Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Just landed at LaGuardia after five days in Houston. Don’t ever stay in the Crowne Plaza near Reliant Stadium, unless you like bugs and blood stains on the carpet.
To quote Bob Dylan, “I’m goin’ back to New York City. I do believe I’ve had enough.”
Here’s a few quick hits from the Coaching Carousel:
**After swinging and missing on seemingly every high-major coach from here to Texas, N.C. State finally got its man in former Alabama coach Mark Gottfried for five years at $6 million.
“Our search has proceeded in an orderly manner and with excellent results,” said N.C. State AD Deborah A. Yow. “We are blessed to have hired a proven winner and an outstanding coach who is well prepared by experience and total commitment to lead in the rebuilding of Wolfpack men’s basketball.”
During 11 seasons at Alabama, Gottfried went 210-132, making the NCAA Tournament five times. He’s done work with ESPN since resigning during the 2008-09 season. You have to wonder if N.C. State is trying to follow the Steve Lavin model here. Like Lavin, Gottfried was a UCLA assistant and like Lavin he worked at ESPN. Lavin also turned down the Wolfpack gig in 2006.
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity and challenge,” said Gottfried, 47. “I have always had great respect for the tradition of excellence here at State and I look forward to helping build this basketball program into a national contender.”
**Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin signed a three-year extension with the Bearcats, according to Bill Koch of the Cincinnati Enquirer. He was one of many candidates reportedly on N.C. State’s wish list.
**LIU coach Jim Ferry was the last to interview today at Manhattan. Sources say a decision is expected Wednesday or Thursday. Steve Masiello, Bob Walsh, Van Macon and Scott Padgett are also in the mix.
**St. John’s assistant Mike Dunlap told The Fresno Bee via email that he is no longer a candidate for the Fresno State job. Ohio State assistant Jeff Boals is reportedly the leader there.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Just landed at LaGuardia after five days in Houston. Don’t ever stay in the Crowne Plaza near Reliant Stadium, unless you like bugs and blood stains on the carpet.
To quote Bob Dylan, “I’m goin’ back to New York City. I do believe I’ve had enough.”
Here’s a few quick hits from the Coaching Carousel:
**After swinging and missing on seemingly every high-major coach from here to Texas, N.C. State finally got its man in former Alabama coach Mark Gottfried for five years at $6 million.
“Our search has proceeded in an orderly manner and with excellent results,” said N.C. State AD Deborah A. Yow. “We are blessed to have hired a proven winner and an outstanding coach who is well prepared by experience and total commitment to lead in the rebuilding of Wolfpack men’s basketball.”
During 11 seasons at Alabama, Gottfried went 210-132, making the NCAA Tournament five times. He’s done work with ESPN since resigning during the 2008-09 season. You have to wonder if N.C. State is trying to follow the Steve Lavin model here. Like Lavin, Gottfried was a UCLA assistant and like Lavin he worked at ESPN. Lavin also turned down the Wolfpack gig in 2006.
“I am extremely excited about this opportunity and challenge,” said Gottfried, 47. “I have always had great respect for the tradition of excellence here at State and I look forward to helping build this basketball program into a national contender.”
**Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin signed a three-year extension with the Bearcats, according to Bill Koch of the Cincinnati Enquirer. He was one of many candidates reportedly on N.C. State’s wish list.
**LIU coach Jim Ferry was the last to interview today at Manhattan. Sources say a decision is expected Wednesday or Thursday. Steve Masiello, Bob Walsh, Van Macon and Scott Padgett are also in the mix.
**St. John’s assistant Mike Dunlap told The Fresno Bee via email that he is no longer a candidate for the Fresno State job. Ohio State assistant Jeff Boals is reportedly the leader there.
