MBB: Conference of New England

[scout]

What happened to Coach Yeh at ENC?  This is the 3rd TCCC job that's opened this year - pretty active year for the league.

http://www.hoopdirt.com/job/7b0656c7/eastern-nazarene-head-coach/

Also, any word about Gordon yet?  I thought they would have made the decision by now.

Just look a few posts up and see the post from 'Gordon HR Dept.' I have verified that it is, indeed, a post from a member of HR at Gordon.

According to that information, a decision on Gordon's new head coach should be released within the week. I think we're all anxious to hear who this might be...

Regarding the cacophony of swinging doors in the land of coach-hood around TCCC, this is a pretty crazy year. EC, ENC, Gordon... A name change for ENC as well...

Game plans will change... Personnel will change... Recruiting will change... We'll all be a little green when it comes to understanding our teams and opponents, as will the tenured coaches here in TCCC... For now, it looks like the Nor'easters, despite their youth, will be the veteran team and the favorites to win the conference title...

But then again, Gordon returns its quite talented roster too... We just don't know who'll be at the helm...

[baboOLIN]

Word on the ENC job:

My former coach at Babson, Mike Smiley has applied for it and he has to be a front runner. This guy is a basketball genius. He would be a great fit at ENC. I think he was associate head coach his last season at Babson and he would be perfect to turn around this struggling program.  He is a proven recruiter and I know he was in the mix for the Endicott job.

I know right now he is running a basketball development program and I think he was working with a few local high school stars/ all-american nominees.  When I talked to him, he said he missed the team aspect of coaching and wants to get back into the college game after a year off. I remember he taught the worst shooter on our team how to shoot and by the kid's senior year, he led the league in three shooting and was 1st team all NEWMAC. My last year, we played a defense that literally, no opponent could figure out.

I don't know who else is being considered for that job but ENC but they do not compare to Coach Smiley.

[Word Life]

Tod Murphy was announced today as the new head men's basketball coach at Gordon.  Murphy has been the lead assistant coach at the University of California at Irvine, his alma mater.

[T990]

The Anteaters !

[scout]

Tod Murphy was announced today as the new head men's basketball coach at Gordon.  Murphy has been the lead assistant coach at the University of California at Irvine, his alma mater.

Since there has not been an official press release from Gordon College, could you share with us where you heard this? I'm not doubting you, as I know you're close to the Gordon community... I'm just asking so that the rest of us who don't have as close ties can read more about it!

If this is truly the case, this is a solid hiring. While he has no direct head coaching experience, he's played in a successful college career, played in the NBA and overseas, and has been an assistant coach for six plus years.

Solid hiring, in my opinion.

[scout]

An article I found detailing the hire for Gordon...

http://writingscots.wordpress.com/2009/06/15/tod-murphy-named-to-succeed-mike-schauer/

[Bill Gorman]

Official announcement from Gordon:

http://www.gordon.edu/athletics/article.cfm?iArticleID=1350

[scout]

Is it me, or has TCCC gotten significantly stronger in the coaching department over the last two years? UNE, EC, GC... All solid hires who bring a variety of tools, whether it be recruiting, developing talent, game management, etc.

I'm not saying we're going to turn into the NESCAC, but I'm just saying that I think there are some solid young coaches in the conference.

I'm excited for Endicott-Gordon already... An old rivalry infused with new enthusiasm.

I could write a book... But I won't.

[Word Life]

I agree somewhat scout...but Tod Murphy is no Mike Schauer.  Cool, he played in the NBA, but so did Isiah Thomas.  It is a good hire, I'm excited for him to continue what Schauer has begun to build, but I don't think it's a step up by any means for The CCC when they lose a coach like Mike Schauer.  The coaching department takes a hit for sure.

[scout]

Mike Schauer was/is a fantastic coach. I do not disagree with you and Gordon lost a significant presence for the men's basketball team. His recruiting ability, his rapport with the team... They will be sorely missed.

I am giving Tod Murphy the benefit of the doubt. He has yet to be a head coach at any level, but when one pieces together his various roles throughout his career, it calculates to a high ceiling. He was stellar as a collegiate athlete, so he knows the plight of the scholar athlete. He played in the NBA and, in my opinion, more importantly... he played overseas. The style of play, the greater focus upon team-play... Further developing basketball IQ and situational game-management. He has spent a total of eight years as an assistant coach. He understands the role of the coaching staff and the importance of player development.

All of this is to suggest that I believe Coach Murphy has extremely high potential.

Granted, he has yet to be a head coach... A totally different animal for sure... But if Coach Schauer had to leave and we had to find a replacement... This would be a top candidate for me any day.

The only thing a Gordon fan can be upset about is the fact that Schauer left. But once that event occurs and a search for a new head coach must be conducted... I approve of the decision to go with Coach Murphy.

[Pat Coleman]

Granted, he has yet to be a head coach...

Or work without scholarships, speaking of a different animal.

[Word Life]

scout, I agree with your last post, I too like the hire of Coach Murphy.  There are areas I am nervous about, you mentioned he has yet to be a head coach for one, and also what Pat just mentioned, working without scholarships changes everything in the recruiting world.

All and all I do like the hire though.  I was glad to see Gordon veer away from Wheaton and not hire their assistant who served under Bill Harris.  If Gordon ever wants to get out from under Wheaton's shadow...what I am saying I suppose is I don't want to see Gordon College just take whoever they can get from Wheaton.

But scout,

Is it me, or has TCCC gotten significantly stronger in the coaching department over the last two years? UNE, EC, GC... All solid hires who bring a variety of tools, whether it be recruiting, developing talent, game management, etc.

I still disagree with that statement.  In the last 5 years two of the top coaches in The CCC have left (Plansky and Schauer).  So, has The CCC gotten stronger in the coaching department?  Absolutely not.

[Bill Gorman]

Eastern Nazarene fills its vacant coaching position:

http://www.enc.edu/org/athletics/mensbasketballstats.html#aller

[number1chargerfan]

Any news on other schools' recruiting classes? I know Colby-Sawyer has at least four new players: Wouter van der Eng, Cory Willis, Jason Cheverfilis, and Carlos Brown

Wouter is a 6'8 center coming off a PG year at Kimball Union who apparently had looks from d1 and d2 teams..I heard many rumblings about him towards the end of last semester but you can never believe what you hear at this place

Willis looks to be another small scrappy point guard like Matty Lemieux at 5'9 from St. Sebastians in mass

Not much on Cheverfilis a 6'4 forward from Manchester Memorial in NH

Carlos Brown came in second semester I met him and saw him play..he's a very fast guard who could light up the scoreboard

Also saw that Wentworth has a decent crop coming in all of this is from new england recruiting report

A whopping 5th year on campus and I smell a UNE-CSC rematch in the final!

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Sorry to be gone for the summer so far, guys.  I had to finish up grad school and am trying to get back to New England if we can find the right situation.


It would be nice to actually be able to see some games in person once in a while.

As always, things seem up in the air with the CCC, lots of changes all around.  And as always I'll reserve judgment until I see the rosters and early game results.