Lappas v. McCall

Coach A v. Coach B, who you got?

Coach A
Overall 46-65 .414
Year 1 13-20 .394
Year 2 11-21 .344
Year 3 14-17 .452
Year 4 8-7 .533

Coach B
Overall 50-65 .435
Year 1 13-16 .448
Year 2 11-18 .379
Year 3 10-19 .345
Year 4 16-12 .571

That’s the same resume. Coach A (McCall) took a small step forward in year three and another small step forward in year four while Coach B (Lappas) didn’t take a (slightly larger but still small) step forward until year four, but this is a remarkable similar record.

Here’s two differences:

Firing Lappas was completely uncontroversial. Everyone knew it was coming and although there were a small number of people saying maybe he should have one more year, there was a consensus that he should be replaced. Lappas was fired on March 13.

In McCall’s case, there is definitely some anger and unhappiness, particular with Tre entering the transfer portal, but nothing like what there was for Lappas, and AD Bamford said MCCall would return on March 8.

Here’s the other difference: The roster is absolutely imploding right now for McCall. He will be back next year but at least Tre Mitchell and Carl Pierre won’t, and as many as five other players could be joining them in the transfer portal.

Lappas was bringing back two UMass all-time greats in Stéphane Lasme and Rashaun Freeman for their junior years, and was bringing in point guard Craig Austrie (who went on to have a solid career at UConn and played in a final four).

So what’s the difference? In 2005 a mediocre record got you fired despite some reason for optimism going forward; in 2021 you get another (possibly lame duck) year even though you are about to do a complete roster rebuild for the third (!) time.

What are we even doing here?