Coach Chris Mack

[Nigel Tufnel]

I went to X when Mack was at school. Kind of a douche. Thank God we aren't all judged on how we behaved when we were 21. When Mack first got hired....well, meh....I wasn't impressed. I remembered a 21 year old douche...and he was leading "my" program. I decided to just wait. I'm so glad I did. I am not being a homer here...I think Mack is ingenious. His out of bounds plays are revolutionary. I think other coaches will start taking a page from his playbook. Think about that.....the guy can flat out coach. He was a 21 year old douche. I was also a 21 year old douche. But he's one of the best D 1 coaches right now. Now...I'm just an older and fatter douche. Douche aside...point being...that douche can coach.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Why even bring this up? The past is the past and him being a DBag is purely a subjective feeling.

Chris if you're reading this and I'm sure you will, you are not a DBag. Can I have a signed autograph ball from the team sent to my place please for defending you? :handshake:

[MHettel]

Nigel, I completely agree. You were a 21 year old douche. And so was Mack.

Randy Watson?

[boozehound]

This is a weird thread.

[XU-PA]

I went to X when Mack was at school. Kind of a douche. Thank God we aren't all judged on how we behaved when we were 21. When Mack first got hired....well, meh....I wasn't impressed. I remembered a 21 year old douche...and he was leading "my" program. I decided to just wait. I'm so glad I did. I am not being a homer here...I think Mack is ingenious. His out of bounds plays are revolutionary. I think other coaches will start taking a page from his playbook. Think about that.....the guy can flat out coach. He was a 21 year old douche. I was also a 21 year old douche. But he's one of the best D 1 coaches right now. Now...I'm just an older and fatter douche. Douche aside...point being...that douche can coach.

I was at X when Gillen was coaching, in his final season. I remember what a great guy he was, he would stop and approach people on campus, even me, that he didn't know. Shake hands say hi, was an amazing guy. I remember how pissed I was when he left, and they named Prosser head coach, Prosser seemed so stern, impersonal, I just knew it was a mistake, how wrong we can be

[JTG]

Why...just effing why this thread when we're 16-1 ? Some people would piss on a birthday cake. Could someone just delete this thread ?

[XUFan09]

The OP is about how people change and can surprise you, yet apparently multiple people just latch on to the initial negative comment about Mack.

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[SC in DC]

I was there when Don Ruberg was coach http://archive.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20100422/SPT0102/4230376/Don-Ruberg-an-Elder-XU-fixture, never knew the man. Guesssing he wasn't a Dbag! How is any of this relevant?

[XU 87]

This thread was meant as a compliment, but referring to someone as formerly being a douche is not a good way of giving a compliment.

[Nigel Tufnel]

The OP is about how people change and can surprise you, yet apparently multiple people just latch on to the initial negative comment about Mack.

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Exactly. I would never get offended by someone saying I was a moron at the age of 21. It was meant as a 100% compliment. Mods, delete the thread if people are getting so butt hurt over it. I think Mack is amazing and I've been nothing but complimentary of him as a coach. Never would have seen it coming 20 years ago...the guy is great with kids, media...whatever. Just delete it. The last thing I intended was to tarnish 16-1.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Nigel, I completely agree. You were a 21 year old douche. And so was Mack.

Randy Watson?

Haha. Well played. Yes, indeed.

[XBR1]

I went to X when Mack was at school. Kind of a douche. Thank God we aren't all judged on how we behaved when we were 21. When Mack first got hired....well, meh....I wasn't impressed. I remembered a 21 year old douche...and he was leading "my" program. I decided to just wait. I'm so glad I did. I am not being a homer here...I think Mack is ingenious. His out of bounds plays are revolutionary. I think other coaches will start taking a page from his playbook. Think about that.....the guy can flat out coach. He was a 21 year old douche. I was also a 21 year old douche. But he's one of the best D 1 coaches right now. Now...I'm just an older and fatter douche. Douche aside...point being...that douche can coach.

I completely agree with this post. Chris lived on my floor my freshman year. I was not fond of him and neither were most the other nonplayers that lived on the floor. I was pretty disappointed when he was hired but I couldn't have been more wrong. Chris is a great coach and should be paid like one. I would love for him to finish his career at X.

[Fireball]

Funny thing is that since he's been hired as coach, there has rarely been something that happened where I haven't thought that Chris handled it just the right way.

I'll take your word for it that Mack was a douche at age 21, but I'll tell you what...at 45, Chris seems to be a guy that really gets it. I wouldn't want anyone else leading the program.


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[Always Learning]

I was there when Don Ruberg was coach http://archive.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20100422/SPT0102/4230376/Don-Ruberg-an-Elder-XU-fixture, never knew the man. Guesssing he wasn't a Dbag! How is any of this relevant?

DC, sorry you never got to know the man. I first got to meet him and then work with him on a daily basis for ten years. A prince of a person, and the most Christ-like man I have ever known in my 81 years. Mr "O" and "Q" will add to that I am sure. While ex-X's like some on these boards eventually got their way and Rube was forced out, I doubt if any coach in any sport was as much liked as he was.

Besides, look what we got in place of him?

[LA Muskie]

I was there with Chris as well. Like me--and hopefully all the rest of our schoolmates--he has grown immensely as a person. And he's an outstanding coach.


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[xudash]

Exactly. I would never get offended by someone saying I was a moron at the age of 21. It was meant as a 100% compliment. Mods, delete the thread if people are getting so butt hurt over it. I think Mack is amazing and I've been nothing but complimentary of him as a coach. Never would have seen it coming 20 years ago...the guy is great with kids, media...whatever. Just delete it. The last thing I intended was to tarnish 16-1.

For what it's worth, I got your drift.

[Roach]

Serious question - who here was NOT a 21-year-old douche?

[crickets ...]

[letskeepitreal]

I think that this is called a backhanded complement! Strange

[GIMMFD]

Serious question - who here was NOT a 21-year-old douche?

[crickets ...]

I'm 22 right now, but I totally wasn't a douche last year. Chugging Natty's on Regent while listening to house music to rage with my bros, dartying (day party) all day. I mean sheesh, you guys just obvi don't party. :biggrin::lol:

[Snipe]

Serious question - who here was NOT a 21-year-old douche?

[crickets ...]

We like to hang out on college basketball message boards. I think this is prime turf for douche harvesting. It is a regular douche farm.

I long ago learned to embrace my inner douche. My douche is also bi-polar with a substance abuse problem.

[xufan2434]

Getting away from the whole douche thing, which I do think everyone is/was in their own way.. It's awesome to see how far Mack has come in his tenure here. Only 38 years old when he got the job, which is still pretty young to be taking over a program like X IMO.

He had talent in his first year, yes. With Crawford, Tu, Cheeks, etc. But also had a lot of egos and personalities to deal with, not the easiest with those guys. Then the whole brawl ordeal, and losing Dez (arguably top 3 promise an X freshman has ever shown).. Things were not looking like they would turn out to great for the future. Hell, even last year had a lot of ups and downs that were frustrating. So far, this year has definitely been worth the wait. Finally has his guys and has them playing the way he wants to. He's out coaching guys now, and I would have never said that a couple years ago. Gonna have one hell of a resume and hopefully stays at X for a long time

[Snipe]

He is gonna be a the top of everyone's list but we really only need to fear a few select programs. I hope he stays as well.

He is recruiting so well right now that I don't think he would want to leave. I think he wants to see where all that hard work is going. We are fantastic and we have the potential to be the best Xavier team ever and contend for a National Title. Everything Mack is doing right now is working fabulously and the hits keep on coming.

The future never looked brighter.

[chico]

1918

If I can change, and Coach Mack can change, maybe we all can change!

[drudy23]

I used to play in a league with Coach Douche. He was all kinds of douche on the basketball floor. Mass smack talk, "white chocolate" persona...but dude knows hoops.

[chico]

I used to play in a league with Coach Douche. He was all kinds of douche on the basketball floor. Mass smack talk, "white chocolate" persona...but dude knows hoops.

I bet he had better shorts, too.

And just what is "Mass smack talk" - stuff like "you shoot like you had too much wine at communion"?

[xeus]

I used to play in a league with Coach Douche. He was all kinds of douche on the basketball floor. Mass smack talk, "white chocolate" persona...but dude knows hoops.

Translated from Elder-speak: The St X Bomber was waaaaay better than you.

[paulxu]

Translated from Elder-speak: The St X Bomber was waaaaay better than you.

Hah!

[LadyMuskie]

Two things have happened to Chris Mack since his college days that I'm sure have made him who he is today. First of all, he got married. I don't want to toot our own horns or anything, but we ladies (if it's the right lady) are good for you guys. And second he worked for Skip Prosser which explains itself.

[MADXSTER]

Coach Mack = Xavier
Xavier = Coach Mack

There are certain items that help Brand a basketball program.
Winning
Winning in March
Winning a National Championship
Conference affiliation
Players to the NBA
Longevity of the Head Coach

It's been great that Xavier has had multilpe successful coaches but the program needs that coach who's name is synonymous with Xavier. Is Mack that guy? I hope so. Certain coaches/programs are synonymous such as Dean Smith, Bobby Knight, Denny Crum...when you hear their name you instantly know what school is being talked about. You could add names such as Calapari, Huggins, Pitino...even though these guys have changed schools, they've been at their present school long enough to know what school they represent.

Many times it only takes one season, one incredible March to really put the absolute Brand on the table which no one can deny. Hopefully Mack can be that coach who Brands the Xavier name on the forehead of every basketball follower.

[GoMuskies]

Coach Mack = Xavier
Xavier = Coach Mack


Xavier = Former Douche?

[X-band '01]

First of all, he got married. I don't want to toot our own horns or anything, but we ladies (if it's the right lady) are good for you guys.

Sorry, but no lady alive is jumping over a grenade for a hack like me.

[MADXSTER]

Xavier = Former Douche?

GoMuskies must have a douche fettish....ew

[MADXSTER]

Sorry, but no lady alive is jumping over a grenade for a hack like me.

And I have never been referred to as a Trophy Husband

[Nigel Tufnel]

Serious question - who here was NOT a 21-year-old douche?

[crickets ...]

Michael Hawkins was one of the friendliest and humble guys I encountered while at X. Basketball player or not...

[Xpectations]

I never had any interactions with Mack until he was Xavier's head coach, so I can't comment on how he was as a college student.

I have met him and was surprised at how down to earth he was. He struck me as genuinely humble, approachable and friendly. When my kids walked up to meet him, he stopped what he was doing and said to each of them "Hi, <name>, I'm Chris." Not "Coach Mack" or "Mr. Mack," or anything like that. Just "Chris." Now I made sure they called him "Coach Mack" or "Mr. Mack."

He then asked each of them questions that made them feel like they had his undivided attention at that moment. Being Xavier fans since they were born, they were grinning from ear to ear that the guy in charge of the entire program was talking to them and treating them like they mattered. And if it wasn't genuine, then he's leaving a pile of money on the table because he's an Academy Award-worthy actor.

I don't doubt he has enormous confidence and that he's one competitive SOB. And I wouldn't want it any other way. But the human side of him is impressive.

Mack is the whole package you want as a head coach. Besides being a family guy and genuinely good dude. He's an incredible X&O guy. Incredible recruiter. He overcame the Dez debacle and has quickly brought us to heights we've never seen. And he still hasn't reached his ceiling. Given his age, career arc, and other factors, I'm not sure Xavier could get a better coach even if they paid twice the dollars.

[XUGRAD80]

He might not have been as popular with the general student body as others, but wasn't he voted team captain TWICE? And as a transfer, not someone that came in with the others in his class? I think that says something about his character as a 21 year old.

[xudash]

I never had any interactions with Mack until he was Xavier's head coach, so I can't comment on how he was as a college student.

I have met him and was surprised at how down to earth he was. He struck me as genuinely humble, approachable and friendly. When my kids walked up to meet him, he stopped what he was doing and said to each of them "Hi, <name>, I'm Chris." Not "Coach Mack" or "Mr. Mack," or anything like that. Just "Chris." Now I made sure they called him "Coach Mack" or "Mr. Mack."

He then asked each of them questions that made them feel like they had his undivided attention at that moment. Being Xavier fans since they were born, they were grinning from ear to ear that the guy in charge of the entire program was talking to them and treating them like they mattered. And if it wasn't genuine, then he's leaving a pile of money on the table because he's an Academy Award-worthy actor.

I don't doubt he has enormous confidence and that he's one competitive SOB. And I wouldn't want it any other way. But the human side of him is impressive.

Mack is the whole package you want as a head coach. Besides being a family guy and genuinely good dude. He's an incredible X&O guy. Incredible recruiter. He overcame the Dez debacle and has quickly brought us to heights we've never seen. And he still hasn't reached his ceiling. Given his age, career arc, and other factors, I'm not sure Xavier could get a better coach even if they paid twice the dollars.

Happy for your kids.

Superb last paragraph.

[UCGRAD4X]

And second he worked for Skip Prosser which explains itself.

I gotta say, this says all you need to know - and Prosser knew who he was hiring.

[xu82]

And I have never been referred to as a Trophy Husband

I am the guy the grenade would be aimed AT.

[bleedXblue]

Wait a 20-21 year old a little full of himself.......say it ain't so.

[xukeith]

I never met him but 8-9 years ago, I danced with his wife at a covington club. He was there to make sure I didn't do anything silly. She loved my Xavier shirt.

[LadyMuskie]

Sorry, but no lady alive is jumping over a grenade for a hack like me.

I don't know what to say. Maybe if you had been douchier when you were 21. Some of us like a challenge.

[xu82]

And I have never been referred to as a Trophy Husband

I'm afraid I may have been more of a Boobie Prize. But I'm working on that.

[paulxu]

I was not fond of him and neither were most the other nonplayers that lived on the floor.


He might not have been as popular with the general student body as others, but wasn't he voted team captain TWICE? And as a transfer, not someone that came in with the others in his class? I think that says something about his character as a 21 year old.

We may be onto something here. Putting those two things together, perhaps this is why he's a good coach. He's popular with the players, and earns their respect.

[bleedXblue]

I never met him but 8-9 years ago, I danced with his wife at a covington club. He was there to make sure I didn't do anything silly. She loved my Xavier shirt.

Instant classic

[drudy23]

I could hang.

[Roach]

Michael Hawkins was one of the friendliest and humble guys I encountered while at X. Basketball player or not...

I got the same vibe from him in the YouTube interview that Xavier sports posted a few days ago: Catching up with Michael Hawkins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8wzla--c8o)

[XfansinKy]

I never met him but 8-9 years ago, I danced with his wife at a covington club. He was there to make sure I didn't do anything silly. She loved my Xavier shirt.

The comedian in me says go for it and comment. I just can't though. It wouldn't be right.

[xeus]

I could hang.

You could have gone pro.

http://www.xavierhoops.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1919&stc=1

[Milhouse]

We're lucky to have him. I hope I can keep saying that as opposed to "we were lucky to have had him"

[bleedXblue]

I know what I'd be doing if I were Christopher.

[XU-PA]

Expressing his love for X, and home.
https://www.facebook.com/foxsports/videos/10154613135809552/

[paulxu]

I'm very confused. I thought Chris was not well liked in HS/college. Who are those imposters having fun with him on the old court?

This is going to put a dent into the fire Mack momentum.

[Masterofreality]

I'm very confused. I thought Chris was not well liked in HS/college. Who are those imposters having fun with him on the old court?

This is going to put a dent into the fire Mack momentum.

Remember...Chris Mack was a doosh.