Today’s Daily News & Notes from around the college basketball coaching world…
Earlier this week, I mentioned the t-shirt that Butler head coach LaVall Jordan wore on Saturday that honored the late John Thompson with a quote, and also listed all of the current African-American D1 head coaches on the back. I’ve now learned that these t-shirts were designed by Cal State Fullerton head coach Dedrique Taylor as a way to recognize the progress that African-American coaches have made over the years. He then sent them to every African-American D1 head coach. There were three versions, each with a different quote on the front. Here’s what they look like:
Utah State head coach Craig Smith recently agreed to a contact extension that will keep him coaching the Aggies for five additional seasons after the current one ends. USU Athletic Director John Hartwell first announced the extension during a radio interview last week, and Smith confirmed it Tuesday on a virtual call with media. More HERE.
Portland AD Scott Leykam gave an update on the search to replace Terry Porter as the Pilots head basketball coach. Leykam said he is focusing on three areas in which the new coach must excel: Player development, creating a positive team culture and recruiting and retaining talented student athletes. He said the pool of potential coaches includes some with Division I head coaching experienced, small-college coaches and assistant coaches with experience recruiting in the WCC. More HERE.
A good piece from the Winston-Salem Journal on High Point’s Tubby Smith, as he reflects on wanting to quit earlier this season during a battle with COVID, and about his mentors, Big House Gaines, John Thompson and John Chaney. Read the full article HERE.
Kansas head coach Bill Self said that he had no news on the status of the NCAA’s infractions case against the program and that he expected the process to play out for several more months. “I’m hoping there’s a conclusion sooner rather than later, but I still think it’ll be probably late summer or early fall.” More HERE.
The Week 12 HoopDirt.com / Just Play Solutions Coach of the Week Award winners were announced on Monday The complete list of winners can be found HERE. Nominations for the week 13 award can be sent to: [email protected]. Deadline is Sunday at 5pm.
