Story: Adam Nelson (@HD_DirtKing)
A bunch of things that I’ve heard…
The search at ULM is moving really quickly. Sounds like Chipola head coach Donnie Tyndall is firmly in the mix here, with UAB Associate Head Coach Ryan Cross involved as well. Crazy to think that the guy making the decision here is the kid from The Blindside.
Most interesting name that I’ve heard at Western Michigan is Alabama’s Josh Baker. He has been on Nate Oats staff since 2019 and also worked with him for nine seasons at Romulus HS (MI). Following his time at Romulus, he went 181-30 at Southfield Christian HS (MI).
I’ve heard that a name to watch at D2 UT Tyler is current Abilene Christian assistant Doug Karleskint. He spent 7 seasons as the head coach at D2 Central Missouri before joining the ACU staff 3 years ago. Karleskint also served as the head coach at D2 Arkansas Tech (2011-14) and has a career record of 225-153 (.595). It’s also worth noting that UT Tyler AD Sam Ferguson was hired about a year ago after serving as the Associate Vice President and Deputy Director of Athletics for Revenue Generation at Abilene Christian.
A name making the rounds at UNCG is Jerod Haase. The former UNC assistant had been the head coach at Stanford (2016-24), and UAB (2012-16). Haase, the 2016 CUSA COY, has a career record of 206–180 (.534).
It sounds like Zoom’s at Northern Illinois start today or tomorrow. Working on names.
I’ve heard that Tennessee Tech will have their finalists figured out by today. Obviously Central Arkansas’ John Shulman is getting most of the press here, but there are others who no one has mentioned. More on these soon…
Search firm update: Renaissance has the Eastern Michigan search, Parker has the Lamar search, and DHR has the search at D2 Ferris State. More search firms HERE.
Check out all of the openings at every level of college basketball in HoopDirt’s coaching changes tracker HERE.
