Post
by CelticCat » Wed Apr 12, 2023 4:41 pm
I had ChatGTP write an article about Sprinkle getting hired days before the announcement and it was surprisingly pretty decent, but got some facts wrong.
On March 28th, 2022, it was announced that Danny Sprinkle, the head coach of the Montana State men's basketball team, was leaving to take the same position at Utah State University. This news came as a shock to many fans and followers of the Montana State program, as Sprinkle had just finished his third season as head coach and had led the Bobcats to a winning record and a postseason appearance.
For Sprinkle, the decision to leave Montana State was not an easy one. In a statement released by the university, he expressed his gratitude to the Montana State community and his players, saying, "I want to thank Montana State University, the Bozeman community, and most importantly our players for an incredible three years. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to lead this program and to work alongside such great people."
However, he also acknowledged the allure of the opportunity at Utah State, saying, "As a coach, you always want to be challenged and take on new opportunities. Utah State has a rich basketball tradition and a passionate fan base. I am honored to become a part of that legacy and am excited to get to work."
Utah State is certainly a step up in terms of program prestige and resources, as the Aggies have a long history of success in college basketball. They have made 21 NCAA tournament appearances and have won 17 conference championships, most recently the Mountain West Conference tournament in 2022. Additionally, the program has a strong tradition of player development, with numerous players going on to successful professional careers.
For Sprinkle, this presents an exciting challenge and a chance to prove himself at a higher level. He has already shown his ability to build a winning program at Montana State, taking the Bobcats from a 15-17 record in his first season to a 19-10 record and a postseason appearance in his third season. He also has experience coaching at the Division I level as an assistant at Cal State Northridge, Washington State, and UC Riverside.
One of Sprinkle's biggest challenges at Utah State will be continuing the program's recent success under former head coach Craig Smith, who left to take the same position at the University of Utah. In his three seasons at Utah State, Smith led the Aggies to a 74-24 record, two NCAA tournament appearances, and a share of the Mountain West regular-season title.
However, Sprinkle's experience as a head coach and his familiarity with the Mountain West conference should serve him well in this regard. He will also have the benefit of inheriting a talented roster, led by sophomore guard Rollie Worster and junior forward Justin Bean.
Overall, Sprinkle's hiring at Utah State is a win for both him and the program. Utah State gets a proven head coach who has shown an ability to build a winning program, and Sprinkle gets a chance to prove himself at a higher level and continue the success of a program with a strong tradition. It will be interesting to see how he navigates the challenges ahead and if he can lead the Aggies to continued success.
