College BB's Silly Season has begun!

[asu66]

Well, here we go...the first of many personnel actions that will occur over the next 30 days.

South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner announced on Thursday that coach Frank Martin has been suspended for Saturday's game at Mississippi State because of "inappropriate verbal communication" with an athlete.

Martin was caught on camera during Tuesday's loss to Florida cussing at freshman guard Duane Notice -- apparently yelling "Answer the f-cking question, a--hole!"

South Carolina is 11-19 overall, 4-13 in the SEC.

This is the first suspension of Martin's career.

[asu66]

Here's a disgusting item...

The University of New Hampshire has fired its longtime director of basketball operations after school officials alleged he "secretly took pictures of male athletes in a locker room."

This story comes via the Associated Press.

Scott Weitzell, 50, had been with UNH's basketball program for 12 seasons, according to a web cache of his official bio on the school's site. (Which has since been deleted.) The AP story states, "Weitzell is accused of taking the pictures during a game at the University of Vermont Jan. 20. He was arrested by Newmarket police Feb. 21 and charged with resisting arrest and falsifying evidence after he tried to destroy the cell phone he used to take the pictures."

Weitzell was put on administrative leave while the details of the case were being sorted out. He was fired this week, following an investigation from school officials.

According to his school bio Weitzell, who coached for 19 seasons at New Hampshire's Newmarket High School, was responsible for "community relations, coordination of the men's basketball Cage Club, Alumni Affairs, team budgeting and fundraising and organizing player and coaches' clinics."

New Hampshire is 6-23 this season and plays top-seeded Vermont on Saturday in the America East tournament.

[asu66]

Among others, Pat Knight is out at Lamar; and Mike Jarvis is out at FAU.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... ng-changes

[asu66]

IUPUI fires coach Todd Howard
Updated: March 9, 2014, 10:56 AM ET
By Jeff Goodman | ESPN.com

IUPUI parted ways with Todd Howard on Sunday, firing the coach after just three seasons.

Howard was 26-70 in his stint after replacing Ron Hunter, who left for Georgia State. Prior to taking over, Howard was an assistant for 16 seasons with the program.

"I would like to thank Todd for his dedicated service to the IUPUI athletics department and to our basketball program," IUPUI athletic director Michael Moore said Sunday in a statement. "He guided the program with great pride, effort and integrity. I certainly wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."

The Jaguars went 6-26 this season, including a 1-13 record in Summit League play, and lost 19 of their last 21 games.

IUPUI was 14-18 in 2011-12, Howard's first season at the helm. The Jaguars were hammered by injuries last season, and this season Howard was without leading scorer Ian Chiles for seven games at the start of Summit League play.

[Kgfish]

Among others, Pat Knight is out at Lamar; and Mike Jarvis is out at FAU.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... ng-changes

Not that long ago Jarvis was a rising star after leading St Johns to the Elite Eight.

[asutrnr81]

Among others, Pat Knight is out at Lamar; and Mike Jarvis is out at FAU.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... ng-changes

Not that long ago Jarvis was a rising star after leading St Johns to the Elite Eight.

I think it is an indication of how difficult it is to pinpoint the real "items" that make for a good head coach.

[appstate24]

How long until we announce Capel will not be back? I don't see the point in waiting, might as well get it out in the open and start what is hopefully a "National" search. Go Apps!

[asu66]

Multiple sources are reporting that Marshall has bought out the final two years of head coach Tom Herrion's contract. If this is the case, the school would owe Herrion two years worth of his $285,755 annual salary (to be paid in a lump sum). In four seasons at Marshall, Herrion went 67-67 (28-36 CUSA).

Well, that didn't last very long, Tommy boy. Your lessons in "be nice" just didn't take in Charlottesville, VA, Charleston, SC or in Huntington, WV. Maybe you'd be better off back up north.

[asu66]

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ-TV) -- Sources tell WSAZ Sports that Marshall Basketball Coach Tom Herrion's tenure as Marshall basketball coach is over.

Marshall University Athletic Director Mike Hamrick announced on Twitter a press conference for Friday.

Herrion had an overall record of 67-67 in his four seasons at Marshall. This year the Thundering Herd lost in the 2nd round of the Conference USA tournament to finish the season 11-22.

Marshall has lost 41 games in the past two years, the most losses in back to back seasons in school history.

According to Hamrick's twitter account, the press conference will be held at 1:45 p.m. Friday to discuss the direction of the men's basketball program.

No other details were announced.

The Herd's record this season was 11-22, winning only four of 16 conference games.

[asu66]

Auburn Fires Barbee

Auburn dismissed Tony Barbee as its basketball coach Wednesday night after a Southeastern Conference Tournament loss that dropped his four-year record to 48-75 that included an 18-50 mark in league play.

Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs informed Barbee of his decision after the game at the team hotel.

"After careful evaluation of the last four years, I feel this is best for the program," Jacobs said.

Jacobs said the search for a new coach would begin immediately.

"I believe we should compete for championships in men's basketball. It's time for somebody else to have a turn. We need to find somebody to come in here and take what we have here now and put some more in and compete for SEC titles."

Barbee arrived in time to move into the new $90 million Auburn Arena. But wins were difficult to come by. He lost in the first round in all four of his SEC Tournament games, the final one 74-56 to South Carolina in the Georgia Dome.

"We made an incredible investment in basketball, and certainly appreciate those players, particularly the seniors, who kept fighting," Jacobs said.

Jacobs also thanked Barbee and his coaching staff "for all they have done over the past four years."

Jacobs said the search for a new coach would take priority.

"We're going to try to move as quickly as we possibly can," he said. "We're going to be as thorough as we possibly can. We're not going to rush it. I'm going to try to hire the best guy for this basketball program."

Jacobs said he informed Barbee of his decision after the game in order to give him a chance to tell his players. Auburn is on spring break and the players were expected to leave campus Thursday.

"It was important for Tony to have a chance to talk to the players," Jacobs said.

With that, Auburn turned the page.

"As I said last year, I hoped to see significant improvement this season. Unfortunately, the results fell short of my expectations," Jacobs said. "As Athletics Director, I expect more from our basketball program. That is why I believe it is time to move in a new direction."

Read Full Story Here:
http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-ba ... el/031214a…

[wataugan03]

Among others, Pat Knight is out at Lamar; and Mike Jarvis is out at FAU.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... ng-changes

Not that long ago Jarvis was a rising star after leading St Johns to the Elite Eight.

I think it is an indication of how difficult it is to pinpoint the real "items" that make for a good head coach.

I think we underestimate the role of luck and chance. Most coaches regress to the mean given enough years. Almost all hot young coaches turn out to be average. Its amazing how many succeed at the mid-major level, are average at a high major and get fired, then go back to a mid major and can't find the same level of success they had before.

[asu66]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, o-u-c-h!

Marshall AD Mike Hamrick at this afternoon's presser in Huntington announcing the so-called "resignation" of Tommy Herrion.

"We are looking for someone who can win; someone who can win the right way," Hamrick said.

Hamrick said there have been "some issues" with the basketball program. "I have high expectations. I sensed this year there was not a lot of energy in our program, and I sensed there was apathy in our fan base," he said.

It's a so-called "resignation" because Marshall bought Herrion's cooperation by paying him almost $600,000 not to coach The Herd for the next two seasons.

[asutrnr81]

Among others, Pat Knight is out at Lamar; and Mike Jarvis is out at FAU.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... ng-changes

Not that long ago Jarvis was a rising star after leading St Johns to the Elite Eight.

I think it is an indication of how difficult it is to pinpoint the real "items" that make for a good head coach.

I think we underestimate the role of luck and chance. Most coaches regress to the mean given enough years. Almost all hot young coaches turn out to be average. Its amazing how many succeed at the mid-major level, are average at a high major and get fired, then go back to a mid major and can't find the same level of success they had before.

Dang 03...regression to the mean......That statistical analysis is fun!

...but you are right on IMO...luck and chance are huge but in our current situation game day coaching was just not there...I hope we get a person who can get it right!

[asu66]

Wake Forest fans commemorate end of the season with another anti-Bzdelik billboard



The only people in Winston-Salem who will be disappointed if Wake Forest fires Jeff Bzdelik are those who sell ad space on billboards.

Bzdelik's rocky four-year tenure has probably single-handledly paid for some of their kids' college education.

Wake Forest fans erected yet another billboard to show their displeasure with Bzdelik in advance of Thursday's 84-55 loss to fifth-seeded Pittsburgh on day two of the ACC tournament. This one read "We're Waiting ... Fire Jeff Bzdelik" with the hashtags "#buzzout" and "#wellmanout" written beneath.

It may not be a long wait for Wake Forest fans considering the way Bzdelik's fourth season finished.

This was the year Wake Forest athletic director Ron Wellman believed Bzdelik would break through after a dismal first three seasons in which he rebuilt the character of the program but went 34-60 overall and 11-42 in conference play. Instead the Demon Deacons dropped 10 of their last 13 games to finish 17-16 overall and tied for third-to-last in the 15-team ACC.

Thursday's loss to Pittsburgh was especially dismal. The Panthers never trailed, shot 50 percent from the field and came within one point of dealing the Demon Deacons their worst ACC tournament loss ever.

What chance does Bzdelik have of keeping his job? He wouldn't discuss it after the game, telling reporters, "I'm just going to answer questions about the game."

Wellman certainly has nobody to blame but himself for the negative PR because it was clear this sort of thing was coming if Bzdelik returned for a fourth season. Bzdelik was an unpopular hire in 2010 when Wellman plucked him from Colorado after he went 36-58 in three seasons in Boulder and never finished higher than eighth in the Big 12.

The complaints have only grown louder after year four. Soon we'll find out if Wake Forest fans' wait for a new coach really is over or not.

- - - - - - -


Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @JeffEisenberg

[asu66]

South Florida has fired head coach Stan Heath, a source told CBSSports.com. Heath was informed of the decision on Friday afternoon.

The school later issued a press release on the matter, which read in part, "Coach Heath's dedication to USF student-athletes and the many positives he brought to the program are appreciated."

Heath was 97-128 in six years with the Bulls and went just 12-19 this season, including 3-15 in American Athletic Conference play.

Heath advanced to one NCAA Tournament and an NIT during his tenure at South Florida, which followed a five-year stint at Arkansas.

Topics: South Florida Bulls, NCAAB

[asu66]

South Florida has fired head coach Stan Heath, a source told CBSSports.com. Heath was informed of the decision on Friday afternoon.

The school later issued a press release on the matter, which read in part, "Coach Heath's dedication to USF student-athletes and the many positives he brought to the program are appreciated."

Heath was 97-128 in six years with the Bulls and went just 12-19 this season, including 3-15 in American Athletic Conference play.

Heath advanced to one NCAA Tournament and an NIT during his tenure at South Florida, which followed a five-year stint at Arkansas.

Topics: South Florida Bulls, NCAAB

[asu66]

Bowling Green State University will not renew the contract of men's basketball head coach Louis Orr, Director of Athletics D. Christopher Kingston announced on Tuesday.

"We want to thank Coach Orr for his dedication to BGSU and his leadership in developing men of character in the Falcon basketball program," stated Kingston. "I want to personally thank Coach Orr for his professionalism and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

Bowling Green posted an overall record of 101-121 in Orr's seven seasons as head coach, including a 54-60 mark in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play.

After posting a 13-17 overall record in his first season at Bowling Green in 2007-08, Orr led the Falcons to an overall record of 19-14 in 2008-09 in which BGSU won the MAC East Division and was the top seed in the MAC Tournament. For his efforts, Orr was tabbed the MAC Coach of the Year that season.

Orr went on to lead the Falcons to records of 16-16, 13-19 and 12-20 over his final three seasons. Bowling Green twice made it to postseason play under Orr, competing in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) in 2009 and the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) in 2012.

A national search for the 16th head coach in Bowling Green State University men's basketball history will begin immediately.

[asu66]

Rice parted ways with coach Ben Braun on Thursday following the team's last-place finish in Conference USA.

The Owls were 7-23 overall and 2-14 in C-USA this season, and Braun was 63-128 in six seasons at the school. Rice lost in the opening round of the conference tournament Wednesday in overtime against North Texas.

"Ben and I met this morning to review the program and at that time he expressed to me his decision to resign as our head coach," athletic director Joe Karlgaard said in a statement. "I want to thank Ben for his hard work during his time at Rice.

Karlgaard said a search for a successor would begin immediately.

Braun, 60, appeared to be turning things around at Rice, but defections set the program back. Star Arsalan Kazemi left for Oregon, and several other players transferred as well.

In 12 seasons as the coach at California, Braun led the Bears to five NCAA tournament appearances. He also coached at Eastern Michigan and has an overall record of 608-494.

[asu66]

Loyola Marymount will not extend Good's contract

LMU Athletics Director Dr. William Husak announced today, Tuesday, that the contract for Head Men's Basketball Coach Max Good has expired and will not be renewed for the 2014-15 season. Good completed his sixth season with an 85-74 setback last Saturday to BYU at the West Coast Conference Basketball Championships.

"I wish to thank Max for his diligent efforts on behalf of LMU, our fans and most of all our basketball players" said Husak. "In conversations with Max, he has stated that he has always left a place in better shape than when he arrived. That is true of LMU's basketball program. I and all Lions fans wish him the very best."

The Lions' trip to the quarterfinals of the 2014 WCC Championships was the fifth straight for the program, joining Saint Mary's and Gonzaga as the only programs to do so in that time period. The Lions finished the season 13-19 overall and 4-14 in WCC play.

Good finishes his six seasons at LMU 77-117 overall, going 27-65 in WCC games. His 22-year record as a head coach sits at 319-340.

In Good's fifth season, the Lions went 11-23 overall and 1-15 in WCC play, but caught fire at the WCC Championships and advanced to the semifinals thanks to three straight wins in three days before falling to top-ranked Gonzaga.

The run in the 2013 WCC Championships was at the heels of Good's fourth season where LMU finished the 2011-12 season at 21-13 overall and 11-5 (4th) in the WCC. Many of the Lions' marks in LMU's Centennial Season go back to the 1989-90 Elite Eight Team, including its first 20-win season, the most conference wins, first postseason win, first team to earn consecutive postseason wins, most home wins (12), and best road record (9-4). He was named WCC Coach of the Year following the season.

Good officially took over the program on Jan. 12, 2009, coaching in 28 of the Lions' 31 games in the 2008-09 season, filling in for former Head Coach Bill Bayno, who served a leave of absence before resigning due to health issues.

In Good's second season the team posted its second best turn-around in school history with 15 more wins than the year prior (which was also the second-best turn-around in the nation in 2009-10), defeated their first ranked opponent (#9 Gonzaga) since 1990, posted the program's first ranked-win at Gersten Pavilion, and defeated a top-10 team for the second time in school history (the last being in 1960).

In addition, the Lions went 4-5 against ranked opponents in the last three seasons under Good, including a 3-2 mark in 2011-12. The three wins in one season against ranked opponents is second only to the 1989-90 team in program history. Good has led the Lions to a pair of wins (#9 Gonzaga, #23 Saint Louis) over ranked teams at home, the first coach to do so since Coach Donovan in 1961.

[asu66]

Jacksonville parts ways with hoops coach Warren
March 14, 2014 6:15 PM
AP - Sports

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Jacksonville University has parted ways basketball coach Cliff Warren following the team's third consecutive losing season.

The school made the announcement Friday, 10 days after the Dolphins (12-18) ended the season with an 85-64 loss to Mercer in the first round of the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament.

Warren's contract was set to expire next month, but school officials decided not to renew it. They will get a head start on finding his replacement.

Warren went 126-150 in nine seasons at Jacksonville. His tenure included two A-Sun championships (2009, 2010) that led to NIT berths. But the Dolphins were far from title contenders the last three years, compiling a 34-58 mark and failing to finish above .500 in any of those seasons.