RMU's Schmidt takes St. Bonaventure job

Mark Schmidt is leaving Robert Morris to take over an Atlantic 10 Conference program still reeling from a recent scandal.

St. Bonaventure called a news conference for today to name Schmidt as its next men's basketball coach. He will replace Anthony Solomon, who went 24-88 in four seasons with the Bonnies.

Schmidt, 44, inherits a program that is struggling to recover from a three-year NCAA probation that stemmed from the improper certification of an athlete.

As a result, St. Bonaventure canceled the final two games of the 2002-03 season and was nearly removed from the Atlantic 10. Board of trustees chairman Bill Swan committed suicide in the wake of the incident.

"I think there's no question it's a difficult job," ESPN men's basketball analyst Jay Bilas said. "But it's an Atlantic 10 job. It's a real challenge for a coach.

"I got to know Mark when he was an assistant at Xavier. He's a good coach. It's going to require patience and hard work. There's an opportunity, and that's how you have to look at it."

Schmidt didn't return telephone calls seeking comment Monday.

The most recent winning season at St. Bonaventure was 2001-2002, when the team was 17-13 and went to the National Invitation Tournament.

St. Bonaventure was 7-22 this season -- the same record that Robert Morris had in 2000-2001 -- the season before Schmidt arrived.

Schmidt was 82-90 in six seasons at Robert Morris and guided the Colonials to two Northeast Conference Tournament semifinal appearances -- in 2004 and '06.

Robert Morris athletic director Craig Coleman said he had formed a search committee and has 12 people who have inquired about the position.

Coleman refused to identify any candidates, but Robert Morris women's coach Sal Buscaglia has expressed interest.

"We feel this is an attractive job because Mark left it in such great shape," Coleman said. "We have a lot of returning players who are experienced and who have performed at a high level."

Schmidt met with his former players yesterday.

"Coach has always told us to be strong and stay together as a team," said senior forward A.J. Jackson, a Monessen graduate. "It will be tough to go on, but we will handle it."

Jackson says he and his teammates will have to learn a new system, but he went through a coaching change at East Tennessee State before transferring to Robert Morris.

"It was hard for me to adjust at (East Tennessee)," he said. "But I am more mature now, and I understand that a new coach will be a new learning experience. But this team will be fine."

Teammate Jeremy Chappell agreed. He said the Colonials understand Schmidt had to do what was right for his family.

"He couldn't pass up this opportunity," Chappell said. "We aren't the first team this has happened to. I wish coach Schmidt the best of luck.

"We will just have to cope with what has happened and face the challenge."