Columbus Day Dirt….

Happy Columbus Day! Some quick facts about the holiday before we get to the “dirt”….today we are celebrating the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas (the exact date was October 12, 1492). We are not the only ones who recognize this day – it’s celebrated as Día de la Raza in many countries in Latin America, as Discovery Day in the Bahamas, as Día de la Hispanidad and Fiesta Nacional in Spain and as Día de las Américas (Day of the Americas) in Uruguay. Columbus Day first became an official state holiday in Colorado in 1906, and became a federal holiday in 1937. Hopefully many of you are enjoying the day (especially as October 15th looms closer). Now, on to the “dirt”…..

From multiple sources – sounds like Northern Illinois DBO Kent Dernbach is in the mix for the vacant assistant spot at Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He has been at NIU for the past two seasons and served in a similar role at Geroge Mason before that. He would replace Lance Randall who became the head coach at St. Leo in April.

Some staff movement to report at West Virginia Tech….Neil Dixon has been named part-time assistant, Nic Kjaerholt has been named student assistant, and Dave Henderson has been named video coordinator. Dixon spent the past 4 years as an assistant at Greenbrier East HS (WV). Kjaerholt served as team captain his senior year at WV Tech in ’10-11. Look for the official announcement shortly.

I’ve heard that DeVernie Winston will join coach new head coach Joan Sanchez’s staff at Union County College (NJ). Winston served as the head men’s basketball coach at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and most recently was the head coach at John Jay College.

Staying in the NY/NJ area….I’ve also heard that former Manhattan College assistant C.J. Council will join Otis Fenn’s new staff at John Jay College. Council worked at Manhattan for three seasons in various capacities. He also served as an assistant junior varsity coach for six seasons (2000-06) at his alma mater Christ the King HS. Additionally, he coached at New York City Tech for the 2005-06 season and AAU Team Odom during the summers from 2003-06.