NCAA Basketball: 5 head coaches that need to win now in 2021-22 season

Chris Mooney (Richmond)

It’s easy to argue that the A-10 is the best mid-major basketball conference in the nation and Mooney has seen it up close for years. Prior to arriving at Richmond, he was head coach at Beaver College and Air Force and has been with the Spiders in the A-10 since 2005. There have been some great moments during Mooney’s sixteen years in Richmond, with the clear highlight being the 2011 team, which took a 12-seed to the Sweet Sixteen.

Richmond has not returned to the NCAA Tournament since that run in 2011. There have been some solid teams since then, with three NIT appearances since then, but it’s easy to understand that patience is running thin. The Spiders lost 20 games in both 2018 and 2019 before a big step forward. Unfortunately, Richmond was hampered by injuries and COVID this past season, struggling to an 8th place finish in the A-10 after being picked to win the league and finally return to the NCAA Tournament.

This year’s team is one of the best in the conference and should be in position to snap that NCAA Tournament drought at last. However, all it takes is inconsistent play or injuries to maim Richmond’s hopes again. The positive is that if this team plays up to their potential, then Mooney’s job should be safe. However, another season like last year is not going to work in his favor. Mooney can’t survive another disappointing season, especially with as much talent as this Richmond program has gone into this upcoming season.