MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

Molinari stands out to me.  Here's a guy who went to IWU, and has some major experience.  I'm not sure how he left things at Bradley.  Is there an opinion of him at IWU?

[The Roop]

Can't imagine Tharp having much interest. He's from Sheboygan so he's practically coaching in his home town now. Wanting to be closer to home was one of the reasons (or so I'm told) that he didn't stay at Beloit and succeed Bill Knapton.

[augiefan]

IWU may well be the premier coaching job in all of DIII basketball. Why Trost left is open to speculation, but there will be many worthy candidates for this plum job. Academic excellence coupled with a great basketball tradition makes this attractive to any coach currently in the DIII ranks.

If there is any job that might entice Tharp to leave Lawrence, it would be this one. I hope he stays in Appleton, as I think he is the best coach currently in the DIII ranks and would be every bit as good if not better than Trost at IWU. For the sake of the rest of us, let's hope IWU finally hires just an average coach, so the rest of us are playing on an equal basis.

I do think the new coach will have plenty of talent next year. IWU doesn't rebuild, it merely reloads. A new coach with a new system might slow them down a little next year, but I wouldn't bet on them not being a contender for 1st place with NCC next season with every other CCIW team losing top talent.

[proudofLU]

That and Beloit wanted to hire a less competent coach. 

[robertgoulet]

how does the trost situation effect IWU's incoming freshman class? will there be fallout (like we've seen at OU with sampson leaving, or NC state with sendek)?

[augiedad]

IWU may well be the pemier coaching job in all of DIII basketball. Why Trost left is open to speculation, but there will be many worthy candidates for this plum job. Academic excellence coupled with a great basketball tradition makes this attractive to any coach currently in the DIII ranks.

If there is any job that might entice Tharp to leave Lawrence, it would be this one. I hope he stays in Apleton, as I think he is the best coach currently in the DIII ranks and would be every bit as good if not better than Trost at IWU. For the sake of the rest of us, let's hope IWU finally hires just an average coach, so the rest of us are playing on an equal basis.

I do think the new coach will have plenty of talent next year. IWU doesn't rebuild, it merely reloads. A new coach with a new system my slow them down a little next year, but I wouldn't bet on them not being a contender for 1st place with NCC next season with every other CCIW team losing top talent.

I couldn't agree more.  I am hoping that John Tharp is not interested, because based on what that guy has built at Lawrence, can you imagine what he would do with IWU's facilities, fanbase, tradition, etc to sell?!

Hoping the IWU search committee screws this thing up!!!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Greg,

I can't argue with anything you said in your reply to my post - I posted a hope, not an expectation.  Another Dennie Bridges would certainly be a godsend, but I hardly expect it!

While IWU cannot, of course, expect a candidate to give a 'lifer' guarantee (and to even strongly hint at such a thing would probably backfire), there are certain things that could be taken into consideration.  Strong ties to the community/school should be a definite plus.  A background of changing jobs frequently (especially if the jobs include being a d1 assistant and the candidate is still fairly young, since the presumption should be that he may well still have aspirations of being a d1 head coach - this is NOT intended as a shot at Scott Trost (about whom I have NO knowledge regarding his aspirations), just a general guideline!) should be a negative.

As to Bill Harris being (perhaps) the last 'lifer' of our lifetimes, I hope you are wrong, but you may well be right.  As to Bosko, I'll monitor closely how long he stays at Carthage - sure you can afford 25 million bushels of corn?!

[iwumichigander]

Hoping the IWU search committee screws this thing up!!!

Augiedad - You know that won't happen 

[augiedad]

Regarding Scott Trost, I think he was a great recruiter - make that outstanding recruiter - and a great preparer, but I never viewed him as more than an average in-game coach.  I saw his teams play enough to know that he was often out of control emotionally in big games.  He'd spend timeouts yelling at players instead of coaching at times.  I think he never adjusted back from Division I.  Do you really need to yell at Keelan Amelianovich and Zack Freeman, or do you handle the D3 student-athlete a little differently?

If Bridges & Co. find another great recruiter, I think there is a good chance IWU will end up with a better coach than Trost all things considered.  And if the new guy is also an outstanding in-game coach, then things could get real scary for the rest of us in this league.

[rpknupp]

I say John Baines to IWU!!! Good luck, and if he wants it, I hope he gets it.

Anyone know anything about Scherer turning the job down?

[Pat Coleman]

Would Lawrence coach John Tharp have interest in the IWU job?  That seems to me to be a very good fit.  I have no idea if Tharp is tied to Lawrence though or what his situation is.

What about Aurora's coach?

Pat Cunningham at Trinity (Tx)?


I have to believe IWU will hire a proven head coach.  They have that luxury. 

I expect all three of those would have interest.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Molinari stands out to me.  Here's a guy who went to IWU, and has some major experience.  I'm not sure how he left things at Bradley.  Is there an opinion of him at IWU?

This is not an opinion from IWU, but my mom (who retired from Bradley before Molinari came, and is not a rabid bball fan) was always down on him.  I never have discovered why, but for what it may be worth, she did not approve of him as the coach.  Since she is NOT much of a bball fan, I suspect it may be academics or persona related, but I just don't know.  At any rate, this is just one opinion from an 88-year-old woman who doesn't much follow bball, but I love her anyway!

[Outnthewoodsman]

I would imagine that alot of interest will be shown that's for sure.  When Wheaton was up at Hope this year, I noticed in the Hope program that their one assistant might be head coaching material.  Not sure of his name but seemed really involved and according to the program, knows what it takes to win in D3.

I am sure this search will be interesting.

[Titan Q]

IMHO, IWU wants to hire someone who is NOT using it as a stepping stone, yet is the best hire available - someone who views one of the best d3 positions as a pinnacle.  In other words, they want a Jack Horenberger or a Dennie Bridges, if such people still exist (and I am sure they do, though they may be hard to find).

I agree 100% with Greg's comments on this topic.  As a Wesleyan fan, I just want a great coach...and the simple fact is that great coaches tend to move on.  What drives some of the great coaches to greatness is often the same thing that drives them to keep moving up and on -- that strong competitive spirit.

I view it as a win-win situation, really.  If you hire someone who has aspirations of being a higher level coach someday, that person knows they have to produce.  They have to recruit, they have to prepare their team, they have to coach, and ultimately they have to win.  And in the end, isn't winning what the fans want, as long as you're winning the right way?

My wishlist for the new Titan coach is pretty simple.  I want a coach who will...

...be a great recruiter who can bring bigtime Division III talent and first-class kids to IWU.

...embrace and leverage the Titan basketball tradition and fans.

...produce a team that plays hard and smart.

...understands the unique nature of Division III and enjoys the ride, and makes sure the players enjoy the ride as well.

[go dutch]

How about the coach from Buena Vista in the IIAC.  He has the best winning percentage in the country and has been to the National Tournament every year since I can remember.  From what I know, he is a young guy also.