RALEIGH — With her list of potential candidates reduced by three, N.C. State athletic director Debbie Yow reached out to Wolfpack fans on Monday night.
Yow sent an email out to Wolfpack Club members on Monday night which updated her efforts to find a new basketball coach, one that was a "fighter" and up to the challenge of rebuilding a program that is in "poor shape."
In a whirlwind day after a quiet week on the search, Virginia Commonwealth’s Shaka Smart, Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin and Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall were all eliminated from the mix on Monday.
Yow had not made any public comments since Sidney Lowe resigned on March 15 but after the flurry of candidates exited the search, she sent out the email with an update on her progress after 8 p.m.
A school spokeswoman confirmed Yow sent out the letter Monday night. The full transcript of the email:
Dear Wolfpack Family,
I am writing to share with you the status of the search for our new head coach for men's basketball. There have been telephone conversations with successful coaches that did not develop into meetings -- sometimes because we did not wish to pursue those coaches further and sometimes because the coach involved is happy where he is.
The conversations have been candid. We have not tried to sugarcoat the challenge of rebuilding our basketball program. Our absence for 5 consecutive years from the NCAA Tournament was noted by each coach as evidence that the program is in poor shape and will require a special effort to rebuild.
Finding a coach with the fight and fire to do this job has been a challenge. That said, we will find an excellent college coach who shares the vision of what State Basketball can become and is up for the challenge.
I realize there are multiple rumors surfacing about the nature of the search on websites and in newspapers. Once our new coach is hired, I will be in a position to bring perspective to a number of those rumors. But, right now, we need to remain focused on finding a talented collegiate coach who is a fighter, full of confidence and appreciation for the opportunity to lead our basketball program back to national prominence.
That will happen in spite of those who believe this cannot occur.
Wolfpack Basketball is destined for a revival. We will accept no less. Please keep the faith while we continue the search. Your emails and text messages of support have meant everything to me. I am blessed to be your AD.
In the Spirit of the Pack,
Debbie
Comments
sign off
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 10:39 — SurferWhat exactly is, 'In the Spirit of the Pack"? Is that a good thing?
I'm not too close to this...
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 08:27 — UNC1998and I really have no feel for how this will go. I really just wonder how long did it take to find Lowe? How long did it take for UNC to get Davis? or for TOB? I would think it better just to relax and see where this goes in the end. I'm sure at that point there will be enough emotion both positive and negative. Although I must admit I've even felt the urge to try and figure it out... and I'm a UNC guy. Anyway, I hope whoever it is is successful in reviving NCSU's basketball. I think it would be absolutely great to have all three area teams playing at high level on a fairly consistent basis. Good luck, NCSU fans. I hope you're all pleased with the choice.
Archie Miller
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 06:57 — dgantt2001I had a feeling last week that this was going to happen. I even told people that we should give Archie a shot because we would have no better choice. Hey Deb, YOU HAD BETTER INTERCEPT THAT PLANE TO DAYTON! Otherwise we may be doomed.
For those who may be
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 00:52 — mad_maxFor those who may be concerned...
Yes, I have already jumped from the bell tower multiple times tonight. In a cruel twist of fate though, I keep surviving without even a scratch. There is no escape. May god have mercy on us all!
Groundhog Day
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 01:24 — secondandcI assume you've seen the movie?
source code
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 09:21 — JPDOhioMaybe a better analogy. You have someone who returns to the site of an impending disaster only to be unsuccessful in stopping it, over and over again. Fits the general perception of Wolfpack hoops to a T.
Seriously, max, relax. Speed kills and a rash decision at this point can only lead to disaster. The best thing Yow can do is what she is doing-patiently follow the leads and deal with each situation as it comes. The reality is that there are issues with this program, as we have been talking about all year long. But those issues are not insurmountable and can be resolved by hiring the right person.
NCSU should offer the job to
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 00:27 — reasonableNCSU should offer the job to Archie Miller. He played at NCSU and has been an assistant at NCSU (under Herb Sendek), Arizona St (under Herb Sendek), Ohio State (under Thad Matta) and currently Arizona (under his brother and widely regarded star young coach Sean Miller).
Archie Miller has never been a head coach and he's only in his early 30s so he's a risk, but the point is that the downside is low snice NCSU's progam is already way down. All they have to lose is a few more years of mediocrity until they discover that Miller isn't the answer and then move on.
OTOH the up side should Miller pan out is big. He'd probably be loyal and stick with NCSU for the long run since he's an alum and the long run would be a few decades since he's so young.
If they pass on him and he turns out to hit it big somewhere else eventually then NCSU is going to kick themselves for the next 30 years. They should take a chance. They don't have much to lose. And plus it's not like star coaches are knocking down their door. So far the coaches of powerhouses Virginia Commonwealth, Cincinnati and Wichita State have turned them down (and maybe more that we don't know about).
After success at Dayton
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 10:38 — SurferThis is a great idea, but it would probably work perfectly after he has had some success at Dayton (2-3 years). I guess the issue at hand, is who will Debbie hire in the interim?
Archie Miller....
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 01:21 — secondandcwas hired as the University of Dayton's next coach on Sunday. Thanks for playing!
unreasonable
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 00:36 — JPDOhioTo expect Arch to say "never mind" to Dayton and go to NC State instead.
I thought Miller just signed
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 00:35 — mad_maxI thought Miller just signed with Dayton...
Regardless, we are fukked. There's a reason wolves howl at night.
Why would they turn you down?
Mon, 04/04/2011 - 23:55 — gottaluvyowLast spring Yow was involved in recruiting a new coach for the U of MD lacrosse program - unfortunately most of the coaches personally knew the previous coach - Do you think any of the prospects have talked with Gary Williams?
Also Yow likes to lowball and was offended when one coach took offense at the offer.
Good Luck go get Grant from OU.
"status of the search"
Mon, 04/04/2011 - 23:41 — secondandccoulda saved some electrons and just said she doesn't know what they're gonna do....
Ouch!
Mon, 04/04/2011 - 23:34 — willncsu34Not good.