Some things that I’ve heard…
- It sounds like former Cal Poly head coach Joe Callero has interviewed for the opening at Western Oregon. Callero, who was the head coach at Cal Poly from 2009-19, had previously worked in Western Oregon’s league (GNAC) as the head coach at Seattle (2001-09).
- Bob Marlin’s search to replace Kevin Johnson (Tulane) at Louisiana Lafayette seems to have focused on a current DI JUCO head coach. More on this one soon.
- Some names that I’ve heard at NCAA DII Alabama Huntsville: Murry Bartow (former UAB head coach and UCLA interim head coach), Andy Blackston (former Austin Peay and UAH Women’s Coach, current Madison Academy [AL] boy’s basketball coach), Anthony Komara (current UAH assistant coach), Derek Johnston (Liberty University assistant coach, former UAH assistant coach), Mark Price (former UAH and Belmont assistant, current head coach at the Baylor School [TN]).
- I have heard that the search at NJCAA DI Gulf Coast State was narrowed to four at the beginning of the week. Since then, a former high major head coach has withdrawn, leaving the final group at three. The names that I’ve heard are: Butch Pierre (former assistant at LSU, NC State, Oklahoma State, and Memphis), Jake Williams (head coach USC Salkehatchie), and Phil Gaffney (head coach Georgia Highlands).
- It sounds like the search at NCAA DII NYIT is winding down, and a new coach could be named in the next few days. Some names that I’ve heard there are; Evan Conti (current NYIT interim head coach), Steve Jecewiz (assistant coach Chowan University), and Matt Capell (assistant coach St. Thomas Aquinas).
- An interesting name that I’ve heard at NAIA Lourdes University (OH) is Dennis Hopson. The former Ohio State standout and 3rd pick in the 1987 NBA Draft is a Toledo native (Lourdes is located just outside of Toledo). Hopson was last an assistant at Bowling Green (2009-14).
- Daytona State (FL) assistant Justin Mann is headed west where he will join new head coach Bill Morosco’s staff at Independence CC (KS). Mann has also been an assistant at Thomas University (GA), Eastern Nazarene College (MA), Urbana University (OH), and Meridian CC (MS).
- DII Assumption College (MA) is doing reference checks on their top candidate. Announcement coming shortly…
- ICYMI: Click the links below for Dirt from last night….