The search to find a new head coach at NC State continues. It's been a month since Sidney Lowe stepped down. Credit athletic director Debbie Yow for keeping it private and not playing this out in the media. What NC State might be finding out is even though it's in the tradition rich ACC it's not a very desirable job. Shaka Smart, the hottest young coach in college basketball, turned NC State down. Gregg Marshall and Mack Cronin received extensions from Wichita State and Cincinnati.
So who does NC State turn to next? Who knows and exactly what is left. Yow sent this e-mail to Wolfpack fans recently asking of patience.
Dear Wolfpack Family,
I am writing to share with you the status of the search for our new head coach for men's basketball. There have been telephone conversations with successful coaches that did not develop into meetings -- sometimes because we did not wish to pursue those coaches further and sometimes because the coach involved is happy where he is.
The conversations have been candid. We have not tried to sugarcoat the challenge of rebuilding our basketball program. Our absence for 5 consecutive years from the NCAA Tournament was noted by each coach as evidence that the program is in poor shape and will require a special effort to rebuild. Finding a coach with the fight and fire to do this job has been a challenge.
That said, we will find an excellent college coach who shares the vision of what State Basketball can become and is up for the challenge. I realize there are multiple rumors surfacing about the nature of the search on websites and in newspapers.
Once our new coach is hired, I will be in a position to bring perspective to a number of those rumors. But, right now, we need to remain focused on finding a talented collegiate coach who is a fighter, full of confidence and appreciation for the opportunity to lead our basketball program back to national prominence. That will happen in spite of those who believe this cannot occur.
Wolfpack Basketball is destined for a revival. We will accept no less. Please keep the faith while we continue the search. Your emails and text messages of support have meant everything to me.
I am blessed to be your AD.
In the Spirit of the Pack,
Debbie
http://packinsider.com/2011/04/45-update-where-are-we-now/
Stay tuned.
1530 UPDATE: Mark Gottfried, the former coach at Alabama, will get the gig...
An update from the school is scheduled at 5PM eastern time...
Here's early returns from our friends at WRAL-TV
((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))
No comments:
Post a Comment