Breakdown of Assistant Coaches

[Markusquette]

With the expected talk of how coaching comes into play after the season ends, I am curious if anyone else would have liked a different assortment of assistant coaches when Wojo assembled his squad a few years ago.  I like Wojo a lot and think he brings a lot of positives to the team. It's clear we are headed in the right direction and I am excited for the program, especially after making the tournament.  Can't expect us to be a great team quite yet.

One thing that's always irked me about the coaching staff is the lack of diversity.  While they can clearly convince high level players to join the program, the balance seems off.  We're basically made up of a bunch of young, former division 1 point guards.  Not to say they don't have good philosophies and the ability to teach, but we're lacking an older, more experienced coach.  We're lacking a true big man coach.  I don't know what all of the guys bring to the table in particular but whenever I think of Wainright on Buzz's staff it makes me wish we had someone with many years of experience and basketball 'wisdom.' 

I just think we're going through some growing pains with the lack of experience on the coaching staff as a whole.  Hoping next year we reap more rewards of the rebuild.  Curious to know your thoughts and what could be/could have been done to balance the coaching staff a bit more.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I wouldn't say we don't have a true big man coach. Wojo was the big man coach at Duke for years.

I think there is definite value in having a grizzled vet on the sidelines. But I don't think its necessarily a need for every coaching staff.

What I am pretty confident on is that none of the assistants are leaving. If any of them did, I think it would be Stan Johnson getting hired away which I would hate to see.

[lurch91]

Crean to Marquette as Assistant Coach!!!

[UticaBusBarn]

How does one judge the assistant coaches? It is not like there is a defensive coordinator, a linebackers, or a pitching coach whose results are obvious and can be judged.

I don't think we are in a position to evaluate. We really do not see how the coaching staff functions on a day to day basis, or what their specific responsibilities might be.

The only one we can see and judge is the head coach. Coach Wojo, so far has done rather well, so I would guess his assistants are doing what they were hired to do.

[We R Final Four]

What we do know is that there is a rotation of asst coaches on the "scout" of the next opponent. For example, Brett Nelson might be the lead asst coach for the X game and he leads the practice and film all week. Now when it comes to the tourney, does that change and it's all hands on deck? I don't know.

[Warrior_2002]

Even though Wojo was a big man coach at Duke I would prefer a true big man to give those big man pointers.  Like when Dwayne Stephens was here with Crean.

[Hards Alumni]

I wouldn't say we don't have a true big man coach. Wojo was the big man coach at Duke for years.

I think there is definite value in having a grizzled vet on the sidelines. But I don't think its necessarily a need for every coaching staff.

What I am pretty confident on is that none of the assistants are leaving. If any of them did, I think it would be Stan Johnson getting hired away which I would hate to see.

Losing Stan would be devastating.

[GGGG]

Even though Wojo was a big man coach at Duke I would prefer a true big man to give those big man pointers.  Like when Dwayne Stephens was here with Crean.

You don't need a big man to coach big men.  You don't need a small guy to teach guards.

[rocky_warrior]

I also wish there was some more coaching experience on the bench, but I don't think it's going to happen.  Wojo is following the "Coach K" way with his assistants.  Basically, eventually the entire staff will be former MU players (under Wojo).  The idea is that former players have been through the same system and will be able to teach it best - and all of them will be on the same page. 

Can't argue with the results. 

Here's the article, and the snippet...

Months later, when Krzyzewski resumed the helm of the Blue Devil program, he immediately made changes. He manages his time differently, limiting outside obligations. He revamped the basketball office, from personnel to phone system. He restructured his coaching staff; within three seasons every one of his assistants had played in his program.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/mens-basketball/article9252488.html#storylink=cpy

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I also wish there was some more coaching experience on the bench, but I don't think it's going to happen.  Wojo is following the "Coach K" way with his assistants.  Basically, eventually the entire staff will be former MU players (under Wojo).  The idea is that former players have been through the same system and will be able to teach it best - and all of them will be on the same page. 

Can't argue with the results. 

Here's the article, and the snippet...
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/mens-basketball/article9252488.html#storylink=cpy

If that is the case then I wouldn't mind De-Wilson coming back -- he knew how to play defense and clearly wasn't the tallest or most athletic player (which apparently is the source of all of our troubles).

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Even though Wojo was a big man coach at Duke I would prefer a true big man to give those big man pointers.  Like when Dwayne Stephens was here with Crean.

No actual information, but I don't think many teams have that honestly. That's based on observation not actual research. Carrawell is 6"6. Not a true big but not small either.