Flying Dutchmen Fans

I may be in the minority here, I just don't get the Groce to CofC deal. Why on earth do that. He's built Akron, a much larger school in a widely considered slightly better conf than the CAA, into a mid major power with national recognition - he's going from a 1 bid league to another - and it won't be automatic winning this league, esp with the W and HU in it. It's as winnable as where he came from, nothing special or excitingly different.

Yes, Charleston is a fun city, the school has a great fanbase and willing donors, but Akron and the MAC isn't a slouch. Hard for me not to see this largely as a lateral move. Granted he did fail at his P5 opportunity, but he's built up mid major success since then, I woud've expected another bigger shot for him. Kudos to CofC for reeling him in, he's def a good coach, I just don't get the connection. .

He's 100% a midwest guy, zero connections to the east or the south. He'll likely bring some guys with him, but he's not going to come in and magically dominate this regions recruiting. His name isn't that big. I think he'll do ok, not a bad hire at all, but this is an odd fit to me and it isn't an automatic slam dunk - I'll be curious to see just how well this works out. Hopefully for us it doesn't

As for Campbell, that is a damning comment from him, and something I've always been concerned about for HU - that concern has thankfully been reduced from my HU engagement at the NCAAT, but not a good look here for Campbell - you're either in this or your not. I personally don't consider them a contender, but if you aren't going to bother, then drop down or get rid of the sport. Makes no sense to half ass mens hoops in today's landscape.

I’m really not too sure about the Groce to Charleston move either. He’s obviously done well and built Akron into a mid major power. I’ve never been to Akron, but what I see online talks about how terrible of a place it is to live, but that in itself would not be a reason to move.

“I” believe the CAA is a slightly better men’s bball conference than the MAC and I also believe that Groce’s pay will be increased as well.

From what I saw his total comp was about $850K at Akron and I’m assuming his total pay at COFC will be some there in the 1.2-1.3MIL range. I guess the increase in money would make him leave? Hope he realizes how expensive of a place Charleston is to live in…

As far as the Campbell coach goes, I’m a little in shock. That team really wasn’t that bad (with the resources they were given) and I thought he was a good coach. I’d like him to be a coach on our sideline! I think it’s going to be hard to reel in a new coach to Campbell after he’s made comments like he did…

I cannot fathom the frustration of being a Campbell fan now where you haven't been to NCAAs since 1992 and are three years removed from blowing a 14-point lead with 6 mins left and 7 point lead with 3 mins left in the 2023 Big South title game just before leaving for CAA. Now they are in a tougher league to win and while they have made some noise are clearly not investing what they need to given coach's decision to leave after one year for a non HC position. We certainly owe them for knocking off UNCW in quarterfinals as I would not have felt good facing them in finals given our history!

Agreed. We owe Campbell big time for taking out UNCW. We got lucky with both UNCW and Charleston getting knocked out. Happy we took advantage of it though

Campbell wound up hiring a coach from D2. There certainly can be some gems from that level (look at what Ben McCollum has done at Drake and Iowa) but says something about where that school is at financially that they went to D2 level to find a guy.


https://gocamels.com/news/2026/4/8/mens ... coach.aspx

In 5 seasons as HC, Speedy has 4 20-win seasons, an NIT appearance (winning the 1st round game), a CAA regular season title, and a CAA Championship and NCAA tournament appearance, staying with Alabama for 35 minutes. Does he leave Hofstra for greener pastures, and if so, when?

It was at about this point in his career that Jay was turning down offers from Rutgers.

Ya know, I just don't see it with Speedy ... at least right now. He's not going anywhere just 'to go' for more dough, he would look for the perfect opportunity, and it would be in the Northeast, just like Jay. Wright grabbed the ideal opportunity for him, and that's why it worked so well - it was a super fit. Speedy will desire and hold for the same.

Those ideal jobs for him aren't open this year. That time may come in a few years. I.E. a Nova, SJU, UConn, level. 'Cuse is set. Temple, Rutgers, Seton Hall are a step below jobs, but if their NIL commitment is ramped up right to build a champion they become maybes. He needs a hoops focused school in his home region NY/PA - those are few and far between, all about timing.

But I also think he needs to win an NCAAT game / go on a run / show he can put together back to back consistency to garner what he really wants as a true step up. He's had a "lot" of success for HU standards, but not really nationally. This season was literally the first time he's stepped onto the national scene as a HC - no one gives a rats rear about the NIT. Most prime mid major guys are coming off multiple NCAAT runs. Powers need to see repeats to trust that it wasn't a fluke so when they make the hire their fanbase doesn't go ballistic.

I think we have a couple more years of him. And who knows, if those jobs never open, he may very well stay.

Totally agree Polito. Plus, Speedy is a Hofstra Alum. I believe he still has a lot to prove and a lot that he still wants to do.

Let’s get to the NCAAT’s a couple times in a row and win some games. Then, I could maybe see him leaving, but didn’t he make tons of money in the NBA already? It’s not like Hofstra isn’t paying him well. Looked like he made around $900K plus from what I saw under the Hofstra tax records.

I think we’ve got speedy for at least a couple more years and I believe Speedy is having fun and enjoying leading Hofstra. We are lucky to have him

Thanks Polito and PbDutch for your insights. You made me feel better!

I don't see Speedy leaving unless it is a super local job abd there are not many of those. He is grounded here, his kids are here also....perhaps when they grow up and leave the Island...that may be a catalyst for his departure.

A lot of what made Villanova the perfect job for Wright wasn't just the jump up, it was home for him. He met his wife there when she was a Villanova cheerleader. He was born in PA and grew up there as a Villanova fan. He played in PA at Bucknell and was an assistant in PA at Drexel and Villanova before he went out to UNLV.

Speedy already has all that. He was born literally in the very same town as Hofstra's campus and we know the rest from his time as a player here. When they won in D.C. last month, and I asked him what it meant to him to win the title as a head coach with the school where he was a Hofstra legend, he said, "I'm a big fan of that word." He absolutely loves being thought of as a Hofstra legend, as a player, and he would like it to be as a coach. He has also half-jokingly mentioned a statue being built for him at Hofstra, and he repeatedly has talked about Hofstra being "a special place." This is no ordinary "mid-major has success and seeks to take the next step up" progression at work. He is already at home in Hempstead like Jay was when he went to Villanova. Never say never in this business, but I don't think he's looking to leave. I think he want to accomplish a lot more to try to get that statue.

dutchPride86 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 11:38 am Campbell wound up hiring a coach from D2. There certainly can be some gems from that level (look at what Ben McCollum has done at Drake and Iowa) but says something about where that school is at financially that they went to D2 level to find a guy.


https://gocamels.com/news/2026/4/8/mens ... coach.aspx

It doesn't necessarily say they are hurting financially. It could, but it could also just be resource allocation. There are a lot of good coaches in D2. More schools in this NIL era are starting to realize that and would rather put the money toward their roster while spending less on a D2 coach who they can still have perfect confidence in.

Anyone know if Parrotta is leaving to go elsewhere or retiring?

https://x.com/HofstraMBB/status/2050301770178421041

Just spoke to Tom He is going up to Quinnipiac and be reunited with coach Pecora.
That is the second April 1st predictions I got right. the other was this year getting Tanner Thomas

Uuuhhhmmmm, what now??

Where in the world did this come from?? I'm gonna need some info here - completely out of left field - his choice?? Ours?? What the heck is this about??

I heard it was his choice and will have a larger role there. Am sure timing felt right after winning CAA and good chance for him to reunite with Tom. Will miss him as he did wonders with developing big men over the years, esp.. Silas, and love his Eastern European recruiting connections that brought German here.

Nothing against Mike.DePaoli, but with his experience Tom Parrotta should have been the Associate Head Coach of this team. Wish him much success at QU.

Super bummed about this. He lives north of the city so maybe a little easier commute for him. Saw him out a few times and was always super nice and willing to chat. Met his brother in DC this year, great guy as well. Tough loss for the program. This was actually his first NCAA tournament appearance as a coach in his 30+ years.

cactus if you get a chance can you post this on the board
Silverwavemedia.com
has a list of the most impactful mens mid major assistant coaches

The 100 Most Impactful High Major Assistants — Silver Waves Media https://share.google/WRMVDJOHfxxUM0EDg