KeaneyBlue - The URI Basketball Forum

The more I think about this hire, I hope we get someone who complements Archie.I am referring to the fact that Archie is not a cheerleader, not extroverted and likely not well connected with today’s “unique” generation. I hope we get an experienced and outgoing , enthusiastic and “youngish “ coach. Someone who,can connect with Gen Z. (:is that w the gen we are dealing with?)

What I don’t want is an Archie double that might is older than Archie.

ramster wrote: ↑1 month ago

PeterRamTime wrote: ↑1 month ago

ramster wrote: ↑1 month ago

True. But I’m referring to Johnson going to Georgetown. He was there working and un-announced at Georgetown for a while before “blurry picture” type leak escaped.

Yeah but everyone knew he was gone, or could be gone. Was reported over a month ago. There are people that know who this guy is, but won't leak the info.

No. Johnson was gone before it was leaked out or announced.

that is inaccurate. KJ was at URI until it became official with GTown

BattleTested wrote: ↑1 month ago

ramster wrote: ↑1 month ago

PeterRamTime wrote: ↑1 month ago

Yeah but everyone knew he was gone, or could be gone. Was reported over a month ago. There are people that know who this guy is, but won't leak the info.

No. Johnson was gone before it was leaked out or announced.

that is inaccurate. KJ was at URI until it became official with GTown

I have this awesome bridge in E Providence that you can get really really cheap, too

NYGFan_Section208 wrote: ↑1 month ago

BattleTested wrote: ↑1 month ago

ramster wrote: ↑1 month ago

No. Johnson was gone before it was leaked out or announced.

that is inaccurate. KJ was at URI until it became official with GTown

I have this awesome bridge in E Providence that you can get really really cheap, too

Johnson was announced April 20

1st article about Johnson to Georgetown was March 20 and done unconfirmed rumors before that.

I could agree that Johnson was physically at URI until April 15th but I’d struggle to believe Johnson was not already doing some recruiting functions Georgetown related prior to the formal April 15 official announcement.
Just like Cooley already had his real estate prep work ready to go in advance of his departure announcement.

And personally I have no problem with Johnson leaving early and working for Cooley. These guys typically have 1 year contracts, maybe 2 and can be more at P5’s but not typically at mid-majors.

Thinks have changed as April, May were not huge work months but now with Porta-Palooza and May1st cut offs and High School Recruiting going the way of the Do-Do bird it’s a much more important time.

I’d find it very, very, very hard to believe Johnson did not make a single phone call, tweet……prior to April 15 for Georgetown and I’d guess the Rhody related calls, tweets……diminished significantly the month prior to April 15

How much is that EP Bridge 208?

He would seem to fit the criteria discussed last week...

EDIT: Also, I see STC threw out this name last week to. So shout out to them for potentially nailing this one!

More on Whitford from his Ball State bio...some big time experience as an assistant and some very good recruiting classes.

https://ballstatesports.com/sports/mens ... itford/849

Whitford served four years on the staff at Arizona, including his final two as the associate head coach. He was with Arizona head coach Sean Miller for eight seasons, dating back to Miller's days guiding the Xavier program.

Whitford also brought more than a decade of experience with the MAC, having served on the staff at Miami University under Herb Sendek and Charlie Coles for 11 seasons before joining Miller at Xavier.

Whitford served as recruiting coordinator at Arizona and helped the program consistently land nationally ranked signing classes. The Wildcats’ 2012 class was rated as high as third in the country.

Whitford was in charge of developing Arizona’s post players, one of whom, Derrick Williams, became the No. 2 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft. He also led the defensive coordination for a Wildcats team that allowed fewer than 64 points per game in each of his final two seasons. The 2012-13 Arizona team outscored its opponents by nearly 10 points per game.

adam914 wrote: ↑1 month ago More on Whitford from his Ball State bio...some big time experience as an assistant and some very good recruiting classes.

https://ballstatesports.com/sports/mens ... itford/849

Whitford served four years on the staff at Arizona, including his final two as the associate head coach. He was with Arizona head coach Sean Miller for eight seasons, dating back to Miller's days guiding the Xavier program.

Whitford also brought more than a decade of experience with the MAC, having served on the staff at Miami University under Herb Sendek and Charlie Coles for 11 seasons before joining Miller at Xavier.

Whitford served as recruiting coordinator at Arizona and helped the program consistently land nationally ranked signing classes. The Wildcats’ 2012 class was rated as high as third in the country.

Whitford was in charge of developing Arizona’s post players, one of whom, Derrick Williams, became the No. 2 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft. He also led the defensive coordination for a Wildcats team that allowed fewer than 64 points per game in each of his final two seasons. The 2012-13 Arizona team outscored its opponents by nearly 10 points per game.

Does he have any of them bigs?

adam914 wrote: ↑1 month ago He would seem to fit the criteria discussed last week...

EDIT: Also, I see STC threw out this name last week to. So shout out to them for potentially nailing this one!

Battle Tested knew before any of us, I think. Good intel from them.

PeterRamTime wrote: ↑1 month ago

adam914 wrote: ↑1 month ago More on Whitford from his Ball State bio...some big time experience as an assistant and some very good recruiting classes.

https://ballstatesports.com/sports/mens ... itford/849

Whitford served four years on the staff at Arizona, including his final two as the associate head coach. He was with Arizona head coach Sean Miller for eight seasons, dating back to Miller's days guiding the Xavier program.

Whitford also brought more than a decade of experience with the MAC, having served on the staff at Miami University under Herb Sendek and Charlie Coles for 11 seasons before joining Miller at Xavier.

Whitford served as recruiting coordinator at Arizona and helped the program consistently land nationally ranked signing classes. The Wildcats’ 2012 class was rated as high as third in the country.

Whitford was in charge of developing Arizona’s post players, one of whom, Derrick Williams, became the No. 2 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft. He also led the defensive coordination for a Wildcats team that allowed fewer than 64 points per game in each of his final two seasons. The 2012-13 Arizona team outscored its opponents by nearly 10 points per game.

Does he have any of them bigs?

Ball State had a ridiculous good forward but he's going to Arizona St.

Ramfan22 wrote: ↑1 month ago

ramster wrote: ↑1 month ago

Jersey77 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Just guessing but maybe Charles Thomas on the short list, unless Joyce hires him back for the Dukes.

He was an assistant last season at SLU and before that many years for Dambrot at Akron and Duquesne.

He also happens to be from Dayton, Ohio.

But the source said the person was last in a Head Coach position 2 years ago in 2022 and he hasn’t been a Head Coach since - he was not an Assistant Coach 2 years ago.

Follow the clues

a former URI player played for this guy?

Ish El Amin

If it is him, he was fired on Mach 14, so has been available to do recruiting for us.

McRam wrote: ↑1 month ago If it is him, he was fired on Mach 14, so has been available to do recruiting for us.

He got fired last year, didn't he?

Actually he got fired in 2022.

Billyboy78 wrote: ↑1 month ago

McRam wrote: ↑1 month ago If it is him, he was fired on Mach 14, so has been available to do recruiting for us.

He got fired last year, didn't he?

He got fired in '22.
Seems like a comfortable fit for Archie.

steveystuds06 wrote: ↑1 month ago

adam914 wrote: ↑1 month ago He would seem to fit the criteria discussed last week...

EDIT: Also, I see STC threw out this name last week to. So shout out to them for potentially nailing this one!

Battle Tested knew before any of us, I think. Good intel from them.

Yes , great intel Battle tested spot on

Has great experience and coached with Arch before , nice hire

Happy to help

Jersey77 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Billyboy78 wrote: ↑1 month ago

McRam wrote: ↑1 month ago If it is him, he was fired on Mach 14, so has been available to do recruiting for us.

He got fired last year, didn't he?

He got fired in '22.
Seems like a comfortable fit for Archie.

Yes it is. Is that a good thing? We will find out. I hope it is.

If this is the guy, attached is a good article that talks about his firing and his record at Ball State.

https://www.thestarpress.com/story/spor ... 045571001/

He received a nice buy out of his contract that ran through April of 2024. The amount was $519,125. If the school had waited until May 1st instead of March 15th, the buyout would have been $351,083. I am glad the school treated him right and did not wait the six weeks so they could save $168,042. The guy was there for nine years. Of course, they fired him but that happens quite often in this job.

Why didn't he bring Payton Sparks with him?

Iggy1979 wrote: ↑1 month ago Why didn't he bring Payton Sparks with him?

Sparks did a Bassy....Ball State----> Indiana---->Ball State.

Now official. I'm intrigued by his past recruiting success as an assistant. Hopefully he can continue that here.

In his bio, it says one of the things he's known for are his defensive schemes. Would that be the packline? I know he coached under Sean, so I would assume it is. Does anybody know what kind of defense he ran at Ball State?

He has his work laid out right in front of him, clear mission, goals, and expected results. Welcome aboard Coach. Rent, don’t buy, unless Narragansett.

Good quality hire it seems , no complaints from me

@JBWW12 is Whitford’s twitter. Looked like he created it in March.

Billyboy78 wrote: ↑1 month ago In his bio, it says one of the things he's known for are his defensive schemes. Would that be the packline? I know he coached under Sean, so I would assume it is. Does anybody know what kind of defense he ran at Ball State?

Yes it appears he is a pack line guy. Came across this with some of his notes on the defense.

https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/wp ... rizona.pdf

This article says that Sean hired Whitford specifically to help with the transition to the pack line. Whitford played for Dick Bennett.

https://www.mensbasketballhoopscoop.com ... hoop-talk/

Also some more talk about it here...

https://www.si.com/more-sports/2012/05/ ... ding-three

The more I read about this guy the more I like the hire. I think with Kenny we hired a great recruiter, but with Whitford it sounds like we may have hired someone who is a good recruiter and also a good coach.

section(105) wrote: ↑1 month ago He has his work laid out right in front of him, clear mission, goals, and expected results. Welcome aboard Coach. Rent, don’t buy, unless Narragansett.

nail'd it

GGWP Cams Rams

STC wrote: ↑1 month ago I looked at staffs Archie has worked on going back to his Arizona days. The only assistant he’s worked with that I could realistically see coming here is James Whitford.

Whitford and Archie worked together at Arizona and Whitford was most recently the head coach at Ball State for 9 years where he was fired at the conclusion of the 2022 season.

adam914 wrote: ↑1 month ago Now official. I'm intrigued by his past recruiting success as an assistant. Hopefully he can continue that here.

Thanks for posting this, Adam.

A lot of HC coaching experience on the staff is a good thing. And, we have a healthy amount of it.

I haven’t looked into his high school/prep (traditional) recruiting strengths/weaknesses so, I will wait on others here to weigh-in. Although, I don’t know if traditional recruiting is as important as it used to be with the advent of the portal.

Jdrums#3 wrote: ↑1 month ago

adam914 wrote: ↑1 month ago Now official. I'm intrigued by his past recruiting success as an assistant. Hopefully he can continue that here.

Thanks for posting this, Adam.

A lot of HC coaching experience on the staff is a good thing. And, we have a healthy amount of it.

I haven’t looked into his high school/prep (traditional) recruiting strengths/weaknesses so, I will wait on others here to weigh-in. Although, I don’t know if traditional recruiting is as important as it used to be with the advent of the portal.

They may still decide to keep Cunningham on the road interacting with recruits.
Of course, don't know what the plan is.
Regardless, Whitford appears to be a strong hire and someone that Archie is very familiar and comfortable with.

adam914 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Billyboy78 wrote: ↑1 month ago In his bio, it says one of the things he's known for are his defensive schemes. Would that be the packline? I know he coached under Sean, so I would assume it is. Does anybody know what kind of defense he ran at Ball State?

Yes it appears he is a pack line guy. Came across this with some of his notes on the defense.

https://www.basketballforcoaches.com/wp ... rizona.pdf

This article says that Sean hired Whitford specifically to help with the transition to the pack line. Whitford played for Dick Bennett.

https://www.mensbasketballhoopscoop.com ... hoop-talk/

Also some more talk about it here...

https://www.si.com/more-sports/2012/05/ ... ding-three

The more I read about this guy the more I like the hire. I think with Kenny we hired a great recruiter, but with Whitford it sounds like we may have hired someone who is a good recruiter and also a good coach.

Great research Adam , liking this hire !

I think the recruits and this hire are more strategic than Archie was able to do previously, where he was putting quarters in one of those arcade machines hoping he could grab the best prize.

Iggy1979 wrote: ↑1 month ago I think the recruits and this hire are more strategic than Archie was able to do previously, where he was putting quarters in one of those arcade machines hoping he could grab the best prize.

For me,that was year 1. Year 2 seemed very similar in that he kept pulling the offense lever. Year3? We will see.

Ramfan22 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Ha, he didn't even have time to switch his Twitter bio and photo before they announced it.

Ramfan22 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Good for him!!!

What was Christen's role? Was he a full assistant? Do we have room for someone like Tyson or is this more of an entry level assistant/GM role we'd be backfilling?

ramster wrote: ↑1 month ago

Ramfan22 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Good for him!!!

Good to see schools acknowledge the need for a gm. The question still to be answered is ...is the GM going to be on the coach's staff...or unconnected, like other pro sports?

Section104 wrote: ↑1 month ago What was Christen's role? Was he a full assistant? Do we have room for someone like Tyson or is this more of an entry level assistant/GM role we'd be backfilling?

He started as director of player development but was elevated to an assistant before last season I believe. I think that move coincided with the NCAA allowing more assistant coaches on staff. I'd say of the 5 assistants he was probably in the 4th position if you were going to rank them.

adam914 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Section104 wrote: ↑1 month ago What was Christen's role? Was he a full assistant? Do we have room for someone like Tyson or is this more of an entry level assistant/GM role we'd be backfilling?

He started as director of player development but was elevated to an assistant before last season I believe. I think that move coincided with the NCAA allowing more assistant coaches on staff. I'd say of the 5 assistants he was probably in the 4th position if you were going to rank them.

Agree he would be 4th in line behind Duane , Coach W and AC

adam914 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Section104 wrote: ↑1 month ago What was Christen's role? Was he a full assistant? Do we have room for someone like Tyson or is this more of an entry level assistant/GM role we'd be backfilling?

He started as director of player development but was elevated to an assistant before last season I believe. I think that move coincided with the NCAA allowing more assistant coaches on staff. I'd say of the 5 assistants he was probably in the 4th position if you were going to rank them.

Duane Woodward
James Whitford
Austin Carroll
Ben Sander - Assistant/Chief of Staff
OPEN

Will be interesting to see who we target and what our budget is to see if there's a potential upgrade. Not sure Christen was tied to any recruits so I see this as an opportunity.

I nominate NYG for the position as GM/KB liaison.

Not sure if NYG is bringing any players with him, to answer your question, 104, unless he brings a few from KB. Anyone here have any eligibility left ?

Jdrums#3 wrote: ↑1 month ago I nominate NYG for the position as GM/KB liaison.

Not sure if NYG is bringing any players with him, to answer your question, 104, unless he brings a few from KB. Anyone here have any eligibility left ?

I do. I can still shoot. I just can't run or jump anymore. Is that good enough?

Billyboy78 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Jdrums#3 wrote: ↑1 month ago I nominate NYG for the position as GM/KB liaison.

Not sure if NYG is bringing any players with him, to answer your question, 104, unless he brings a few from KB. Anyone here have any eligibility left ?

I do. I can still shoot. I just can't run or jump anymore. Is that good enough?

What do you think about playing D?

NYGFan_Section208 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Billyboy78 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Jdrums#3 wrote: ↑1 month ago I nominate NYG for the position as GM/KB liaison.

Not sure if NYG is bringing any players with him, to answer your question, 104, unless he brings a few from KB. Anyone here have any eligibility left ?

I do. I can still shoot. I just can't run or jump anymore. Is that good enough?

What do you think about playing D?

I'm not crossing half court.

Billyboy78 wrote: ↑1 month ago

NYGFan_Section208 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Billyboy78 wrote: ↑1 month ago

I do. I can still shoot. I just can't run or jump anymore. Is that good enough?

What do you think about playing D?

I'm not crossing half court.

I wonder if that means you only get half the NIL you would normally receive ?

Billyboy78 wrote: ↑1 month ago

NYGFan_Section208 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Billyboy78 wrote: ↑1 month ago

I do. I can still shoot. I just can't run or jump anymore. Is that good enough?

What do you think about playing D?

I'm not crossing half court.

Me either. You're in.

Jersey77 wrote: ↑1 month ago

Billyboy78 wrote: ↑1 month ago

McRam wrote: ↑1 month ago If it is him, he was fired on Mach 14, so has been available to do recruiting for us.

He got fired last year, didn't he?

He got fired in '22.
Seems like a comfortable fit for Archie.

My mistake. Thanks

adam914 wrote: ↑1 month ago

BattleTested wrote: ↑1 month ago I'm hearing we've already hired KJ's replacement and he's already here recruiting... And no it was not an in house hire.
I'd expect there to be an announcement in the next couple days

Good to know, thanks for the info! I assumed that was the case. No reason to think Archie was going to just sit around and let us be short handed on the staff.

Thank you BattleTested for the advance info on the Assistant Coach. Excellent job of keeping the name confidential, yet give a clue or two to allow some fun on the board to let fans guess. Well done!

STC wrote: ↑1 month ago

STC wrote: ↑1 month ago I looked at staffs Archie has worked on going back to his Arizona days. The only assistant he’s worked with that I could realistically see coming here is James Whitford.

Whitford and Archie worked together at Arizona and Whitford was most recently the head coach at Ball State for 9 years where he was fired at the conclusion of the 2022 season.

Great job STC in reviewing the clues and arriving at the right place with your assessment.