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Former NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski is making headlines in his new role with St. Bonaventure basketball. The Bonnies’ General Manager is accused of sabotage.
His fractured relationship with Mark Schmidt is believed to have forced the coach’s exit. Did Schmidt retire or was he fired?
Eric Firkel of the Olean Star believes it was the former.
December 28, 2025 was the last time that Adrian Wojnarowski spoke to Mark Schmidt. Following a dispute, where Woj interjected himself into practices, Woj just stopped talking to the Coach. The next time they spoke was almost 60 days and the entire A-10 schedule later, when Woj and Athletic Director Robert Beretta told Schmidt he would be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.
Schmidt had a year left on his contract. It was announced that he would not complete it. Firkel reported it as a firing. ESPN’s Pete Thamel later said it was a retirement.
Did Mike Schmidt retire?
The school also announced in a statement that the coach left under his own terms. That announcement came after Firkel’s initial report in which he alleged that the Bonnies were paying his $1,000,000 buyout.
He insinuates that Wojnarowski used his former ESPN contacts to push the retirement narrative.
Why? To provide a smokescreen from what Firkel called a fractured relationship.
Wojnarowski and Schmidt had differences in opinion when it came to recruiting and game plan. The GM did not recruit players the coach preferred, allegedly.
Woj was heavy handed with the roster. He brought in players that did not fit Schmidt’s system. He brought in talented, but inexperienced players that were not quite ready for A10 play. Then he complained when “his players” did not get enough minutes. Woj tried to micro-manage practices, Schmidt pushed back and Woj reacted like a petulant child.
Essentially, he sabotaged his coach. Wojnarowski did not bring in players to fit the system. He then pushed for those players to get more minutes. Chances for success were slim.
When the season ended at 16-16, Schmidt’s run with the program ended.
Adrian Wojnarowski’s controversial past at ESPN, which included accusations of dictating layoffs, leads some to believe that Firkel’s claims are true.
St. Bonaventure denies it. Mike Schmidt left on his own accord, according to the school. Firkel believes otherwise.
For now, it’s his story against theirs. Either way, Schmidt is out. Wojnarowski and the Bonnies will be on the hunt for a replacement this offseason. Hopefully, less drama surrounds the next hire.