The 2004 Search for a Basketball Coach

[NewsCopy]

LOUISIANA La. - It’s only natural for the names to start flying as soon as any head coaching spot opens up.

In the case of the University of Louisnana head men’s basketball coach, names of possible successors were being tossed around before Jessie Evans even signed on the dotted line to become San Francisco’s next leader.

Just a couple of things to keep in mind as this search to replace Evans gets hot and heavy.

First of all, there’s going to be many rumors, so be careful not to accept each one as truth.

Secondly, it’s very possible that the first wave of names out there won’t include the actual choice. At this early stage of the last search, athletic director Nelson Schexnayder and 99 percent of the Cajun fans had never heard of Jessie Evans.

Evans’ name didn’t surface until about three days prior to his being announced. Things can change very quickly.

Another issue is that confirming real candidates is a tough chore. Schexnayder is never going to comment on a possible candidate and neither will president Ray Authement. So any “news’’ that is released is probably going to be more on the rumor side.

It’s also hard to predict how long of a process we’re embarking on. Evans was announced 12 days after Marty Fletcher was fired. But Robert Lee being named the interim coach may actually buy Schexnayder more time to make the right choice.

With all of that said, let’s sink our teeth into a few names just in case no candidate surfaces late.

As soon as the initial rumor of Evans going to San Francisco came out, a group of names immediately began to be debated. The names of Lee, LSU assistant and former Cajun assistant coach Butch Pierre and former St. Thomas More and Nicholls State head coach Rickey Broussard rolled off tongues quickly — no surprise, since their names figured to rise.

Lee certainly has plenty of supporters after serving well under Fletcher and Evans.

Pierre has coveted this job for a long time. He also has a godchild named Tasmin Mitchell, a Denham Springs junior, who is among the nation’s top recruits.

Other names with state ties are North Texas head coach Johnny Jones, a former LSU assistant, and McNeese coach Tic Price.

Evans came from a Final Four contender in Arizona. Oklahoma State has two assistants worth considering in Glenn Cyprien and James Dickey. Cyprien graduated from Jesuit of New Orleans, attended Southern and has most recently coached at UNLV and Oklahoma State. Dickey once won 30 games as Texas Tech’s head coach.

Speaking of candidates with a history as a head coach. Richard Williams is currently a high school coach in Mississippi, but led Mississippi State to the Final Four in 1996.

And don’t forget that Paul Graham was the runner-up to Evans in the last coaching search. He’s been a head coach at Washington State and is currently an assistant coach at Colorado.

Then again, it’s very possible that Schexnayder has yet to meet or hear about his next head coach.

The original location of the story

Kevin Foote
kfoote@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

Schnexayder interviews two candidates

LOUISIANA La. — The last time Louisiana Athletic Director Nelson Schexnayder looked for a men’s head basketball coach, the process took him 12 days.

The end result was a successful seven-year association with Jessie Evans, who left last week for the head coaching position at the University of San Francisco.

If Schexnayder approximates the last search, the Ragin’ Cajuns should have a new leader in place by next Tuesday.

Top assistant Robert Lee is currently serving as the interim head coach and is on the short list of coaches Schexnayder is interviewing for the position.

“I want to get the right person for the university and for the fans,” said Schexnayder, who confirmed on Monday that he has interviewed a pair of candidates through the end of the work day on Monday and is expected to speak with two or three more before making his selection.

“There is pressure to make this the best pick I’ve ever made.”

When Schexnayder chose Arizona assistant Evans in 1997, the Wildcats were in the midst of an NCAA Tournament run that resulted in a national championship.

That naturally helped make Evans’ welcome an enthusiastic one, and he rewarded that reception with two NCAA Tournament berths, two NIT appearances and four 20-win campaigns.

“I would say we’ve had stronger interest from more quality coaches early than during the last search, starting with our own staff,” Schexnayder said.

“It’s important when head coaches in quality programs call to recommend someone and say that we have a quality program here. People across the country feel strongly that this position is very desirable.”

New Orleans native Glynn Cyprien, an assistant on an Oklahoma State team that reached the Final Four in 2004, is among those drawing interest in the UL search.

ESPN 1420-AM reported Monday that Cyprien has been interviewed.

A Jesuit (N.O.) graduate, Cyprien attended Southern University, graduated from Texas-San Antonio, coached at Western Kentucky (1994-95) and helped UNLV to nationally-recognized recruiting success before joining OSU.

Cyprien also had coaching stops at Jacksonville, Lamar and UTSA.

Former UL assistant coach Butch Pierre, who served under Marty Fletcher and is now at LSU, has maintained a high visibility as a potential head coach.

If Schexnayder is successful again, the Cajuns will make the postseason a habit — possibly scoring an NCAA Tournament victory, something last achieved under Fletcher in 1992.

Like team executives at last weekend’s NFL Draft, Schexnayder is on the clock.

Original link to the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[Turbine]

A native of New Orleans, Glynn Cyprien, is a UTSA graduate who served as an assistant coach at the school from 1988-90

Assistant at Lamar 1990-1991

Associate head coach at Jacksonville State from 1991-1994

Assistant at Western Kentucky 1994-95

Assistant at UNLV from 1995-2000 where eventually made close to close to $100,000 as an associate head coach. While there they won the Mountain West regular season title, also won the Mountain West Tournament, and got to the NCAA Tournament, where they experienced what Louisiana has experienced, one and done.

While at UNLV, turmoil hovered around Glynn but it never really bit him. He was sued by a student who said coach Cyprien gave his car to someone who wrecked it. Then upon leaving UNLV he sued the school for back pay (tournament pay) $5000 eventually getting his money. Cyprien left during an NCAA violations investigation against UNLV but was adamant that his departure was not related to the supposed infractions saying at one time "I'm not even mentioned in the NCAA report, so there's nothing to run from.

For the 2000-2001 season he moved on to Oklahoma State where he replaced recent UL assistant Jimmy Williams (expected to follow Jessie Evans to SF) where he has been for the last 4 seasons.

While at Oklahoma State he helped completely rebuild the team after a plane crash cost the lives of the OSU team. He has developed a knack for finding disgruntled transfers, which have also been a recent Louisiana strength as well as its Achilles' heel.

His tenure at Oklahoma State recently culminated in a Final Four appearance before bowing out to Georgia Tech.

* the turmoil problem bothers me and I plan to look into it deeper.

[vatican]

We want Butch Pierre! The only thing missing from our program is NCAA Probation...Ineligible players, bad citizens, and inconsistent effort on the court...

Butch can get us over the top - if we hire him, we will be on probation in 18 months or less.

Ricky Broussard is the most logical choice. He has won, and proven he can coach in a bad situation. Imagine what he would do for us with more resources.

Geaux Cajuns!

[Oldman]

:confused: why do people get all worked up about, well! we got to get this guy or that guy to get us over the top, big name you know. "GIVE ME A BREAK," look, this is what it is........in my opinion it would be a mistake to overlook someone who is standing in front of you that can help, some just don't get it, here is why:

a. he's a disciplinarian (hello!!!)
b. the players like and respect him
c. he makes the schedule (but did't have final approval)
d. he recruites most if not all the players
e. he knows all the coaches (high school) in the area
f. is from the area also lives in opelousas (which could equat in more ticket sales)
g. he's got the respect of the student body, faculty and staff on campus
h. respected in the community
i. young, smart, knows basketball,energetic, works hard
j. been here for about 8 to 10 years as an assistant
k. wants to stay here and be here, loves the school
l. paid his dues
m. knows what needs to be done and how to get it done.

need i continue, why not give one of our own the opportunity to show what he can do, and i believe he can continue our winning ways and improve on it as well.
but look, maybe i'm stupid, but common sense tells me we have the man for the job who is in the job.

............ COACH ROBERT LEE ......................

[RaginFan2]

Originally posted by oldman
............ COACH ROBERT LEE ......................

I generally agree with you, Oldman. But why not look at what is available before making a final decision? If no one stands out above Coach Lee, let's go with him. But if we have a chance at a proven head coach, we'd be foolish not to at least consider him.

[Crawfish]

He is also a mean free throw shooter, (This was in evidence during a contest at Ray's a couple of years back.) I agree with everything you said, but I think Nelson is doing the right thing by looking at all of the options.

[CajunChicken]

Originally posted by vatican
Ricky Broussard is the most logical choice. He has won, and proven he can coach in a bad situation. Imagine what he would do for us with more resources.

Geaux Cajuns!

Ditto Vatican
With all the support for Ricky it seems like to me that he would get an interview. Does anybody know if he is scheduled for an interview or is Nelson going to shun him because he is getting so many phone calls in support of Ricky?

[CajunChicken]

Oldman - What is everybody getting worked up about?
You say disciplinarian, why in the hell didn't he as an assistant coach get the guys to go to class. Why does everybody put the blame on Jessie? Head Coaches do give their Assistants those responsibilites! Maybe Jessie was taking the heat for his assistants(Whoa!)

You say scheduling! ARE YOU KIDDING ME. You are exactly right Robert Lee was in charge of scheduling and making the calls etc. What a great Job he did with that to. Do you go to any of the games or are you just tooo old and forgot the schedule. Let me remind you. Two years ago your Coach Lee scheduled home games against traditional powers Bethune Cookman, SWAC power Alcorn State and powerful La. College. What a home schedule that was. He really upgraded this year with La. power Loyola (NO NOT MARYMOUNT) but of New Orleans, Ryan street high schoool (McNeese) and Mobile College. Oh he did have us against Cellar dweller Houston of Conference USA. What a JOKE!!!!!!

I am totally confused about the support of Lee.

You also are misinformed about recruits, Paul Johnson recruited many players probably more than Lee! Maybe Lee can schedule Xavier of N.O. and Lafayette High next year.

[NewsCopy]

Mississippi State assistant expected to discuss head coach opening today.

LOUISIANA La. — Mississippi State assistant coach Robert Kirby will be the next candidate to interview for the vacant men’s basketball coaching job at Louisiana.

Sources within the Mississippi State athletic department say Kirby is scheduled to meet today with UL athletic director Nelson Schexnayder, the fourth hopeful to interview for the position.

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[vatican]

Oh great...Butch Pierre and Kirby are two notorious guys for being "resourceful" when it comes to getting players. Another guy that the NCAA will be licking their chops to see as a head coach. They may as well rent a condo in town to make the reporting of violations easier...than using mail service. That top 10 class at Houston really paid off for Alvin Brooks job security didn't it.

The more I read about the candidates we are considering (and I guess being black is a criteria)
- Cyprien from Oklahoma seems the safest.

He is young and has been successful at the highest levels, and is respected by Eddie Sutton as an excellent coach as well as recruiter.

The guy has signed 3 NBA players while at UNLY, (Tony Allen at Oklahoma State will be also.)coached in the league at 2 different schools Jacksonville University, and Western Kentucky, and is from New Orleans - -

[Oldman]

you need to understand, just because a coach has been successful at some other place may not work here, again you have a proven product (if you will) a so call big name (they call it) is just that. but that is what some people do, they reach for something when in fact it's next to them. only my opinion, thanks.