I believe and think that Coach Mack is a really good coach but I think if you want to compare or mention Denny or Rick in the same sentence, you can’t just look at won-loss records without considering this. I took their first 8 years as a HC.
Mack 215-97
Crum 186-52
Pitino 147-88
Mack’s the best right? Well, consider their ages. Mack was 40 when he got his first HC job, Denny was 34 and Rick was a mere 26.
In those first 8 years, Crum went to 2 FFs and 3 sweet 16’s. Although Ricks record is not nearly as good, by age 40, he too went to 2 Final Fours.
I know what people are thinking... Jay Wright. It’s not like he wasn’t a good coach before he won 2 NC or even Billy Donovan.
I just think there are a lot of good coaches out there. It’s a fine line and only history will say it they were great, but guys like Self, Few, and Bennett are guys who have their spots already in the Hall of Fame..
Denny wasn't coming in to a national power, but he was a protégé of John Wooden. There was definitely championship pedigree. Rick Pitino had a title, multiple Final Fours, & coached the Knicks & Celtics. Mack has been a solid coach at Xavier. A up and coming coach & maybe the best option. Unless there's a homerun, who can you get.
The unreasonable people here thought we could lure Stevens & Donovan away from the NBA. Some thought that we could go out & get Jay Wright to leave his national title program for here, even after he'd turned down NBA jobs. I think now we all know why Greg Marshall was NEVER considered. And Chris Beard, revisionist history as no one hear was clamoring for a guy after 1 year at Texas Tech.
The only one on the market that would've been a home-run hire was Bruce Pearl, but there was a little thing about the FBI Scandal he was involved in at the time. Also, Kelvin Sampson would've been ok but he had recruiting violations (BS ones) and is a bit older.
So who were the options? Experience with a recruiting edge, preferably younger & willing to face sanctions to start. A guy who has a decent track record of building a program long-term. So Mick Cronin, Rick Barnes, Eric Mussellman, Nate Oats, Shaka Smart, Chris Holtman, Mike White, Steve Prohm, Kevin Willard, the Hurley brothers, who else? Those were the only realistic options at the time.
Chris Mack had a 9 year run at Xavier, a good program. He was coming of an Elite 8 in 2017 & a #1 Seed & Big East title in 2018 (Won it with Nova in the conference). Just under 50, so not too young. He's from this area & wanted to be here. 4 of his 9 years he made it to at least the Sweet 16.
Personally, some of you hated Cronin but I liked him, but he wasn't popular here & was a Rick guy. Other than him Mack was the ONLY choice and the BEST choice at the time. Will he be Rick or Denny, probably not as only 15 coaches EVER have won more than 2 titles. That's a high standard. But, the ability to consistently win a national title is the important thing.
The great coaches can find a way, it's year 3 for Mack. I've seen good & bad. Chris Beard took no time getting Texas Tech established & also had his mid-major rocking. Nate Oats had Buffalo looking like a top team & in year 2 it seems Bama it taking off. Rick took Providence to the Final 4 & had a probation riddled Kentucky taking Duke to the limit by his 3rd year.
But then again, Jay Wright went to 3 straight NIT's before his first tournament appearance at Nova. Tony Bennett missed the tournament his first 2 years, went out the first round his 3rd, and then missed in his 4th year, but have finished the year ranked every year since.
I think you can tell if progress is being made. I think you also can find a balance of demand and patience.
Is he putting out good & competitive basketball teams?-YES
Is he bringing in talented recruits & transfers?-YES
Are players showing growth/development?-YES
So now, the question is going to be his ability to put out a title contending team-INCOMPLETE