Tyler Thornton- New Grad Assistant?

[MUfan12]

@steve_wojo: Proud & excited to add @tythornton3 to our staff today. Will impact our program/players big time! Honored to give him his start. #family

[mujivitz06]

Probably will be in the Sports Leadership program - same track that Blair and Lyle were in.

[Ben Golds Five]

 Posted: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 8:10 pm | Updated: 8:16 pm, Wed Jun 25, 2014.

Staff and wire report

Tyler Thornton, who completed his Duke career three months ago, could join Marquette's coaching staff as a graduate assistant.

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that Thornton is working a summer camp at Marquette, where former Duke assistant Steve Wojciechowski is a first-year head coach, and Thornton hopes to get admitted to graduate school.

"All the guys that he's been around a lot over the past year, anything that we can do to ease his transition here, we would be willing to do," Wojciechowski told the AP.

Wojciechowski's staff already includes former Duke standout Chris Carrawell.

Thornton, a point guard, committed to Duke even though the Blue Devils were also recruiting Kyrie Irving, the top-ranked point guard in the same class.

Irving played one season at Duke and was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Thornton had a four-year career in Durham, contributing tough defense, strong leadership, an unselfish approach, plenty of fouls and the occasional clutch shot.

Despite being less talented than many of the players at a program that attracts McDonald's All-Americans, Thornton started 53 career games, including 25 as a senior.

“Tyler is going to be a coach one day,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said during Thornton's junior season. “He really understands the game."

[barfolomew]

Finally!
It's about time we got a coach who was a former point guard.

[BCHoopster]

Finally!
It's about time we got a coach who was a former point guard.

I think now the coaches can beat the varsity!

[swoopem]

How many grad assistants are you allowed to have?

[4everwarriors]

Hope he gets inta grad school comin' from Duke and such.

[Galway Eagle]

How many grad assistants are you allowed to have?

Probably as many ex Blue Devils as can get into grad school

[Lennys Tap]

A guy who started 53 games at Duke despite being lower rated/less talented than the average Blue Devil. Coach K's very own version of Derrick Wilson? (Please, Ners, don't respond that Derrick made 1 three point shot and 42% from the line or that we were 17-15 last year. That's been established. Just sayin' that I'm sure some Dookies were scratching their heads wondering how Coach K could play this guy ahead of the burger boys.)

[keefe]

Hope he gets inta grad school comin' from Duke and such.

You read my thoughts, Doc. Does MU's grad school have a FFP program to help those who are academically deficient get up to speed?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Now I'm confident the coaches can beat the players in a game of pickup

[swoopem]

You read my thoughts, Doc. Does MU's grad school have a FFP program to help those who are academically deficient get up to speed?

Nah, Pilarz decided it'd be a good idea to get rid of FFP. Horrible idea.

[Jay Bee]

Now I'm confident the coaches can beat the players in a game of pickup

Only bc the coaches have the height advantage

/teal

[Dawson Rental]

Nah, Pilarz decided it'd be a good idea to get rid of FFP. Horrible idea.

Seriously?  Was FFP dropped?

[VegasWarrior77]

Tyler Thornton @tythornton3  ·  3h
I have been blessed with a great opportunity to join coach @Steve_Wojo at Marquette University. I'm really excited to be here. #GoEagles

Miles Plumlee @milesplumlee13  ·  2h
Congrats @tythornton3 on the new job! You have the knowledge, work ethic, and demeanor to be a great coach!! Proud of you man

Matt jones @matt13jones_  ·  2h
In just one year my man @tythornton3 Taught me so much and now he's a coach! Thanking God for him being in my life #Marquette #congrats

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I dunno guys. These hires really make me feel like Wojo is in for the long haul. I feel like MU has found their guy for the next 15+ years.

[77ncaachamps]

Let's just keep the Duke coaching hires away from our lacrosse team.


But seriously, as one poster pointed out, when was the last time the coaching staff could really hang with the team in practices?
This coaching staff lacks height, but there are some (still) young legs out there.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Maybe Duke will hire Thornton instead of Wojo when Coach K retires

[keefe]

Maybe Duke will hire Thornton instead of Wojo when Coach K retires

Now THAT was clever

[Spotcheck Billy]

Maybe Duke will hire Thornton instead of Wojo when Coach K retires

Everyone thinks Duke will hire another Dukie to replace Coach K but I think they might have noticed how that didn't work for UNC when Dean Smith retired, lucky for them they did have a Roy Williams which Duke doesn't.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Everyone thinks Duke will hire another Dukie to replace Coach K but I think they might have noticed how that didn't work for UNC when Dean Smith retired, lucky for them they did have a Roy Williams which Duke doesn't.

In case you don't know, teal is used to denote sarcasm on this site.

I happen to agree with you. I think all the assumptions about Wojo being the automatic choice for the Duke job are unfounded and are a result of having 3 of the last four coaches leave for greener pastures. I think there will be a lot of big names up for that job. Wojo will have to do a helluva lot to earn that spot. I also don't buy Coach K's recent (few months ago) statement about "wanting to coach for 5 more years." I think he's gone in three. Which gives Wojo even less time to build a resume.

[Dawson Rental]

Everyone thinks Duke will hire another Dukie to replace Coach K but I think they might have noticed how that didn't work for UNC when Dean Smith retired, lucky for them they did have a Roy Williams which Duke doesn't.

What do you mean by saying that UNC "did have a Roy Williams which Duke doesn't"?  Do you mean a former assistant who got head coaching experience elsewhere?  Won't Duke have Amaker, Chris Collins, and Wojo fit that description when Coach K retires?

IIRC, the guy who replaced Dean at UNC who didn't work out was Guthridge who had stayed at UNC as an assistant and hadn't gotten HC experience elsewhere.

[GGGG]

Seriously?  Was FFP dropped?

No.  They upped the admittance requirements. 

[VegasWarrior77]

(Hopefully) Wojo will be to MU what Roy Williams was to Kansas!

[GGGG]

nm

[keefe]

What do you mean by saying that UNC "did have a Roy Williams which Duke doesn't"?  Do you mean a former assistant who got head coaching experience elsewhere?  Won't Duke have Amaker, Chris Collins, and Wojo fit that description when Coach K retires?

IIRC, the guy who replaced Dean at UNC who didn't work out was Guthridge who had stayed at UNC as an assistant and hadn't gotten HC experience elsewhere.

There was also the Matt Doherty experience...

Doherty had distinguished himself at ND

[GGGG]

Everyone thinks Duke will hire another Dukie to replace Coach K but I think they might have noticed how that didn't work for UNC when Dean Smith retired, lucky for them they did have a Roy Williams which Duke doesn't.

Coach K and Dean Smith are the best coaches ever at their respective programs.

However both Duke and North Carolina were good before each of them got there...and North Carolina has been good since.

Duke will be fine.  Even if they struggle without Coach K at first, they will eventually find someone who will make it work.

[swoopem]

No.  They upped the admittance requirements. 

No. The FFP that we all know and love is gone. Thanks Scott.

[GGGG]

No. The FFP that we all know and love is gone. Thanks Scott.

I didn't know it.  I didn't love it.

But FFP is still around.  It has changed however.  Such is life.

[willie warrior]

There was also the Matt Doherty experience...

Doherty had distinguished himself at ND

Keefe--you are slipping. There is nothing to be distinguished with at No Dick. Just like Geico, everybody (except arrogant ND fans) knows that.

[keefe]

Keefe--you are slipping. There is nothing to be distinguished with at No Dick. Just like Geico, everybody (except arrogant ND fans) knows that.

Willie

I was kidding, mate

[Slim]

I still think Brad Stevens ends up coaching Duke.

[GGGG]

Maybe eventually, but I think it will go to a Duke insider first. 

[willie warrior]

Willie

I was kidding, mate

I figured you were. But even to put distinguished and ND together in a sentence must be called out. Unless it is in reference to old school ND, as in Rockne, Hornung, Parsegian, or Montana.

[tower912]

I still think Brad Stevens ends up coaching Duke.

Brad is the next coach at IU, not Duke.   

[keefe]

Brad is the next coach at IU, not Duke.   

You really think so?

[willie warrior]

Brad is the next coach at IU, not Duke.   

Bring back Bobby Knight. His time has come again, especially to counterpoint the PC crowd. We need a General Patton patrolling the sidelines, beating the hell out of telephones, throwing chairs at the Commies, and slapping players around. The horsewhip with Calvin Cheyney is an all time classic. Especially if you compare it to Crean's kiss.

[tower912]

You really think so?

I don't know.   The prevailing wisdom on their boards seems to be that Crean gets to stay until his buyout is manageable.   If the results aren't there, they let him go and make the big push for Brad.   

[wadesworld]

I don't know.   The prevailing wisdom on their boards seems to be that Crean gets to stay until his buyout is manageable.   If the results aren't there, they let him go and make the big push for Brad.   

They aren't going to outpay the Boston Celtics and Stevens does not like the recruiting aspect of college basketball.

[tower912]

Fair enough.

[Tugg Speedman]

Hunt just posted this ... nothing gets past this guy!  And I love the detail, so enlightening.

--------------------------------------

Tyler Thornton joins men's basketball staff
By Michael Hunt of the Journal Sentinel   
July 26, 2014 6:14 p.m.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/268746361.html

Former Duke point guard Tyler Thornton has joined the Marquette staff, coach Steve Wojciechowsk tweeted.

Thornton's job has yet to be specified, but it is believed he will be a graduate assistant.

[77ncaachamps]

What do you mean by saying that UNC "did have a Roy Williams which Duke doesn't"?  Do you mean a former assistant who got head coaching experience elsewhere?  Won't Duke have Amaker, Chris Collins, and Wojo fit that description when Coach K retires?

IIRC, the guy who replaced Dean at UNC who didn't work out was Guthridge who had stayed at UNC as an assistant and hadn't gotten HC experience elsewhere.

That's like Hank Raymonds replacing Al, right?

[keefe]

That's like Hank Raymonds replacing Al, right?

We had Denny f ucking Crum jumping up and down doing the Arnold Horshak "Ooooh Pick Me!" but Marquette hired Hank. The long winter of our discontent could have been avoided completely.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

They aren't going to outpay the Boston Celtics and Stevens does not like the recruiting aspect of college basketball.

Both true. I personally don't think Stevens will last as the Celtics head coach. Or as any NBA head coach for that matter.  Being an NBA head coach is more about being a figurehead, providing motivation, creating team culture, and dealing with people that tend to have massive egos. I think Xs and Os have little to do with success at the professional level of American basketball. Brads Stevens is an Xs and Os coach. I think he will find the most success at the college level.

Besides, the Celtics faithful might have forgiven last years 25-57 performance because it was a rebuilding year, but they won't forgive very many more.

[Warrior Code]

Tyler Thornton @tythornton3  ·  3h
I have been blessed with a great opportunity to join coach @Steve_Wojo at Marquette University. I'm really excited to be here. #GoEagles

Miles Plumlee @milesplumlee13  ·  2h
Congrats @tythornton3 on the new job! You have the knowledge, work ethic, and demeanor to be a great coach!! Proud of you man

Matt jones @matt13jones_  ·  2h
In just one year my man @tythornton3 Taught me so much and now he's a coach! Thanking God for him being in my life #Marquette #congrats

He's new so I'll give him a pass, but that might be the first time I've ever seen someone write Go Eagles in reference to dear old MU. It doesn't look or sound quite right. I hear go Eagles and think Philadelphia.

[GGGG]

Both true. I personally don't think Stevens will last as the Celtics head coach. Or as any NBA head coach for that matter.  Being an NBA head coach is more about being a figurehead, providing motivation, creating team culture, and dealing with people that tend to have massive egos. I think Xs and Os have little to do with success at the professional level of American basketball. Brads Stevens is an Xs and Os coach. I think he will find the most success at the college level.

I think being a good Xs and Os coach, especially on the defensive side of the ball, is a lot more important than you are letting on here.  And yeah given how young (and bad) the Celtics are, I am not sure how long he will last.

But the question becomes, is he going to take the route of a PJ Carlesimo or Stan Van Gundy and stick with the pro game?  Or the route of a Lon Kruger or Rick Pitino and go back to college?

Given that Kruger and Pitino seem to enjoy the recruiting aspects of college, while Carlesimo and Van Gundy do not (like Stevens), my guess is that he will make a career out of the NBA.

[real chili 83]

I think being a good Xs and Os coach, especially on the defensive side of the ball, is a lot more important than you are letting on here.  And yeah given how young (and bad) the Celtics are, I am not sure how long he will last.

But the question becomes, is he going to take the route of a PJ Carlesimo or Stan Van Gundy and stick with the pro game?  Or the route of a Lon Kruger or Rick Pitino and go back to college?

Given that Kruger and Pitino seem to enjoy the recruiting aspects of college, while Carlesimo and Van Gundy do not (like Stevens), my guess is that he will make a career out of the NBA.

If he stays NBA, I can see him landing at the Woofies.  Flip has a full time job as Prez.  He will probably split his time as coach for a year, then do the prez gig full time.