Mickey Matthews on hot seat?

[jmu1-A]

JMU now 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the CAA. If JMU misses the postseason AGAIN with a brand new stadium that rivals any FCS football stadium, nevermind JMU's aspirations of FBS...if we can't be playoff worthy in FCS, this question has to start getting asked. When does Mickey Matthews have to start worrying about his job?

[MadMaxMonarch]

I'm not real familiar with MM's post game mannerisms but looking at his last two post mortem pressers he looks like a man who is already worried about his job security.

[youngterrier]

Credit to Mickey Matthews....he won the national title in 2004, which is more than most teams and programs can say, but outside of that season and the great 2008 season that they had, they haven't accomplished much. I mean the NC is a big plus on the resume but other than that they've made the playoffs like what 4 times in the last 13 years?

[jmu1-A]

Credit to Mickey Matthews....he won the national title in 2004, which is more than most teams and programs can say, but outside of that season and the great 2008 season that they had, they haven't accomplished much. I mean the NC is a big plus on the resume but other than that they've made the playoffs like what 4 times in the last 13 years?

You credit "NC" as a big plus on the resume. Not sure if you meant beating Virginia Tech (as we got crused by UNC this year). And yes, beating VT was a big win. But your other point is well taken...2004 was almost 8 years ago and 2008 was almost 4. If someone asked me would I rather see JMU beat tech every year and miss the FCS playoffs, or lose to tech every year and play for an FCS championship....I'm taking playing for an FCS championship.

[jmu1-A]

oh, NC means national championship..haha..my bad. But VT win is a resume builder as well...

[WrenFGun]

Mickey is a complete prick. Just my opinion.

[ur2K]

I hope JMU keeps MM forever. He always does enough to screw up that team.

[ODUalum11]

Fire Mickey Matthews but who does JMU hire then?

Also honest question since I'm no FCS Football Historian but was JMU any good before Matthews got there? ...he has the Dukes only national championship in the sport....

[jmu1-A]

Fire Mickey Matthews but who does JMU hire then?

Also honest question since I'm no FCS Football Historian but was JMU any good before Matthews got there? ...he has the Dukes only national championship in the sport....

Answer: No. JMU was absolutely nothing in football before MM. And now we have a national title and a fan base that is growing by the year. Mickey may have created the very monster that will destroy him....expectations.

[ODUalum11]

With a new stadium that could really boost recruitment I would definitely give him a couple more years. I think the new stadium will really be attractive to future recruits.

[jmu1-A]

With a new stadium that could really boost recruitment I would definitely give him a couple more years. I think the new stadium will really be attractive to future recruits.

I'm inclined to agree. But only one more year. If we cannot be competitive enough to make a decent playoff run NEXT year, bye bye MM.

[∞∞∞]

With a new stadium that could really boost recruitment I would definitely give him a couple more years. I think the new stadium will really be attractive to future recruits.

I'm inclined to agree. But only one more year. If we cannot be competitive enough to make a decent playoff run NEXT year, bye bye MM.

Can JMU afford paying Mickey's contract while paying for a new coach as well? MM is signed through 2014.

[ODUalum11]

I'm inclined to agree. But only one more year. If we cannot be competitive enough to make a decent playoff run NEXT year, bye bye MM.

Can JMU afford paying Mickey's contract while paying for a new coach as well? MM is signed through 2014.

Trip, you nailed it. I was gonna mention the exact same thing earlier but wasn't sure what MM's contract was like or when it ended...

[jmu1-A]

I'm inclined to agree. But only one more year. If we cannot be competitive enough to make a decent playoff run NEXT year, bye bye MM.

Can JMU afford paying Mickey's contract while paying for a new coach as well? MM is signed through 2014.

As long as bigger market contracts (like the WVU game next year) and ticket revenue from our new stadium keep coming in, I don't think JMU would worry too much about waiting until 2014. Nothing creates revenue like winning. And if replacing MM creates interest in the fan base, which puts money into the program ultimately, I think we can give 2012 (maybe 2013) to MM, but certainly not through 2014 if he can't get us to the playoffs...

[∞∞∞]

Can JMU afford paying Mickey's contract while paying for a new coach as well? MM is signed through 2014.

As long as bigger market contracts (like the WVU game next year) and ticket revenue from our new stadium keep coming in, I don't think JMU would worry too much about waiting until 2014. Nothing creates revenue like winning. And if replacing MM creates interest in the fan base, which puts money into the program ultimately, I think we can give 2012 (maybe 2013) to MM, but certainly not through 2014 if he can't get us to the playoffs...

I see your point, but JMU isn't a BCS program with near bottomless coffers. With rising tuition prices and an economy that isn't recovering anytime soon, it might be hard for the administration to justify wasting $500,000+ regardless of where you got the money. The payouts JMU's receiving from FBS games and TV contracts are supposed to go back into the program to benefit the student-athletes, not getting wasted on paying an ex-coach.

[jmu1-A]

As long as bigger market contracts (like the WVU game next year) and ticket revenue from our new stadium keep coming in, I don't think JMU would worry too much about waiting until 2014. Nothing creates revenue like winning. And if replacing MM creates interest in the fan base, which puts money into the program ultimately, I think we can give 2012 (maybe 2013) to MM, but certainly not through 2014 if he can't get us to the playoffs...

I see your point, but JMU isn't a BCS program with near bottomless coffers. With rising tuition prices and an economy that isn't recovering anytime soon, it might be hard for the administration to justify wasting $500,000+ regardless of where you got the money. The payouts JMU's receiving from FBS games and TV contracts are supposed to go back into the program to benefit the student-athletes, not getting wasted on paying an ex-coach.

Yeah, this is all very true. And while I totally agree that we couldn't (or shouldn't) fire him today or even next year, I don't think it makes financial sense to retain him a full 3 years. Bottom line, we built a new stadium because we now have a fan base that expects to be a competitive playoff team. And we built this new stadium in the height of the recession you were speaking of. So JMU has proven it will spend money to be competitive, even if that means paying a buyout in a our current coache's contract. Just my belief...

[jmu1-A]

And also, I'm not saying he deserves to be fired. If we end up turning it around this year (maybe 7 wins is good enough). Or making the playoffs next year, then I think MM deserves the right to play to the end of his contract and be evaluated then. I was merely raising the question of...is he on the hot seat and if we get the same result NEXT year, what happens? My verdict on Matthews won't come until what he shows me NEXT year...

[ODUalum11]

Yeah, this is all very true. And while I totally agree that we couldn't (or shouldn't) fire him today or even next year, I don't think it makes financial sense to retain him a full 3 years.

And firing him does?

[jmu1-A]

Yeah, this is all very true. And while I totally agree that we couldn't (or shouldn't) fire him today or even next year, I don't think it makes financial sense to retain him a full 3 years.

And firing him does?

Everything's relative. If we can't fill that stadium the next two years because we can't win, then it can be financially justifiable. You're essentially saying "let's be stagnant for the next couple of years because we have a contract with a lame duck coach". That makes little financial sense to a program that NEEDS to sell out games. If (and I'm not saying there is right now) a coach out there that fits JMU's short term and long term plans, then absolutely you have to strike while the iron is hot. Once again, not saying firing him is the only option. Duh, of course not. But not recognizing that it COULD be a financial option given all the variables is a little short sighted.

[JmuSkinsfan]

JMU should be one of the "top" coaching positions in FCS. It's perfect for any young coach trying to take that next step in their career. That being said, JMU needs to be careful here. If we miss the playoffs for the 3rd year ... heads may roll ... but they have to make sure they get the right guy in there next year to keep this thing going (the momentum from the stadium, VT win, and talent level of the team). I wonder if JMU would entertain bringing in Dave Clausen (that is UR's old coach that went to Tennessee, right?)

[kdinva]

I wonder if JMU would entertain bringing in Dave Clausen (that is UR's old coach that went to Tennessee, right?)

Clawson is the head man at Bowling Green.....

[SeattleGriz]

I'm inclined to agree. But only one more year. If we cannot be competitive enough to make a decent playoff run NEXT year, bye bye MM.

Can JMU afford paying Mickey's contract while paying for a new coach as well? MM is signed through 2014.

Can they afford to keep him? The University of Washington (yes I know it is a large FBS school), had a boatload of donors tell the school that if they didn't fire Tyrone Willingham they were not going to donate the millions they had in years past.

Seems some big time donors could pay off his contract, although I don't know how much MM is making and contracted for throughout the remainder of his contract. By paying off contract, I obviously don't mean directly. Which is the bigger loss to the athletic fund? Paying off MM, or losing big donors?

[jmufan]

My question is, who would you hire? In my opinion, MM is still way better than many coaches out there. Do you go after Rocco at Liberty? McDonnell at New Hampshire?

[jcmanson]

Rocco to JMU. Ha

[BDKJMU]

Credit to Mickey Matthews....he won the national title in 2004, which is more than most teams and programs can say, but outside of that season and the great 2008 season that they had, they haven't accomplished much. I mean the NC is a big plus on the resume but other than that they've made the playoffs like what 4 times in the last 13 years?

MM team's have made the playoffs 5 times in 12 seasons (99'-10').