Here are some things that I’ve heard while watching some great buzzer beaters and upsets…
- Stony Brook: The ink isn’t even dry yet on the Pikiell to Rutgers deal, but rumors are already swirling here…Associate head coach Jay Young, who has been at Stony Brook for the past 11-years is the leader here. Before his time at SBU, Young was the head coach at New Haven where he had a pair of 21-win seasons during his 5-year tenure. He was also an assistant at Northeastern and had a ton of success at the JUCO level as a head coach. This deal should be done fairly quickly (plus The DirtKing and Coach Young were on the same staff back in the day, so I’m a bit biased…)
- Drexel: Army head coach Zach Spiker’s name has now come up with this one per multiple sources. Parker is running the search, and I have mentioned before, it sounds like they want someone from an academic background. Spiker and his experience at Army would definitely fit that bill. Also, before coming to Army, he was an assistant in the Ivy League at Cornell. I have also heard that the list is dwindling here, as Parker has informed some candidates that they are no longer in the mix.
- Western Kentucky: Early here, but a bunch of names are starting to emerge. The names that I have heard are: Tim Buckley (associate head coach Indiana – former head coach at Ball State), Kenny Payne (associate head coach – Kentucky – former player at Louisville), Travis Ford (former head coach at Oklahoma State – Kentucky native – former player at Kentucky), and John Pelphrey (former head coach at Arkansas – Kentucky native – former player at Kentucky). There has also been some rumors of former WKU head coaches Dennis Felton and Darrin Horn being in the mix.
- Delaware: Interesting situation here as Delaware is also in the midst of an AD search. Multiple sources have told me that Delaware may wait until the new AD is hired. Either way, not an ideal situation. One name to keep an eye on, however, is Notre Dame assistant Martin Ingelsby. The former Notre Dame standout is a Philadelphia native, who knows the area well. We’ll see if Mike Brey still has enough juice at Delaware to help…
- Jacksonville State: Creative Marketing Management is handling this search. The “hot” name here is long-time Alabama-Huntsville head coach Lennie Acuff. In 19-seasons at UAH, he has compiled a 371-186 record including 25-8 and another DII NCAA Tournament appearance this year. He was also named GSC Coach of the Year for 2015-16. I have heard a few other small college head coaches are trying to get involved, as well as some low major assistant. More on this as I hear it.
