SE: Mason Schoen Ready for Smooth Transition from K-State MBB Walk-On to Clemson Graduate Assistant
Jun 22, 2018 | Men's Basketball, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
The adjustment from player to coach is not always smooth, but Mason Schoen may be as prepared as anyone to handle the transition.
This past season, Schoen finished up his career as a four-year walk-on for K-State men's basketball. Not long after the Wildcats' NCAA Tournament run ended in the Elite Eight, he landed a graduate assistant offer with Clemson, which made it to the Sweet 16.
Schoen, who identified Clemson early on as his number one choice for a graduate assistant position, said the programs are similar in more than their recent success. Both are built on some of the same foundational blocks, established by head coaches in Clemson's Brad Brownell and K-State's Bruce Weber.
"One thing that really stood out was how Coach Brownell runs his program, how he runs a clean program and does everything right," Schoen, who plans to pursue a master's degree in athletic leadership, said of Clemson. "Also, they're a very good defensive team. Having the experience of playing at Kansas State the last four years, Coach Weber and Coach (Chris) Lowery are very, very high on defensive principles, and it was able to show with our success this last year making the Elite Eight, and obviously it showed with Clemson's success this past year making a Sweet 16.
"Getting the opportunity to talk to Coach Brownell during the (two-day) interview process and hearing how much he emphasized defense really solidified the fact that I felt it would be a great fit for me."
Being a walk-on, Schoen's minutes were minimal throughout his K-State career. He never minded the role, however. In fact, he embraced it and molded it into a player-coach type position last season. He led in practice, in the film room and weight room, and helped coach his teammates from the sidelines.
This is another reason why Schoen said the transition to life as a graduate assistant, who's always on the bench, should not be difficult.
"I think it will be a pretty smooth transition because that's what I was already doing this year," he said. "You can't ever take away the experience you have as a player and it will be tough just to know that I'll never be able to step on the court again and contribute to my team in that sense, but that's OK with me because I'm ready to help out Clemson as much as possible, whether that is helping them out in practice, breaking down video, helping with the scouting report, doing on-court coaching or working with players on their own time with extra player development. Whatever it may be in the basketball world that I need to do to help Clemson, I'm ready to do so."
In just a few visits to Clemson, South Carolina, Schoen said he gathered a similar feel to Manhattan, Kansas, and K-State. Both have the "college town feel," he said.
"The one thing that is very similar with both Kansas State and Clemson is the whole family aspect. It's one thing to say, 'We're all family,' but it's another thing to actually implement it," Schoen said. "Obviously coming from Kansas State the last five years, I know they've done a great job with that. I would say after going down to Clemson twice now, they definitely do a fantastic job of implementing that same strategy, that same feel and it's awesome. "
The biggest difference Schoen might face may be in the two states' barbecue style. An Overland Park native, he said he would hit up a few Kansas City barbecue favorites before the permanent move to Clemson next week.
"I have to knock out a few Kansas City restaurants, my favorites at least, before I have to head down there for good," he said.
Schoen said he also plans to bring plenty of his experiences from K-State to Clemson.
The basketball knowledge, buoyed by the defensive pride instilled in him as a Wildcat, is one major aspect that he said stands out. There's also the selfless nature he saw K-State's teams embrace under Weber. With it, Schoen said, "success will come your way."
Above everything else, he said his appreciation for K-State's coaching staff would only grow stronger. All of the Wildcat coaches went to bat for him during his search for a graduate position spot at a premier program. Notably, Lowery, who was high school teammates with Brownell, played a big part in opening the door for Schoen to get an interview at Clemson.
"I could not be more appreciative of all the efforts and time and energy (Coach Lowery) spent investing into my future," Schoen said. "I'm extremely appreciative and very fortunate to have this opportunity. I can't thank Coach Weber, Coach Lowery and the rest of our coaching staff enough for all that they've done for me the last four years and now to help set the foundation for my graduate assistant position at Clemson.
"I just want to thank them for all of their energy, time and effort that they've put in to helping me get this position. I look forward to doing my very best job to not let them down."
The adjustment from player to coach is not always smooth, but Mason Schoen may be as prepared as anyone to handle the transition.
This past season, Schoen finished up his career as a four-year walk-on for K-State men's basketball. Not long after the Wildcats' NCAA Tournament run ended in the Elite Eight, he landed a graduate assistant offer with Clemson, which made it to the Sweet 16.
Schoen, who identified Clemson early on as his number one choice for a graduate assistant position, said the programs are similar in more than their recent success. Both are built on some of the same foundational blocks, established by head coaches in Clemson's Brad Brownell and K-State's Bruce Weber.
"One thing that really stood out was how Coach Brownell runs his program, how he runs a clean program and does everything right," Schoen, who plans to pursue a master's degree in athletic leadership, said of Clemson. "Also, they're a very good defensive team. Having the experience of playing at Kansas State the last four years, Coach Weber and Coach (Chris) Lowery are very, very high on defensive principles, and it was able to show with our success this last year making the Elite Eight, and obviously it showed with Clemson's success this past year making a Sweet 16.
"Getting the opportunity to talk to Coach Brownell during the (two-day) interview process and hearing how much he emphasized defense really solidified the fact that I felt it would be a great fit for me."
Being a walk-on, Schoen's minutes were minimal throughout his K-State career. He never minded the role, however. In fact, he embraced it and molded it into a player-coach type position last season. He led in practice, in the film room and weight room, and helped coach his teammates from the sidelines.
This is another reason why Schoen said the transition to life as a graduate assistant, who's always on the bench, should not be difficult.
"I think it will be a pretty smooth transition because that's what I was already doing this year," he said. "You can't ever take away the experience you have as a player and it will be tough just to know that I'll never be able to step on the court again and contribute to my team in that sense, but that's OK with me because I'm ready to help out Clemson as much as possible, whether that is helping them out in practice, breaking down video, helping with the scouting report, doing on-court coaching or working with players on their own time with extra player development. Whatever it may be in the basketball world that I need to do to help Clemson, I'm ready to do so."
In just a few visits to Clemson, South Carolina, Schoen said he gathered a similar feel to Manhattan, Kansas, and K-State. Both have the "college town feel," he said.
"The one thing that is very similar with both Kansas State and Clemson is the whole family aspect. It's one thing to say, 'We're all family,' but it's another thing to actually implement it," Schoen said. "Obviously coming from Kansas State the last five years, I know they've done a great job with that. I would say after going down to Clemson twice now, they definitely do a fantastic job of implementing that same strategy, that same feel and it's awesome. "
The biggest difference Schoen might face may be in the two states' barbecue style. An Overland Park native, he said he would hit up a few Kansas City barbecue favorites before the permanent move to Clemson next week.
"I have to knock out a few Kansas City restaurants, my favorites at least, before I have to head down there for good," he said.
Schoen said he also plans to bring plenty of his experiences from K-State to Clemson.
The basketball knowledge, buoyed by the defensive pride instilled in him as a Wildcat, is one major aspect that he said stands out. There's also the selfless nature he saw K-State's teams embrace under Weber. With it, Schoen said, "success will come your way."
Above everything else, he said his appreciation for K-State's coaching staff would only grow stronger. All of the Wildcat coaches went to bat for him during his search for a graduate position spot at a premier program. Notably, Lowery, who was high school teammates with Brownell, played a big part in opening the door for Schoen to get an interview at Clemson.
"I could not be more appreciative of all the efforts and time and energy (Coach Lowery) spent investing into my future," Schoen said. "I'm extremely appreciative and very fortunate to have this opportunity. I can't thank Coach Weber, Coach Lowery and the rest of our coaching staff enough for all that they've done for me the last four years and now to help set the foundation for my graduate assistant position at Clemson.
"I just want to thank them for all of their energy, time and effort that they've put in to helping me get this position. I look forward to doing my very best job to not let them down."
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