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Sunday, February 11, 2007

New quick poll - which former MU assistant coach/player becomes a head Division I college hoops coach first?

Listed alphabetically:
Tyler Azzarelli
Geoff Billet
Chris Kenny

18 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Alright I feel compelled to reply...Tony Tyler is a grad assistant, granted at a very good program, but a grad asst. and he doesnt travel correct? What makes you say he is going to be a BIG TIME coach and an assistant at a big time program in 10 years? I am going to win the lottery? Is Bobby Jones going to get a contract extenstion? Is Anna Nicole really alive? Is Corey Hallet going to score double figures ever? Tell me oh swami of the shore!

11:11 PM, February 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'd have to say...Geoff Billet. Most experience, best hair out of the three, and best player out of the three. Also, I am sure he would be thrilled to get away from the lunatic he's working for Gonzalez.

11:16 PM, February 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Geoff Billet for sure.

11:25 PM, February 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excellent question, Mr. Graham. I say all three in good time, but probably Geoff first. Tony, love the site, and you are first rate as far as beat writers go for a program at the level of MU. We all appreciate your hard work and vast insight. Even those who like to dissent and frustate care, otherwise they wouldnt come back. Thanks Tony.

11:32 PM, February 11, 2007  
Blogger Tony Graham said...

Ok...the swami is looking into his crystal ball..

I see..yes..I think..DUKE!


Hmmm..let me bounce that ball around little bit more first..

Seriously..I know Tyler personally..he is a very serious minded young man, very bright (please check out all those 4.0 GPAs at MU - I know, it's not Harvard, still not bad though)..

Has a very good basketball IQ...

Now let's throw in some personality, ambition, and strategy ..

He knew the Nova the grad assistant job was open... called right after the MU season ended.!!

Worked at a Nova summer camp...got to know Jay Wright and the staff..when it came time to hire a grad assistant it's no accident he was chosen...

So... as swami sees it..he spends two years as a Nova grad assistant..from there to a mid major (or higher level perhaps) as an assistant and he's still in his mid to late 20's.

By his early to mid 30's he'd be in line for a head job...no, not Duke or the ACC or Big East.. but maybe America East, Horizon League, Ohio Valley..something like that.

Or by around his mid 30's he lands an assistant job at a major program and waits his turn at that school or for another high level job to open..

I'm so glad I have his life planned out for him.

I hope he remembers me when he signs that first big contract!@!

11:35 PM, February 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Question really depends, hinges on one thing, and one thing alone...Will Chris Kenny continue to sling the golden guns? He has the quickest shot in all of Jersey. Ride em Sheriff!

11:46 PM, February 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Richard Crews?

11:48 PM, February 11, 2007  
Blogger Tony Graham said...

Thank you..and you may call me Swami...

But - honestly - I really enjoy doing this as much as anything I have ever done for the Press...

I'm sort of glad there was no blog back in '97-99 though...of course it may have set some sort of blog record for hits...

I am pleased to see there is so much interest in MU athletics..especially men's hoops and football - and that there is a following for other sports as well.

11:51 PM, February 11, 2007  
Blogger Tony Graham said...

Re: Crews - good one! He would be - "The Phantom Coach"

12:00 AM, February 12, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'd go with Billet.

8:50 AM, February 12, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tony-

Here's an update on James Hett for you to use. He scored 21 in a quarterfinal playoff win:

http://www.silive.com/hssports/advance/index.ssf?/base/Sports/1171281627199640.xml&coll=1

8:51 AM, February 12, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What about Mark Calzonetti 8 yrs at MU,7 yrs at Fairfield,started coaching in 1986 at Bentley.

9:56 AM, February 12, 2007  
Blogger Tony Graham said...

Re: Hett. Thanks. I ill move this onto a separate page.

10:33 AM, February 12, 2007  
Blogger Tony Graham said...

Re Calz: Always a possibility, but if he was going to make a move might have done it already, one would think especially after last year. Has security at MU, may not want to uproot family, etc.

10:45 AM, February 12, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Billet no Question.

11:02 AM, February 12, 2007  
Blogger Tony Graham said...

Re Billet - I just hopes he gets his next job ASAP so that he is allowed to talk to the media.

Gonzalez does not permit his assistants to talk to the media - at least in season - as I found out when I attempted to have Geoff comment in our story prior to the MU - Seton Hall game.

Talk about ridiculous.

11:20 AM, February 12, 2007  
Blogger B_uzz said...

Re: Billett
Ahhh, sometimes the grass isn't always greener!

2:07 PM, February 12, 2007  
Blogger B_uzz said...

Re: Billett
Ahhh, sometimes the grass isn't always greener!

Also, I thought Calz mentioned in an interview after last season that he would be interested in moving to a head coaching position.

2:09 PM, February 12, 2007  

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