but I have trouble seeing how he would leave a good situation at Utah State, which is currently in a stronger conference, and come to Mason. As Feinstein says maybe his ties to the DC area will get him to be enticed if offered but I think that may be a reach. It would be an amazing get, if Mason could afford him and if there is genuine interest. It would be the best hire since 2011 for them if it happened. His success the last two season may have put him out of reach.
Eric Konkol - Former Jim Larranaga assistant while at George Mason, Konkol would be another candidate with ties to the program. Some thought he should have gotten the job when Dave Paulsen was hired and has had a ton of success at Louisiana Tech. He’s now currently taking on a rebuild at Tulsa but have to think the Mason job would be of interest. Perhaps not the most impressive resume but again someone who knows how Mason’s program runs could be beneficial at this point in time with where things are.
Kimani Young - An assistant under Dan Hurley at UConn, Young could be one of the next up and coming coaching stars. It would certainly be an intriguing outside hire with loads of potential and most likely someone who not bolt at the first high major offer. He’s been an instrumental part of the rebuild done at UConn and would have to think that would translate a lot to what needs to be done at George Mason now.
I’m sure other names will emerge but that’s may take as of today. The nostalgia hire of Tony Skinn would be awesome but they still might want to go with someone with more experience. Hard to know what they will do and let’s not forget they still don’t have an AD in place, as embarrassing as that is right now. It’s a very important moment for Dr. Washington though who can definitely continue to show faith that he’s all in for basketball. We need more proof at this point and it continues with this next head coach hire.
We need Skinn and give him a 5 year constract to give him time to build and learn at the same time. College game is about stability despite NIL and transfer portal. Just look at Miami again with coach L taking them to elite 8 again. Come on. I am tired of Paulsens, English, Hewitts, etc. They will never love Mason like Tony.
Duane Simpkins should be considered for the next HC of Mason. He has been an excellent Assistant HC for the past 7 years ad has more experience than Skinn.