Coach in 2025-26?

[MikeUMA]

With this UMass to the MAC in all sports news, I would love to know what's going on in Frank's mind right now.

He signed up for UMass in the Atlantic 10, not the MAC.

The A-10 is not having its best years lately but as a men's hoop league it's WAY better than the MAC.
In the last 25 NCAA MBB Tournaments...
Multi-bid years: MAC 2 (1998, '99), A10 22 (all but 2002, '05, '23)
Total game wins: MAC 14, A10 54

It's also going to be a massive hurdle for Frank and our assistants to retain our existing players, retain our committed recruits, and get future recruits of the same caliber.

Frank also hasn't been shy about mentioning leaving coaching at whatever point in the future. "I'll go make rum & cokes" is something he's dropped in his Just Being Frank shows.

That said - does this conference change alter his thinking about staying here? Knowing what we know now, what do you think?

[thecaptain]

Pretty much a given that he’s gone- either after next year or the year after to line up with Laranaga’s contract expiring in ‘26.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Jesus Chris is this a serious thread? Wow.


And if what thecaptain says has any substance to it, he was leaving anyways, A10 or otherwise.

[inthescoop]

Pretty much a given that he’s gone- either after next year or the year after to line up with Laranaga’s contract expiring in ‘26.

Source is "miami_greg342342341" on Twitter?

[wmmmfan]

I find it hard to believe Frank was not aware this could happen when he took the job.
This is why it is crucial for UMass to have a plan for the future and act on. The time for lip service is over.
If UMass is going to invest in improvements to the stadium, a permanent indoor practice structure and continued investment in M&WBB with the intention to be prepared for the next round of realignment. What young, up and coming coach wouldn’t want to replace Frank IF he leaves? It would be an ideal situation.

[DoctorJ]

I think the school wants hoop to succeed and will make efforts to retain Frank.

We still have one more year in the A10, and we'll see how much the collective picks up steam.

Not sure I get why this had to be done but it is what it is. We need to maintain recruiting quality and if Frank stays, we have the most prestigious HC in the MAC and a functioning collective to go with our facilities. Lot of student athletes will be choosing from teams with wacky travel schedules. If we can be a top dog in that conference, we should be able to get kids who can compete at a high level for the MAC.

That said, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Barbee or DK replacing Frank if he bolts.

[natwam2547]

I find it hard to believe Frank was not aware this could happen when he took the job.

Bingo bango. I'd have to hope he knew it was in the works. Whether he agrees with it or likes it, to be seen. But I doubt he found out in the news yesterday like the rest of us. If the A-10 commish came out and talked about how transparent Umass was about this, I'd have to imagine they'd give their coach the same respect.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

^

Absolutely, no way in hell Frank was in the dark on this. He knew from the moment he first interviewed that we were conference hunting, and knew throughout the process of said conference hunting.

[Floyd]

Win your conference, play well in the tourney, schedule anyone anywhere, and kids will want to come to be on TV, and the Mullins (or Mully for you young guys) will be jacked again. And Frank will be in heaven at UMass

[MikeUMA]

^

Absolutely, no way in hell Frank was in the dark on this. He knew from the moment he first interviewed that we were conference hunting, and knew throughout the process of said conference hunting.

Yeah, he knew we were conference hunting, but how long has the MAC really been in play, and how much was he in the loop? We'll probably never know that.

CUSA has been the banter recently. MAC was always out there as a maybe, but didn't feel as likely given our snub in 2015. CUSA is better than the MAC (in current MBB NET rating).

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Yeah, he knew we were conference hunting, but how long has the MAC really been in play, and how much was he in the loop? We'll probably never know that.

No, but I suspect Bamford was likely pretty realistic with him that places like the MAC and CUSA were what was most likely, while maybe as a long shot an AAC situation could happen if the cards fell right at the right time. And worst case, status quo with the A10. And as things progressed and changed, I'm sure the admin was upfront with Frank on where things stood.

[DoctorJ]

He does make more money if they make the tournament, right?

Anyone know how much more? He might just be up for this...

[Berkman]

He said in an interview that he is staying.

[MikeUMA]

He said in an interview that he is staying.

When/where was that?

[thecaptain]

He said in an interview that he is staying.

so did Travis Ford...