Men's Basketball Coaching Search

[appgrouch]

I'm fine with Craft, but think Lutz would have this team dancing in 4 years.

And then he'd be gone.

At his age, perhaps not.

With each of the names mentioned as possible candidates, there are certain positive attributes that they bring. I think, given who we are and where we are at the moment, these are all fine candidates. And, who knows, perhaps there is a mystery candidate out there that will surprise us all. However, I don't think this will be a drawn out affair.

At his age, if he could get an upper-mid to high level job, he will go for it because it will be his last chance in the majors for a payday and the notoriety.

[appgrouch]

FWIW, Jim Fox was never mentioned on hoop dirt or any other source for the month or so leading up to his hire, until the day before it was official...and that was with a not near as savvy AD in charge. Of course, that could have been due to other candidates backing out.

And like the Capel hire, the fan base never had a chance to be up in arms if it was the wrong choice. Being transparent and listening is a good thing because it helps to build excitement in the fan base. If we here that a good, quality coach is coming, then you can build up the announcement. If we wait for all this time and get introduced to an assistant for a team that we used to go head to head with, it will go over like a fart in church, and if it is someone that we have to look up to see who they are, that fart will be during the prayer.

[97APP]

I'm fine with Craft, but think Lutz would have this team dancing in 4 years.

And then he'd be gone.

Not endorsing anyone, but the above would be true for almost anyone we hire.

[EastHallApp]

I'm fine with Craft, but think Lutz would have this team dancing in 4 years.

And then he'd be gone.

1) If we can find a coach who will get us in the tourney in four years and then move on, I hope we hire him yesterday.

2) I think Lutz is the LEAST likely of these coaches to move on quickly, for reasons explained earlier. You really think the market's going to be hot for a coach in his mid 60s who got fired from UNCC just because he has a couple good years at App?

[Saint3333]

https://wfnz.radio.com/blogs/clubhouse- ... -app-state

[yosef13]

https://wfnz.radio.com/blogs/clubhouse- ... -app-state

He said he wants the job. He's local, 60 years old, bounced around for the past 10 years, and he's a proven winner looking for a second chance. Hire him!

[appstate24]

https://wfnz.radio.com/blogs/clubhouse- ... -app-state

He said he wants the job. He's local, 60 years old, bounced around for the past 10 years, and he's a proven winner looking for a second chance. Hire him!

He definitely said he wants it. Almost over the top is his approach to the question. That leads me to think a decision has been made. I’m good with him, as long as he gives it his all! GO APPS!!

[appbasketball123]

Lutz seems to be perfect fit.

He would stay for 10-15 years, provide stability to our program that needs it in the worse way.

Someone like Craft can probably wait for a better job to open since he has a program like GWU around top 4 in the conference and will get a recruiting bump from this recent NCAA tournament.

Craft is worth a call, just not sure a guy in his spot will jump to come in a rebuild App when he can stay where he is, be patient, and bounce to a program in better shape (Like UNCG). Imagine if he took over UNCG from Wes Miller if Miller gets a promotion.

When you are winning, you can be picky on where you go for your next move up.

App is a hard program to win at, Lutz said he would turn App into a winner and I believe he is the guy to get the job done.

Hopefully press conference will be soon.

[MountaineerDave86]

I've followed the board for a while but just now registering/posting.

I'm an App alum local in the Charlotte market and have been hounding the wfnz guys for the last few days via twitter and text to get some word from Coach Lutz. Made me smile that it was the opening topic today because Kyle Bailey read my text from the text line to tease the segment after break.

Honestly when I first heard the name thrown out there I wasn't hot or cold, but his response on the interview was pretty cool to hear. Candidly saying he knows he would win there and would be honored to have the job makes me feel good about a potential hire.

With that said...I am at this point expecting the next Men's BB coach to be announced as Josh Gattis.

[yosef13]

https://wfnz.radio.com/blogs/clubhouse- ... -app-state

He said he wants the job. He's local, 60 years old, bounced around for the past 10 years, and he's a proven winner looking for a second chance. Hire him!

He definitely said he wants it. Almost over the top is his approach to the question. That leads me to think a decision has been made. I’m good with him, as long as he gives it his all! GO APPS!!

Yeah, I got the feeling they've been communicating. It seems to be a good fit for both sides. Big upgrade from Fox for sure.

[sixtoes9134]

It sounds to me like we may have interviewed him and that's as far as it has gone.

[The Rock]

very bizarre interview. It seems like either there has been a lot of communication or not a lot, and he is trying to make a last ditch plea. Either way it strikes me as odd as these guys usually play things a lot closer to the vest.

[Gonzo]

If it is Lutz this coaching search has been vastly different than the football coaching search.

[yosef13]

very bizarre interview. It seems like either there has been a lot of communication or not a lot, and he is trying to make a last ditch plea. Either way it strikes me as odd as these guys usually play things a lot closer to the vest.

They play things a lot closer to the vest, when they already have a job. It sounded like a guy excited to possibly get another chance at being a HC.

[Yosef84]

I honestly don't have a strong opinion since I don't know much about most of these guys other than their summary accomplishments. As always, I'll trust DG. Regarding Lutz, I've never been very excited about that idea largely because it seemed like a compromise solution previously. For some reason, I feel like the pieces fit a little better this time and I would be pretty happy if we hired Coach Lutz. He is probably the safest hire with no real down side that I can see. Sometimes the answer really IS right under our nose.

For the record, I fully expect to be happy with whomever DG hires.

[yosef13]

If it is Lutz this coaching search has been vastly different than the football coaching search.

Both are old State assistance coaches. Sarcasm I assume?

[appstanding]

very bizarre interview. It seems like either there has been a lot of communication or not a lot, and he is trying to make a last ditch plea. Either way it strikes me as odd as these guys usually play things a lot closer to the vest.

Maybe Lutz is trying to generate a little personal buzz for other vacancies. His way of saying, App is interested in me, maybe you (other schools) should be too.

[Gonzo]

If it is Lutz this coaching search has been vastly different than the football coaching search.

Both are old State assistance coaches. Sarcasm I assume?

No I was serious. The football coaching search was one of the most tight-lipped D-1 acquisitions I've ever heard of. Before Drink was announced he wasn't appearing in much if any speculation, even by those who specialize in coaching hire scoops. There certainly wasn't a pre-announcement radio interview asking about the App job.

Lutz is probably one of the most often named candidates I've seen in print over the past week. He's going on the radio expressing interest. It would greatly contrast with the Drink hire even though they were both employed by NC State at one time.

[yosef13]

If it is Lutz this coaching search has been vastly different than the football coaching search.

Both are old State assistance coaches. Sarcasm I assume?

No I was serious. The football coaching search was one of the most tight-lipped D-1 acquisitions I've ever heard of. Before Drink was announced he wasn't appearing in much if any speculation, even by those who specialize in coaching hire scoops. There certainly wasn't a pre-announcement radio interview asking about the App job.

Lutz is probably one of the most often named candidates I've seen in print over the past week. He's going on the radio expressing interest. It would greatly contrast with the Drink hire even though they were both employed by NC State at one time.

Lutz is not currently employed is he? Sounds like he's a regular on that radio show. That is the biggest difference. If he was at State, I seriously doubt he would have made that comment, just like Drink didn't. It was a little unusual for him to be so transparent. Either he is very excited or maybe trying to market himself to other programs. Worked for Mike Houston and UNCC/ECU. We'll see.

[WASU 93]

Bobby Lutz’ coaching record:

1986–87 - Pfeiffer: 7–19
1987–88- Pfeiffer: 7–17
1988–89- Pfeiffer: 13–12
1989–90- Pfeiffer: 22–11 (NAIA Elite Eight)
1990–91 - Pfeiffer: 29–4 (NAIA Final Four)
1991–92- Pfeiffer: 30–5 (NAIA Final Four)
1992–93- Pfeiffer: 23–6 (NAIA First Round)
1993–94 - Pfeiffer: 24–6 (NAIA Sweet Sixteen)
1994–95 - Pfeiffer: 25–8 (NAIA Runner-up)
Pfeiffer: 180–89
1998–99 - Charlotte: 23–11 (NCAA Second Round)
1999–00 - Charlotte: 17–16 (NIT First Round)
2000–01 - Charlotte: 22–11 (NCAA Second Round)
2001–02 - Charlotte: 18–12 (NCAA First Round)
2002–03 - Charlotte: 13–16
2003–04 - Charlotte: 21–9 (NCAA First Round)
2004–05 - Charlotte: 21–8 (NCAA First Round)
2005–06 - Charlotte: 19–13 (NIT First Round)
2006–07 - Charlotte: 14–16
2007–08 - Charlotte: 20–14 (NIT First Round)
2008–09 - Charlotte: 11–20
2009–10 - Charlotte: 19–12
Charlotte: 218–158
Total: 398–247

Charlotte also was bounced to the Atlantic 10 in 2005. (due to a lack of a football program) That definitely took a lot of life out of the program, especially from a recruiting standpoint. Basically, they went from an ESPN favorite (with sellout crowds against Cincy and big games against the likes of Memphis, Marquette, etc to a conference where there were no natural rivalries and no local TV cable package. (I think the A-10 had a deal with NESN).
Factor in that Lutz also lost a major recruit (Charles Heyward due to leukemia) and Rodney White (went to the NBA after one year, probably to his detriment. He was a Ninth pick in the first round, but needed more development) and Charlotte could have had even more success.
Lutz recruited well and played an exciting brand of basketball. He was known for constantly adjusting defenses throughout the game.