Story: Adam Nelson (@HD_DirtKing)
UNLV Coaching Search Heats Up: Wide Net Cast, Decision Coming Soon
Interviews are underway at UNLV, with AD Erick Harper casting a very wide net. Some of the names that I’ve heard the most here include Arkansas State head coach Bryan Hodgson, Bradley head coach Brian Wardle, and Florida Assistant Carlin Hartman (a former UNLV assistant). Could be some current (and former) NBA guys involved as well. It also sounds like things are moving quickly here, and a new coach could be in place by the end of the week.
Fordham’s Next Head Coach? Senderoff and Sellers Lead the Rumor Mill
Names making the rounds at Fordham include Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff and Central Connecticut head coach Pat Sellers. Senderhoff is a NY native and former assistant at Fordham. He has gone 288–175 (.622) during his 14 seasons at KSU. Sellers led Central to back-to-back NEC regular season crowns and consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time in its Division I history.
Penn’s Coaching Search: Could Fran McCaffery Make a Homecoming?
While NYU’s David Klatsky still appears to be the hottest name at Penn, the most interesting name I’ve heard now from a bunch of people is former Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery. The Philadelphia native played at Penn, and began his coaching career there. McCaffery, who has also been the head coach at Siena, UNC Greensboro, and Lehigh, has a career record of 548–384 (.588). More on this search as I hear it.
McNeese State Watch: Front-Runners Emerge
While many believe McNeese State assistant Brandon Chambers to be the leader to replace Will Wade as the Cowboys head coach, the sneaky name here though is current Baylor assistant Bill Armstrong. Armstrong was on Wade’s staff at LSU, and served as the head coach at Link Academy before being hired at Baylor last spring. He also spent 11 seasons on the staff at Ole Miss. Chambers served as the acting head coach for the Cowboys during Will Wade’s 10 game rip back in 2023.
ULM Basketball Staff Shakeup
I have heard that Ronnie Dean will not be returning as an assistant at ULM under new head coach Phil Cunningham. The veteran coach had been at ULM for the past seven seasons.
Coming soon…
Heard a D2 in South Carolina is open. Waiting for double confirmation. Stay tuned…*UPDATE: It’s Allen University – more HERE.
JUCO Shakeup? Independence CC and Coffeyville CC Merger on the Table
Interesting situation brewing at the JUCO level…There is a meeting tonight where the Independence CC Board of Trustees will discuss a possible “consolidation” with Coffeyville CC. Not sure what this would mean for athletics, but will definitely keep an eye on it.
More Prep Dirt
I’ve had some prep stuff in here over the last few week. By popular demand, here’s some more…
Garvin Mcalister will become the new head coach at The Millbrook School (NY). Mcalister served as an assistant in the program last season, and was on the basketball staff at Dartmouth before that. He has also worked as an assistant at Assumption, Post, and Connecticut College. Mcalister will replace Billy Thom, who will remain with the program in a different role as he pursues a deeper experience in clinical social work.
Mentioned this on social media last week…Book Richardson has taken over as the head coach at The St. James Performance School (VA). Richardson spent 2009-17 as an assistant at Arizona, and also worked at Xavier and Marist. He was jammed up back in 2017 doing all of the stuff that is now legal in the college basketball world.
For a full list of coaching changes across NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO levels, check out the 2025 Coaching Changes Tracker presented by D1.relocation [HERE].
