Spider17
Bench player
I agree. A lot of "non-answer" answers to that question.
Mooney’s Coaching Tree (including former players)
- Thread starter Section9_RowD
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Mojo-Spider
Bench player
thanks for your reply...I don't follow the NBA, where Geriot and Chu worked, closely, but did see Florida play quite a bit in the NCAA Tournament...I'm not a student of the game and didn't realize Florida's style of basketball had anything in common with Coach Mooney's principles!
Go Spiders!
Spider17
Bench player
I always take these interviews with a big grain of salt. It’s expected that they’re all going to be complementary of each other. How much of that is actually true though, I’m not sure.
*23*
Bench player
South Carolina, UNC, SMU. Wow. Nice Job by Chu.
I know I know, we just happen to be in that middle ground of having a coach who is too well connected, not connected enough, wins too much, doesn't win enough, team is too bad and alternatively too good, and doesn't want to face certain coaches b/c alternatively does not want to hurt their feelings, nor hurt his own feelings. And has an AD who doesn't care, but cares about him and PQ, but not about the fake fans that actually care about winning, but cares about the real fans that hate billboards and fake fans.
I give up.
I know I know, we just happen to be in that middle ground of having a coach who is too well connected, not connected enough, wins too much, doesn't win enough, team is too bad and alternatively too good, and doesn't want to face certain coaches b/c alternatively does not want to hurt their feelings, nor hurt his own feelings. And has an AD who doesn't care, but cares about him and PQ, but not about the fake fans that actually care about winning, but cares about the real fans that hate billboards and fake fans.
I give up.
I nominate the above as post of the month. Great stuff. All of it sad but true.
97spiderfan
Bench player
23. I think you summed this up really nicely, that state of our program leadership and all of the tough issues they wrestle with.
As far as the new coaches with UR roots, I am quite impressed with what Chu is doing. Going to be interesting to see how Radford fares this year in the Big South. Since I will be home more, I may be channel changing to pickup some of the Radford action.
Spider17
Bench player
I think Chu will be a rising star in the coaching world. Young, motivated, has NIL connections, uses analytics approach to coaching. I know many posters would want our next basketball coach to be someone who has no connection to the program, but I think it’s worthwhile to consider Chu if he does well at Radford the next couple years and Mooney is ready to retire. Hovde and Geriot will be tougher, especially with Hovde at Columbia, to excel through the ranks quickly.
*23*
Bench player
As much as I have been ready to move on from Mooney for about 15 years, would not be opposed to giving any of these three a good look. All seem much more forward thinking, and resourceful so far. Of course, unless I'm mistaken, they all have a grand total of 0 wins and 0 losses. Will be interested to see how they can actually coach.
And as long as they wouldn’t continue any or only a minimal amount of Moonball. Quite frankly, we need a complete overhaul and fresh start - be it with former players / now coaches or someone outside the UR family.
Section9_RowD
Bench player
Imo, Hovde’s got his Golden connection. He spends three years at Columbia, and even if he’s only middle of the road in the Ivy, Golden makes a few calls for him and suddenly Kevin’s at a mid-major. ..
*23*
Bench player
It's interesting , all three look like they could be very successful, but just hard to tell until you are actually the guy in charge. As of today, I think Hovde has the most college experience and success as an assistant. Geriot seems to have leveraged his NBA contacts. So far what Chu has done with his roster and schedule is the most impressive, but I think has the least actual bench experience. Could be wrong on that.
Spider17
Bench player
In his first summer transfer window as a head coach, at Radford, Chu has brought in 3 former top 100 transfers and guys from power schools like Clemson, NC state, Minnesota.
Now, as we all know, being a former top 100 recruit does not mean the skill set will translate to the collegiate level and can point out that they transferred down levels for a reason. Still, it’s very impressive that he was able to land former top recruits at a school like Radford with no head coaching pedigree yet. Also, he was able to have a very solid schedule his first year too.
Of course, we haven’t seen the record yet. But if he can recruit, schedule, and win well at Radford, imagine what he could do at a program that has a stronger national reputation/pedigree, conference affiliation, and more NIL resources (like ours). He’s the one I’m keeping an eye on the most of the 3.
Now, as we all know, being a former top 100 recruit does not mean the skill set will translate to the collegiate level and can point out that they transferred down levels for a reason. Still, it’s very impressive that he was able to land former top recruits at a school like Radford with no head coaching pedigree yet. Also, he was able to have a very solid schedule his first year too.
Of course, we haven’t seen the record yet. But if he can recruit, schedule, and win well at Radford, imagine what he could do at a program that has a stronger national reputation/pedigree, conference affiliation, and more NIL resources (like ours). He’s the one I’m keeping an eye on the most of the 3.
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Being an assistant for a team that wins the National Championship never hurts the resume.
In my opinion, Hovde will have to get Columbia to 3rd or 4th in the league to get any interest at the next level. However, managing an Ivy League team is totally different than the higher level jobs, so he may have very limited options. Honestly, if Hovde is a “basketball purist” he may be happiest being a long term Ivy coach, but the salary is going to be much lower.
Chu, on the other hand, is showing that he has the skills needed for the new college coaching paradigm. But like others have said, we don’t know about the Xs and Os yet. However, I expect him to be at least good enough in that department too. Time will tell and I will be watching.
*23*
Bench player
Here is the experience for each:
Hovde
2012–2016 Columbia (assistant)
2016–2019 San Francisco (assistant)
2019–2021 San Francisco (associate head coach)
2021–2022 Richmond (assistant)
2022–2025 Florida (assistant)
Chu
2016–2019 Texas Legends (assistant)
2019–2021 Dallas Mavericks (basketball analytics liaison)
2021–2024 Indiana Pacers (manager of game strategy & analytics)
2024–2025 SMU (chief strategist for men's basketball)
Geriot
2011–2013 Princeton (assistant)
2013–2015 Campbell (assistant)
2015–2018 Cleveland Cavaliers (video coordinator)
2018–2022 Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant)
2022–2023 Cleveland Charge - Head Coach
2023–2024 Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant)
2024–2025 New Orleans Pelicans (assistant)
Hovde
2012–2016 Columbia (assistant)
2016–2019 San Francisco (assistant)
2019–2021 San Francisco (associate head coach)
2021–2022 Richmond (assistant)
2022–2025 Florida (assistant)
Chu
2016–2019 Texas Legends (assistant)
2019–2021 Dallas Mavericks (basketball analytics liaison)
2021–2024 Indiana Pacers (manager of game strategy & analytics)
2024–2025 SMU (chief strategist for men's basketball)
Geriot
2011–2013 Princeton (assistant)
2013–2015 Campbell (assistant)
2015–2018 Cleveland Cavaliers (video coordinator)
2018–2022 Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant)
2022–2023 Cleveland Charge - Head Coach
2023–2024 Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant)
2024–2025 New Orleans Pelicans (assistant)
*23*
Bench player
Geriot
If he does really well at Iona, he could leap frog Richmond. Iona is actually a pretty strong hoops school, big expectations for winning. The move to Richmond, while we all think would be a big step up - is probably closer to lateral. Before Tobin Anderson, they had Willard, Cluess, (one year with Tra Arnold?) and Pitino. Look how quick they kicked Tobin Anderson to the curb. Geriot better be winning in year two. If he does do well, and like likes the big city, he may want to stay at Iona as well for awhile.
If he does really well at Iona, he could leap frog Richmond. Iona is actually a pretty strong hoops school, big expectations for winning. The move to Richmond, while we all think would be a big step up - is probably closer to lateral. Before Tobin Anderson, they had Willard, Cluess, (one year with Tra Arnold?) and Pitino. Look how quick they kicked Tobin Anderson to the curb. Geriot better be winning in year two. If he does do well, and like likes the big city, he may want to stay at Iona as well for awhile.
Brown Recluse
Walk-on
Chu seems most likely to be different from Mooney despite having played for him, so I would vote for him if he shows something at Radford.
