WASHINGTON - With Kim English as head coach four games out, the world was at his feet. By all accounts, George Mason was hired to drive home after stunning Maryland Terrapins on his home court. Enthusiasm for the once defunct fan base had grown and it looked like everything was going to be restored to one of America's mid-headed darlings.
Four months later and Mason's season is ending as most events do with a first-year head coach: an early-round exit in his conference tournament.
It was not without a rollercoaster of results throughout the season. This was followed by a five-game losing streak, right after a then-Top 25 upset on the Terrapins. Those troubled by Dayton and St Bonaventure raised hopes again, ending the season just after losing nine of their last 12 competitions.
Losing to Fordham was the final stop of the season. The perpetual bottom of the Atlantic 10 completed the Patriots' sweep with first-year head coach in Kyle Neptune.
The English were quick to point out how unacceptable the 54-49 defeat in the second round of the Atlantic 10 tournament was. Based on the spiral of the season, he felt the team deserved it.
"A loss as disappointing as we've had this season, an embarrassing defeat, an embarrassing ending, but fitting, fitting, fitting," English said in opening his postgame press conference. "You often don't get what you deserve in life. You get what you earn. At times this season, we just don't have the right habits, the right toughness, and the moments to consistently win."
And at other times the damage to Neptune's flank represents a remarkable measuring stick for English and company. Both were young, ascending assistants under great coaches - Neptune assisted Jay Wright at Villanova and English just a year earlier in Tennessee behind Rick Barnes. Both are in their first jobs, both handling programs that haven't had much success over the past decade.
Yet, despite all the hoopla behind the English with their charisma that made them an early-season sensation, it is Fordham and Neptune who have the run of the season, whose regular season ends more than the Patriots. The Bronx had far more talent in English than Neptune (two Power 5 transfers) and stabilization with their roster (the return of All-Atlantic 10 honoree Josh Oduro).
This year Neptune got the better coaching job in both matchups. He forced Mason to play to his weaknesses – an offense not centered around Oduro (11 points), forced to play on the half-court – and Fordham was relentless with his attack in the paint.
At the end of the season, the loud cries from fans once from nearby Maryland and Missouri (English's alma mater) to be his next coach have faded and faded.
English said, "You can talk about whatever close games you want. You're what your record says you are. And this first season, we're 14-16 and it was earned." But it is something that our returning people will feel, every single part of it needs to be felt – of pain, of embarrassment, of everything. Our employees, all of me. and we will. And we will learn from it."
All that said, this is still the first year for English at the top of a program. A lot of important talent is coming back for George Mason, including Atlantic 10 first-team Oduro, point guard Xavier Johnson, Tennessee transfer Devonte Gaines, plus Morehead State transfer Devon Cooper has another year of eligibility.
The first year was a process of learning English. He already wants to attack a new season.
"Lots of lessons, a ton. A ton. Trying to improve in certain areas throughout the season and in preparation and in-game coaching, it's been great. You have to go through this," said English.
"I told people, every single mistake, it falls on me. Like, I'm not throwing it on these kids. It's not on them. It's on me to hold them accountable."
As English says, Mason's record was earned for a number of reasons. He pointed to the players not maintaining their standard of toughness, being disciplined, lacking the safety of the ball. There are criticisms common to all teams that are not quite ready to take the next step. This resulted in the Patriots' first defeat since 2017-18.
But the object of reconstruction are their bumps and bruises. All things considered, the English Patriots maintained the status quo in Year 1.
"It's been great - I've learned a ton. I've learned a ton and I'm really excited about where our program is going," said English. "Disappointing weather. Incredibly depressing, but all my depressing nights watching the movie, I always have a laugh of encouragement because knowing where we're going, what we have and what we'll continue to bring in."