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Post by yotemeal on Feb 22, 2011 8:46:28 GMT -6
"A.B." = "After Boots"
I'm going to preface this comment by saying that I believe Coach Boots has done an amazing job with our basketball program - not just in the D-II days, but throughout transition. While I air my own criticisms from time to time, I'm reasonably confident he has the ability to find the formula for success beyond transition. That said, it's widely speculated he'll be retiring in the not-too-distant future, which will leave us with a big hole to fill.
Just throwing this out there, and this may have been mentioned previously on this board, but I've heard from several people that Nate Tibbetts, 33, harbors significant interest in someday coaching USD's men. This is purely rumor, but it's definitely intriguing. If you haven't been following Mr. Tibbetts' coaching career, he's a rising star in the D-League ranks (in fact, he coached the west team in this year's D-League all-star game), which likely indicates current or near-future interest from the NBA and/or other college programs.
Assuming there is any truth to Mr. Tibbetts' interest, would he be a good successor to Coach Boots? (I vote yes) Who are other candidates on the radar screen?
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Post by yoteforever on Feb 22, 2011 9:10:30 GMT -6
Good thread. I for one am like Yote 53 in that I am a football guy, but have been a supporter of USD basketball for several years. The truth of the matter is Dave Boots has been a tough guy to get to know and warm up to, and that's probably ok, at least from his perspective. Dave has done a very good job, and I am proud of what he has accomplished.
That being said, I also side with Coyote Fan on this whole coaching scenario because it is now different that we are D-1. Dave did a great job in D-2, and I agree with Yotemeal, has done a good job in transition. But now we have to start thinking on a larger scale if we want to compete at a level that is competitive in the lower mid-major bracket. We have to be able to jump up and beat some lower D-1 majors every now and then, and certainly have to compete with the mid-majors on a day to day basis.
I personally only know of Nate, so I am not one to say he would be good or bad. I think it is an interesting idea though. On the other hand, USD has for years welcomed back their own ( Austin in football, Lavin in basketball, Higgins as AD ) and we have done ok in some sports and not so good in others. I personally would like to see us get someone that is an assistant at a major school, or top mid-major, that understands recruiting on a national basis, but also understands and appreciates that we are a team from the heartland of America.
The hire of David Sayler was in my opinion a good hire, although he wouldn't have been my pick. Now after seeing him in action, he would be my pick. Which probably means he will move on in 4-6 years, but that's ok. And I think that's how we should look at any hire from here on out. It would be nice to get an assistant from say Minnesota (Tubby Smiths staff) that might be fed up with big time ball, and would appreciate where we are at. That would also give him national recognition, open recruiting doors, and have a top notched coach ( Tubby Smith ) in his corner and helping him along. I think that is important.
I am in no way ready to say goodbye to Coach Boots, and I hope he isn't ready, but as each day passes, we are closer to that day, so discussion like this is good. I personally like Joey James alot. Can he do it? I don't have a clue. If so, I would keep my eye on him. Great demeanor, nice guy, and very approachable.
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Post by Coyote Fan on Feb 22, 2011 9:10:35 GMT -6
yotemeal,
Great insight starting this topic. As with any major hiring is concerned I believe it should always be open to a national search with many applicants considered and the best ultimately hired. With that said of all the coaches that have any ties with USD from the past I cannot think of a coach that would have a higher upside, have youth on his side with a better resume (considering that youth) than Nate Tibbets. It's good that you mentioned him because he is going places. I just hope that he doesn't have his sights narrowed in on professional basketball. If he would have interest in the job it would be because it would be for the love of the job and not just another coaching gig. USD mens basketball already has a long pipeline of coaching success that is mentored by Dave Boots.
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Post by Charlie on Feb 22, 2011 9:12:51 GMT -6
Tibbits would be a good candidate but I thing Joey James is primed to take over when Boots leaves. He has been an assistant for many years and the fact he hasn't taken another job in my mind points to him as the successor to Boots.
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Post by Coyote Fan on Feb 22, 2011 9:22:33 GMT -6
yoteforever,
You are so correct in your notion of moving onto bigger things. Boots has done a good job with this program for many years but the day will come where USD does need to think bigger and live bigger.
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Post by Yote 53 on Feb 22, 2011 13:10:48 GMT -6
What coach should take over, I haven't a clue. I think Joey has been prepped and is ready for the job too. That said, I believe the level the basketball program should be shooting for in the future (10-15 years out) would be nothing less than a solid mid major. The goal should be for a program on the level of UNI, Creighton, Drake, and the rest of the MVC. I believe once the basketball facility is built there is no reason that level is not possible to achieve. The next coach should be hired with that thought in mind.
If Coach Boots gives his blessing to Joey I think he should be given the chance to see what he can do. I know the cupboard won't be bare as Joey is the main man in recruiting from what I understand.
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Post by Coyote Fan on Feb 22, 2011 13:49:02 GMT -6
I don't think anyone should be handed anything. USD has lived and mostly died in the future by staying internal with many of their decisions. This needs to go out to a national search and if USD is willing to settle for less than the very best they can get, that is what they will get. Just look at the AD search. It was put out to a national search and Sayler was found. Herbster was the nice, lets just stay internal option. I don't know how he would be as the lead man but I don't think anyone would trade Sayler at this point. Same things does for coaching decisions. The convenient option should not be simply settled on. If the internal option is the best option so be it. Joey James is a nice guy but he is essentially a D2 assistant. If USD went outside and hired the assistant from a D2 school I don't think many would be all that happy about it. We have to broaden our horizons and think outside the box. To me Tibbets seems like the best guy with USD ties but other than that there would probably be a nice list of candidates to choose from by opening the job up to everyone.
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usdlaw
Senior Member
Posts: 930
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Post by usdlaw on Feb 22, 2011 13:58:57 GMT -6
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Post by Yote 53 on Feb 22, 2011 14:25:44 GMT -6
I agree with both of you. Sure, a national search should take place but those two should both be candidates and an endorsement from Boots on James's behalf should carry some weight.
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Post by #1CoyoteFan (Admin) on Feb 22, 2011 18:51:29 GMT -6
Before we get all gaga over Tibbetts, the NBA D-League is a COMPLETE different monster than college basketball. Yes, it is easier to go from the NBA to college, but it's not done too much. There is a reason for that, just like there is a reason college doesn't really work out for the NBA and such. I may like Tibbetts, but I am don't think he would be that much better, or even better, than James. I would rather see a national search and see what comes up when this happens three of four years down the road.
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Post by Coyote Fan on Feb 22, 2011 19:25:07 GMT -6
When Boots' time is up I would kind of like to see the Yotes do something different. Go in a different direction unless the "can't miss" USD guy wins the job by interviewing well and by having a resume to match a D1 mid major coach in a mid level D1 conference. Maybe I am wrong but I just don't see James being able to have more impressive credentials than every single candidate that decided to apply for the job. He seems to be a good recruiter but we really don't know what kind of a game strategy coach he is. Boots is a good guy but he alone shouldn't be deciding who the next coach is. That is what the AD is for and what a hiring committee would be for. I am sure Boots' would be part of the process.
I would think being in the Summit, hopefully having a new arena approved if not started would be in place during the time of the hire. USD should be able to attract top D2 head coaches that have a track record of excellence. As far as assistants go they should be able to attract a decent assistant at a major college program. Tibbets I also put in the strongly consider category as well. Whatever happened to Mike Dunlap who was at Metro State during the Road Runners hay day of the late 90's and early 2000's. Now he would be an intriguing thought unless he has already progressed to a higher head coaching job than what USD would offer. He would definately create the running Yotes and would have a team with plenty of talent and depth. Mike Leaf from Winona would be the type of coach that the job should attrack. Proven at the D2 level with multiple national championships. Even Matt Morgenthaler from Minnesota State would have a respectable resume but I don't think I could bare the Jackrabbit roots.
We should be on that train of thought and not selling ourselves short on the possibilities. If David Sayler can have have USD on the brink of getting an arena standing about 3 years from now, when it was looking like it was 10-15 years away we can certainly envision excitment with the program that would be playing there. We should definately have high aspirations on what type of coach we could attract to USD with all the future advantages that seem to be in the pipeline.
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Post by pierreyote on Feb 23, 2011 8:00:43 GMT -6
Good discussion. I am a huge Boots fan and can't say enough for what he has done for Coyote Basketball. He basically built the program from scratch while playing home games in a football facility. I agree with everyone here that we should do a national search along with individuals with ties to the Boots era. I do hope that Coach Boots gets a voice, and assume he will since he is the father of the program and and assistant ad, on who takes the reigns. It should be a good job that attracts plenty of candidates. We should have a new facility, a solid track record, out of transition and in a solid conference with an autobid. With that said, I also think Coach Boots has plenty of good years ahead of him on the sidelines.
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usdlaw
Senior Member
Posts: 930
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Post by usdlaw on Feb 23, 2011 8:30:58 GMT -6
Pierreyote brings up a good point. Guys from the Boots era. Don't forget about guys like Shane Murphy and Heminway (sp). Murphy was a long time assistant of Boots. I'm just bringing up their names for discussion purposes, not giving a particular endorsement to any name mentioned.
This is a good discussion, but I hope it is at least 4-5 years premature. I don't want and don't see Boots going any where anytime soon.
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Post by #1CoyoteFan (Admin) on Feb 23, 2011 13:32:28 GMT -6
Even though I really like Shane Murphy, there is a big difference going from NAIA to D-I. There are no more Midlands to beat up on. Plus, Heminway turned out DWU's men's programs, but it got him a higher level NAIA job, not D-2 or anything. It is quite the jump from NAIA to D-II as well. One person has continuously gotten on Williams for his jump and wondering if he was ready for the job and that was a D-II to D-I jump, so NAIA to D-I? I don't think so.
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Post by jman1985 on Feb 23, 2011 22:42:57 GMT -6
Not sure Nate Tibbetts would leave the NBA circles to come to USD. He's an up-and-comer at the highest level, he'll be a head coach within 3-5 years.
Haven't gotten an indication from Boots that he wants out yet. He has been totally gung-ho about the Division I transition, about wanting to progress, about growing the program and about becoming a competitive team in the Summit League.
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