MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Jameswys]

What is his connection to Howard?

Smith was a U of M assistant from 1989-1996.

[KzooHornet]

I would hate to see Coach Smith leave 'K'.  I thought we dodged one when the rumors about Northern Michigan were posted a while back and am hoping this is just a rumor as well. 

He has done a great job amidst a variety of challenges and has the program ready to move back to a place it hasn't been on a consistent since the early to mid-90s.  I h*p* we see him on the sideline in orange and black for many years to come.

[HupHolland]

Not a rumor anymore. Can confirm Jay Smith headed to Michigan

[Jameswys]

With Smith leaving so late in the year I wonder if Kzoo will hire a coach for this year or promote an intrim for the year from the staff of assistants.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

With Smith leaving so late in the year I wonder if Kzoo will hire a coach for this year or promote an intrim for the year from the staff of assistants.

This is all purely speculation on my part, but I suspect the health issues (prostate cancer) that Jay has been facing may make his new role which is reportedly "administrative" a better fit for him.  I also believe K has had plans in place for a successor to Jay, also due to the health issues and the potential for him to miss coaching time.  Will we see Kevin White named as the new or interim coach?  I think so

[hornets76542]

Well, it's official. Just received the following email from the K athletic department:

"Dear Alumni, family and friends,

Please join me in congratulating Coach Jay Smith who will be leaving his position as Kalamazoo College's head men's basketball coach in order to accept a position as men's basketball director of player personnel at University of Michigan. A national search for Kalamazoo College's next head men's basketball coach will begin immediately . . . ."

I was hoping that these rumors were just rumors, but I suppose it makes sense. The Director of Player Personnel job sounds a lot less stressful than being a full-time head coach, and I don't blame him one bit for taking the job especially given the circumstances. That being said, I can speak first-hand as to the great job Coach Smith did in his time here at K. It may not have translated into wins just yet, but I cannot overstate how much better shape the program is in than when he came in three years ago.

I'm interested to see where this "national search" will lead. Given how late in the summer this is, I would have rather seen them promote Coach White as an interim for next year if he wants the job. He's been there for over five years and honestly deserves it more than anyone else. But hey, maybe Brad Stevens really likes Oberon, or something.

[sac]

The day Kzoo hired Jay Smith my consult on the matter opined "yeah but for how long?"

Closing the Jay Smith file.
2015-16    7-17    3-11  7th
2016-17    8-17    3-11  8th
2017-18    7-18    4-10  6th tie

Overall 22-52   MIAA 10-32

Weird but Eric Dougal's first 3 years in Kzoo had 25 wins, Smith finishes ahead of Dougal by .017 in the record books.

But, the next guy is going inherit a roster with more promise and talent than Kzoo has probably had in 15 years.  This might have been a fun year for Smith, but Ann Arbor is nice too.  K hasn't had a winning record since 2003, this might be the year even with a new coach.

[HOPEful]

Weird but Eric Dougal's first 3 years in Kzoo had 25 wins, Smith finishes ahead of Dougal by .017 in the record books.

But, the next guy is going inherit a roster with more promise and talent than Kzoo has probably had in 15 years.  This might have been a fun year for Smith, but Ann Arbor is nice too.  K hasn't had a winning record since 2003, this might be the year even with a new coach.

This.

Much like Bill Sall and his overall records at Ferris and NMU or Steve Ernst at Olivet, you can't just look at Smith's overall record, but the state of the program upon entering and upon leaving. When Smith arrived, Kalamazoo basketball (the entire athletic program really) was bleak and smack dab in the middle of dealing with NCAA infractions. The turn around Smith was able to accomplish may not have translated into a significantly higher number of wins, but I'm confident that everyone around the league will attest to the fact that Kalamazoo is in MUCH better shape as a basketball program than they were 3 years ago. Olivet clearly had more success (wins) than Kalamazoo over the last three seasons. But you could argue that Steve left the program in worse condition than when he arrived (or not, seeing as Hargraves found it to be a more desirable coaching location than Alma).

[SBell]

The salary listed for Kalamazoo in their job posting can't be real.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

The salary listed for Kalamazoo in their job posting can't be real.

Not seeing a salary listed on the job posting - so where are you seeing it, and what is listed?

[sflzman]

Weird but Eric Dougal's first 3 years in Kzoo had 25 wins, Smith finishes ahead of Dougal by .017 in the record books.

But, the next guy is going inherit a roster with more promise and talent than Kzoo has probably had in 15 years.  This might have been a fun year for Smith, but Ann Arbor is nice too.  K hasn't had a winning record since 2003, this might be the year even with a new coach.

This.

Much like Bill Sall and his overall records at Ferris and NMU or Steve Ernst at Olivet, you can't just look at Smith's overall record, but the state of the program upon entering and upon leaving. When Smith arrived, Kalamazoo basketball (the entire athletic program really) was bleak and smack dab in the middle of dealing with NCAA infractions. The turn around Smith was able to accomplish may not have translated into a significantly higher number of wins, but I'm confident that everyone around the league will attest to the fact that Kalamazoo is in MUCH better shape as a basketball program than they were 3 years ago. Olivet clearly had more success (wins) than Kalamazoo over the last three seasons. But you could argue that Steve left the program in worse condition than when he arrived (or not, seeing as Hargraves found it to be a more desirable coaching location than Alma).

I would speculate that this has much more to do with the state of things in Alma than the state of things in Olivet but point taken.

[iwumichigander]

Well, it's official. Just received the following email from the K athletic department:

"Dear Alumni, family and friends,

Please join me in congratulating Coach Jay Smith who will be leaving his position as Kalamazoo College's head men's basketball coach in order to accept a position as men's basketball director of player personnel at University of Michigan. A national search for Kalamazoo College's next head men's basketball coach will begin immediately . . . ."

I was hoping that these rumors were just rumors, but I suppose it makes sense. The Director of Player Personnel job sounds a lot less stressful than being a full-time head coach, and I don't blame him one bit for taking the job especially given the circumstances. That being said, I can speak first-hand as to the great job Coach Smith did in his time here at K. It may not have translated into wins just yet, but I cannot overstate how much better shape the program is in than when he came in three years ago.

I'm interested to see where this "national search" will lead. Given how late in the summer this is, I would have rather seen them promote Coach White as an interim for next year if he wants the job. He's been there for over five years and honestly deserves it more than anyone else. But hey, maybe Brad Stevens really likes Oberon, or something.

Director of Player Personnel has a broad range of responsibilities at Michigan.  I would not consider it less stressful but more like a different type of stress.  Less travel, less recruiting (but oversight), and a bigger paycheck!  I am guessing being close to UM Medical Center and probably really great med insurance a plus.

[HOPEful]

Weird but Eric Dougal's first 3 years in Kzoo had 25 wins, Smith finishes ahead of Dougal by .017 in the record books.

But, the next guy is going inherit a roster with more promise and talent than Kzoo has probably had in 15 years.  This might have been a fun year for Smith, but Ann Arbor is nice too.  K hasn't had a winning record since 2003, this might be the year even with a new coach.

This.

Much like Bill Sall and his overall records at Ferris and NMU or Steve Ernst at Olivet, you can't just look at Smith's overall record, but the state of the program upon entering and upon leaving. When Smith arrived, Kalamazoo basketball (the entire athletic program really) was bleak and smack dab in the middle of dealing with NCAA infractions. The turn around Smith was able to accomplish may not have translated into a significantly higher number of wins, but I'm confident that everyone around the league will attest to the fact that Kalamazoo is in MUCH better shape as a basketball program than they were 3 years ago. Olivet clearly had more success (wins) than Kalamazoo over the last three seasons. But you could argue that Steve left the program in worse condition than when he arrived (or not, seeing as Hargraves found it to be a more desirable coaching location than Alma).

I would speculate that this has much more to do with the state of things in Alma than the state of things in Olivet but point taken.

I would agree.

[MaroonKnighty]

Lot's of good posts lately regarding coaching and commits.  what happened to giving karma?

[Pat Coleman]

Lot's of good posts lately regarding coaching and commits.  what happened to giving karma?

With 14 more posts, you could do it yourself.