MBB: NESCAC

[grabtherim]

Stan Van Gundy was a D3 coach at Castleton State in Vermont during the early 1980s.  I ran into Stan when he was coaching the Pistons. He is a heck of a nice guy.  I found out he had very fond memories of and wanted regards passed to the now late Russ Reilly, a giant of a man in Middlebury Athletics.  Stan coached Castleton against Midd when Russ was the Panthers head coach.  Stan obviously moved on to many coaching jobs head and assistant at all levels, finally ending up in the NBA.  That said he told me his time at Castleton was very special to him.   

[ephoops]

Looks like it's been a while since a D3 head coach jumped to D1 on the men's side.  Is this really the most recent one?

https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2015/04/nate-davis-heads-to-division-i

We need another one so we can update the "current job" list.

Davis really struggled this year at Bucknell after the last of Paulsen's recruits graduated in 2019.

[Pat Coleman]

Looks like it's been a while since a D3 head coach jumped to D1 on the men's side.  Is this really the most recent one?

https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2015/04/nate-davis-heads-to-division-i

We need another one so we can update the "current job" list.

Davis really struggled this year at Bucknell after the last of Paulsen's recruits graduated in 2019.

There is one since then, when Southern Vermont coach Dan Engelstad went to Mount St. Mary's.

https://www.d3hoops.com/notables/2018/05/southern-vermont-coach-gets-d1-job

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

Great article, one could make the argument that Hixon is the most successful D3 men's basketball coach of all-time (who spent their entire career at that level). Kudos for him doing what is best for his family. Making the jump to DI most likely means moving the family somewhere new, but also seeing them less. 

Hard for us, or the coaches, to make claims about someone wanting to stay or leave a respective job. Once the offer is on the table all bets are off.

Nothing against the idea Hixon being one of the most successful, but he did retire behind F&M's Glenn Robinson and Wooster's Steve Moore in terms of total wins. Robinson spent his entire career at F&M (similar story to Hixon, actually) and Moore spent a few years at DIII Muhlenberg before moving to Wooster.

In terms of championships, Hixon certainly has the nod, but I think all three were the best to ever coach in DIII - especially for how different their teams, schools, and recruiting were.

Side note for those who don't know: his wife enjoyed the DI coaching lifestyle at UMass. (I say that tongue in cheek since diving coach isn't going to be the same lifestyle as basketball coach at DI ).

[Pat Coleman]

Right -- Hixon won two titles, which puts him ahead of G-Rob, especially since Amherst wasn't eligible to compete for a large part of Hixon's career.

[JEFFFAN]

I dint think anyone - and especially Hixon - is saying he's the GOAT of D3 coaches, Dave.   But he's certainly on Mt. Rushmore!

[Dave 'd-mac' McHugh]

I dint think anyone - and especially Hixon - is saying he's the GOAT of D3 coaches, Dave.   But he's certainly on Mt. Rushmore!

And I didn't say he wasn't on Mr. Rushmore. The argument was Hixon was the most successful. I think that is certainly an interesting one to debate. He does have the two titles which I agree could certainly give him the nod. But I don't remember saying I didn't think he wasn't in the conversation.

[jayhawk]

article in Berkshire Eagle about David Hixon's career with quotes from former and present Williams coaches and Middlebury coach Jeff Brown

https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/howard-herman-designated-hitter-dave-hixon-worthy-of-basketball-hall-of-fame-consideration,602749

[nescac1]

Per Instagram, Exeter's Declan Porter, a 6'6 long-distance shooter, commits to Williams:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_I6udVJWnHOfGxL6WJNjIJA2d9-G2duQoWsfw0/

The Ephs have a pretty good history with lanky bombers from Exeter (not saying he's Duncan Robinson, of course, no one is ever gonna be close to that again!).  Porter, however, seems like a strong recruit in his own right, as he at one point had some D1 offers (from Colgate and Bryant) and he's ranked by NERR as the 19th best recruit in New Hampshire: https://newenglandrecruitingreport.com/rankings/new-hampshire-class-of-2020

Here are some highlights from his high school career, during which he scored almost 2000 points before his PG year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ykF2-a744

Recruiting rankings at this level of player are far less precise than the top-tier D1 recruits, and of course, it's always hard to predict how an 18-year-old player will develop over time.  But at least in terms of securing commitments from the most highly-regarded high school players, Coach App has absolutely killed it the last few years.  I believe that the Ephs have matriculated - to date - the highest-rated D3 recruit in New England each of the past three seasons (Jovan Jones, Cole Prowitt-Smith, Brandon Roughley).  This year, the Ephs right now have locked down the highest-rated D3 recruit in New Hampshire (Porter) and Connecticut (Roughley) and the second-highest in Mass (Noah Dinkins; Endicott-bound Spencer Aronson, who I'm guessing is Tyler's brother, is ranked higher).  Although of course, some strong recruits are still on the board who will likely end up in D3, so that may well change.  And moreover, big man David Elien (who barely played as a frosh but has a tantalizing upside as an upperclassman) was I believe the highest-rated D3 recruit in North Carolina during his senior year. 

Now, how all this young talent will develop over the next few seasons remains a mystery.  The Ephs are still going to be a very young team next season in a year when the top of NESCAC is loaded with battle-tested seniors.  But it should be a fun journey ahead!

[WUPHF]

Luke has done well at Rochester and succeeded in the UAA...a very tough place to win games.  Why would he want to return to the Nescac?  Like Maker, and another Williams HC, a move would be to D1....more money, etc.  Coach Hixon was also a dept. administrator and was paid accordingly.

I am not sure Rochester is tougher than any other Division III institution.

Coach Neer went to the Final Four four times along with the national championship after all.

Flockerzi is an intriguing choice, but he was the head coach at Skidmore before heading back to Rochester and based on what I know about Skidmore, I have to think he had an above average salary before leaving.  There is no way to know, but I have to think that he is one of the highest paid coaches in Division III. 

[Greek Tragedy]

I dint think anyone - and especially Hixon - is saying he's the GOAT of D3 coaches, Dave.   But he's certainly on Mt. Rushmore!

So who's on Mt. Rushmore? We talk total wins, but should we also talk winning %? I mean, Brett Favre was at the top for a long time for TD passes, but also was at the top (still?) in interceptions? Do you take someone else with a better TD:INT ratio or the guy with the most of something...sometimes simply because of longevity.

[SpringSt7]

Not now! We're watching MJ 

[nescac1]

I mean Bo Ryan has to be the GOAT.  Four titles in 15 years.  A better than 90 percent winning percentage for an entire decade.  The best D team in D3 history.  Most successful D3 coaching alum.   He has to be the first choice.  Hixon, Djurikovich, Robinson, Moore, M. Edwards all good candidate for next three spots.  Hixon is a lock I'd say. 

[ronk]

I mean Bo Ryan has to be the GOAT.  Four titles in 15 years.  A better than 90 percent winning percentage for an entire decade.  The best D team in D3 history.  Most successful D3 coaching alum.   He has to be the first choice.  Hixon, Djurikovich, Robinson, Moore, M. Edwards all good candidate for next three spots.  Hixon is a lock I'd say.

Add Scranton's Bob Bessoir to that list with 2 titles, a 2nd and a 3rd place with an NCAA tourney record of 31-18.

[amh63]

WUPHP.....seems you misunderstood my post due to my grammar.  I meant the UAA ...conference in which Un.of Rochester is member.  Great campus in the city that produced film to the world and fine music too.   Remember entering the main athletic building...before a remodeling and a trophy case with a football Caught my attention.  It was a football that had the result of a game between Rochester and Amherst on it....long time in the past; even before my time.