Molinari named assistant coach

[hhcmatt]

Covvington come on down!!!

 

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

[Swan88]

Covvington come on down!!!

 

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

When Tim Miles came to Huskerland from Colorado St., he did not poach any of the players from his old team. Here's guessing that Molinari will take the same no-poach approach. The idea seems to center around leaving the old team in the best-possible condition for continued success without the former head coach.

[Norm Peterson]

The kid went to WIU because of Molinari, even though he had other options.  He's just a freshman -- and a good one -- on a team that didn't win a lot of games.  Whether he comes here or not, I wouldn't be shocked if he looks for a new team that might be more of a contender.  After 1 season, the guy who gave him reason to believe in WIU is no longer there.  I suspect he's not yet so tied down to the place that he'd want to stay there regardless of who gets picked to be the new coach.

[49r]

Still not official until Rosenthal tweets it.

 

 

It's official guys, Brian says so:

 

 

Boom!

[CrazyforNUHOOPS]

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

[CrazyforNUHOOPS]

Unless they're going to get him to walk on for a year.

[GATA]

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

I wouldn't dismiss him quite so quickly. While it's probably a long shot, the kid has proven that he's a legit D-I scorer as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Plus, just because we're on the radar of some good 2015 kids, it doesn't mean we're going to sign any of them. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, or something like that...

[CrazyforNUHOOPS]

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

I wouldn't dismiss him quite so quickly. While it's probably a long shot, the kid has proven that he's a legit D-I scorer as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Plus, just because we're on the radar of some good 2015 kids, it doesn't mean we're going to sign any of them. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, or something like that...

I can assure you he isn't coming. And I can assure you we will fill the rest of the scholarships with kids that can play this fall...and you'll be happy with who they are.

[Huskerpapa]

 

 

 

 

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

I wouldn't dismiss him quite so quickly. While it's probably a long shot, the kid has proven that he's a legit D-I scorer as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Plus, just because we're on the radar of some good 2015 kids, it doesn't mean we're going to sign any of them. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, or something like that...

I can assure you he isn't coming. And I can assure you we will fill the rest of the scholarships with kids that can play this fall...and you'll be happy with who they are.

 

Oh come on, don't keep us hanging.  You know names...share.

[hhcmatt]

 

 

 

 

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

I wouldn't dismiss him quite so quickly. While it's probably a long shot, the kid has proven that he's a legit D-I scorer as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Plus, just because we're on the radar of some good 2015 kids, it doesn't mean we're going to sign any of them. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, or something like that...

I can assure you he isn't coming. And I can assure you we will fill the rest of the scholarships with kids that can play this fall...and you'll be happy with who they are.

 

 

It would seem that 2014-15 is indeed going to be a chips all in push for NCAA tourney win #1.

 

[Norm Peterson]

 

 

 

 

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

I wouldn't dismiss him quite so quickly. While it's probably a long shot, the kid has proven that he's a legit D-I scorer as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Plus, just because we're on the radar of some good 2015 kids, it doesn't mean we're going to sign any of them. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, or something like that...

I can assure you he isn't coming. And I can assure you we will fill the rest of the scholarships with kids that can play this fall...and you'll be happy with who they are.

 

Which means there's a big man in there somewhere who can hold down the post defensively and clean the glass with authoritay! 

 

And then maybe a PG who just go his release from App State.  And a guy who can fill it up from downtown.

 

And they're all getting their passports taken care of so that they can travel with the team to Australia this summer.  Or Europe.  Or wherever they go.

[MandRHusker]

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

I wouldn't dismiss him quite so quickly. While it's probably a long shot, the kid has proven that he's a legit D-I scorer as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Plus, just because we're on the radar of some good 2015 kids, it doesn't mean we're going to sign any of them. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, or something like that...

I can assure you he isn't coming. And I can assure you we will fill the rest of the scholarships with kids that can play this fall...and you'll be happy with who they are.

Do you actually know something or are you just confident that Coach Miles & staff can get it done?

[hhcmatt]

 

 

 

 

 

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

 

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

 

I wouldn't dismiss him quite so quickly. While it's probably a long shot, the kid has proven that he's a legit D-I scorer as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Plus, just because we're on the radar of some good 2015 kids, it doesn't mean we're going to sign any of them. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, or something like that...

 

I can assure you he isn't coming. And I can assure you we will fill the rest of the scholarships with kids that can play this fall...and you'll be happy with who they are.

 

Do you actually know something or are you just confident that Coach Miles & staff can get it done?

 

 

I'll say both.

[colhusker]

 

 

 

 

 

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

 

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

 

I wouldn't dismiss him quite so quickly. While it's probably a long shot, the kid has proven that he's a legit D-I scorer as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Plus, just because we're on the radar of some good 2015 kids, it doesn't mean we're going to sign any of them. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, or something like that...

 

I can assure you he isn't coming. And I can assure you we will fill the rest of the scholarships with kids that can play this fall...and you'll be happy with who they are.

 

Do you actually know something or are you just confident that Coach Miles & staff can get it done?

 

I know I hope he is correct!

[Cookie Belcher]

Are they odd pieces?

[hhcmatt]

 

Release from the University

 

Lincoln – Nebraska men’s basketball coach Tim Miles announced Friday the hiring of Jim Molinari

(pronounced Mole-in-AIR-ee) as an assistant coach with the Husker basketball program.

 

One of the most well-respected teachers in college basketball, Molinari bring over three decades of Division I coaching experience to Nebraska, including 20 years of head coaching experience. He is a three-time conference coach of the year during his career, while he has guided nine teams to postseason play. In addition, he has been a member of 10 NCAA Tournament staffs during his 12 season as a Division I assistant coach.

 

“Today is a great day for Husker Hoops,” Nebraska Coach Tim Miles said. “Adding Coach Molinari to our staff can help elevate us to the next level. He's a great coach and a better person.  We are very fortunate he's joining us. He brings a wealth of coaching and recruiting experience. He’s coached in the Final Four as an assistant. He's taken his own team to the NCAA Tournament at two different universities, and he’s recruited NBA players. Jim has had every conceivable experience a coach can have, and he will have a major impact on our program.”

 

Molinari said it was tough leaving a program he had built over the last six seasons, but is excited for the challenge of helping the Husker program reach unprecedented heights in the near future with Miles. The Huskers made their first NCAA appearance in 16 seasons in 2014.

 

“It was difficult decision because I love my players and Western Illinois University,” Molinari said. “I am extremely excited and blessed that the Lord has opened this door to partner with Tim and his staff to continue to build on their success at a very special place - Nebraska.”

 

“What drew me to Nebraska is that you pick a person as much as you do a place,” Molinari said. “I think the challenge of trying to do something special on a national stage, and I obviously have a love and admiration for the Big Ten having been a part of it for three years at Minnesota.”

 

Molinari spent the past six seasons at Western Illinois, leading the Leathernecks to their first-ever postseason appearances at the Division I level.  In 2012-13, he guided WIU to a 22-9 record and a share of the Summit League regular-season title with a 13-3 mark. The 22 wins were the program’s highest total since moving to Division I while he was named the Summit League Coach of the Year and the NABC District 12 Coach of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Hugh Durham Award (CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Coach of the Year). WIU led the nation in fewest fouls committed and was second in scoring defense at 52.6 points per game, while ranking in the top 75 in six categories. Molinari coached Terell Parks who was tabbed second-team NABC all-district and also named first-team All-Summit League and the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year in 2012-13.

 

In 2011-12, WIU broke through with an 18-15 record and an appearance in the College Basketball Invitational, the program’s first-ever postseason appearance at the Division I level. The Leathernecks reached the Summit League title game for the first time since 1997, while the 18 wins were the most since 1996-97.  Ceola Clark led the team earning Summit League Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, becoming the first player in conference history to be a two-time winner of the award. Clark was also a three-time All-Summit League performer, including a two-time first-team winner.

 

In 2007-08, Molinari served as an assistant coach at Ball State, following a three-year stint at Minnesota in which he was the interim head coach for most of the 2006-07 season.  In his first season as an assistant at Minnesota, his defensive emphasis helped the Gophers rank third in Big Ten scoring defense (62.7 points per game). They led the league in field goal percentage defense (.424) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.274) in conference play, and allowed 62.9 points per league game, the fewest since the 1981-82 season. In 2005, Street & Smith’s named Molinari the “best assistant in the Big Ten Conference.”

 

For 11 seasons, from 1991-2002, Molinari was the head coach at Bradley University, where he amassed a 174-152 (.534) record and guided the Braves to the postseason six times - five National Invitation Tournament appearances and the 1996 NCAA Tournament. He led Bradley to a trio of 20-win seasons, including a 22-8 record in 1995-96 when he was chosen as Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year. He left Bradley with more league wins than any other active coach in the Missouri Valley. 

 

From 1989-91, he was the head coach at Northern Illinois, where he posted a record of 42-17 (.712). The Huskies won the 1991 Mid-Continent Conference title, going 25-6 and setting a school record for wins. At Northern, Molinari inherited a program that had not won as many as 17 games in a season since 1981, but made a quick turnaround with a 17-win season followed by a 25-win campaign in just his second year at the school.

At DePaul from 1979-89, Molinari helped both Ray and Joey Meyer lead the Blue Demons to national prominence. Over 10 seasons at DePaul, Molinari helped recruit college and professional stars such as Mark Aguirre, Dallas Comegys, Tyrone Corbin, Terry Cummings and Rod Strickland -- players who led DePaul to nine NCAA Tournaments and a runner-up finish in the NIT.

 

In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Molinari is a veteran of national selection committees for international competition. He led the 1997 USA Basketball men’s team to a gold medal at the World University Games played in Trapani, Italy. For two years in-between collegiate coaching positions, Molinari was an NBA scout for the Toronto Raptors (2002-03) and Miami Heat (2003-04).

 

His college playing career began at Kansas State, where he teamed with current Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger for two seasons. After transferring to Illinois Wesleyan, where he teamed with former NBA center Jack Sikma, Molinari helped the Titans win consecutive league titles, before entering the coaching ranks in 1978 as a part-time assistant with DePaul.

 

Molinari earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1977 and earned a Juris Doctor from DePaul in 1980.

 

Lon Kruger, University of Oklahoma Basketball Coach
“I have known Jim since we were teammates at Kansas State. He is very highly respected among coaches. Jim relates well and gets the most from his players. He has great integrity and high character and is interested in development of players, both on and off court. Jim has one of the best defensive minds in college basketball.”

This post has been promoted to an article

[hhcmatt]

Gaskins and Stephens talk with WIU beat writer Kevn Capie about Molinari

http://www.theticketfm.com/podcasts/gaskinsstephens/2014_04_11_2_KevinCapie.mp3

[Huskerpapa]

This may be our best recruit of the year...and yes, I am talking about Coach Molinari.  Also, I don't doubt for a second that after this weekend we will have two additional verbals in the fold.

[Blackshirt83]

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

I wouldn't dismiss him quite so quickly. While it's probably a long shot, the kid has proven that he's a legit D-I scorer as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Plus, just because we're on the radar of some good 2015 kids, it doesn't mean we're going to sign any of them. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, or something like that...

I can assure you he isn't coming. And I can assure you we will fill the rest of the scholarships with kids that can play this fall...and you'll be happy with who they are.

Which means there's a big man in there somewhere who can hold down the post defensively and clean the glass with authoritay!

Does a certain former Georgetown Hoya who just happens to be making his way to Lincoln this weekend for a visit qualify?

[Silverbacked1]

Yes he will be here according to tweeter. Can somebody link,that up please?

[CrazyforNUHOOPS]

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

I wouldn't dismiss him quite so quickly. While it's probably a long shot, the kid has proven that he's a legit D-I scorer as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Plus, just because we're on the radar of some good 2015 kids, it doesn't mean we're going to sign any of them. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, or something like that...

I can assure you he isn't coming. And I can assure you we will fill the rest of the scholarships with kids that can play this fall...and you'll be happy with who they are.

Do you actually know something or are you just confident that Coach Miles & staff can get it done?

I know who's visiting and who they're working their backsides off to get to come here and I'm confident that this staff will get the right guys to keep the program on the same trajectory.

[MandRHusker]

Thanks for the response. Hope they get who they want!

[MandRHusker]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Covvington come on down!!!

I'd be semi-shocked if this happened.

I'd be completely shocked if this happens. The coaches have better guys on the radar for 2014.

I wouldn't dismiss him quite so quickly. While it's probably a long shot, the kid has proven that he's a legit D-I scorer as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Plus, just because we're on the radar of some good 2015 kids, it doesn't mean we're going to sign any of them. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush, or something like that...

I can assure you he isn't coming. And I can assure you we will fill the rest of the scholarships with kids that can play this fall...and you'll be happy with who they are.

Do you actually know something or are you just confident that Coach Miles & staff can get it done?

I know who's visiting and who they're working their backsides off to get to come here and I'm confident that this staff will get the right guys to keep the program on the same trajectory.

 

Thanks for the response and hope they get the guys they are after!

[HuskerCager]

This may be our best recruit of the year...and yes, I am talking about Coach Molinari.  Also, I don't doubt for a second that after this weekend we will have two additional verbals in the fold.

Wow, that's a strong statement.  Hope you are right!

[Bugeaters1]