Had this as a rumor earlier today – here’s the release now that it’s official…
James Dickey, who has spent more than a decade as a head coach at the Division I level, has returned to Oklahoma State as an assistant coach, it was announced today by head coach Travis Ford.
A tireless worker, Dickey has 30 years of Division I coaching experience, including stops at Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas Tech and Houston, as well as Oklahoma State. He has a vast knowledge in the development of players and has been instrumental in recruiting and landing some of the best players in the country.
"I’ve known Coach Dickey for 25 years going all the way back to when he recruited me at Kentucky and I have always respected and been impressed by the kind of person and coach that he is," Ford said. "I’ve enjoyed renewing our relationship the last couple weeks. He brings incredible experience, knowledge and familiarity with this area and with OSU. I’m excited about him helping us reach the next level."
Dickey returns to OSU after a four-year stint as head coach for the Houston Cougars. While at UH, he guided the Cougars to three wins over top-25 teams in 2013-14, which was Houston’s highest total since the 1983-84 season. He also led the Cougars to a 20-13 record in 2012-13 to mark the program’s first 20-win season in four years.
"I’m excited and honored and want to thank Coach Ford for the opportunity to join his staff. I have followed his playing and coaching career and have great respect for who he is and what he’s accomplished," Dickey said. "I’m thrilled about returning to Oklahoma State and living in Stillwater. My family is here and this is a great place to live and work. Cowboy basketball is special and has a knowledgeable, passionate fan base and a very loyal, enthusiastic student body. It will be exciting to be back in historic Gallagher-Iba Arena. Coach Ford has a tremendous staff which I look forward to being a part of as we build on the great tradition of OSU basketball."
Dickey served as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State from 2002-08 under the guidance of both Eddie and Sean Sutton. During that time, he was heavily involved in developing future NBA talent, including Tony Allen, Joey Graham, Stephen Graham, John Lucas and Ivan McFarlin. James Anderson, who is currently in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, was recruited to OSU by Coach Dickey.
Prior to his initial arrival in Stillwater, Dickey spent 10 seasons as head coach at Texas Tech, where he began his head coaching career in 1991. During the 1995-96 season, his squad won a school-record 30 games, including an 18-0 mark in Southwest Conference play. The Red Raiders advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in the program’s history, and jumped into the top 10 for the first time ever, finishing eighth in the Associated Press poll.
As an assistant for Eddie Sutton at Arkansas and Kentucky, he coached many players who made it to the NBA, including Winston Bennett, Rex Chapman, LeRon Ellis, Chris Mills, Joe Kleine, Alvin Robertson, Darrell Walker and Kenny Walker. The Razorbacks made four straight NCAA Tournament appearances with Dickey on the staff. During a four-year span at Kentucky, the Wildcats made three NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight in 1986. UK was ranked third in the final AP poll that season.
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