HoopDirt.com’s Daily News (with some bonus “dirt”) from the college basketball coaching world…
- From azcentral.com…Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley addresses job speculation. Apparently the success of a 9-0 start (#5 ranking), has come with questions about his future with the program. Hurley discounted any chances he’d leave ASU for Louisville: “I know this is where I want to be. I have no issues saying that, 100 percent.” More on what Hurley had to say HERE.
- Speaking of Louisville…The University of Louisville Athletic Association is countersuing former men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino for damages allegedly caused by his role in recent scandals. According to the Courier Journal, the claim, filed Wednesday in federal court, requests Pitino repay losses that may arise from damaged business relationships, the loss of records or wins including the 2013 men’s basketball national championship as well as “bonuses and other compensation” paid during that time. The countersuit claims Pitino damaged the men’s basketball program’s ability to make money and the university’s ability to sell tickets and secure donations. The full story can be found HERE.
- How long will Kentucky head coach John Calipari continue coaching? After previously saying he wouldn’t coach past 60, has Coach Cal changed his mind? He addresses this in the latest episode of The Mailbag on his website CoachCal.com. You can watch the entire video HERE.
- Former Dayton head coach Don Donoher was honored last night honored by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association with the Dean Smith Award. Donoher is only the third coach ever to be honored with the award, joining John Thompson Sr. of Georgetown and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo. The head coach at Dayton from 1965-1989, he is the Flyers all-time winningest coach with a 437–275 record (.614). A full recap of last night’s event can be found HERE.
- BONUS DIRT: I can confirm that Anderson University (SC) assistant coach RJ McClure has resigned and will take a job in the private sector. He had been an assistant at Anderson since 2014. McClure was a former standout guard at Lenoir-Rhyne who led the Bears in scoring (17.7 ppg) and 3-point field goals (77) his senior season. There is no word yet if his position on Jeff Brookman’s staff will be replaced.
- ICYMI: The HoopDirt.com Coach of the Week presented by Just Play Solutions winners were announced earlier this week. The complete list can be found HERE. Nominations for next week’s award can be sent to: [email protected]
