Does that Providence fan realize the 8 games or so they have on ESPNU every year doesn't count?

During this past season, only three to four games were unavailable to me as a Mason fan. I saw almost every singlke game thanks mostly to the expanded coverage by Comcast and MASN. That Providence person must be thinking of the pre-Final Four days.
Also, Providence person, it's "you're," not "your": "I mean you get that your a mid-major, right?"
And, yes, we're well aware--thanks for the unasked-for newsflash.
I hope Coach L. stays at Mason. (Go ahead, eviscerate me for stating my preference.) I think he's fantastic.

Steinz, Seton Hall is in the Big East too. Providence is the draw here. But I don't think he'll go. I think Providence needs to turn to another alum, JTII!

That Providence fan is funny.

Last time Mason was in the Final 4: 2 years ago.

Last time Providence was in the Final 4: 21 Years ago.

That said, I think it's a good move for Larrenega.

There's not much more Larranaga can do at Mason. If he's got a chance to go Big East, and it's his alma mater, he should go.

It's not easy to win at Providence - but it wasn't easy to win at Mason, either, and he did.

Sendek? Really? Did Friars fans miss the decade of mediocrity he had at NC State? I thought they wanted a coach who could get them into the NCAA on occasion.

The Patriot Center at George Mason University currently has the words "Mason Nation" on the court; when Larranaga returns to the Patriots next year, the word's will read "Coach L Court".

Larranaga is not Roy Williams, and nor is he trying to be. We understand our place amongst the various majors though based upon the millions of ruined brackets we made you throw out in 2006 and the subsequent upsets like VCU and Winthrop last year, or Davidson's run this year I think it's time to throw out this talk of majors.

Honestly my good Friars, do you really feel you have the entitlement to trash talk an organization that has has won the same number of NCAA tournament games in the past three years as you have in the past eleven?

The answer is a resounding NO! I don't want to hear complaints about level of competition between the Big East and the CAA. Yes, your conference is more competitive but shouldn't that in turn result in a higher RPI; and given just a .500 season thereby ensure you an at-large bid against some pathetic mid-major like perhaps the University of Pacific Tigers (next time try not losing to a no-name school and then running your mouth).

Moving to Providence would be a terrible end to Larranaga's career, in terms of taking his current top of the CAA status to the bottom of the Big East, with a winning in-conference season being at least 3 years off.

Jim Larranaga is a great Coach, an important public figure here at Mason and in the surrounding D.C. area, and while we're flattered you're so interested in bringing back a successful alumni to turn around an under-achieving team consider this; only a few years ago the Patriot center saw a pair of Larranagas take to the court, namely Coach L, and his Jon at forward for Mason.

Knowing this, one must look no further than to the mantra printed on the pamphlets by the alumni association:

"Once a Patriot, Always a Patriot".

Larranaga stays, enough said.

Hey Final IV Tbone, you're not going to be a happy guy. It's a done deal. He is coming to Providence. Look for an announcement tonight or tomorrow morning. It's done.

And for the record, if you want to talk about trashing an organization, go have a look at how the Mason board is shredding apart PC (and they are not even getting their facts straight).

Anyway, best of luck with your new coach. I hope Larranaga can take PC on a ride like he took Mason.

http://www.wjfk.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=1738908

Hey losers it's a done deal your boy is going back to Providence. You'll be able to catch him on national TV, Providence was on the ESPN family of networks 14 times this past season. Best of luck in the bracket buster

I guess no news 12 hours later proves that both the mighty Eric and President of The Backcourt Club need to step away from the vodka bottles for a while. Nothing is a done deal until they cross the t's and dot the i's.

I'm not going to take anyones word on it being a done deal till I hear a press statement or article stating so. I do not believe you.

Dan, Doc Nix and the Green Machine love you. :)

how will George Mason ever find a coach to replace Coach L who will be able to beat William and Mary, Northeastern, Delaware, and Hofstra. The task just seems too gargantuan to me.

Listen, Coach L has had a good run at Mason and he should be given a hero's sendoff to PC. The real issue in DC is for Mason to step up and hire a high Division I coach (bring on Bobby Knight ... chair throwing and all) to sustain all the progress Larranaga has brought Mason. 12 years is a long time and it's time for a new era for PC and for Mason.

All for naught. Rejoice Mason Nation ... Coach L has agreed to stay in Fairfax through 2015. Providence was, is, and always will be ... just Providence.

He goes no where! The man just accepted a 3-year extension. So shove it in your eye Providence! Coach L is a Patriot through-and-through!

First of all, Providence fans should stop shredding Mason. You're coming to our house for your next coach because your program is in the crapper and ours isn't. If you think we're a sub-standard program, then your admin must be sub-standard to be looking at our coach. Also, last I checked, our AD was the head of the selection committee--the first committee to ever seed the tournament perfectly with all four No. 1s advancing. He also hired Larranaga when a host of other well-known coaches were in the mix for the job back in '97. In other words, even if Larranaga goes, I'm sure our AD is in the know and will hire a top-notch replacement.

Secondly, Mason fans should stop shredding Providence. Have some respect for our king's alma mater. He was one of the best players in their history. Even if it took them 20 years to finally realize the coaching talent that this alum brings to the table, we shouldn't denigrate them for that. We should want our coach to be happy, and if taking the job at his downtrodden alma mater is what he wants to do, we should support him.

For Mason Nation's sake, I hope Coach L retires a Patriot and I hope the administration is working on a competitive package to make that happen. But even if he doesn't, I'll always be a huge fan of Jim Larranaga and his family for sticking it out and making our program into the toast of the town. He's a good person with principles and priorities. Still, when the alma mater comes calling, it's tough to ignore. Just look at the passionate posts from Providence and Mason fans...that's the power our alma maters have over us all. Coach L is no different. If he blows off Providence, it'll be very telling--not about his character, but about how different Providence is from what he wants it to be, and in turn how much better it is to be king forever at Mason than to be the next guy through the turnstile at Providence. Should be interesting!

Go Mason!

Congrats Friars! If there was ever any doubt, PC is now officially irrelevant in college basketball. Might as well get ready for your move to the Patriot League.

I'm going to to suggest a nice Green Machine arrangement of "Hail to the Chief" to Doctor Nickens. I figure we can record and send it to this all knowing "President of the Backcourt Club".

With such valuable insight into the circumstances surrounding this whole affair, I think it only appropriate that he have the option of having this classic American fanfare played for him. I can just see it now; he walks around Alumni Hall in search of Larranaga, as he proudly marches to this stately tune; slowly but surely becoming ever more befuddled as to why the only trace of Coach L to be found is his Hall of Fame photo.

While you may have been wrong on where Coach L would decide to go, you were right on two accounts:

Firstly, "Hey Final IV Tbone, you're not going to be a happy guy". You were right I'm not happy... I'm ELATED AND OVERJOYED!

Secondly, though not as you saw it, "It's done".

Game. Set. Match.

Mason beats Providence.

How bad must it be at Providence if the most successful active coaching alum won't come back to save the day for a $300K pay raise?

Next to the Final Four, this is our biggest upset. Way to go, Coach L. Now let's name the Patriot Center after him and erect a statue of him outside of the Johnson Center.

Good luck with your search, Providence, but our coach isn't for sale.

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