New Era for MBB

[flsportsfan83]

http://media.www.usforacle.com/media/storage/paper880/news/2007/05/17/Sports/A.New.Era.For.Mens.Basketball-2904728.shtml?reffeature=popuarstoriestab

A new era for men's basketball

By: Eric Moeller | Asst. News Editor

Issue date: 5/17/07 Section: Sports

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Let's take a trip into the future for a moment.

It's a crisp February day, and USF is buzzing with anticipation. The basketball team is preparing to host a Big East powerhouse in a game that will have a huge impact not only on the Big East, but on the NCAA Tournament as well. As tip-off approaches, thousands of fans dressed in Bulls gear file into the Sun Dome, filling the 10,411-seat arena to capacity.

With the arrival of USF's newest head basketball coach, Stan Heath, that could become a reality sooner than you think.

Considering a conference record of 4-28 since entering the Big East two years ago, and the departure of head coach Robert McCullum this off-season, the Bulls needed to make a drastic change. The basketball team was in desperate need of a coach who would bring excitement and a sense of possibility to USF.

Heath fits the bill perfectly.

In less than two months he's already become the face of the program. Just hours after the press conference announcing his hiring, Heath was at Red McEwen Field throwing out the first pitch as the Bulls battled UCF. During a Tampa Bay Lightning playoff game against the New Jersey Devils, Heath and his family were introduced in front of the crowd.

"I'm real humbled by those things," Heath said of all the attention he's received since arriving in Tampa. "I'm not necessarily the kind of person that's in their comfort zone when your name is being called and recognized, but I do realize that I'm the head coach at South Florida and that's something to be proud about. I definitely want to be front and center along with our players and coaches."

So Stan Heath sounds like a great guy off the court, but how is he as a basketball coach?

In five seasons as an assistant under legendary coach Tom Izzo at Michigan State, Heath helped the Spartans compile an overall record of 132-37. During his tenure, the Detroit native helped guide Michigan State to the Final Four on three occasions, culminating with a national championship in 2000.

Heath's hand in the Spartans' national title is impressive, but helping a Tom Izzo-coached team succeed isn't exactly mind blowing.

Far more impressive is what Heath did after leaving Michigan State.

In 2001, Heath took his first Division I head coaching position at Kent State. In just one season, he turned a small, mid-major program into a legitimate NCAA Tournament threat.

Heath guided the Golden Flashes to a Mid-American conference tournament title and the school's first-ever Elite Eight appearance. Kent State went 12-0 at home that season and posted its best average attendance since 1970. The 30-6 record compiled by Kent State that season broke the MAC conference record for wins in a season.

Home > Sports

A new era for men's basketball

By: Eric Moeller | Asst. News Editor

Issue date: 5/17/07 Section: Sports

PrintEmail Article Tools < prev Page 2 of 2 Heath's one-year transformation of Kent State into a tournament contender could be a preview of what he has in store for USF. While the Mid-American Conference is a far cry from the Big East, you can be sure Heath's ability to motivate players and produce game plans hasn't changed.

Heath comes to USF after serving as head coach at the University of Arkansas for the past five seasons. In that time, he guided the Razorbacks to two NCAA Tournament appearances and an overall record of 82-71. Arkansas' 2006-07 campaign was highlighted by a run to the Southeastern Conference championship game against Florida.

Heath's success in the SEC helps to erase any doubts about the coach's ability to succeed in major conference play.

Recruiting plays an enormous part in the success of a college program, and Heath has proven his proficiency in that arena as well.

While at Arkansas, his recruiting classes were ranked in the top 15 in the nation three times by national media outlets.

In his short time at USF, Heath has already demonstrated his recruiting abilities. Since his hiring on April 4, Heath has signed two impressive recruits: Florida All-State forward Orane Chin and junior-college standout Mobolaji Ajayi.

With a history of success at every level of collegiate basketball, you can be sure that Heath will make an immediate difference at USF.

It's only a matter of time before the Bulls will be mentioned in the same sentence with the Huskies, the Hoyas and other premier basketball programs around the nation.

[flsportsfan83]

Catching up with Coach Stan Heath

By: Brendan Galella | Sports Editor

Issue date: 5/17/07 Section: Sports

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Just a month into his tenure, the new men's basketball coach, Stan Heath, in his first interview with the Oracle since being hired, discusses everything from recruiting and hiring a coaching staff, to his predictions for the NBA Finals.

Oracle: What have you been up to since becoming head coach on April 4?

Coach Stan Heath: Almost immediately after the press conference, the next day I was on the road going to events to see coaches or on the phone. Recruiting is a non-stop process and is the lifeblood of the program. So you have to really work at that. It's been morning, noon and night to jump-start our program.

O: Is recruiting your favorite part of coaching?

S.H.: It's an important part, but the most enjoyable is really the interaction with your players. I've always said your most important recruits are the guys you have on

campus. You have to make sure you do a good job of coaching and developing the team. That's the most rewarding and enjoyable part, because you get to see the difference you make in someone's life.

O: What was your first impression of the team here at USF?

S.H.: I think they're eager to get better, to learn the things we want to teach them and the style that we want to play. I think they've bonded together in a lot of ways. In the small amount of time we've had together in the gym, I've seen a lot of work ethic, and they're really buying into the things that we're working on.

O: You're still trying to fill your coaching staff. What do you look for in an assistant coach?

S.H.: The staff is so important. When I got my first job (at Kent State), I was very fortunate because I hired some very good coaches, and it worked out. As I move forward, I realize just how important your staff can be and how much it can make your program. Right now, when I'm formulating a staff - and it's about 80 percent complete now - it's almost like a jigsaw puzzle. You want to find guys who can bring good things to the program and assist in different ways. On the court it could be someone who is really good with our big men or someone who can work with the guards. Off the court you can have someone who is really good at scouting and recruiting. You have to have guys who can multi-task and find guys that have different strengths and put it all together.

O: How does it feel to have an opportunity to build a young team in the Big East?

S.H.: We have to roll up our sleeves and go to work. I feel very confident that we are going to get the job done. Every day I have a smile on my face because I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity and to have a team that can

compete at the highest level. It's not going to be easy because there are some great teams in our conference, but I think the future is bright.

O: You haven't completed your non-conference schedule yet. What do you look for when making up the team's schedule?

S.H.: Balance. I think it's really important for our team, especially where we are right now, to have some tests in non-conference (play), but also have success where we can build confidence. We want to play against teams with different styles and will test us to prepare us for conference play. We also want to play some games that are attractive to recruits. We want play against opponents to create national exposure.

O: How interested are you in playing games in the St. Pete Times Forum?

S.H.: I do have a strong interest in playing games in the Forum. I think it's healthy for our community, and I think it's important to connect with St. Petersburg, Clearwater, as well as the southern part of Tampa. I think at different times of the year - whether it's winter break when students are gone - it's a great opportunity to play in a different venue. I think it's really attractive to potential recruits who want to see something really impressive. There are a lot of pluses to it.

O: What was it like watching two of your former players, Jason Richardson (Michigan State) and Ronnie Brewer (Arkansas), face each other in the playoffs?

S.H.: There is a lot of pride to see those guys out there and fulfilling the goal that they had. Jason has been in a difficult situation (in Golden State) because they didn't have a lot of success before this year. Jason being an intricate part of that is awesome. Ronnie is going to have a bright future in the NBA. He's learned a lot with (the Utah Jazz) and has a great coach in Jerry Sloan. He's getting a little bit of time here and there and it's great to see.

O: Have you spoken with either of them since coming to USF?

S.H.: When I took this job, Ronnie was one of the first guys to call and congratulate me and we had a great conversation. I haven't talked with Jason much. I try and stay away from those guys when they are in the middle of their season. When the summer months come, that's when we have a lot more communication.

O: Who's your pick for the NBA Finals?

S.H.: Oh, I have to go with the (Detroit) Pistons. I've never wavered - they've been my team since childhood.

[bulls96go]

go heath, win baby

[Guest BasketBull.]

crap's an important part,

Actual text

"S"tan. "H"eath.: It's an important part,

/\---use only the s and h and it makes sense with the auto editor.

Now, that's funny!  ;D  ;D

http://media.www.usforacle.com/media/storage/paper880/news/2007/05/17/Sports/Catching.Up.With.Coach.Stan.Heath-2904723.shtml

[Greg Auman]

Was trying to figure out how that happened. Nice catch.