What intrigued you about Mason?

The one thing that keeps coming back is, "Paul you got a great group of kids who are going to work hard."  That's all a coach can ask for. When you become a college basketball coach, you understand you're one of the leaders on campus and you have to be out there in the community.  This was just too good to turn down.

What is it about this team's roster and what they've done in the past that drew you to this Mason job?

These guys don't quit.  The thing that you got to have in college basketball is you need to be able to overcome adversity.

Have you assembled a coaching staff?

We're going to take our time, I owe it to the players to take my time and bring in well qualified guys like Chris Kreiter (seated).

What did you and Coach Larranaga talk about when you spoke?

How much he feels about the players.  I'm proud and very fortunate to follow two of the best people in the business after Bobby Cremins at Georgia Tech and now Coach Larranaga here at Mason.

On recruiting:

We want to win and we want to win.  I don't think there's any reason why we should take a backseat to anyone.  The one thing I feel pretty good about is we're going to be able to recruit.

Is the style of play going to change or will it be similar?

I think this year I think it's important we maintain some sort of continuity.  You won 27 games, but we are going to put some wrinkles in, absolutely.

What was the one thing that stood out to you most about Mason?

Dr. Merten's leadership, no question.  Programs that win all the time have a collective mission. It starts with the president's office, faculty and staff, athletic administration, coaches, players, they all have a role to play.  I think over the last 14 years, you've seen an unbelievable collective effort from Dr. Merten and Tom O'Connor.

Is it fair to say the state of "mid-major" has changed?

All the programs are decided in March now.  Looking at this year, Butler and VCU in the Final Four, to me, those programs are major. Watching in 2006, George Mason was major.  You have to go out and prove it.  You go out and play and you decide who's going to be the best team in the country.