New Coach: Throwing names out

[AlphaOAlum]

Who is the #2 coach at Gonzaga?

[Bozcat003]

Here are the names I have heard that have either been contacted by MSU or have contacted MSU with a very strong interst.

Ken Bone formerly HC at Boise State and recently fire as head coach of Washington State
T.J. Otzelberge current assistant coach at U of Washington
Steve McClain former Wyoming head coach and current assistant at Indiana
Greg Graham former Boise State HC and current Assistant at Bradley
Charlie Parker former HC at Wyane State (1982-1988), assistant at USC (1990-1998), assistant for the NBA Mavericks and hornet during the 2000's (don't know what he is doing now)

From multiple sources the name to keep an eye on is T.J. Otzelberge. Ken Bone is also being mentioned as a strong candidate. You also have to wonder about Charlie Parker who it sounds like he already has an interview.

I would like to see Otzelberge hired from that list. Young guy who I feel could connect with the players well.

[mslacat]

Here are the names I have heard that have either been contacted by MSU or have contacted MSU with a very strong interst.

Ken Bone formerly HC at Boise State and recently fire as head coach of Washington State
T.J. Otzelberge current assistant coach at U of Washington
Steve McClain former Wyoming head coach and current assistant at Indiana
Greg Graham former Boise State HC and current Assistant at Bradley
Charlie Parker former HC at Wyane State (1982-1988), assistant at USC (1990-1998), assistant for the NBA Mavericks and hornet during the 2000's (don't know what he is doing now)

From multiple sources the name to keep an eye on is T.J. Otzelberge. Ken Bone is also being mentioned as a strong candidate. You also have to wonder about Charlie Parker who it sounds like he already has an interview.

Just to be clear my list is not any where near being all inclusive it just a list of prominent names that I have heard so far. I think it is wise to add Orser and Sprinkle to the list also. I will say this though I really think T.J. Otzelberge is the clear front runner at this early stage from what I am told, but a lot could happen between now and when the choice is made.

Tid bit of rumor: I am told that it has been or will be advised to candidates that if you get an interview be prepared to talk about your staff and names of possible assistants. It really sounds like they want a coach who can really hit the ground running.

[CatBlitz]

Here are the names I have heard that have either been contacted by MSU or have contacted MSU with a very strong interst.

Ken Bone formerly HC at Boise State and recently fire as head coach of Washington State
T.J. Otzelberge current assistant coach at U of Washington
Steve McClain former Wyoming head coach and current assistant at Indiana
Greg Graham former Boise State HC and current Assistant at Bradley
Charlie Parker former HC at Wyane State (1982-1988), assistant at USC (1990-1998), assistant for the NBA Mavericks and hornet during the 2000's (don't know what he is doing now)

From multiple sources the name to keep an eye on is T.J. Otzelberge. Ken Bone is also being mentioned as a strong candidate. You also have to wonder about Charlie Parker who it sounds like he already has an interview.

I would like to see Otzelberge hired from that list. Young guy who I feel could connect with the players well.

This.

And it's Otzelberger, for the record.

[SkyRider]

Other than they APR thing, what don't people like about Bone. The Portland APR mess seems to have been from the era when teams were just finding out about how it worked (it seems quite a few teams had early APR problems including our football). Does he not stress academics? Why the dislike? I don't follow much of this stuff, so I'm not an advocate just curious.

I have heard the word abrasive used to describe him.

Talking to my WSU friends, they said everyone lost faith in him, and the fans rebelled and wanted him out. The players would not play hard for him down the stretch (this is what the fans were saying) and that he came across as arrogant and combative towards the boosters.

I never liked him at Portland St. Just being a fan I found him arrogant and just simply not likable. As for the APR thing, I can't believe Fields is considering him honestly. Fields seems to be an APR nazi with no tolerance for past or potential future error.

All of this. Plus, his Portland State teams were mainly centered around D-I transfers (i.e. Dominguez, Nelson, Waters) - not a great way to build a program. There were some off-the-court player problems that made news, too.

[CatBlitz]

Other than they APR thing, what don't people like about Bone. The Portland APR mess seems to have been from the era when teams were just finding out about how it worked (it seems quite a few teams had early APR problems including our football). Does he not stress academics? Why the dislike? I don't follow much of this stuff, so I'm not an advocate just curious.

I have heard the word abrasive used to describe him.

Talking to my WSU friends, they said everyone lost faith in him, and the fans rebelled and wanted him out. The players would not play hard for him down the stretch (this is what the fans were saying) and that he came across as arrogant and combative towards the boosters.

I never liked him at Portland St. Just being a fan I found him arrogant and just simply not likable. As for the APR thing, I can't believe Fields is considering him honestly. Fields seems to be an APR nazi with no tolerance for past or potential future error.

All of this. Plus, his Portland State teams were mainly centered around D-I transfers (i.e. Dominguez, Nelson, Waters) - not a great way to build a program. There were some off-the-court player problems that made news, too.

I agree. I know it's the BSC and sometimes it's essential, but DI transfers are not the way to build this program.

[SonomaCat]

Here's what Charlie Parker is up to now:

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/charlie-parker/32/325/228

[maroon]

Who is the #2 coach at Gonzaga?

Tommy Lloyd. Designated coach-in-waiting.

[ilovethecats]

Who is the #2 coach at Gonzaga?

Tommy Lloyd. Designated coach-in-waiting.

he's going to be waiting a long time. and while the cats would never land him, I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves for a head coaching job before few decides to hang them up. he could be a coach-in-waiting for another 20 years.

[1CatFan23]

How about Ryan Miller.... Former Associate Head coach at Auburn, has worked for some big time coaches....Alford, Calipari, Kellogg...has some serious recruiting connections. I believe he has recruited or coached 3 current NBA players. great ties to Australia (recruited Bairstow and Greenwood to Lobos) AAU circuit (his cousin has a team out of Memphis) and obviously the coaching connections from being at Pepperdine, Missouri, New Mexico, and Auburn. I know he is interested.

Here is his bio

http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-ba ... yan00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Young motivated and players would love working for him

[mslacat]

Here is another name that I would hope would have an interest. Mike Rohn Head assistant at U of Colorado, he is also their ace recruiter. He would go to the top of my list just behind T.J. Otzelberge

http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml ... =204950566" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MSUfan4life]

Here are the names I have heard that have either been contacted by MSU or have contacted MSU with a very strong interst.

Ken Bone formerly HC at Boise State and recently fire as head coach of Washington State
T.J. Otzelberge current assistant coach at U of Washington
Steve McClain former Wyoming head coach and current assistant at Indiana
Greg Graham former Boise State HC and current Assistant at Bradley
Charlie Parker former HC at Wyane State (1982-1988), assistant at USC (1990-1998), assistant for the NBA Mavericks and hornet during the 2000's (don't know what he is doing now)

From multiple sources the name to keep an eye on is T.J. Otzelberge. Ken Bone is also being mentioned as a strong candidate. You also have to wonder about Charlie Parker who it sounds like he already has an interview.

Just to be clear my list is not any where near being all inclusive it just a list of prominent names that I have heard so far. I think it is wise to add Orser and Sprinkle to the list also. I will say this though I really think T.J. Otzelberge is the clear front runner at this early stage from what I am told, but a lot could happen between now and when the choice is made.

Tid bit of rumor: I am told that it has been or will be advised to candidates that if you get an interview be prepared to talk about your staff and names of possible assistants. It really sounds like they want a coach who can really hit the ground running.

I always find it interesting who head coaches hire for their staff. Do you try to get the ex-head coach as a guy for guidance or do you go get more recruiters? I think it will be hard for coaches interviewing to give a list of possible assistants...but I think they can talk about the type of guys they hire. What type of staff do you think fits MSU best? Any guys out there you can think of that should be hired with the new coach?

[wbtfg]

Is there anyone from the dick/Tony Bennett coaching tree? Love their D and O schemes.

[Helcat72]

Whomever the assistants are I would think they need to be independently wealthy or just out of school and no family.

How many assistant at big schools would be actually getting a raise coming to MSU?

[1CatFan23]

It isn't necessarily about getting a raise for the assistants...it's getting the opportunity to be the head coach.

[mslacat]

Whomever the assistants are I would think they need to be independently wealthy or just out of school and no family.

How many assistant at big schools would be actually getting a raise coming to MSU?

Typically at this level you would be looking to hire a 3rd assistant at a D-1 school, or an upper level assistant (or even a head coach) at a D-2, NAIA or JC. When Huse hired Sprinkle he was the 3rd assistant at Northridge. When he Huse hired Dirden (the first time) and Starr they were top assistants at JC's. The right coach though might be able to convince an upper level assistant coach to take a horizontal move to MSU, Huse actually did that a couple times.

[bobcatbob20]

Hearing Ryan Looney right now!!!

http://www.spufalcons.com/news/2014/3/8 ... 41932.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CatBlitz]

Hearing Ryan Looney right now!!!

http://www.spufalcons.com/news/2014/3/8 ... 41932.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Much rather have Otzelberger.

[bobcat99]

How about Ryan Miller.... Former Associate Head coach at Auburn, has worked for some big time coaches....Alford, Calipari, Kellogg...has some serious recruiting connections. I believe he has recruited or coached 3 current NBA players. great ties to Australia (recruited Bairstow and Greenwood to Lobos) AAU circuit (his cousin has a team out of Memphis) and obviously the coaching connections from being at Pepperdine, Missouri, New Mexico, and Auburn. I know he is interested.

Here is his bio

http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-ba ... yan00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Young motivated and players would love working for him

His brother is current NBA player Mike Miller.

Not a bad connection to have at all. Not sure why he would come here, to be honest with you.

[Helcat72]

Whomever the assistants are I would think they need to be independently wealthy or just out of school and no family.

How many assistant at big schools would be actually getting a raise coming to MSU?

Typically at this level you would be looking to hire a 3rd assistant at a D-1 school, or an upper level assistant (or even a head coach) at a D-2, NAIA or JC. When Huse hired Sprinkle he was the 3rd assistant at Northridge. When he Huse hired Dirden (the first time) and Starr they were top assistants at JC's. The right coach though might be able to convince an upper level assistant coach to take a horizontal move to MSU, Huse actually did that a couple times.

I was talking more about the head coach coming from a top program. What assistant can we afford