Photo Caption (from 2004-05): Eric Konkol (third from right) and Tony Skinn (far right) will take on Mason Tuesday night.
RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico - Members of #MasonNation will no doubt recognize some familiar faces on the opposing sideline Tuesday night when the Patriots take on Louisiana Tech in Cancun on CBS Sports Network.
The Bulldog coaching staff is filled with George Mason basketball connections. Head coach Eric Konkol served two stints as an assistant under former Mason head coach Jim Larranaga (2002-05, 2007-11) before joining Coach L in Miami for the 2011-12 campaign. He worked with the Patriots on two NCAA teams (2008, 2011) and two NIT-qualifying squads (2004, 2009).
In addition, Louisiana Tech assistant coach Tony Skinn starred for the Patriots at the guard position from 2003-06. He scored 1,079 career points (29th all time at Mason) and is 12th all-time at Mason in 3-point field goals made (125). As a senior during Mason's Final Four season, Skinn averaged 12.6 points and 2.9 assists. He tallied 14 points and four assists in a Sweet 16 win over Wichita State and added 10 points and five rebounds in the Elite 8 upset of Connecticut. He tied for the team lead with 13 points in the national semifinal loss to eventual national champion Florida.
In this Q&A, Coaches Konkol and Skinn discuss their time at Mason and what it will be like to play against the Patriots on Tuesday night.
TONY SKINN - Louisiana Tech Assistant Coach
What stands out to you from your time in Fairfax?
TS: "It changed my life. Just being a kid from the inner city of DC, being an underdog at 5-10 and having the opportunity. Coming out of high school, I didn't have that opportunity right away. So when I finally did get the opportunity and believe something and accomplish it, it was a life changer. I would not be here today if it was not for that. Not a lot of people can say they were part of that. There are so many layers to it."
How nervous were you and the team on getting an at-large into the NCAA Tournament?
"I was very nervous. I was going through my situation as far as the suspension was concerned. I wanted to get into that tournament more than anything in my life. I didn't want a mistake that I made affect the history of George Mason. Without that issue, I think we had a good feeling that we were getting in. I wanted us to get in and when they called our name, it was a huge sigh of relief. I didn't are I was playing. AT this point, we were in and they got to enjoy it. Obviously, what unfolded afterward was like a snowball. We were a really good team. We had three seniors that were all-conference guys and we had some young guys that stepped up and played like seniors. That combination was deadly."
What is it going to be like coaching against your alma mater?
"This is the way that basketball works. It's a full circle. I would want nothing more than to build towards some of the things that I have experienced. This tournament, going down in Cancun, is part of it. It doesn't happen in March. It happens with what leads up to it."
ERIC KONKOL - Louisiana Tech Head Coach
What is the back story of how you went to George Mason?
"I was a GA at Tennessee for the 2001-02 season. I was getting my master's degree and I was anxious to become a full-time assistant coach. Back then, there were job postings through the NCAA website, and there was an assistant coaching job open at George Mason. That one and probably 50 others I applied for. I sent my resume and some graphics, trying to show I had some computer skills and could market a little, help with recruiting. All of a sudden this random day, I got a phone call from coach Larranaga. We talked several times and was invited for an interview. On the way back to Tennessee, he called and offered the job. I got back up there days later and that was in 2002. Ended up spending seven years there all together.
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"What was it like following the team all the way to the Final Four?
"Megan and I went to the Final Four. We stayed at the team hotel. We sat in the George Mason section. I remember arriving there before Megan, the team was going to practice. I went with them and it was the first time seeing the guys in a while because I had left months before that. I go through the back of the bus and the guys had me sit with them. They were telling me stories about how crazy this experience was. Watched them practice, watched them play. That was a special group."
What is it going to be like coaching against your former team?
"Of course, there are great memories. [My son] Ethan was born in Virginia. There are some supporters that I have heard from that are going to be there. It will be neat to see them."
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