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Paul Hewitt adds Roland Houston from GW to his staff

George Mason Basketball: Paul Hewitt adds Roland Houston from GW to his staff

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Friday, May 13, 2011

Paul Hewitt adds Roland Houston from GW to his staff

Paul Hewitt has finally added another assistant to his coaching staff, Roland Houston from George Washington.  TheMasonBench is saying it's a done deal but Coach Houston joining the George Mason staff isn't the most interesting news. Houston has a nephew, Erik Copes, who is a prized 2011 recruit who was committed to GW but has since been released from his letter of intent. Perhaps to follow his uncle to from Foggy Bottom to Fairfax? Copes is a 6'8" 230 pound center who is one of the top rated recruits in the country at his position.  ESPN has him as the 6th rated center in his class, while scout.com has him at #5, so yeah this would be a huge get for George Mason if it happens.

Roland Houston is labeled as a "respected big man coach" and "is widely known throughout Philadelphia and the East Coast." He could really help develop Johnny Williams and Jonathan Arledge and perhaps improve Ryan Pearson and Mike Morrison's rebounding and interior defense.  Houston is a great addition to the staff to complement Paul Hewitt's guard heavy mentality.

The possibility of Erik Copes coming to George Mason could mean a lot of things for the Patriots. First of all he'd be the highest rated recruit to ever commit to the green and gold and would very likely have an immediate impact on the 2011-2012 season.  He's labeled as a blue-collar type player who works hard in the low post collecting rebounds and blocking shots.  There are no players on the current roster who could be described like that and Copes is the kind of asset the Patriots need to go toe-to-toe with more BCS programs.  His offensive game is limited to dunks and tip-ins around the basket, which won't be a problem because the Patriots will not have any shortage of scoring power next season. 

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21 Comments:

Anonymous Jmckend1 said...

Holy Crap. Is it beginning to happen? 

11:15 PM  
Anonymous Greg Johnson said...

Maybe he can also teach Mike Mo how to teach free throws. But in all seriousness, I'm very optimistic for next season. 

11:17 PM  
Anonymous gmuhoops said...

Houston is big on rebounding, he'd be great for Morrison, Pearson and would really help develop Williams and Arledge. 

11:19 PM  
Anonymous BatMason said...

'like' on the video 

11:32 PM  
Anonymous Scottranda said...

Thats more like it. A real center and a coach for the big men. 

12:15 AM  
Anonymous James said...

First off, we don't have the player yet--instead, we have an assistant coach on GW's staff.  Not exactly a huge win, considering GW hasn't been much of anything since Mensa-Bonsu left.

Second, is this how Hewitt is planing to recruit?  By "buying" family members of potential players?  I'm concerned if he is already doing shady dealing like this.

11:03 AM  
Anonymous gmuhoops said...

Wow didn't know GW assistants weren't worthy of working on a staff at Mason. Guy gives us a connection to the Philly area and works well with big men. And how is it shady? Karl Hobbs was fired, coaches change and players/recruits follow, welcome to college basketball.

11:20 AM  
Anonymous Season Ticket Holder said...

Wow less than month since coach L said good bye.  Things are moving very fast and in a positive way.
It's early but this may turn out to be a  great hire.   

11:54 AM  
Anonymous Brentrg said...

Man, it would be great if his nephew signed up with us!  I am curious about that other recruit of Hewitt's, Parks Jr. if he is considering to move with Hewitt to GMU.  We still got one spot to fill.  I still hope Luke stays with us, but if he left we'd have two spots to fill.  If we have a big year and do well in the NCAA's, man next years recruiting class could be absolutely sick with all the spots we will have to fill.  Is it basketball season yet?  

12:04 PM  
Anonymous Patotobin said...

If we don't get the nephew, big deal. All Assistant coaches have a connection to a specific area but the question is, does it produce results? Besides the Nephew, it doesn't appear so. Hope we get him, but was this a short sighted move? I wouldn't question it, but this coach does have an MO.

5:09 PM  
Anonymous Patotobin said...

That first sentence of mine came off all wrong. Let's try it again. If we don't get his nephew, and all we end up with is him (the assistant), then big deal. All assistant coaches have ... blah .... blah blah. 

11:26 PM  
Anonymous overrated14 said...

Yes a "Bigs Coach" 

11:28 PM  
Anonymous James said...

It is shady if the purpose was to get a player that is related to that coach.  Is that why this was done?  We don't know.  Even if that was the reason, is that against NCAA rules?  Not as such.  Could he be a good assistant coach?  Maybe.  We'll have to see--although the GW pedigree doesn't mean much, given their performance over the last few years.

I think it is a wait and see situation.  I'm not calling for Hewitt's head.  But I worry that we have a coach who:
a) is known for recruiting well, but is now at a school that isn't going to get the same recruits he could get in a more prestigious conference, and
b) clearly is using this as a situation to rebuild his brand before moving back into "the big time".

I can see a coach in that situation being willing to bend some NCAA rules to get where he wants to go (see Lane Kiffin).  And since we have had a program that, at least under Coach L, was always above reproach, I just hope we can maintain that clean attitude.

9:11 AM  
Anonymous Brentrg said...

I just saw on twitter from "the mason bench" that Copes is NOW A PATRIOT!  There was a link to an article as well that said it is official!  Not bad to have a CAA favorite team next season, and we just added our highest recruit ever!  Tough rebounder and shot blocker.  Bring it on!

8:33 PM  
Anonymous Greg Johnson said...

 This should really motivate Mike Mo and Johnny to work hard for playing time and the starter spot. Friendly competition is a great thing!

9:39 PM  
Anonymous ChemistCorner1 said...

Welcome aboard Mr Houston and Mr Copes! We are looking forward to great seasons

10:14 PM  
Anonymous Gibsongirl said...

"I can see a coach in that situation being willing to bend some NCAA
rules to get where he wants to go"

If Hewitt's plans where to make it to the big leagues, then he better not be doing any thing shaddy. If he were to get caught no one one would hire him. In addition its college basketball, recruits follow their coach all the time. not shaddy at all.

10:39 AM  
Anonymous Hola said...

 according to espn. Eric has verbally committed. Why are you guys being pessimistic saying we don't have him yet. Erik wants to follow his Uncle, simple as that

10:42 AM  
Anonymous Gues said...

Opinions on Morison's future with George Mason 

10:43 AM  
Anonymous Jmckend1 said...

I think he has a great senior season. Would there be a worry about him transferring for his senior year? I dont think getting Copes is going to disrupt Mike Mo, and we're not even sure if Copes will play next year or redshirt. Mike would be crazy to leave for his last year.

7:06 AM  
Anonymous Livinghisway said...

You are going to find that Coach Hewitt plays a lot of games.

5:28 PM  

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