It’s crazy that Labor Day has come and gone and school is now in session. Here are a few things that I’ve heard as we begin the slow march towards the possible start of college basketball season.
The search at D3 SUNY Purchase sounds like it’s down to a group of five. They are vying to replace Chris Martin who departed earlier this summer to become a HS coach. The most interesting name that I’ve heard here is Pat Kennedy. The former Florida State, DePaul, Towson, Montana, and Iona head coach last worked at D2 Pace University (NY) from 2013-15. Other names that I’ve heard here: John Mateyko (former DBO at Iona, former head coach at Dowling and St. Joe’s (LI)), a current JUCO head coach, and two current D3 assistant coaches. Not sure when this one will wrap up.
I have heard that Shawn Dirden is no longer on the staff at Montana State, and will be entering the private sector. Dirden three different stints at MSU, and also served as an assistant at South Dakota and North Dakota. He also spent three seasons as the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State. No word yet on a possible replacement.
It sounds like Former Louisville and Indiana assistant Kenny Johnson has landed as the head coach at National Christian Academy (MD). In addition to his HM stints, the Maryland native has also worked as an assistant at La Salle and Towson, and is well known for his time with Team Takeover AAU (DC).
Jon Showers has become an assistant at D3 DeSales University (PA).He had spent the previous five seasons as an assistant at D3 York College (PA), and has also worked at Millersville University, and Marywood University.
I have heard that NAIA Rust College (MS) has named James Williams as an assistant coach. Williams had previously served as the head coach at Drew Charter School in Atlanta, and was a HS assistant before that.
