Story: Adam Nelson (@HD_DirtKing)
A busy Monday – here’s DD2…
I mentioned the search at New Hampshire in today’s earlier edition of the Daily Dirt. It sounds like Zoom’s are actually just about complete. The top two names that I have heard are Princeton associate head coach Brett MacConnell, and former Fairfield and Princeton head coach Sydney Johnson. For what it’s worth, new UNH AD Allison Rich spent nine years at her alma mater Princeton before being hired in Durham last July.
It sounds like Holy Cross is starting to bring guys to campus. First legit names that I have heard for in person interviews are Merrimack head coach Joe Gallo and former George Mason and Bucknell head coach Dave Paulsen (currently an assistant at Fordham). Word on the street is that a D3 head coach is “squarely in the mix” for an on campus interview as well.
It’s early at Valpo, but a name picking up steam is Iowa State assistant JR Blount. He has been at ISU for the past two seasons, and has also worked at Colorado State, St. Leo, and Drake. The connection here…Valpo AD Dr. Charles Small was hired away from Iowa State this past summer.
I have heard that Army will be done within the next 24-hours. I have some names, but have been told that none of them are right (haha). Working on the “real” ones now.
I mentioned Adam Cohen at Buffalo early this morning. I can now confirm that he has turned the job down. I also mentioned Saddi Washington there and can also confirm that he has not interviewed at UB. Working on more names now. Sounds like this one has now been turned down at least twice, possibly three times.
Horns247’s Chip Brown is reporting that Texas interim head coach Rodney Terry “will be offered the Longhorns’ permanent head-coaching position” with an announcement coming as early as tomorrow. Terry led the Longhorns to a 22-8 record and an Elite Eight appearance after taking over for Chris Beard in December.
Former Austin Peay assistant coach Jason Harris has been hired as the head coach at Atlantic Collegiate Academy in Myrtle Beach, SC. Harris was a long-time prep coach before joining Nate James’ staff at APSU back in 2021. The 2023-24 season will be ACA’s inaugural campaign.
I mentioned that Zoom’s had started at Edward Waters this week. I mistakenly referred to them as NAIA, when they are in fact a D2 member of the SIAC. Sorry for the confusion. Makes a little more sense as to why a few strong NAIA head coaches are chasing it.
Speaking of searches…D3 Goucher is also starting their Zoom round this week. Working on that list as we speak.
Congrats to new Northwestern State head coach Rick Cabrera who was named as the 2022-23 HoopDirt.com / Just Play Solutions JUCO Coach of the Year earlier today. You can read the full release HERE. Winners at the NCAA D1, D2, D3, and NAIA levels will be released later this week.
Today’s poll…head over to TWITTER to weigh in…
Today’s first edition of the DAILY DIRT is HERE.
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.
