Some "dirt" as we sail into the weekend…

• Washington head coach Lorenzo Romar has said that he will hire Arizona State assistant Lamont Smith. The formal announcement cannot be made until Smith passes a background check by HR. Smith has been at ASU since 2008, and was a GA under Romar at St. Louis (1999-2001). He will replace Paul Fortier who has assumed the title of rector of player personnel and player development after serving as an assistant for the past seven seasons.

• I have heard that former Louisville standout Reece Gaines will become an assistant at Bellarmine University (Louisville, KY). Gaines was drafted by the Orlando Magic in the first round (#15 overall) in the 2003 draft. He spent parts of three seasons with the Magic and Bucks before continuing his career overseas. He replaces Carl White who took a HS job earlier this summer. The official announcement is expected next week.

• Charlotte head coach Alan Major has finalized his administrative staff. Mark Bialkoski is the new DBO after spending the past three years as a program assistant and graduate manager. Stephen Doughton has been named as the associate DBO. He had spent the past four seasons at Charlotte as a manager.

• Matt Sherman has been named as an assistant at Graceland University (IA). Sherman spent the past two season as a GA at Northwestern State University (LA). He played at Central Methodist University (MO) and ended as the third all-time leading scorer in school history.

• Missouri Baptist has hired Jason Fry as the graduate assistant. Fry is a former player at MBU and has spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach at the Whitfield School (MO).