The Morning Dish – Monday, April 26th
Hawk Assistant Migrates North: St. Joseph’s assistant coach Matt Brady will leave the Hawks’ bench to lead Marist College. Brady was one of the nation’s top assistant coaches at St. Joseph’s, where he spent 18 years helping refine players like Jameer Nelson and Delonte West. Brady also was heavily involved in recruiting top-notch players, and Marist will hope that Brady can bring that same success to the MAAC school. Marist finished 6-22 last year, leading to the end of Dave Magarity’s reign as head coach.
More News from Hawk Hill: St. Joseph’s also made news late last week by retiring the number of senior Jameer Nelson. The Hawks honored the nation’s best player by retiring No. 14. Nelson is one of the best stories in college basketball this year as the point guard opted not to seek fame and fortune in last year’s NBA Draft. The result was a sensational year that led St. Joseph’s to an undefeated regular season and a trip to the Elite Eight.
Lobos on the Hunt?: New Mexico may receive a more ferocious mascot for next season on the football field. The Lobos are considering the introduction of a real lobo – a silver wolf that will patrol the sidelines and appear when the team needs an emotional lift from the crowd. If the mascot makes it to the hardwood, one can only hope the wolf will be on a short leash. A loose wolf on a football field would have many athletes in pads ready to take the thing down. But in a basketball stadium, fans are closer to the court and no one is wearing shoulder pads and a helmet, except for really crazy fanatics. Fans can only hope a Lobo knows friend from foe.
Nothing Like Sibling Rivalry: Georgia Tech fans seem to be enjoying the latest line of clothing that parodies the Georgia basketball program. Several sports stores in the Atlanta area are selling shirts that mock former Georgia assistant coach Jim Harrick Jr.’s ridiculously easy test for a class filled with several Bulldog basketball players. A sample question included: “How many points does a 3-point field goal account for in a basketball game?” Georgia officials don’t find the shirt funny as they try to move on to a new era. But the mockery comes with the territory. Georgia’s best revenge will come on the court, on which the Bulldogs beat national runner-up Georgia Tech this past season.
School Loyalty: St. John’s came calling, but Barry Rohrssen opted to remain at Pittsburgh, where he will be the new associate head coach. Rohrssen received an offer join new St. John’s coach Norm Roberts, but he declined to jump to the ship of one of Pitt’s Big East rivals. In return, the Panthers promoted Rohrssen and gave him a pay raise.
Washington Loses Assistant to Teriyaki: The Washington Huskies are in seach of a replacement for assistant coach Russ Schoene. He is leaving the coaching squad to pursue his business interest in Samurai Sam’s Teriyaki Grill, a chain of restaurants he helped found. The school is targeting Oklahoma assistant coach Jim Shaw as a possible replacement.
Former Player Rejoins Coach Bennett: Washington State filled out its coaching staff when coach Dick Bennett hired Ben Johnson. Johnson played for Bennett at Wisconsin-Green Bay and will replace former assistant coach Mike Burns.
