According to multiple sources, there are four finalists at DII Rockhurst University (MO). They are in the hunt to replace Bill O’Connor who retired back in March after 21-seasons at the school. From what I have heard, the final group includes:
- Dave Bezold – Former head coach Northern Kentucky. Spent 11-seasons as the head coach at NKU before being dismissed this spring. Oversaw their move from DII to DI. As a DII school, they competed in the Great Lakes Valley Conference – the same league that Rockhurst is in. Has a career record of 194-133 (161-79 DII). Also spent 14-seasons as an assistant at NKU.
- Drew Diener – Head Coach Cardinal Stritch University (WI). Has been the head coach at Stritch since 2009 and has compiled a 168-43 record. Spent 2006-2009 on the staff at Virginia. Played at St. Louis and in 1998 as a senior in HS was the Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year.
- Luke Strege – Former assistant coach Eastern Kentucky University. Spent 2010-2015 on Jeff Neubauer’s staff at EKU. Before that, he spent seven seasons as the associate head coach at Quincy University (IL) – also a GLVC member.
- Billy Thomas – Head Coach The Barstow School (MO). Former University of Kansas standout. Went undrafted, but spent time in the NBA with Washington, New Jersey, and Cleveland. Had a long career overseas and in some of the US minor leagues. Last played in the D-League for the Maine Red Claws in 2009-10. Took over at The Barstow School in 2010.
