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Desmond Mason Discusses His Plan for The Future of OSU Hoops

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Another former Oklahoma State basketball great is throwing his name into the ring for a coaching position in Stillwater.

On Thursday, the lifelong Cowboy, high-flier, NBA vet and painter Desmond Mason went on The Franchise in Oklahoma City to talk about Brad Underwood’s move to Illinois, the state of the basketball program in Stillwater, and his plan for the Cowboys moving forward.

It was a fascinating interview. You should go listen to the entire thing, but we posted some highlights below.

Desmond wasn’t surprised when Underwood took the Illinois job, as he hadn’t bought in on Brad sticking in Stillwater long-term even from the get-go.

• “Even when he got the job, I was a little skeptical. To me, it felt like it was a stepping stone job (to Underwood)- other people talked about him going to K-State eventually, I just think that the chips weren’t in place at the time and Oklahoma State was a situation where they had a to make a quick decision.”

• “They didn’t interview a lot of people, and they’re changing that approach this time around. They’ll be more cautious and patient this time around.”

Mason also had some interesting comments on the position Mike Holder is in with Doug Gottlieb taking his campaign to become the next Oklahoma State coach to social media and the public, as well as his view on what it takes to win in Stillwater.

• “Doug is my brother. Me and Doug, we talk outside of sports just keeping up. Even the last go around, Doug really pushed for this job — he went through every outlet and avenue that you go to get his name in the hat.”

• “All I want is what’s best for Oklahoma State —  if I’m not politicking for myself, I’m definitely not politicking for anyone else. I want what’s best for Oklahoma State. I want to see OSU get back to the highest level, I know what it feels like to play at the highest level at Oklahoma State and beyond, I know what kind of work it takes, I know what kind of staff it takes, I know what kind of trainers it takes, I know what kind of medical staff it takes.”

• “We played there. That was my stance then, and that is my stance now. As it pertains to the way Doug approaches it, It’s not the way I do things, at all, but that’s Doug. Doug’s a loud guy, that’s always been Doug. That doesn’t make anything wrong with it. That’s why he’s so successful in the media.”

Desmond also talked about his idea — to fill up a staff of ex-NBA players and coaches, with himself on the staff as a potential coach-in-waiting.

• “A group of guys that would come in that I could learn from, over a period of time, these guys that had high level, college coaching experience at the highest level, NBA coaching experience at the highest level, scouting and recruiting experience. I’m talking about the best in the game.”

• “And then also, the second-best skills guy that’s best in the game, a guy that is now with the Houston Rockets and was with Milwaukee Bucks when I played there. He worked me out, he worked Ben Gordon out, he worked out Darius Miles, Quentin Richardson, you name ‘em. He’s working out James Harden. This is what basketball is about, not just recruiting players, but also developing them.”

• “The plan I had, like I told Mike (Holder) last time, is airtight. You sit these guys in living rooms, and they can speak NBA knowledge, and believe me, that’s what parents want to hear, and these are the guys I had prepared to come in and be loyal and true, because they’re loyal and true to me.”

• “I could learn from those guys, and then eventually at some point in time, if it were time for me to step in and be that head coach at Oklahoma State, I would. My goal was not to step in and make it all happen overnight, because that’s just not true.”

On recruiting top talent to Oklahoma State.

• “They’d also bring in recruits the best recruits in the country, 5-star recruits that would come in to Oklahoma State university, because they’re loyal to these guys that recruited them — I’m talking about 2018, 2019 classes. When I talked to Mike yesterday, I told him the exact same thing, remember the conversation we had, my guys are still legit, they’re still on board.'”

• “These are my people, they are not phony, they’re not fake, they’re legit.  They’re older than I am, they’re very knowledgeable about the game of basketball, and they’re unbelievably connected.”

• “If I were to start talking now about the people, just the staff alone, people would go nuts. Because they’re that legit. I’m talking about players that when you hear the name — these guys know the game, and who they were coached by, and who they played for, and who they played with. It would be amazing, I think our fan base would be proud.”

I think Desmond Mason is probably the longest of shots in regards to Mike Holder’s current options for the next head coach for Oklahoma State, but his plan is unique, intriguing, and worth a mention.

The idea of filling up a staff of ex-NBA players and coaches that have played at the highest level, coached at the highest level, and played for the best of the best (he dropped Phil Jackson’s name), is exciting.

Mason mentioning that he would be an assistant coach for a time to cut his teeth is also a good look, and presumably not one that Doug Gottlieb would consider. Would Mason join up with Gottlieb as a potential assistant? That remains to be seen. Your move, Mike Holder.

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