Story: Adam Nelson (@HD_DirtKing)
It’s been a crazy few days as we get closer to the Final Four. Here are some things that I’ve heard as guys get ready to head to Houston…
Names that I have heard at NJIT are Maryland assistant Grant Billmeier, Merrimack head coach Joe Gallo, Butler assistant Kevin Kuwik, and Southern New Hampshire head coach Jack Perri. Heard that this one could be wrapping up soon.
In Yesterday’s DAILY DIRT II, I mentioned some names at Holy Cross, and said that a D3 head coach is “squarely in the mix.” I have it now from multiple people that it is Christopher Newport head coach John Krikorian. His CNU squad went 30-3 this season, and captured the NCAA D3 National Championship. In 12-seasons at CNU, he has gone an impressive 290-65 (.817). One more “outside the box” name coming – stay tuned…
Back on 3/11 (DAILY DIRT), I mentioned Kentucky’s Bruiser Flint and Rutgers associate head coach Karl Hobbs and their involvement at Manhattan. I have heard that they have interviewed, along with former Hartford head coach John Gallagher, and interim head coach RaShawn Stores. Sounds like a couple more former D1 head coaches may be in the mix as well. *Side note: Hobbs is also pretty heavily involved at Temple as well.
I have heard that New Orleans assistant coach Kris Arkenberg is on the move, and will end up on the staff at ETSU. Arkenberg has been at been at UNO since 2011. One more move coming as well at New Orleans. Stay tuned for that one.
Sam Patterson will remain as an assistant coach at Oral Roberts under new head coach Russell Springmann. Patterson came to ORU with former head coach Paul Mills from Baylor back in 2017, and has worked side-by-side with Springmann on Mills’ staff since 2018.
I have heard that D2 Arkansas Fort Smith has wrapped up Zoom interviews, and will host 3-4 guys on this week for on-campus interviews. Names that I’ve heard include Sam Houston State associate head coach Chris Mudge (hedging his bets incase he doesn’t get promoted at SHSU), as well as two current D2 head coaches from the Lone Star Conference.
It sounds like two of the finalists at D3 Greensboro College are Campbell assistant coach Mike Summey and former Arkansas Fort Smith head coach Jim Boone. Summey has worked at NC State, Bowling Green, Miami, St. Francis (PA), North Florida, and the Citadel, and also spent one season as a D3 head coach at Bethany College (WVa). Boone has 602 wins in his 37-years as a D1 and D2 head coach, with stops at UAFS, Delta State, West Virginia Wesleyan, Tusculum, Eastern Michigan, and California (PA).
Zoom’s underway at D3 Hartford.
I have heard that on campus interviews have been scheduled at D3 Cabrini College. Sounds like they will stretch out over the next few weeks. Working to confirm names now.
HoopDirt.com’s up-to-date list of college basketball coaching changes at the D1, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO levels can be found HERE.
