Loyola Chicago Offseason News Update
by Nick Dettmann
Spinelli Resigns to take Nebraska job
After two years at Loyola-Chicago University, assistant coach Scott Spinelli resigned to take on an assistant’s role at the University of Nebraska.
During his two years with the Ramblers, Spinelli was a vital part of the recruiting process for head coach Larry Farmer. Spinelli helped lead the Ramblers to 32 victories during his two years, including an appearance in the 2002 Horizon League title game.
“I’m thrilled for Scott and his family because this is a great opportunity,” Farmer said. “This is becoming a habit because this is the fourth coach we have had leave here for a job at a high-profile program. That is a good sign that we are doing good things and have good people here. I have no doubt that Scott will do a terrific job at Nebraska and when he gets his chance, will be a great head coach.”
As the recruiting coordinator, Spinelli helped land league stand-outs Terrance Whiters, Demetrius Williams and Paul McMillan. Whiters was a Top 100 player according to ESPN.com, while McMillan was last season’s Newcomer of the Year for the Horizon League.
In addition to his work with bringing in the young talent to Chicago’s north side, Spinelli instructed the post players. His players have led the league in rebounding the last two seasons (Ryan Blankson 2001-02 and McMillan in 2002-03).
“We are extremely pleased to have Scott joining our staff,” Nebraska head coach Barry Collier said. “He has excellent experience at a number of levels, from prep school to professional, and has been successful throughout his career. We are excited to have him.”
Former Rambler takes shot at NBA
Schin Kerr, a former stand-out with the Ramblers up to 2001, was one of 35 players on the Denver Nuggest Rookie/Free Agent Camp roster. This is Kerr’s second shot at a NBA Rookie/Free Agent camp. In 2001, he was invited to the Indiana Pacers camp.
In his senior season at Loyola during the 2000-01 season, Kerr averaged 13.3 points a game to rank second on the team. He also grabbed 6.3 rebounds per game in all 28 games as a starter.
Among the players in camp for the Nuggets is top draft pick Carmelo Anthony (Syracuse), Charlie Bell (Michigan State), A.J. Bramlett (Arizona) and Torraye Braggs (Xavier).
Farmer adds height
Tyrell Blair, a 6-foot-11 center from FSU High School in Tallahassee, Fla., has been added to the Loyola-Chicago University roster for the upcoming season.
Blair is the tallest player that Farmer has ever recruited while at Loyola.
“At 6-foot-11, Tyrell is our tallest recruit since I have been at Loyola,” Farmer said. “He is an excellent defender, rebounder and shot blocker and reminds me of Demetrius Williams coming out of high school. Without question, the addition of Tyrell gives us our best recruiting class in my time here.”
As a senior, Blair averaged a triple-double, with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 9.8 blocks per game, while shooting a blistering 51 percent from the field. He led the state of Florida in blocked shots as both a junior and a senior.
Ramblers add coach
Jeff Dunlap, who played for head coach Larry Farmer while at UCLA, was hired to replace former assistant Scott Spinelli who had left for Nebraska earlier in the summer.
For Dunlap, this is his second tour in Rogers Park. He did serve as an assistant on Farmer’s staff during the 1998-99 season.
“Jeff is a very knowledgeable coach and is one the hardest-working people I have ever been around,” Farmer said. “He is very passionate about the game of basketball and is an excellent teacher.”
Farmer and Dunlap first met in 1984, when Farmer recruited Dunlap out of Los Angeles Pierce Community College to play at UCLA. While at UCLA as a player, Dunlap was a three-year letterman from 1984-86 and was a member of the 1985 NIT Championship team.
In 1998-99, Dunlap helped Loyola to a 7-7 conference record in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference, now known as the Horizon League.
Prior to Loyola, he was the first assistant at Fullerton Junior College for one season, helping the team to a 25-7 record.
Also on his coaching resume are stints with Cal-State Fullerton, Georgia and College of the Canyons. He also was the assistant coach at Quincy University, helping guide the team to three NCAA Division II Tournament appearance from 1991-94.
Dunlap is also the proud founder and director of the California-based Complete Player Basketball Camp, which he runs with former UCLA teammate and former Chicago Bull Jack Haley.
Bailey selected in CBA draft
Former flashy Loyola-Chicago University point guard David Bailey was selected by the Idaho Stampede in the sixth round of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) draft on Sept. 16.
Bailey was the 39th overall pick in the draft and was the second addition to the CBA courtesy of the Horizon League; Detroit’s Terrell Riggs was the other.
The quick 5-foot-8 Bailey closed out his Loyola career as one of the prolific scorers in school history. He compiled 1,933 points during his career with the Ramblers, ranking him third all-time. He also ranks third in school history with 580 assists and 172 steals. He is the only player in school history to register 1,500 points, 500 assists and 150 steals in his career.
Last season, Bailey went into the season as the league’s Player of the Year and he gave a strong run for it. He averaged 18 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in 30 games en route to gaining Second Team All-Horizon League honors and Second Team National Association of Basketball coaches District 11 honors.
Bailey was one of five guards that the Stampede added to their roster. Their top pick was Stephane Pelle of Colorado. Rounding out their picks was Wisconsin’s Kirk Penney, Bowie State’s Stephen Moss-Kelly, Hawaii’s Carl English and Dayton’s Brooks Hall.
