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. 

[Roger_65]

Lamar University has hired FAU assistant Jordan Fee, source told @TheFieldOf68. 

This is yet another terrific hire of one of the best assistants in the country. Rising star. 

Fee was previously assistant at Nova Southeastern under Jim Crutchfield and then was the head coach at Gannon - where he went 32-3 and went to the D-2 Elite Eight.

[Roger_65]

BEAUMONT, Texas – The architect of the greatest single-season turnaround in NCAA history, a Division II National Champion and National Coach of the Year, Jordan Fee has been named as Lamar University head men's basketball coach announced LU Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff O'Malley Saturday afternoon. Fee becomes the 13^th head coach in program history.
 
"I am extremely excited to be announcing Jordan as our next head basketball coach," said O'Malley. "Jordan has been described as a 'driving force' and I think once our fans get a chance to meet him they will understand why. Jordan is a dynamic individual whose résumé speaks for itself. He is looking forward to being a Cardinal and we're excited to be handing him the reins."
 
Fee comes to the Golden Triangle from Boca Raton, Fla., where he spent the past two seasons as an assistant, including this past year where he was promoted to associate head coach, helping lead the Owls to 36 wins and a 2025 postseason berth.
 
Fee's meteoric rise to the NCAA Division I ranks comes as a shock to no one after building a résumé boasting of some of the most prolific offensive numbers in NCAA history. After spending eight seasons at Nova Southeastern University – seven as assistant and the final year as associate head coach – Fee was named head coach at Gannon University. What followed was a turnaround that grabbed national headlines.
 
Taking over a program that posted a 3-32 (.086) overall record the year before his arrival, Fee literally flipped the script recording a 32-3 (.914) mark while Gannon also made a 17-win improvement in conference play. The Golden Knights would go on to lead NCAA Division II in scoring (100.4 points per game), win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) regular-season and tournament title, win the NCAA DII Atlantic Region title and advance to the 2024 Division II Elite Eight and record the greatest single-season turnaround in NCAA history, regardless of division or gender. For his efforts, Fee was named both PSAC West Coach of the Year and NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year.
 
Fee took over as GU's head coach following a year where he helped guide Nova Southeastern to a perfect 36-0 record and an NCAA Division II National Championship.
 
"Lamar University has a proud history of excellence on the basketball court, and we are committed to bringing that championship‑level success back to Beaumont," said LU President Dr. Jaime Taylor. "This search generated tremendous national interest, and I am confident that we have identified the right leader for Lamar University. Jordan brings an energy, a vision, and a proven record that align perfectly with who we are and where we intend to go. He is one of the true rising stars in the coaching profession, and I am excited to see our program grow and thrive under his leadership."
 
Fee has left a paper trail of success that is hard to ignore in the world of collegiate basketball. During his time as either head coach or assistant, Fee has helped coach a National Champion, posted a 178-77 (.698) overall record, three NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearances, four NCAA Division II tournament appearances, three South Region Championships, three conference regular season and tournament titles and recruited and developed consecutive DII National Players of the Year.
 
"I would first like to thank University President, Dr. Jaime Taylor, and Vice President and Director of Athletics, Jeff O'Malley, for placing their trust in me. It is an honor to be named head men's basketball coach at Lamar University," said Fee. "This program has a proud history, I'm excited about the bright future ahead."
 
LU will hold a press conference to introduce Fee at a later date. Details will be released to the public when they are finalized.

[geezer]

Glad to see that a hire has been made and the bio looks like the kind of coach Lamar should be looking for with the budget that it has.  If this coach can translate his previous success at the D2 level to D1 then hopefully Lamar gets a few good years before he moves on to a more prominent position at a higher-level conference.

[NorthoftheBorder]

Sounds great from the article. This hire might get me interested in LU basketball again. My interest has been dormant since Roccoforte.