After Duke dismantled Mount S.t Mary’s 93-49 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Mountaineers head coach Donny Lind and his 9-year-old son, Silas Lind, both spoke to reporters.
The younger Lind was holding back tears with every answer his dad gave, having had a front row seat to Mount St. Mary’s March Madness run.
In his first season as a head coach, Donny Lind took the Mountaineers to a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament title, and a NCAA Tournament victory in the first four on Wednesday.
The elder Lind knew his team was about to run into a juggernaut and likely prepared himself for Friday being the end of his team’s season in advance. His 9-year-old son might have understood Duke’s ability but didn’t want his dream to end.
Both were emotional when speaking to the press for the final time this season.
‘I got the best job in the world, I’ve said it for the last 10 months,’ Donny Lind said. ‘And to share it with the people I love the most, which are my family and shoot, those guys in that locker room, has been unbelievable.’
Mount St. Mary’s head coach Donny Lind and his son, Silas Lind, were both emotional Friday
Both held back tears while speaking to the press after the Mountaineers loss to Duke
‘And hopefully he’ll talk to the fact that he’s had a blast over the course of the last couple of weeks. You should see him at home games when he’s allowed to be on the bench, he’s having a lot of fun.’
‘And that’s what our program is about, we try to have as much fun as we can. This is a fun, fun game and it’s a blast to get to do this with him. You’re up bud.’
‘These have been the best few weeks of my life and I hope we have many, many more of them,’ added Silas, with his dad quickly wrapping his left arm around his son.
Mount St. Mary’s had not made the NCAA Tournament since 2021, when March Madness was held only in Indiana due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is tough sledding for mid-majors, as most small conferences get one bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Mountaineers gave the Lind family memories they will never forget this year.
