Game 18, 2024-25: at Fordham (1/15)

[Camby4Life]

Considering almost all of his former players seem to revere him, and these guys already have stuck it out to be here for a second year, I think the stuff we don’t see in locker room, on sidelines in huddles, at practice, etc. historically seem to outweigh the over the top demeanor during the games. We can’t know for sure, but it seems like less of an issue with the players when compared to the fans.

If Frank is winning games you'd hear almost no complaints from fans, but he's done almost as much losing as winning, so I'd say the critiques about his demeanor are fair.

"almost all of his former players seem to revere him" is a bit of a stretch. I don't hear Cohen, Keon or Robert Davis saying much about Frank and they definitely don't seem to revere him. You're almost never going to hear players be publicly critical of their coaches, regardless of what they think of them.

Most coaches have some level of support from some of their players, even when locker rooms are toxic and coaches get fired for mistreating the players they'll have some players come out in support of them.

Niles, we all know you dislike Frank. I’m pretty sure you also dislike Curry since you post about him every game.

Why would Cohen, Keon, and Davis say anything about Frank right now? They are transfers still playing this season.

[minutefanjsf]

Considering almost all of his former players seem to revere him, and these guys already have stuck it out to be here for a second year, I think the stuff we don’t see in locker room, on sidelines in huddles, at practice, etc. historically seem to outweigh the over the top demeanor during the games. We can’t know for sure, but it seems like less of an issue with the players when compared to the fans.

If Frank is winning games you'd hear almost no complaints from fans, but he's done almost as much losing as winning, so I'd say the critiques about his demeanor are fair.

"almost all of his former players seem to revere him" is a bit of a stretch. I don't hear Cohen, Keon or Robert Davis saying much about Frank and they definitely don't seem to revere him. You're almost never going to hear players be publicly critical of their coaches, regardless of what they think of them.

Most coaches have some level of support from some of their players, even when locker rooms are toxic and coaches get fired for mistreating the players they'll have some players come out in support of them.

He won 20 games last year. Finished top four in the A10. Numbers UMass hasn’t seen in along time. He was winning and the complaints were there. And, I am not saying anyone has to like his court side demeanor. Wins or losses don’t matter in that equation. Danny Hurley is ass on the sideline and has won a ton. My point is that fans see the coach for usually four hours a week coaching. The team has 20 hours with him in practice that we don’t see, and I’m sure there are other events aside from games and practice where they are with each other. The NIL and transfer rules do make it a little more fluid, but yes, Cohen, and even Deyondre Dominguez spoke highly of Frank on the way out. Leaving a team now is not just about PT or player/coach relationship. In this day and age, players are criticism of coaches and their previous situations, look at Matt Cross in Miami for an example.

[Floyd]

As a fan it doesn't really bother me, and I like the accountability factor he holds guys to. I just wonder in this day & age of free movement & NIL money if kids are less willing to stick out a tough situation and would jump to somewhere more comfortable. Things are much different than years ago and I wonder how much playing for a certain coach is valued vs the percs they get.

[69MG]

Does anybody think that in this era of readily available information, any player coming in was unaware of Frank's coaching style? Having heard Frank talk about recruiting, he's honest with players about accountability, etc.

Now, some players might think they know what's coming and find it's still more than they can handle. That is bound to happen. This season isn't about Frank's coaching, it's about his roster building. That is a C- at best and probably a D.

[minutefanjsf]

Does anybody think that in this era of readily available information, any player coming in was unaware of Frank's coaching style? Having heard Frank talk about recruiting, he's honest with players about accountability, etc.

Now, some players might think they know what's coming and find it's still more than they can handle. That is bound to happen. This season isn't about Frank's coaching, it's about his roster building. That is a C- at best and probably a D.

I think coaching is a huge part not just roster building. The FT and defensive improvement is awesome during this season, if it wasn’t so horrible to start the season we likely win the Hofstra, Lowell, and CCSU games, and we are just complaining about inconsistent league play at this point. They weren’t ready and that is on the coach, which he has admitted.

[Floyd]

Generally the biggest jumps for kids is sophomore to Jr years, no? Got that yr or two of getting physically stronger, more maturity about preparation & eating right, and overall just growing. I could see guys like Amadou & Shahid improving with an offseason of getting stronger, and working with the staff. Both look promising to me, and I've always like Marqui. It'll be interesting to see how much of the roster comes back

[UMassfan_19]

I watched this game right behind Frank and noticed a few things. His assistants. He yells at them as much as the kids and they do t totally seem connected or communicating well. I’m not sure our players really know any offensive sets. Frank would call a play and 9/10 times turn around in disgust at his assistants when players were not in the right position to run the play. Finally he is a bit sarcastic when Jayden fouled out he yelled at him way to be smart way to help your team in a sarcastic tone. It was a bit uncomfortable witness especially when in some cases foul trouble was him leaving a guy in too long. The assistants rarely coach players up and players are often called idiots on the sideline. Are some stupid at times but can’t imagine none of that can’t be coached out of them

[MikeUMA]

'Sool will get recognized tomorrow for Senior Day. UM put together a new recap of the Fordham game, when he delivered that heroic performance.
https://umassathletics.com/news/2025/3/ ... e-thriller