MBB: NESCAC

[nescac1]

Duquette I'd imagine would be a top candidate if interested, but as top assistant at a big time D-I program, he might be aiming for a low D-I job as his first head coaching stint.  But, if interested, I imagine Williams would jump at the chance.   

Outside of Duquette, I think Flockerzi would be a great call.  Between Rochester and Amherst, he knows Williams prime recruiting areas (NY, NJ, and New England) really well, he's a proven recruiter, and I like the idea of hiring an energetic young coach.  Good thought, Geronimo. 

A few other names to toss out: Chris Bartley, WPI coach, Sean Tabb, Trinity assistant coach. 

[jumpshot]

Dave Paulsen is a class act ---See his comments today at a Bucknell media event:

http://bucknellbison.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/052108aab.html

[nescac1]

Another, more Williams-centric, Paulsen article (with a short blurb about next year's team, but no speculation about potential replacements):

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/sports/ci_9342899

[eclinchy]

Wow, that is shocking... given the amount of talent he's recruited over the past couple of years, it's a shame to see him leave it all behind.

Best of luck at Bucknell, though, Coach Paulsen.

[nescac hoops]

I don't know about anybody else, but I am equally as interested to see who Paulsen names as his assistants at Bucknell. Former players/assistants players in the coaching ranks include Jim McCarthy (assistant at Northeastern), Dane Fisher (asssitant at Rider), John Fitzgerald (former player, director of operations at University of Denver), Mike Crotty (player development for the Celts), and many others. He could also keep some of the current assistant coaching staff from Bucknell. I think it will be interesting.

[frank uible]

Rule of thumb: Keep at least one holdover from the prior staff so that he can tell you where the bodies are buried.

[ephoops]

My guess is that Mark Prosser, son of the late Skip Prosser, who is currently an asst at Bucknell would be offered the opportunity to remain on the staff if he wants to stay.

[Marty Peretz]

Luke Flockerzi would be an awesome choice. Has great familiarity with the UAA and NESCAC, is a great recruiter, has learned under two of the best, and knows what it takes to recruit and win at this level. He'd be an A plus hire.

[ILive4This]

People seemed surprised the Bucknell would hire from a D3 pool, however philosophically this seems like an appropriate transition, as Bucknell plays in the Patriot League, which has limited Scholarships (if any for BBALL). However it is an interesting hire after the year Williams had, going undefeated for so long and then barely being able to win a ball game down the stretch.

[Pat Coleman]

hire

[Rick Vaughn]

Surprised nobody has mentioned the prospect of Sheehy returning to helm.  I would rather the Ephs move in a new direction, but he is certainly a proven commodity.

[frank uible]

Harry Sheehy is class of '75. In my estimation he has crossed the bridge from coach to AD without any intention of possibly crossing back. There is adequate time to pick a wonderful Paulsen successor from a carload of good candidates - thus obviating selection of Sheehy as an interim.

[CCsalive]

It takes a lot to get me on this board in the summer, but Paulsen and Reilly making moves is as Big as it gets.

I'm very intrigued to see where Williams goes with this. Do not underestimate the difficulty of recruiting in NESCAC...we sometimes infer that Williams can get whom ever they want. It is more like whom ever they want out of the not quite Div I ridiculously smart batch of student-athletes...of which there are relatively few.

This argument benefits Loeffler, McCarthy, Anderson, etc.  McCarthy also worked at Yale.

[frank uible]

In my view the former Paulsen assistants or Williams players mentioned on this thread as potential successors (excepting Sheehy and Duquette, who probably are not interested) do not yet have enough seasoning to be chosen, irrespective of their experiences in recruiting scholar-athletes. Consequently I expect the successor to be a person not so far mentioned here.

[Rick Vaughn]

Are there any low level D1 or D2 head coaches out there they may be candidates? 

That's where Paulsen came from, although circumstances were slightly different b/c he's an alum.