Who should the new assistant coaches be?

by JLeverenz on Mar 19, 2007 11:42 AM EDT

One of the big questions about the off-season is whether Tubby will make changes to his assistant coaches. I think it is safe to say that a majority of UK fans would like to see somebody brought in who can really coach offense. My question is, who is this 'someone'?

Realistically you're not going to get anyone who is currently a head coach at a Div 1 school to come and be an assistant coach. You could see a currently unemployed head coach (or should that be 'unemployed former head coach'?), but the only one I can think of who fits that criteria is the recently-axed Tommy Amaker and I don't think he's the answer.

I think the best bet is to find an assistant coach on either a low-level BCS conference team, or a high-level mid-major. Unfortunately I don't have a clue as to who the assistant coaches are on any of these kinds of teams, nor do I have any idea which of them would be "offensive guys" (that's the good kind of 'offensive').

So my question to Big Blue Nation is, who would make a good assistant coach for our beloved Cats?

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Ray Harper

Born in Kentucky, obviously knows how to win. I heard someone mention it on a call in show, and it makes a lot of sense.

http://www.okcu.edu/athletics/coachdetail.aspx?id=260&c=1

I've heard some say he is one of the best X's and O's coach there is.

by shamsway on Mar 20, 2007 1:00 PM EDT 0 recs

Dirty

Harper did a great job winning at KWC.

He also did a great job cheating there. He was, in fact, canned for it.

Interesting choice, but lots of baggage.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on Mar 20, 2007 5:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

Well that sucks

The first "Ray Harper" google didn't turn up much. "Ray Harper Cheat" produced this: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2006/Jul/14/ncaa-comes-down-kentucky-wesleyan1/

So there seems to be two sides to the argument, but most seem to generally accept that he's dirty. Oh well. So who else should Tubby hire?

by shamsway on Mar 21, 2007 10:04 AM EDT up 0 recs

Harper

He's a great coach -- I mean, his team is in the NAIA Finals -- but just not sure Uk has any wiggle room on cheating AT ALL.

I like younger, hungry assistants. I never understood the fascination with guys with nothing to shoot for sitting on the bench.

The Derek Anderson speculation is interesting. Sean Woods has carved out a nice slice of coaching pie down in Texas, while finding the next Darrin Horn or Mick Cronin would be ideal.

We love Hanson, but he's not gotten much interest elsewhere, has he? Rigot seems to have brought extremely mediocre recruits overall.

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by JL Blue on Mar 21, 2007 2:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

Anderson

When I first read the Anderson rumor I admit I thought it seemed a bit silly. But the more thought I've given to it the more intriguing it gets.

I'm curious why you think he would be a great recruiter. Is it because he was a great college player and has been playing in the NBA? I'm not suggesting he would be a bad recruiter, it's rather that I just don't know why he would be good OR bad - I have no information or insight on the subject whatsoever.

Looking for a rock to wind a piece of string around.

by JLeverenz on Mar 21, 2007 3:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

KA

The answer is two-fold:

Anderson is a recognizable NBA player, something you cannot discount for HS kids. He may not be a star, but imagine it's him or Dave Hobbs chillin with you and your boys.
Anderson is very personable. He is bright and always struck me as a hard worker. This is, of course, speculation. But the guy was out of hoops for a year and then came back to start on an NBA team. He must have a good work ethic to stay in shape, etc.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on Mar 21, 2007 3:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

Harper

I remember Harper, or rather I remember watching one of his KWC teams play on CBS for the D2 title several years ago. I guess that probably doesn't really count as "remembering" though.

I agree that UK is better off avoiding hiring assistants who have even a whiff of dirt about them. Even if Harper was innocent, the fact that questions were asked is enough to eliminate him as a possibility given UK's history.

Still, it's an interesting idea that I hadn't thought of, which was the main purpose of the diary.

Looking for a rock to wind a piece of string around.

by JLeverenz on Mar 21, 2007 2:58 PM EDT up 0 recs