Assistant Coaching Vacancy

[HuskerFever]

Honestly, I haven't read past the headline: "Miles says interest high in assistant coaching vacancy."

 

That's all I needed to hear!

 

http://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/mens-basketball/miles-says-interest-high-in-assistant-coaching-vacancy/article_fdfb1f38-e446-5976-abc0-fa0085036457.html

[Nebrasketballer]

[TheKamdyMan]

received 400 and responded to 30.  

[nuled2dance]

Quantity not quality....he knows which 30 are worthy if this spot. He can attract a great talent as if this team makes strides this talented coach will be a head coach in a year or two tops if the huskers have the success that is expected. Not a bad stop for a too assistant for pay, facilities, recruiting tools and fan support.

[Norm Peterson]

That is awesome.  What an amazing contrast of scenarios between Miles trying to replace Craig Smith and Barry Collier trying to replace Scott Spinelli.

 

For those who don't remember, Collier couldn't find anyone to take the job and eventually had to settle for hiring Jamel White's uncle (who had AAU "connections.")

[Hooper]

I'm not surprised that the level of interest is so high. This position has a lot going for it now. For starters, it's a B1G job. Then you have a returning tournament team that should be even better next year, a head coach with an engaging personality who's fun to work for, incredible fan support and interest, a high salary, world-class basketball facilities and a new arena. 

 

Plus, coaches who've worked for Miles have been upwardly mobile, and the guy just won B1G coach of the year by his peers. Nebraska's overall profile in the world of college basketball is dramatically higher than it was just two years ago.

[leonidas]

Nebraska's overall profile in the world of college basketball is dramatically higher than it was just two years ago.

It may be safe to say that Nebraska's profile among coaches has never been higher.

[Norm Peterson]

I'm not surprised that the level of interest is so high. This position has a lot going for it now. For starters, it's a B1G job. Then you have a returning tournament team that should be even better next year, a head coach with an engaging personality who's fun to work for, incredible fan support and interest, a high salary, world-class basketball facilities and a new arena. 

 

Plus, coaches who've worked for Miles have been upwardly mobile, and the guy just won B1G coach of the year by his peers. Nebraska's overall profile in the world of college basketball is dramatically higher than it was just two years ago.

Good point.  We're a much better draw than we were two years ago.  Got a lot going for us.  And the interest in the job opening is a testament to our current standing.

[Ron Mexico]

This guys looking for a job. I'm guessing he's one of those 30 whom Tim has returned their call.

http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/miller_ryan00.html

[CrazyforNUHOOPS]

That is awesome. What an amazing contrast of scenarios between Miles trying to replace Craig Smith and Barry Collier trying to replace Scott Spinelli.

For those who don't remember, Collier couldn't find anyone to take the job and eventually had to settle for hiring Jamel White's uncle (who had AAU "connections.")

And had been a garbage man prior to accepting the job.

[Shuttlesworth]

Nebraska's overall profile in the world of college basketball is dramatically higher than it was just two years ago.

It may be safe to say that Nebraska's profile among coaches has never been higher.

Just a hunch, but I'm guessing that all the tweeting by our coaches about private jets, facilities, the article about Izzo hitching a ride on Huskair One, hasn't gone unnoticed by those in the profession.

[Huskerpapa]

I wonder if any ex-Husker players are reaching out?

[hhcmatt]

I wonder if any ex-Husker players are reaching out?

 

[Norm Peterson]

I'm not surprised that the level of interest is so high. This position has a lot going for it now. For starters, it's a B1G job. Then you have a returning tournament team that should be even better next year, a head coach with an engaging personality who's fun to work for, incredible fan support and interest, a high salary, world-class basketball facilities and a new arena. 

 

Plus, coaches who've worked for Miles have been upwardly mobile, and the guy just won B1G coach of the year by his peers. Nebraska's overall profile in the world of college basketball is dramatically higher than it was just two years ago.

BTW, the reasons that we're a hot prospect for potential assistant coaches are the same reasons why I disagree with NUdiehard about our prospects for landing a senior transfer.  Yeah, we're not Louisville, but we can promise an immediate opportunity for playing time where they won't be competing with 5-star, one-and-done players.  A good big who's a senior transfer could walk into a starting job here on a team that has all the rest of the pieces to be a Sweet 16 team.  Or better.

[TheKamdyMan]

I'm not surprised that the level of interest is so high. This position has a lot going for it now. For starters, it's a B1G job. Then you have a returning tournament team that should be even better next year, a head coach with an engaging personality who's fun to work for, incredible fan support and interest, a high salary, world-class basketball facilities and a new arena.

Plus, coaches who've worked for Miles have been upwardly mobile, and the guy just won B1G coach of the year by his peers. Nebraska's overall profile in the world of college basketball is dramatically higher than it was just two years ago.

BTW, the reasons that we're a hot prospect for potential assistant coaches are the same reasons why I disagree with NUdiehard about our prospects for landing a senior transfer. Yeah, we're not Louisville, but we can promise an immediate opportunity for playing time where they won't be competing with 5-star, one-and-done players. A good big who's a senior transfer could walk into a starting job here on a team that has all the rest of the pieces to be a Sweet 16 team. Or better.

I agree and disagree. Yes our team will be better and all that jazz and would expect a kid could see that. The thing is you can't compare coaches and players. Most if these players see names like Indiana, Notre Dame etc and don't always consider everything. Coaches on the other hand are grown men looking to find the best place to get stability while growing for the future job. I feel like you and I, like the rest here, view NU like a coach would but 21-22 year olds aren't always thinking like that.

[AuroranHusker]

 

I wonder if any ex-Husker players are reaching out?

 

 

[AuroranHusker]

[doc1394]

This may be ridiculous, but I would think Strickland should really pursue a job at South Dakota with Smith. Miles will obviously be watching that program like crazy, so Strickland can prove he is a D1 coach at SD while being watched.

Let's be honest , if this program continued to grow, we will be searching every few years. Maybe in 3 years once Strickland gets some more experience, miles can get him

[AuroranHusker]

This may be ridiculous, but I would think Strickland should really pursue a job at South Dakota with Smith. Miles will obviously be watching that program like crazy, so Strickland can prove he is a D1 coach at SD while being watched.

Let's be honest , if this program continued to grow, we will be searching every few years. Maybe in 3 years once Strickland gets some more experience, miles can get him

 

Doesn't seem ridiculous at all. Sounds fairly prudent to gain experience at different levels prior to hitting the "big time".

[hhcmatt]

This may be ridiculous, but I would think Strickland should really pursue a job at South Dakota with Smith. 

 

He should if he doesn't land the Nebraska job.

 

Also

[GoBigRed]

A name to keep an eye on: Isaac Chew, Marquette assistant last two years. Miles may just try and keep him from going with Buzz to Va. Tech. Chew is a Chicago native with tons of connections there. He was at Illinois with Groce briefly and Missouri with Haith when they got a #2 seed. He recruited a Top 15 class at Marquette in 2013 with 3 top 100 players. Just saying...

 

http://www.gomarquette.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/chew_isaac00.html

[49r]

I would not be opposed to that.

[basketballjones]

I cringe real hard reading those tweets of people openly campaigning for a job.  Realy hard... 

[Nebrasketballer]

I realize that I am probably going to get absolutely crushed for posting this, because both of these names probably seem a little out of reach at first glance, but then again, who would have thought that Nebraska would be able to steal Kenya Hunter from Georgetown last year? And, before the hire was made, I think most people would have thought it was crazy to think that Nebraska would land someone like Kenya Hunter. People would have also thought it was absolutely ridiculous to think that Nebraska could steal an assistant from a program that is considered to currently be a few steps up from the Nebraska job.

How was Nebraska able to steal Kenya Hunter from Georgetown? Because Tim Miles is a good salesman and because it appears that for the first time in my lifetime, Nebraska is willing to get out the checkbook and spend some serious money to get high caliber assistant coaches for Tim Miles.

Nebraska paid Kenya Hunter $230,000 to leave Georgetown for Nebraska. And right now, Nebraska assistants all make between $200,000 - $230,000. That's pretty solid.

The 2 coaching names that I want to throw into the discussion are

Matt Abdelmassih (current salary: $160,000)

and

Cornell Mann (current salary: $180,000).

Both are currently assistant coaches at Iowa St. If Nebraska stays consistent with what they have been willing to pay assistants since Tim Miles has taken the job as Head Coach, then Nebraska could offer a $40,000 - $50,000 raise to each of these coaches. I know it's an extremely long shot, but I think it's a possibility.

Here are their current coaching Bios:

Matt Abdelmassih-Assistant Coach

Matt Abdelmassih, who for two seasons assisted Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg as a staffer for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA, is in his fourth year as a member of the Iowa State men’s basketball program.

Abdelmassih (pronounced Abdel-Massey) was the assistant director of operations for Iowa State in 2010-11 and was promoted to an assistant coach in April of 2011.

Abdelmassih’s strong ties to New York City and the east coast has helped the Cyclones sign a number of outstanding players from the area. His hard work on the recruiting trail has opened up many doors for the Cyclones, as ISU’s 2013 recruiting class was ranked in the top-40 nationally by ESPN.com.

Abdelmassih’s first two seasons as an assistant coach are among the best two campaigns in school history.

In 2012-13, the Cyclones made their second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance despite losing its top-three scorers. Led by four all-conference players, the Cyclones won 23 games, rattled off a 22-game homecourt winning streak and went 16-1 at home.

The Cyclones earned the distinction as one of the most exciting teams in the country in 2012-13, leading all “power-six” teams and ranking third nationally in scoring at 79.4 ppg. ISU also led the nation in 3-pointers per game (9.9, 346), breaking the Big 12 record and tying for the 14th-best total in NCAA history.

The 2011-12 season was one of the best in school history. The Cyclones recorded 23 wins overall, tying for the fourth-most in school history, and tallied a 12-6 mark in Big 12 play, the third-best conference win total in the Iowa State record book.

Iowa State made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005 during Abdelmassih’s second season in Ames, as the Cyclones appeared in the Associated Press’ top-25 poll for the first time since 2005 and defeated two top-10 teams (Kansas and Baylor).

Abdelmassih recruited Royce White to Iowa State, who produced one of the best seasons in school history in 2011-12 when he led the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, blocks and steals. White was an unanimous First-Team All-Big 12 pick, the Basketball Times’ National Newcomer of the Year and a honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.

White was the 16th pick overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, the fifth-highest selection in school history.

Iowa State has produced eight All-Big 12 players (White, Diante Garrett, Scott Christopherson, Chris Allen, Melvin Ejim, Will Clyburn, Tyrus McGee and Korie Lucious), recorded the two-best 3-point season totals in school history and is 46-23 in Abdelmassih’s two years as an assistant with the Cyclones.

A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Abdelmassih forged a solid working relationship and friendship with Hoiberg when he joined the T-Wolves organization in 2008. He spent his first season as a basketball operations intern, working directly with the T-Wolves coaching staff.

He was promoted to basketball operations assistant in 2009-10, moving into front office duties. He assisted the T-Wolves brass in a variety of roles, including salary cap issues and free agent analysis.

Abdelmassih was a student manager for the St. John’s men’s basketball team on Norm Roberts’ staff from 2004-07. He aided the director of operations with travel, video and camp responsibilities. At SJU, he spent most of his summers helping out at camps around the country, including camp work at Kansas, North Carolina and UCLA.

Cornell Mann-Assistant Coach

Cornell Mann enters his third season as a member of the Iowa State coaching staff after helping the Cyclones achieve unprecedented success during his tenure in Ames.

Iowa State has qualified for two-straight NCAA Tournaments, achieved a 46-23 overall record and posted back-to-back 11-win conference seasons in Mann’s two years as an assistant.

In 2012-13, Iowa State advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year, reeled off a 22-game homecourt winning streak, tying for the second-best string in school history, and led the nation in 3-pointers per game at 9.9.

The Cyclones, led by four all-conference players, were one of the most exciting teams in college basketball in 2012-13. ISU averaged 79.4 points per game, ranking third nationally and leading all “power-six” conference schools in scoring.

In Mann’s first season (2011-12), Iowa State qualified for its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2005, recorded 23 wins and tied for the third in the Big 12 Conference with a 12-6 mark. Iowa State’s 12 conference wins is the third-best total in school history. The Cyclones made the most of their NCAA Tournament appearance, defeating defending national champion Connecticut before losing to No. 1 seed and eventual national champion Kentucky.

With Mann on board, Iowa State appeared in the Associated Press’ Top-25 poll for the first time since 2005 and defeated two top-10 teams (Kansas and Baylor) in 2012. The Cyclones also had four players earn all-conference recognition, including Royce White, who was All-Big 12 First-Team, honorable mention All-American and the Basketball Times’ National Newcomer of the Year. White was the 16th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

In his two years at Iowa State, Mann has helped tutor seven all-conference players and mentored back-to-back Big 12 Newcomer of the Year recipients (2012-White; 2013-Will Clyburn).

Coach Hoiberg appointed Mann as the lead defensive coach at Iowa State which fits well with his high energy and style over substance approach. Mann believes in hard work and holding players accountable on the court and in the classroom.

In his short time in Ames, Mann has already brought with him the Michigan pipeline, having recruited four players from his home state. Percy Gibson (Detroit Southeastern) has appeared in 60 games in his two-year career. He was considered the top post player in Michigan in the Class of 2011 and was named to the Detroit Free Press’ Six-Player Dream Team as a senior after averaging 21.2 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.

Sherron Dorsey-Walker (Detroit Pershing), who redshirted his first season at ISU, was rated No. 125 in the Rivals.com rankings and listed as the second-best player out of Michigan in the Class of 2012. Monte Morris (Flint Beecher), an incoming freshman, is one of Mann’s prize recruits. Morris was named Michigan’s Mr. Basketball in 2013 and was a consensus top-100 national recruit in the class of 2013.

With three of ISU’s top four scorers in school history hailing from Michigan (Jeff Grayer, Barry Stevens and Victor Alexander), Coach Mann has been instrumental in tapping back into that fertile recruiting ground.

Mann has 12 years of experience as an assistant coach at the Division I level and has qualified for NCAA Tournament play at all four of his assistant coaching stops.

Prior to his arrival at Iowa State, Mann spent three years at Dayton where he helped lead the Flyers to three-straight postseason berths.

In Mann’s first season at Dayton (2008-09), the Flyers were ranked in the top-25, finished the season with the second-most victories in school history (27) and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Dayton defeated West Virginia in the first round.

The Flyers were 25-12 and won the 2010 NIT Championship in Mann’s second season and UD went 22-14 and advanced to the finals of the Atlantic-10 Tournament in 2010-11. UD made the 2011 NIT and had three players earn all-conference recognition.

Prior to his stint at UD, Mann coached at Western Michigan for five seasons, helping the Broncos win three Mid-American Conference West Division championships. The Broncos made the NCAA in 2004 and the NIT in 2005, and helped recruit and tutor five guards who earned All-Mac accolades, including the school’s all-time scoring leader David Kool. The last three players to score 1,000 points at WMU were recruited by Mann, as well as the school’s all-time assists leader.

Mann was an assistant at Central Michigan for two seasons before his tenure at WMU, as the Chippewas advanced to the second round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament before falling to Duke.

Prior to his arrival at CMU, Mann spent two seasons as the head coach at Oak Park High School in the Detroit area. He also was an assistant coach with the Michigan Mustangs, one of the top AAU programs in Michigan.

Along with the dozens of players who have earned college accolades and recognition, four of Mann’s former players have went on to play in the NBA: Chris Johnson, Chris Wright (Dayton), Chris Kaman (Central Michigan) and Royce White. Still, the number that Coach Mann takes most pride in is the number of players coached that have went on to earn their college degree.

[GATA]

It's my understanding that Kenya Hunter was more or less encouraged to start exploring his options during his final months at Georgetown. Perhaps I'm wrong about that, but I thought I read that on their message board.