Tony Skinn Hired as Mason’s Head Coach

March 30, 2023

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By Palmer Johnson

Following the departure of Kim English, there was a clear fan favorite to take over the head coaching job; Tony Skinn. Fans and former players were banging the table on social media to “#BringTonyHome”.

#ManifestWithUs pic.twitter.com/kNHNNX1FPf

— GMU Giant Killer (@GMUGiantKiller) March 23, 2023

Tony Skinn, born in Nigeria, was the starting point guard for George Mason’s famous 2006 Final Four team. Mason fans have always had a soft spot for him and were excited at the potential to see him become the next men’s basketball coach.

Tony has had an illustrious playing and coaching career even at just the age of 40. He played for Mason’s basketball team from 2003-04 season to the 2005-06 season, played professionally overseas from 2006 to 2012, and then got into coaching.

Skinn was an assistant for NIKE Team Takeover, a youth basketball program located in DC, from 2012 to 2015.

He then got back into the college basketball scene, starting as an assistant for Eric Konkol, a Mason assistant during Skinn’s college days, at Louisiana Tech. Tony was there from 2015-18, and then took an assistant job with Seton Hall.

Skinn was at Seton Hall with their coach Kevin Willard from 2018 to 2021, and then moved on to Ohio State for the 2021-22 season. He then reunited with Kevin Willard in Kevin’s first season at Maryland for the 2022-23 season.

Tony Skinn has been touted for his recruiting ability, especially in the DMV area. Mason fans are especially excited about him because of his ties to the school and the possibility of him being a lifer.

At 11:00 AM on March 30^th, the Mason Men’s Basketball Twitter account made it official.

Welcome home, Coach Skinn! #MasonNation pic.twitter.com/tT3ckCRq1u

— George Mason Men's Basketball (@MasonMBB) March 30, 2023

Tony has been brought home.

Mason Nation has been excited today, and to make us even more excited, Mason legend Jim Larrañaga had something to say about his former player being hired.

“I love Tony Skinn. He was a great college player who led our George Mason team to the Final Four. He then became a terrific assistant coach helping Louisiana Tech, Seton Hall, Ohio State and Maryland recruit some outstanding student-athletes. He is now the perfect choice to become the next head coach at George Mason and lead his alma mater to the top of the Atlantic 10 and beyond. I wish him all the success in the world. Onward and upward for Tony and Mason.” – Jim Larrañaga

There is hope among Mason Nation.