New Coach: Throwing names out

[mslacat]

Just got back last night from Boise -where my daughter kicked ass- and I have done a little digging this morning but everyone is keeping very tight lipped, but there are signs that we could have a new coach soon. First I noticed a couple named candidates reached out to media sources to withdraw or claim they never applied for the job. This is usually a sign that: A) They did not feel they got or had a chance at getting the job and are looking to save face, or B) They did not like the money being offered.

While I have always thought Washington Assistant T.J. Otzelberge was a favorite this year (he almost got the job last year) I am now hear rumblings that New Mexico associate Head coach Lamont Smith may have improved his stock enough to be consider a favorite. I have also been hearing rumors of a candidate reaching out to some MSU folks as possible additions to their staff (if they get the job?)

A big issue for a lot of candidates is salary. Fields has reached out and generated a lot interest from assistant coaches who are considered to be prime canidates in the west and Midwest as D-1 future coaches and their current salary reflects that. For example Oregon assistant Brian Fish is reported to make $200,000 / yr at Oregon. Montana State can offer $115,000 to 130,000 maybe? So the big question will be is the lure of this D-1 head coaching spot worth the possible pocketbook hit?

I could be wrong but I would expect Fields to name a new coach by the end of the week or sooner.

Make the case, is Lamont Smith the guy to getting this going in the right direction? Should I begin to care again?

OK this is about all I can say without compromising sources. I talked to two people separately. These two people really do not know each other except by name and reputation. Both of these sources know Montana State basketball intimately what it takes to win and the difficulties of coaching here. Both of these guys know are very aware of the current D-1 coaching landscape including coaches and assistant coaches. When I asked them separately, out of the rumored possible candidates for the job who do you feel would be the best fit for MSU, both mentioned Lamont Smith first. One told me the minute I mentioned his name that "Fields needs to hire him now". Now I am not an expert on Lamont Smith nor do I have the confidence to say he is MSU MBB's savior,(hell I thought Huse was) but when two strong independent recommendations from basketball people, I know and trust especially when it comes to MSU basketball, give me such a high praise, that person gets put in my "I am very intrigued by these candidates list".

To answer a question someone else raised, the person at MSU whom I believe should get the credit for recommending the committee proactively pursue Lamont Smith should go to Temesghen Starr. That said I also want to make it perfectly clear T. Starr is not one of the sources I mentioned above, and I have not talked or communicated with Starr in at least 9-10 months.

[PHAT CAT]

T is the man. Love that dude. We are lucky to have him around.

[CatBlitz]

I would be okay with either TJ or Smith.

[ImagineSanta]

Just got back last night from Boise -where my daughter kicked ass- and I have done a little digging this morning but everyone is keeping very tight lipped, but there are signs that we could have a new coach soon. First I noticed a couple named candidates reached out to media sources to withdraw or claim they never applied for the job. This is usually a sign that: A) They did not feel they got or had a chance at getting the job and are looking to save face, or B) They did not like the money being offered.

While I have always thought Washington Assistant T.J. Otzelberge was a favorite this year (he almost got the job last year) I am now hear rumblings that New Mexico associate Head coach Lamont Smith may have improved his stock enough to be consider a favorite. I have also been hearing rumors of a candidate reaching out to some MSU folks as possible additions to their staff (if they get the job?)

A big issue for a lot of candidates is salary. Fields has reached out and generated a lot interest from assistant coaches who are considered to be prime canidates in the west and Midwest as D-1 future coaches and their current salary reflects that. For example Oregon assistant Brian Fish is reported to make $200,000 / yr at Oregon. Montana State can offer $115,000 to 130,000 maybe? So the big question will be is the lure of this D-1 head coaching spot worth the possible pocketbook hit?

I could be wrong but I would expect Fields to name a new coach by the end of the week or sooner.

Make the case, is Lamont Smith the guy to getting this going in the right direction? Should I begin to care again?

OK this is about all I can say without compromising sources. I talked to two people separately. These two people really do not know each other except by name and reputation. Both of these sources know Montana State basketball intimately what it takes to win and the difficulties of coaching here. Both of these guys know are very aware of the current coaching landscape including coaches and assistant coaches. When I asked them separately out of the rumored possible candidates for the job who do you feel would be the best fit for MSU both mentioned Lamont Smith first. One told me the minute I mentioned his name that "Fields needs to hire him now". Now I am not an expert on Lamont Smith nor do I have the confidence to say he is MSU MBB's savior, but two strong independent recommendations from basketball people I know and trust especially when it comes to MSU basketball give me such a high praise, that person gets put in my "I am very intrigued by these candidates list".

To answer a question someone else raised, the person at MSU whom I believe should get the credit for recommending the committee proactively pursue Lamont Smith should go to Temesghen Starr. That said I also want to make it perfectly clear T. Starr is not one of the sources I mentioned above, and I have not talked or communicated with Starr in at least 9-10 months.

Thank you. I look forward to the days of "the Cats play tonight, I should care about this."

[CatBlitz]

Just got back last night from Boise -where my daughter kicked ass- and I have done a little digging this morning but everyone is keeping very tight lipped, but there are signs that we could have a new coach soon. First I noticed a couple named candidates reached out to media sources to withdraw or claim they never applied for the job. This is usually a sign that: A) They did not feel they got or had a chance at getting the job and are looking to save face, or B) They did not like the money being offered.

While I have always thought Washington Assistant T.J. Otzelberge was a favorite this year (he almost got the job last year) I am now hear rumblings that New Mexico associate Head coach Lamont Smith may have improved his stock enough to be consider a favorite. I have also been hearing rumors of a candidate reaching out to some MSU folks as possible additions to their staff (if they get the job?)

A big issue for a lot of candidates is salary. Fields has reached out and generated a lot interest from assistant coaches who are considered to be prime canidates in the west and Midwest as D-1 future coaches and their current salary reflects that. For example Oregon assistant Brian Fish is reported to make $200,000 / yr at Oregon. Montana State can offer $115,000 to 130,000 maybe? So the big question will be is the lure of this D-1 head coaching spot worth the possible pocketbook hit?

I could be wrong but I would expect Fields to name a new coach by the end of the week or sooner.

Make the case, is Lamont Smith the guy to getting this going in the right direction? Should I begin to care again?

OK this is about all I can say without compromising sources. I talked to two people separately. These two people really do not know each other except by name and reputation. Both of these sources know Montana State basketball intimately what it takes to win and the difficulties of coaching here. Both of these guys know are very aware of the current coaching landscape including coaches and assistant coaches. When I asked them separately out of the rumored possible candidates for the job who do you feel would be the best fit for MSU both mentioned Lamont Smith first. One told me the minute I mentioned his name that "Fields needs to hire him now". Now I am not an expert on Lamont Smith nor do I have the confidence to say he is MSU MBB's savior, but two strong independent recommendations from basketball people I know and trust especially when it comes to MSU basketball give me such a high praise, that person gets put in my "I am very intrigued by these candidates list".

To answer a question someone else raised, the person at MSU whom I believe should get the credit for recommending the committee proactively pursue Lamont Smith should go to Temesghen Starr. That said I also want to make it perfectly clear T. Starr is not one of the sources I mentioned above, and I have not talked or communicated with Starr in at least 9-10 months.

Thank you. I look forward to the days of "the Cats play tonight, I should care about this."

[ImagineSanta]

I would be okay with either TJ or Smith.

[CatBlitz]

I would be okay with either TJ or Smith.

[blueandgoldblitz]

I like what I see from Smith's bio page on the UNM website. It appears he has experience in turning a team around.

Saint Mary's was 2-27 the year before Bennett and Smith arrived, and the Gaels won nine games the first year, 15 the second, 19 in the third and a then-school record 25 in 2004-05. The 2004-05 team made the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in the history of the program while the 2003-04 team set a school record by scoring 2,377 points. In the first four seasons he was at SMC, the Gaels led the WCC in scoring defense

I also like that he seems to emphasize defense. I've always been a fan of the line of thinking that great defense creates offensive opportunities.

[CatBlitz]

I like what I see from Smith's bio page on the UNM website. It appears he has experience in turning a team around.

Saint Mary's was 2-27 the year before Bennett and Smith arrived, and the Gaels won nine games the first year, 15 the second, 19 in the third and a then-school record 25 in 2004-05. The 2004-05 team made the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in the history of the program while the 2003-04 team set a school record by scoring 2,377 points. In the first four seasons he was at SMC, the Gaels led the WCC in scoring defense

I also like that he seems to emphasize defense. I've always been a fan of the line of thinking that great defense creates offensive opportunities.

To be fair, Huse emphasized defense too.