, Sr. G, 6-3/160, Panama City Bay HS (FL)By Josh Weinfuss, Panama City News Herald
Florida A&M University men’s basketball player Jon Mason said Thursday he doesn’t feel his senior season will be affected by a recent coaching change, but prefers to see a Rattlers’ assistant promoted as the team’s next head coach.
The most obvious choice, though, may not be an option.
Former coach Mike Gillespie Sr. was fired Aug. 14 after three months of paid administrative leave stemming from charges that he stalked an ex-girlfriend. His son, top assistant Mike Gillespie Jr., said Thursday he’s looking at his options and feels “something very, very positive will happen to me in a couple of days,” but not at FAMU.
“I just think I’m meant to be somewhere else than here,” he said.
Mason thinks that two FAMU assistants, Avery Curry and Chrys Cornelius, have been contacted by the school about the opening, but Mason doesn’t have a favorite.
“I think it’ll be best for the team that someone who knows the team takes over the head coaching job,” he said.
The former Bay standout was surprised by Gillespie’s firing, but said it won’t have an impact on his play.
“I think sometimes change could be good,” Mason said. “Change could be for the better. You know, whatever happens, happens. You play the cards that are dealt.”
The school assembled a search committee Tuesday to hire a new coach by Sept. 15. Mike Gillespie Sr. will remain on paid administrative leave until Nov. 2.
Gillespie Jr. was offered the Gulf Coast men’s basketball job in April, but said he turned it down because of a financial misunderstanding between him and the school. He declined to elaborate on his potential coaching plans.
Mason also is concerned with the incoming recruiting class. Depending on how many decide to honor their National Letter of Intent and play for FAMU this season, Mason said the team could change its style of play. Classes start Monday. The NCAA historically has been lenient in allowing players to transfer after the coach who recruited them leaves.
Mason, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard, averaged 5.8 points last season, fifth best on a Rattlers’ team that went 21-14 and lost to Niagara 77-69 in the NCAA Tournament’s play-in game.
Mason spent the past few weeks in Panama City and said he tried to rest his legs this summer by doing individual workouts instead of full-court exercises. FAMU graduated most of its big men last season, but Mason believes another run to the NCAA Tournament is in reach despite the whirlwind currently surrounding the team.
“I think we have a strong possibility if everybody stays together,” Mason said. “I know it’s going to be tough. Our post play will be very well tested this year, but I think we have a good chance of getting back.”
Florida A&M University men’s basketball player Jon Mason said Thursday he doesn’t feel his senior season will be affected by a recent coaching change, but prefers to see a Rattlers’ assistant promoted as the team’s next head coach.
The most obvious choice, though, may not be an option.
Former coach Mike Gillespie Sr. was fired Aug. 14 after three months of paid administrative leave stemming from charges that he stalked an ex-girlfriend. His son, top assistant Mike Gillespie Jr., said Thursday he’s looking at his options and feels “something very, very positive will happen to me in a couple of days,” but not at FAMU.
“I just think I’m meant to be somewhere else than here,” he said.
Mason thinks that two FAMU assistants, Avery Curry and Chrys Cornelius, have been contacted by the school about the opening, but Mason doesn’t have a favorite.
“I think it’ll be best for the team that someone who knows the team takes over the head coaching job,” he said.
The former Bay standout was surprised by Gillespie’s firing, but said it won’t have an impact on his play.
“I think sometimes change could be good,” Mason said. “Change could be for the better. You know, whatever happens, happens. You play the cards that are dealt.”
The school assembled a search committee Tuesday to hire a new coach by Sept. 15. Mike Gillespie Sr. will remain on paid administrative leave until Nov. 2.
Gillespie Jr. was offered the Gulf Coast men’s basketball job in April, but said he turned it down because of a financial misunderstanding between him and the school. He declined to elaborate on his potential coaching plans.
Mason also is concerned with the incoming recruiting class. Depending on how many decide to honor their National Letter of Intent and play for FAMU this season, Mason said the team could change its style of play. Classes start Monday. The NCAA historically has been lenient in allowing players to transfer after the coach who recruited them leaves.
Mason, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard, averaged 5.8 points last season, fifth best on a Rattlers’ team that went 21-14 and lost to Niagara 77-69 in the NCAA Tournament’s play-in game.
Mason spent the past few weeks in Panama City and said he tried to rest his legs this summer by doing individual workouts instead of full-court exercises. FAMU graduated most of its big men last season, but Mason believes another run to the NCAA Tournament is in reach despite the whirlwind currently surrounding the team.
“I think we have a strong possibility if everybody stays together,” Mason said. “I know it’s going to be tough. Our post play will be very well tested this year, but I think we have a good chance of getting back.”
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