Story: Adam Nelson (@HD_DirtKing)
Crazy day yesterday. It’s amazing how the portal has changed the hiring timeline. D1’s are averaging less than a week to complete a search. Absolute chaos out there! Just a few things to kick off the day…
Sounds like the Gerry McNamara to Siena deal is becoming closer to reality. The former Syracuse standout is currently the associate head coach at his alma mater, and has been on staff there since 2011. Word on the street is that this could get done today.
Staying in the WNY area…the search at Canisius is on. This one will pay between $250-$285,000 which will still make it one of the lowest paying jobs in the MAAC. A lot of guys involved early, but so far most of the names that I have heard are LM assistants, D2, D3, and JUCO guys. Working on a list now.
Some speculation that new Vandy head coach Mark Byington will add a current D1 head coach (much like Jake Diebler did with Dave Dickerson yesterday). Keep an eye on this one – should know more soon.
Interesting basketball search at Fresno State right now as the Bulldogs and AD Terry Tumey “mutually parted ways” last week. Deputy AD Rob Acunto has been elevated to Interim AD, and Parker Executive Search is helping with this one. They have also formed a campus search committee which includes former Fresno State basketball players Rod Higgins (an NBA vet) and Jervis Cole, current Bulldogs women’s water polo coach Natalie Benson, former Fresno State assistant and NBA scout Dave Severns, Fresno State Associate AD Steve Reid, professor Victor Torres and local businessman Rob Saroyan. Not sure on a timeline here yet.
I’ve heard that former Boston College head coach Jim Christian is in the mix to land a spot on Chris Holtmann’s new staff at DePaul. In addition to his 7 seasons at BC, Christian has also been the head coach at Kent St, TCU, and Ohio. He currently serves as the assistant AD for basketball at Kent St.
In yesterday’s DAILY DIRT, I mentioned that Craig Doty was retaining Terry Johnson at Houston Christian. I can also confirm that Evan Lavery will be joining the staff. Lavery had been with Doty for the past five seasons at Emporia State, and also worked for him at Rock Valley.
I’ve heard that former Citadel and VMI associate head coach Daniel Willis is in the mix for the job at D2 Lenoir-Rhyne. Willis spent 15-seasons as a D1 assistant, and has most recently been serving as the head coach at Hickory HS (NC). He is a Lenoir-Rhyne alum and Hall of Famer at the school.
Sounds like Zoom’s are starting this week at D3 Keene State. A lot of D3 guys involved. This job opened after Interim Head Coach David Hastings led the Owls 26-4 (15-1) record, won the Little East and advanced to the NCAA D3 Sweet 16. Hastings, who does not have a bachelors degree, does not meet the requirements to get the job on a permanent basis – even though he served four years in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division (was a sergeant), and is a former police Chief (spent 34 years in law enforcement). More on this absurd situation HERE.
You can check out the 2024 Coaching Changes Tracker presented by D1.relocation HERE. It contains all of the head coaching changes so far at the NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO levels.
