Stu Jackson hired by Big East

[Tugg Speedman]

Stu Jackson hired by Big East

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/11219816/stu-jackson-joins-big-east-front-office

Former Wisconsin coach and NBA executive Stu Jackson has been hired by the Big East as a senior associate commissioner.

He will oversee men's basketball operations and strategic planning. Jackson spent the 2013-14 season as a game analyst for Big East basketball on Fox Sports 1 and as a studio analyst on NBA TV.

Jackson spent 13 years in the NBA, most recently as executive vice president of basketball operations. He also spent six years as president and general manager of the Vancouver Grizzlies (1994-2000) and four seasons as an assistant and then coach of the New York Knicks (1987-91).

His college basketball resume includes two seasons as coach at Wisconsin. He also was an assistant at Providence, Washington State and Oregon.

[HutchwasClutch]

I saw news about this on JSOnline of all places a few days ago.  It's goes into more depth than ESPN. 

One thing that I thought was kind of interesting that Jackson said is the conference isn't really looking at expansion essentially until the current 10 establish themselves.  He didn't give any time tables when they might look to expand either.  Basically, the current members need to find their footing.

He is an interesting addition to the conference hierarchy, hopefully he can help advance it.

[augoman]

My memories of Mr. Jackson as coach at UW-Madison are far from flattering.  Hopefully changed and gained some valuable skills.

[HutchwasClutch]

To me, us and Butler are the keys right now for this conference taking off.  All 10 are important of course, but MU and Butler especially need to quickly rebound from last years poor showings, and return to what they both were doing from 2010-2013.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Ra$hard Griffith would be proud....nice investment by $tu Jack$on back then.

[Galway Eagle]

To me, us and Butler are the keys right now for this conference taking off.  All 10 are important of course, but MU and Butler especially need to quickly rebound from last years poor showings, and return to what they both were doing from 2010-2013.

I agree we both need to rebound but the three elite bball schools are us GTown and nova.  GTown needs to rebound, nova needs to get to the second weekend and we definitely need to rebound.  To me us and those two are the only schools that come to mind in this conference when you think all time best basketball schools.  And it showed in that espn 50 for 50 a few years back.  

[HutchwasClutch]

I agree we both need to rebound but the three elite bball schools are us GTown and nova.  GTown needs to rebound, nova needs to get to the second weekend and we definitely need to rebound.  To me us and those two are the only schools that come to mind in this conference when you think all time best basketball schools.  And it showed in that espn 50 for 50 a few years back.  

+1- forgot about Georgetown, although they haven't had near the recent NCAA success MU and Butler has had.  But they were almost or as disappointing as MU and Butler were last year.   They are synonymous with Big East basketballs, so they are critical too.

[77ncaachamps]

To me, us and Butler are the keys right now for this conference taking off.  All 10 are important of course, but MU and Butler especially need to quickly rebound from last years poor showings, and return to what they both were doing from 2010-2013.

Tough order.

No Stevens pretty much guaranteed a very tough year for Butler, which had a season's troubles compounded by injuries.

Glad we have a solid hire in Wojo. But as they say, it's all about the W/L columns.

[HutchwasClutch]

Tough order.

No Stevens pretty much guaranteed a very tough year for Butler, which had a season's troubles compounded by injuries.

Glad we have a solid hire in Wojo. But as they say, it's all about the W/L columns.

Stevens leaving was major for both Butler and the conference in its first year.  The new conference lost their most high profile coach before even playing a game.   Hope they get back on track except against us going forward.

[Texas Western]

I like our conference at 10 teams right now. The double round robin aspects really develops the rivalries. Jackson is right we need to develop our footing. That said, I think with good years from Marquette and Georgetown should enable the conference to develop some momentum. Villanova appears to be in a good place. Xavier is sold and Providence and St. Johns had solid years which they can build off of. Seton Hall is slowing emerging from the depths and got a major recruit. Butler will take a step up and Hopefully Creighton has some gas left in the tank post McDermott, I think 2014-15 will be a very fan friendly year in the conference as almost every game should be competitive, even the Depaul games.

[Dawson Rental]

DePaul needs to add men's basketball.

[Tugg Speedman]

Former UW basketball coach Stu Jackson joins Big East
By Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel   
July 15, 2014

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/267204631.html

Stu Jackson, who coached Wisconsin basketball to two post-season appearances from 1992 to 1994, has been named the Big East's senior associate commissioner for men's basketball.

After taking UW to the NIT and the NCAA Tournament, Jackson left the Badgers 20 years ago to become general manager of the NBA's Vancouver Grizzlies. He was replaced for one season by Stan Van Gundy, the current president and head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

Jackson spent 13 years in the NBA front office and coached the New York Knicks before replacing Steve Yoder in Madison in 1992. Last year he worked as a studio analyst for Fox Sports 1 on Big East telecasts.

Jackson will oversee the league's men's basketball operations and strategic planning.

“Few people in basketball can match Stu Jackson's experiences at all levels of the game, and we are very excited that he will bring his leadership skills and wealth of expertise to the Big East," said league commissioner Val Ackerman.

"We have set our sights on keeping the Big East at the forefront of college basketball, and Stu will play a critical role as our schools and coaches work to maintain top-flight programs and our student-athletes strive to fulfill their potential, both on and off the court.”

The reformed Big East struggled to gain a foothold in its first year of competition. The league is trying to find ways to make itself to make its flagship sport more appealing.

“The sport of basketball is my lifelong passion, and I am honored to join Val and the Big East basketball management team as the conference looks to the future,” said Jackson. “The Big East has one of the most storied histories in college basketball, and I am eager to contribute to its continued successes, especially during such a pivotal time in its evolution.”


New exec Stu Jackson on Big East expansion: 'We can't get ahead of ourselves'
By Bob Wolfley of the Journal Sentinel   
July 16, 2014

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/267406651.html

The new senior associate commissioner of the Big East Conference, Stu Jackson, told Milwaukee radio station WSSP-AM (1250) on Wednesday that part of his job is to improve the brand of the conference.

“The Big East historically has had great tradition with storied programs and everyone is aware of its history,” Jackson said. “We’re at a pivotal time in terms of continuing to build on that tradition and an excellent brand going forward in a 10-team league.

“We can’t equate the 10-team league with the 16-team league that it was formerly,” Jackson said. “But there’s the opportunity for growth and building on the tradition and that’s really, really positive. We need to continue to field teams that are at a national level and that are tournament worthy.”

Jackson was asked about attracting other basketball-centric schools to the league.

“We can’t get ahead of ourselves,” Jackson said. “We have first got to build on the strength of the 10 teams that we have. . . . Once we do that and are able to maybe take another step and maybe grow the conference, so be it.”

Jackson was an assistant under Rick Pitino at Providence in the old Big East in the mid-1980s. He coached Wisconsin from 1992-’94.

[GGGG]

My memories of Mr. Jackson as coach at UW-Madison are far from flattering.  Hopefully changed and gained some valuable skills.

Well, yeah.

He's been an NBA Vice President for about a decade.

[Skatastrophy]

DePaul needs to add men's basketball.

+1

[augoman]

Well, yeah.

He's been an NBA Vice President for about a decade.

Don't know if you remember him Sultan, but his wife (UW-Madison prof-psych?) was needed to control him on occasion- hot temper, short fuse, lousy coach, poor leader of men, team was loaded with talent but some were 'non-readers' and much disarray (no idea how he got them in school much less kept them eligible).  He hasn't excelled in any of his positions IMHO, but has had a spot in the NBA admin for several years.

[GGGG]

Don't know if you remember him Sultan, but his wife (UW-Madison prof-psych?) was needed to control him on occasion- hot temper, short fuse, lousy coach, poor leader of men, team was loaded with talent but some were 'non-readers' and much disarray (no idea how he got them in school much less kept them eligible).  He hasn't excelled in any of his positions IMHO, but has had a spot in the NBA admin for several years.

I don't think he was a terrible coach.  He was actually considered a coup of a hire being a former NBA coach and all.  He got them to their first NCAA appearance in something like 50 years.  (Same year that Marquette beat UK to get to the Sweet 16...1994). 

The problem was that he was out of place in the midwest, and frankly in college basketball.  He moved on pretty quickly to become GM of the Grizzlies and has been with the NBA for years.  What he is doing for the BE pretty much fits with what he did for the NBA.  Not a bad hire IMO.

[The Lens]

Ra$hard Griffith would be proud....nice investment by $tu Jack$on back then.

Once Donna $halala decided that UW be OK paying the Luxury Tax, UW Athletics really took off.

[augoman]

I think it took off after Shalala left, but not sure.  She had an AD (Abe something) that ran up a huge deficit and they canned their football coach (had more NFL players than any other NCAA team but had a horrible record) but had to pay him out for several years.  Wound up going to board of Regents and state legislature for bigger piece of the tax dollar pie to support the athletic programs.  Think it was her sucessor.

[GGGG]

I think it took off after Shalala left, but not sure.  She had an AD (Abe something) that ran up a huge deficit and they canned their football coach (had more NFL players than any other NCAA team but had a horrible record) but had to pay him out for several years.  Wound up going to board of Regents and state legislature for bigger piece of the tax dollar pie to support the athletic programs.  Think it was her sucessor.

The AD was Ade Sponberg. 

Pat Richter is the AD that hired Stu Jackson.  After he left, he appointed Stan Van Gundy for a year, then hired Dick Bennett...then Bo Ryan.

[augoman]

The AD was Ade Sponberg. 

Pat Richter is the AD that hired Stu Jackson.  After he left, he appointed Stan Van Gundy for a year, then hired Dick Bennett...then Bo Ryan.

Sounds right Sultan.