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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 9, 2024 17:29:53 GMT -5
Anyone planning to be there? Please share your thoughts and observations.
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Post by Rogobob77 on Apr 9, 2024 18:31:06 GMT -5
Dedicated Titan Fans & Alums, Please join us on Wednesday, April 10, as we formally introduce the 23rd head men's basketball coach in school history Mark Montgomery. The event starts at 10 AM in Calihan Hall, with refreshments beginning at 9 AM and continuing after. As distinguished guests, we look forward to seeing you for this celebration. Afterward, stay and watch the men's lacrosse team take on Jacksonville at Titan Field at Noon. For those who can't make it, we will stream the press conference live on YouTube, Facebook, and X. Click here for the official press release and all live stream links: detroittitans.com/news/2024/4/3/mens-basketball-detroit-mercy-hires-mark-montgomery-to-lead-titans-mens-basketball-back-to-prominence.aspxThank you and Go Titans! P.J. Gradowski University of Detroit Mercy Director Of Athletic Communications Calihan Hall 4001 W. McNichols Rd Detroit, MI 48221 Office - (313)-993-1700 – ext. 7325 Cell - (313) 585-0982 gradowpj@udmercy.edu Twitter - @detroittitans, @gradowpj |
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 9, 2024 18:55:28 GMT -5
Dedicated Titan Fans & Alums, Please join us on Wednesday, April 10, as we formally introduce the 23rd head men's basketball coach in school history Mark Montgomery. The event starts at 10 AM in Calihan Hall, with refreshments beginning at 9 AM and continuing after. As distinguished guests, we look forward to seeing you for this celebration. Afterward, stay and watch the men's lacrosse team take on Jacksonville at Titan Field at Noon. For those who can't make it, we will stream the press conference live on YouTube, Facebook, and X. Click here for the official press release and all live stream links: detroittitans.com/news/2024/4/3/mens-basketball-detroit-mercy-hires-mark-montgomery-to-lead-titans-mens-basketball-back-to-prominence.aspxThank you and Go Titans! P.J. Gradowski University of Detroit Mercy Director Of Athletic Communications Calihan Hall 4001 W. McNichols Rd Detroit, MI 48221 Office - (313)-993-1700 – ext. 7325 Cell - (313) 585-0982 gradowpj@udmercy.edu Twitter - @detroittitans, @gradowpj Thank you for posting the details. |
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Post by udballer on Apr 9, 2024 20:34:00 GMT -5
Anyone planning to be there? Please share your thoughts and observations. Haven't reached the age yet where I can just show up somewhere at 10a on a Wednesday. Wish I could. Also interested in how it goes though. |
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Post by upbasketballfan on Apr 10, 2024 9:06:09 GMT -5
Anyone planning on hitting the button or switch so we can see and hear?
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 10, 2024 9:13:19 GMT -5
Anyone planning on hitting the button or switch so we can see and hear? I didn't have audio right when the video started, but the audio kicked in for me right when Dan Hasty opened up the press conference. |
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 10, 2024 9:14:10 GMT -5
Coach Izzo is in attendance. That's nice to see him supporting his guy.
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Post by formertommytitan on Apr 10, 2024 9:38:40 GMT -5
LET'S GO!!! UDM needs this guy to be successful...it sounds like the school is ready to help make that happen (heard it before) - Cautious optimism over here -- love that he knows what Detroit is about
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Post by upbasketballfan on Apr 10, 2024 10:16:05 GMT -5
I was kinda hoping he would introduce his staff!
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Post by motorcitysam on Apr 10, 2024 10:23:37 GMT -5
Standard introduction conference, but a solid effort, nonetheless. I watched it on Youtube.
Dan Hasty got things started. Taylor, Vowels, and Coach Monty were on stage. Coach Izzo was there in support. Some members of the men's basketball team were there. Ike McKinnon was in attendance. Coach Monty's mother was there. A couple of his coaches from Southgate Aquinas were there.
Vowels thanked everyone, including donors, alumni, current student athletes, former student athletes, employees, etc.
President Taylor talked about the high number of candidates interested in the position. He thanks Wilbert McCormick, Dan Kennedy, Coach Achter, and others for their support in the selection/hiring process. There were 9 semifinalists and 4 finalists. Dr. Taylor and someone else (I didn't catch the name) interviewed the finalists, and Vowels spoke with the finalists after. It was clear that Monty was the best choice. Taylor said he will do everything that he can to get the program back in the NCAA tournament, and that the needed investments will be made.
Monty thanked a lot of people. He took a playful shot at NIU, saying that they hadn't done much since firing him. He told an amusing story about being recruited by Jud Heathcote and Izzo, and spoke highly of past coaches Gaines, Vitale, Watson and McCallum. Said he had been calling former players and area coaches. Goal is to do things the right way, without cutting corners. Wants to get the Hall packed and rocking. Said he had talked to Izzo and that the Titans would be traveling to East Lansing and the Spartans would be coming to Calihan. He did refer to the University as Detroit Mercy at least once.
Monty had a comfortable, relaxed style from the podium. Said all the right stuff. Struck an optimistic tone, but emphasized that there was a lot of work to do.
I look forward to seeing coverage, including accounts of the one on one interviews that were to take place with the media after the press conference.
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Post by calihanmole on Apr 10, 2024 10:48:12 GMT -5
I agree with Sam. Solid effort, although quite standard. What’s funny is that the last two coaching introductions were so recent that I can still remember them. I remember Bacari talking about doing things the Detroit Mercy way and that they might call us “Floorburn U” because of our defensive effort. I remember Mike Davis talking about how much he loved Houston and working at Texas Southern but that Vowels convinced him to join us based on their years of friendship.
Years later, I wonder how those guys feel. Bacari left coaching altogether and now works with HS students who need help. Very admirable, but you have to wonder if he questions his decision to leave basketball after seeing Davis also fail to make it work here. Hell, Bacari was better than Davis record wise.
And with Davis, I wonder if he regrets his decision. Sure, we paid more than TxSU, but had he stayed and AD played for him, they likely would have went to the tournament and their stock could have been quite high. Perhaps even high enough for Mike to land a P5 head coaching job by AD’s 3rd year. The alternative universe possibilities are intriguing. Of course, in our universe, Davis gets paid by UDM this next year to do nothing. Unless Calipari hires him to be an assistant at Arkansas this week. Those odds aren’t high, but they’re also not zero.
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Post by calihanmole on Apr 10, 2024 11:11:13 GMT -5
Another interesting moment was when Montgomery took a shot at NIU and said they “haven’t done anything” since he left and said “I had to get that dig in.”
Not entirely sure what to make of it, but I found it bizarre and a bit cringe. He coached at NIU for 9 years and only had two seasons above .500, so one could also say NIU didn’t do much when he was in charge either. Maybe sports are different or maybe the world is changing, but disparaging your former employer in your public introduction for your new job seems petty and insecure. Maybe I’m overthinking it, though I know it’s the kind of thing that Ray McCallum wouldn’t even consider saying.
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Post by upbasketballfan on Apr 10, 2024 11:23:36 GMT -5
Another interesting moment was when Montgomery took a shot at NIU and said they “haven’t done anything” since he left and said “I had to get that dig in.” Not entirely sure what to make of it, but I found it bizarre and a bit cringe. He coached at NIU for 9 years and only had two seasons above .500, so one could also say NIU didn’t do much when he was in charge either. Maybe sports are different or maybe the world is changing, but disparaging your former employer in your public introduction for your new job seems petty and insecure. Maybe I’m overthinking it, though I know it’s the kind of thing that Ray McCallum wouldn’t even consider saying. Whether he was winning or losing McCallum was always a class act! |
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Post by udmperry on Apr 10, 2024 11:25:03 GMT -5
I was fine with the joshing vibe. Also makes me think he really feels like he has something to prove. A little sniping is ok with me. Prez Taylor is sure clearly behind the program without a doubt.
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Post by akhorey on Apr 10, 2024 11:38:39 GMT -5
I agree with Sam. Solid effort, although quite standard. What’s funny is that the last two coaching introductions were so recent that I can still remember them. I remember Bacari talking about doing things the Detroit Mercy way and that they might call us “Floorburn U” because of our defensive effort. I remember Mike Davis talking about how much he loved Houston and working at Texas Southern but that Vowels convinced him to join us based on their years of friendship. Years later, I wonder how those guys feel. Bacari left coaching altogether and now works with HS students who need help. Very admirable, but you have to wonder if he questions his decision to leave basketball after seeing Davis also fail to make it work here. Hell, Bacari was better than Davis record wise. And with Davis, I wonder if he regrets his decision. Sure, we paid more than TxSU, but had he stayed and AD played for him, they likely would have went to the tournament and their stock could have been quite high. Perhaps even high enough for Mike to land a P5 head coaching job by AD’s 3rd year. The alternative universe possibilities are intriguing. Of course, in our universe, Davis gets paid by UDM this next year to do nothing. Unless Calipari hires him to be an assistant at Arkansas this week. Those odds aren’t high, but they’re also not zero. From what I heard from a player MD took 0 but you never know. Look for him to land at u of m in a special assistant role to may if he goes anywhere. Also could see a guy like Kyle GA’ing there on MD recommendation but that’s my opinion |
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