Sterk speaks: National search will ensue

by Jeff Nusser on Mar 30, 2009 4:20 PM PDT

The length of this comment from AD Jim Sterk ought to tell you that he was caught pretty off guard by this, too. People who know something is coming usually have more to say than this:

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University Director of Athletics Jim Sterk confirmed that men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett has accepted the head coaching position at the University of Virginia.

"Dick and Tony Bennett have elevated the men’s basketball program at Washington State to an unprecedented level of success," Sterk said. "We will begin a national search for a coach immediately with the goal of finding someone with the integrity, experience, and values that Dick and Tony brought to the program."

Sterk said that Virginia asked for permission to speak with Bennett last Friday. Monday afternoon Bennett informed Sterk and WSU President Elson S. Floyd of his decision to accept the position at Virginia. Following those conversations, Bennett informed his players of his decision.

So there you have it. A national search. Don't forget our search for a football coach was national, too.

Whatever. Consider this your official next coach speculation thread.

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I don't want to watch a Cougar team that doesn't work hard on defense

I’ve grown to love it over the past six years. I’m hoping one of the assistants hangs around. We aren’t going to get a “big” name anyway.

This is where per game statistics go to die.

CougCenter

by Craig Powers on Mar 30, 2009 4:25 PM PDT reply actions

Is this a national search like that football coach search...

Or is this actually a national search?

by GoCougs on Mar 30, 2009 4:25 PM PDT reply actions

Ben Johnson

The search might just end there… Unless he goes with Tony??? Gee wiz, this is ludicrous!

by cfred on Mar 30, 2009 4:34 PM PDT reply actions

What just happened and Bleep you. I always said when he left I would not be one of those guys who is just spiteful and angry. But these circumstances aren’t right. If he didn’t leave for money, a national power, or family, what was it?

by peaty411s on Mar 30, 2009 4:40 PM PDT reply actions

Ken Bone.

Guy from Washington, taken Portland State to two straight tournament bids, and just generally seems a solid coach. I think if they don’t pull someone off the current staff, he’s the guy.

Plus his name rules.

by Mr_Nate on Mar 30, 2009 4:40 PM PDT reply actions

I was of the mind that with him staying after Indiana, Marquette and LSU came calling that he was going to be in for the long haul. That he wouldn’t be going anywhere unless a real dream of a job (for him) came open; something like Wisconsin.
It doesn’t make sense to me why he would pass on Indiana, where he is familiar with the Big-10 and has recruiting ties, Marquette, which is his home state and again has recruiting ties, and LSU, which being in the SEC would have a much easier path to the tournament than most major conference schools, and then turn around and take the Virginia job. They’re in one of the top-2 conferences that he doesn’t seem to have any ties to. He has to undertake a rebuilding project on top of that, as the cupboard is pretty barren at Virginia.
It’s all very curious and makes me think that there must be some factor that hasn’t come to light, that may never be made known, because basketball-wise, it’s a pretty dumb move, all things considered.
Though I’m a Husky, I’m upset about this move because I feel that it ultimately hurts the depth and overall strength of the conference. I felt that the Cougs would always be competitive as long as Tony was there, but now that he has left it’s anybody’s guess as to what happens with the program. Bringing in new coaches is pretty much a crapshoot.

http://www.spartyandfriends.com/

by thecassino on Mar 30, 2009 4:40 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Did coach bennett think this years team was going to be better?

by CleenCoug on Mar 30, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions

That is what I was thinking

he must have had some serious confidence in Baynes and Rochestie to think he could do it again this year. He said he just wanted to get to the point where WSU could be in the NCAA tourney every year. Maybe he realized even he could not do it.

by peaty411s on Mar 30, 2009 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions

what i mean is that it feels like he turned those jobs down last year because i think he thought this year his stock was going to keep rising with another tournament appearance. i think he knew he was going to leave after this year the whole time

by CleenCoug on Mar 30, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions

ya, it is either that

or a sub-par year with no imminent success on the horizon got him regretting his decision last year and wanting to leave for whoever this year.

by peaty411s on Mar 30, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I appreciate your thoughts

I made the brief mistake of looking at the Seattle Times comments on the Bennett leaving article. The number of Huskies gloating really irked me.

If your a fan of one school, you should understand that strength at the opposition is only good for your school and your conference. I might not actively root for the Huskies, but I’m not hoping bad things happen to them either. When bad things do happen, I wish fans of both schools would act with more tact and class.

Rant over.

by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Some of the comments over there are sympathetic

Just sayin’.

by johnnycougar on Mar 30, 2009 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm sure they are

I found myself in a section of comments about WSU grads being pizza delivery guys, unemployed, etc. and not being able to foot the bill for a real coach or program. Rip our sports, fine. Rip into our school’s quality of education, and I get worked up.

by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions

What? I am late on hearing this. Where is the freakin Loyalty! I need to see a doctor.

My blood pressure just went through the roof. I can’t believe he is leaving. For Virginia? I have no respect for that. I could see a national power house, but they are the bottom of the barrel for hoops. Anyways, I would still be pissed if he went to any school. I am trying to calm myself right now. I didn’t think he would leave for at least 5 years. Sports has lost loyalty. I thought Bennett was going to change the face of sports with loyalty. Words can’t describe how pissed I am. Maybe Billy Gillespie wants to come to Pullman. Mychal Thompson needs to help us out!!! I don’t want to go back to losing for another 10 years. We are going to lose so many recruits. We are starting over…freakin again. It is tough being a Coug.

by SoCalCoug on Mar 30, 2009 4:55 PM PDT reply actions

Still Pissed!!!

by SoCalCoug on Mar 30, 2009 4:55 PM PDT reply actions

Yep Still Pissed!!!

by SoCalCoug on Mar 30, 2009 4:55 PM PDT reply actions

I'm with peaty411s

I knew this day would come and I thought I would feel a sense of understanding. I just did not think it would come under these circumstances.

I think we are potentially F@CKED.

Ken Bone is at the top of my list.

by BornCoug on Mar 30, 2009 4:57 PM PDT reply actions

Does Obama

have any other relatives that can coach?

by peaty411s on Mar 30, 2009 5:07 PM PDT reply actions

I love Sterks wording...

“We will begin a national search for a coach immediately with the goal of finding someone with the integrity, experience, and values that Dick and Tony BROUGHT to the program.”

He definitely didn’t leave with those sames attributes in place, imho. Can’t imagine to be in Klay and Caper’s position. Especially the quote about Capers saying he doesn’t hate Tony, but can’t get over the fact he told his mom he was sticking around. How about that friend of the family that is heading here next year from N.C?!!! Wouldn’t be surprised if Sterk lets him out of his LOI. Moving across the country for a coach and then the coach splits. Maybe that is the reason why TB didn’t recruit him too hard. He had this all planned out a year ago. Stick around for TR, DH, and AB then bolt.

I wouldn’t mind one of his assistants, except why wouldn’t they bolt after a year or two of success as well? I would love to get someone with WSU ties, but is that person really out there? We would be happy to get a Ken Bone, Randy Bennett, Ray Gaciolleti type, but come on, its still Pullman and these guys are not going to stick around.

My best guess is maybe Monson would like to get back in the area, and since he already made the “big jump” and it didn’t pan out, maybe he would be content with little old Pullman.

I still can’t fathom this whole scenario. Didn’t think we would be having this discuss for another couple years at best. I guess Bennett really felt we over-achieved this year. I would love for our sophs-to-be to turn this around on him and make a run next year, but that is wishful thinking.

by LeaveItToWeaver on Mar 30, 2009 5:41 PM PDT reply actions

pissed off on this situation

thanks, Sterk. “Family values, integrity, experience?” I can’t think of any other D1 school who would have given the head coaching job to someone with no prior head coaching experience. WSU fans raised 600k for the Bkb excellence fund after TBs first year. His salary was raised to 800k, then 1 million. We did everything possible to keep him; he could have stayed at WSU forever with a .500 record and not get his ass fired. This is the thanks we get.
—In following the NCAA tournament, there are a number of mid-major coaches, like the head coach at Cleveland State, or maybe Siena, who bring a tough-minded attittude to their job. Coaches who don’t back down. Coaches who get their players to play hard all the time. Sterk was way too conciliatory on this one. Why did he give f———-ing U.Va permission to talk to our coach? The ball is in your court, Sterk….find a tough-minded coach who WANTS to be at WSU and appreciates a prime D1 job!!

by bpcoug53 on Mar 30, 2009 6:44 PM PDT reply actions

I really don't think you can blame Sterk for this one

Giving a coach the right to talk to another school is a part of reality. The moment you start saying no, giving no permission, is the moment you end up with a bitter coach who feels trapped. Yes, in giving permission you are letting something like this happen, but as other revalations have shown Tony was working all the angles on this one, meeting and touring UVA before the permission to speak with them on Friday.

Bottom line, if your a classy coach that Tony says he was, after you get the offer from UVA you sit down with your current employer and talk about what your fears are. Considering he had permission on Friday and is gone today, I don’t think he gave Sterk a great opportunity to address any of his concerns.

Bottom line, the going got tough. We have a young team. Budget cuts meant that while the economy is down, he was going to have to rough it with fewer charter flights and careful recruiting. And he’s gone.

by 02Coug on Mar 30, 2009 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions