New Men's Basketball Coach

[TexGator]

Since it's been confirmed that Alvin Brooks won't be returning, it's time to talk about what we see as the new direction.
If the rumors are true the new coach will have a good NIL budget to pull from.

Do you see them going after an assistant from a power conference school?
Up and coming coach from a smaller program?

You tell me.

[TexGator]

I'm start the ball rolling.

I'm looking at the success that smaller college coaches have when making the jump and sort of wanting the next Ben McCollum- successful on the D2 (or even D3) level and uses Lamar as a steppingstone to a bigger job.

The thing is that I can't really find that consistent success on the D2 level other than the guy at Nova Southeastern (who is about 70YO).

Margenthaler at Minnesota State is a consistent 20-win coach with a recent title... but that's his only playoff appearance since before COVID.
Ballard at Washburn has a good pedigree- played under Roy Williams and coached under Bill Self (I could easily be sold on him).
Looks like Flickner at Dallas Baptist is also a former player under Roy Williams and has some success as well (Final Four in 2025).

[TexGator]

Among the "Power Program Assistant" options the two most obvious names are:
- Brandon Chappell (Ozen and Lamar alum; former assistant)
- Mikhail McLean (former Lamar assistant- played and assisted under Sampson)

[NorthoftheBorder]

I am so far removed from basketball these days, but still an Lamar supporter.  Would love to see them resurrect the men's BB program, but we have made so many bad decisions in the last 30+ years regarding BB that I don't hold much hope.  That said, even though we have tried this several times and it has not worked, I vote for an up and coming assistant who, if successful in resurrecting the program in 4-5 years will leave, but will leave it in much better condition than he found it. And hopefully they will make another good hire and keep it going for a little while.  

[TexGator]

15 hours ago, NorthoftheBorder said:

I am so far removed from basketball these days, but still an Lamar supporter.  Would love to see them resurrect the men's BB program, but we have made so many bad decisions in the last 30+ years regarding BB that I don't hold much hope.  That said, even though we have tried this several times and it has not worked, I vote for an up and coming assistant who, if successful in resurrecting the program in 4-5 years will leave, but will leave it in much better condition than he found it. And hopefully they will make another good hire and keep it going for a little while.  

You are correct. Since (cheating) Tom Abatemarco left for Drake the program has been middling at best.

[lu cards]

Attributes I’m looking for 

Young(no old dudes)

Upcoming(looking to advance)

Can fundraise/good with donors

Can Coach and recruit the whole package

[TexGator]

19 hours ago, lu cards said:

Attributes I’m looking for 

Young(no old dudes)

Upcoming(looking to advance)

Can fundraise/good with donors

Can Coach and recruit the whole package

I'd like that as well.
It'd take a special situation for me to vary from the first two.
The rest are non-negotiables. 

I'm fine with you being a cerebral coach where we don't see you going to town on the dry erase board during the breaks.
But you have to work them in practice like Pop worked the Spurs where you can say two sentences on a break (or even send in the word with a sub) and the team makes an adjustment that leads to a 17-3 run.

[coachacola]

In the age of NIL I think the type of coach Lamar needs has changed.  Since players are lured in with money they need someone with great coaching skills.  My guess is there's a lot of coaches out there under the radar which fit that bill.

[NorthoftheBorder]

In the NIL era, the players are hired guns, looking for the best payday.  I would submit that almost exclusively, kids could care less about the school and it's history and traditions, and whether they really want to go to school their or get an education their and if the school could educate them for a future beyond sports. In fact, if we could really look into what is going on, it is likely the kids no longer do the class work, or even attend class and get credits.  Again, this is professionals looking for a payday.  At LU, it is not quite this extreme like it is a most assuredly is at the two largest state schools in Texas, but is is moving closer to that all the time.  

For me, it is taking the fun out of college athletics.  I have not really watched pro sports in quite some time, with the exception of the Super Bowl, or the baseball playoffs if the Astros are in it. Or if I get invited to an Astros game and I am not paying.  There is no "for the love of the game" left in sports for the most part.  

Pretty jaded outlook, but that is how I am seeing it after close to 60 years of being a sports fan.  

[TexGator]

23 hours ago, NorthoftheBorder said:

In the NIL era, the players are hired guns, looking for the best payday.  I would submit that almost exclusively, kids could care less about the school and it's history and traditions, and whether they really want to go to school their or get an education their and if the school could educate them for a future beyond sports. In fact, if we could really look into what is going on, it is likely the kids no longer do the class work, or even attend class and get credits.  Again, this is professionals looking for a payday.  At LU, it is not quite this extreme like it is a most assuredly is at the two largest state schools in Texas, but is is moving closer to that all the time.  

For me, it is taking the fun out of college athletics.  I have not really watched pro sports in quite some time, with the exception of the Super Bowl, or the baseball playoffs if the Astros are in it. Or if I get invited to an Astros game and I am not paying.  There is no "for the love of the game" left in sports for the most part.  

Pretty jaded outlook, but that is how I am seeing it after close to 60 years of being a sports fan.  

They still have to get their 24 credits annually. Regardless of what they're doing, they're still likely taking 3 classes a semester (and 2 online summer classes- most of their classes are probably online). 

Getting back to the "hired gun" thing- it makes the need for a coach who can connect with the players where they feel like "he's MY coach"

[SportsGuy]

I think they will hire someone really impressive! 

[geezer]

There will be plenty of HYPE, just like all of the outstanding recruits Lamar gets.  I don't expect much information until a hire is made.

[TexGator]

I'm actually intrigued that we haven't heard anything. This makes me think O'Malley is working this like the operator he is. He had a coach already lined up before he'd officially let Brooks go because he knew he was making the move.