MBB: Midwest Conference

[diehardfan]

Pastprime: I noticed the typo.

Its actually pretty common for coaches to go from  asst at DI to head at DIII.... just go to team pages and start looking up coaching bios. Some times the coachs just find a head coaching job that attractive. I believe IWU's new head coach went DI assistant to HS head coach before moving bach to the college level and returning to his alma mater to be the head coach. The problem wity getting a DI guy is that they often feel like its too small time for them and  make a short term stay and try to use it as a spring board to slide up to DII or DI again... you just sorta have to evaluate the person. choosing an alum from your own school that has proven themselves to be a talented young coach at another head coaching job is always one of the best options, IMHO... coaching for his alma mater could be the fulfuilment of a dream sorta deal, making it less likely that they'll leave. I'm all for guys who played and/or coached at the DIII level, because they already get why DIII is good and important, and can sell that to recruits right off the bat.

All in all, its a hard decision... one I'm glad I don't have to make!

Incidentally, Redlands chose their womens coach for their recent job without even flying it (as far as I know)... though that was an interesting decision for a program that takes sports so seriously and one I think could have gotten some darn good offers.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

First look at Bo Ryan...  He was a d1 assistant at WI before stepping down as you would put it to lowly platteville

Rick Bowen also at Wisconsin before leaving and going to UW River Falls

Sometimes a d1 or d2 assistant really wants to be a Head coach and will take opportunities at d3

I thought he was referring to head coaches only.  Assistants are usually willing to change divisions to get a chance.

[The Roop]

I think maybe we should ask Grey Giovanine what he thinks about "stepping down" from D1 to D3. He was the head coach at D1 Lamar but after to talking to Bo Ryan (then at D3 UW-Platteville) he took the D3 Augustana job to have a family life instead of flying all over the country for "money games". I'll bet that Coach Giovanine thinks his move was a step up.

[pastprime]

Good, we all agree.  A coach can come from anywhere.  Except mabey my old YMCA coach I had in 7th and 8th grade in Sioux Falls.  He was absolutely the worst coach, but he got us beer.

But how about the coaches I mentioned, Jon Murphy of Seymour, Chas (don't make me spell it again) Pronschenske of Neenah, and Lee Rabas, formally of Xavier and now an assistant of Lawrence?

[d3bbfan]

well it sounds like Beloit is finally in the interview process. they have at least 3 that i know of. maybe a couple more...maybe they'll have someone on board with in a few weeks.

[John Gleich]

I think maybe we should ask Grey Giovanine what he thinks about "stepping down" from D1 to D3. He was the head coach at D1 Lamar but after to talking to Bo Ryan (then at D3 UW-Platteville) he took the D3 Augustana job to have a family life instead of flying all over the country for "money games". I'll bet that Coach Giovanine thinks his move was a step up.

Exactly "The Roop."  Like Coach Ryan's move, it was largely influenced by Grey's decision that he wanted to be around his family.

Imagine that... wanting to actually have a family life.  Clearly D-I wasn't right for him. 

To be honest, I highly respect that!

[Buc Fan]

Any clue what level they coached before? or where they are from?

[Go LU]

Hello, I have been a long time reader and I thought that I would give my perspective on JoJo as Lawrence's new coach.

First of all, I believe I have a unique perspective to evaluate a coach.  I played three years of high school basketball under Jack Bennett.  I think we can all agree that he is one of the all-time great coaches in Wisconsin basketball history.  I then played under Coach Tharp at Lawrence.  Tharp is as good of a coach as Bennett.  I feel he may be superior in that he gets more out of his players then any other coach I have been around.  I wish him the greatest of success.

During my time at Lawrence I also played a year with JoJo.  At that time he had a mastery of the game.  While I have never been coached by JoJo I have seen him work with the Lawrence players, and he appears to have a similar ability as Tharp to motivate and teach.

I think JoJo will be a fixture of Lawrence basketball for a long time.  I know he was named on an interim basis but I feel he will be very successful this season; for many of the same reasons that Tharp was so successful.  Knowing JoJo a bit he will also be a great recruiter as he has a great ability to connect with people and will continue the recent success of Lawrence basketball.

I wish Lawrence and JoJo the best of luck next year.

[d3bbfan]

A few of the candidates ive heard about are d-3 assistants at other programs.  One other may have been a d-1 asst and then theres a Wis high school head coach that has sent in a resume.

[The Roop]

Makes you wonder who the high school coach is. Could Beloit be getting a 2 for 1 deal ?? Recruit X and Coach X from New Roop City High. Interesting. Just remember that you heard me make it up first. More than one person at Beloit would have heard about the coach so as they say on Mythbusters, this one is definitely plausible......................

[RiponRed34]

"Tharp is as good of a coach as Bennett"

I guess we will just take your word on this one.

One question on the love fest of Coach Tharp...who I agree is a "good" coach.

I'm not trying to be an unfair here, but what did Tharp ever accomplish outside the
Braier era?  Those were great runs that this conference hasn't seen in a long time, but a great three year run with one of the greatest players to ever play in this conference, doesn't put you in Bennett's class.  I played some during the Braier era and trust me, he was the reason LU had all that success.  He was amazing. 

LU had a talented team last year, but didn't make the playoffs!?!  It's just ironic that the first year after Braier graduates, LU doesn't even make the playoffs.

[diehardfan]

Maybe we can get Braier to coach Beloit or Lawrence next year. 

[Greek Tragedy]

First of all, I believe I have a unique perspective to evaluate a coach.  I played three years of high school basketball under Jack Bennett.  I think we can all agree that he is one of the all-time great coaches in Wisconsin basketball history.  I then played under Coach Tharp at Lawrence.  Tharp is as good of a coach as Bennett.  I feel he may be superior in that he gets more out of his players then any other coach I have been around.  I wish him the greatest of success.

I guess we will just take your word on this one.

I respect your unique perspective of playing for both Tharp and Bennett, but I'm not even going to touch this! lol. 

that's obviously directed to Go LU, not RiponRed

Maybe we can get Braier to coach Beloit or Lawrence next year. 

I say why not?  I would think that Braier has nearly as much respect from players and the program that Tharp does.  He seemed to be a great motivator.  I don't think that possibility is that far fetched!

[diehardfan]

I actually agree... my post wasn't entirely kidding, though I don't think it's an amazing idea yet.

Braier has several qualities that would make him a great coach someday. However, I'm sure he has a lot to learn, and it's impossible to underestimate the importance that recruiting experience has in making a good coach.

Plus, he's playing in Europe still isn't he? Let me think about that... getting paid to travel around Europe, living in Wisconsin. I think Northern Wisconsin is pretty (for the Midwest) and all, but come on.

[titan2000]

This will be interesting to see how the LU players react to Tharp leaving.

The rivalry just doesn't seem as good now...sad

We will be kicking your ass all over the court next year.  So you are right, the rivalry won't seem that good.
Especially that Bo Johnson has now graduated--oh, I mean his eligibility is up.