@brooklyn brownstone asked a question on the Opponent tracker thread asking if Schmidt was on the hot seat due to the Bonnie’s terrible A10 play this year.
One would have to say “yes” and examining the situation is like looking in the mirror. I remember a thread on this topic in the old Forum and thanks to AI I was able to get all the information below. It really is incredible how similar the programs have been.
Both programs need to move on and to me Richmond is a much more attractive job simply because of its location and the fact that it does have other programs on the rise. But both programs have been entrenched with the current coach so it is “hard” to part ways. However if the goal is to be the best, compete for championships and get a return on investment then the choice is easy.
Comparison compliments of Gemini:
Mark Schmidt of St. Bonaventure and Chris Mooney of Richmond are the two longest-tenured head coaches in the Atlantic 10 (A-10) conference. As of early 2026, Mooney is in his 21st season at Richmond, while Schmidt is in his 19th season at St. Bonaventure.
Career Statistical Comparison
Their career numbers are remarkably similar, often described as "mirror images" of one another.
| Category | Mark Schmidt (SBU) | Chris Mooney (UR) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Career Wins | 417 | 387 |
| Wins at Current School | 335 | 369 |
| A-10 Conference Wins | 167 (5th all-time) | 180 (3rd all-time) |
| A-10 Tournament Titles | 2 (2021) | 2 (2011, 2022) |
| NCAA Appearances | 2 (2018, 2021) | 3 (2010, 2011, 2022) |
| Head-to-Head Record | 12 wins | 11 wins |
Coaching Philosophies and Styles
While both are considered "tacticians," they utilize different offensive foundations:
* Chris Mooney: Heavily influenced by his time playing at Princeton under Pete Carril. He runs the "Spider" offense, a variation of the Princeton system that emphasizes constant motion, back-door cuts, and high-IQ passing from forwards.
* Mark Schmidt: Known as a master of player development and scouting under-the-radar talent. His teams are defined by disciplined half-court execution and a defensive identity that emphasizes holding opponents to low scoring totals (often 65 points or less).
Key Career Achievements
* Mooney's Peak: Led Richmond to the Sweet 16 in 2011 and secured the program's first-ever A-10 regular-season title in 2024. He is the winningest coach in Richmond history.
* Schmidt's Peak: Successfully rebuilt a St. Bonaventure program that was in significant distress when he arrived in 2007. He led the Bonnies to a First Four win over UCLA in 2018 and a dominant 2021 season where they won both the A-10 regular season and tournament titles.
Recent Matchup Dynamics
Despite Mooney having more total wins at Richmond, Schmidt has gained the upper hand in their direct rivalry recently. Since 2018, St. Bonaventure holds a 9-2 record over the Spiders. Notably, Richmond has struggled at the Bonnies' home court, the Reilly Center, failing to win there since February 2015.
(Obviously the latest outcome not reflected in the above).
One would have to say “yes” and examining the situation is like looking in the mirror. I remember a thread on this topic in the old Forum and thanks to AI I was able to get all the information below. It really is incredible how similar the programs have been.
Both programs need to move on and to me Richmond is a much more attractive job simply because of its location and the fact that it does have other programs on the rise. But both programs have been entrenched with the current coach so it is “hard” to part ways. However if the goal is to be the best, compete for championships and get a return on investment then the choice is easy.
Comparison compliments of Gemini:
Mark Schmidt of St. Bonaventure and Chris Mooney of Richmond are the two longest-tenured head coaches in the Atlantic 10 (A-10) conference. As of early 2026, Mooney is in his 21st season at Richmond, while Schmidt is in his 19th season at St. Bonaventure.
Career Statistical Comparison
Their career numbers are remarkably similar, often described as "mirror images" of one another.
| Category | Mark Schmidt (SBU) | Chris Mooney (UR) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Career Wins | 417 | 387 |
| Wins at Current School | 335 | 369 |
| A-10 Conference Wins | 167 (5th all-time) | 180 (3rd all-time) |
| A-10 Tournament Titles | 2 (2021) | 2 (2011, 2022) |
| NCAA Appearances | 2 (2018, 2021) | 3 (2010, 2011, 2022) |
| Head-to-Head Record | 12 wins | 11 wins |
Coaching Philosophies and Styles
While both are considered "tacticians," they utilize different offensive foundations:
* Chris Mooney: Heavily influenced by his time playing at Princeton under Pete Carril. He runs the "Spider" offense, a variation of the Princeton system that emphasizes constant motion, back-door cuts, and high-IQ passing from forwards.
* Mark Schmidt: Known as a master of player development and scouting under-the-radar talent. His teams are defined by disciplined half-court execution and a defensive identity that emphasizes holding opponents to low scoring totals (often 65 points or less).
Key Career Achievements
* Mooney's Peak: Led Richmond to the Sweet 16 in 2011 and secured the program's first-ever A-10 regular-season title in 2024. He is the winningest coach in Richmond history.
* Schmidt's Peak: Successfully rebuilt a St. Bonaventure program that was in significant distress when he arrived in 2007. He led the Bonnies to a First Four win over UCLA in 2018 and a dominant 2021 season where they won both the A-10 regular season and tournament titles.
Recent Matchup Dynamics
Despite Mooney having more total wins at Richmond, Schmidt has gained the upper hand in their direct rivalry recently. Since 2018, St. Bonaventure holds a 9-2 record over the Spiders. Notably, Richmond has struggled at the Bonnies' home court, the Reilly Center, failing to win there since February 2015.
(Obviously the latest outcome not reflected in the above).
