Basketballhelp
02-02-2006, 10:58 PM
www.probasketballnews.com recently released it's top ten coaches on the rise in the Minor Leagues, here's the article:
Ten coaches you don't know about, but should
By Steve Conn
Jan. 31, 2005
Professional basketball at the minor league level has many players that are sure to make a name for themselves in the NBA one day -- but there are several coaches who have been quietly serving notice lately, too.
A lot of great ones have come from the minor leagues. Names such as Phil Jackson, Flip Saunders, Bill Musselman, Hubie Brown, Larry Brown and George Karl have all coached in the minors.
Now, here are 10 more coaches to keep an eye on:
1. Paul Woolpert, Yakima Sun Kings (CBA)
Woolpert originally came to the Sun Kings during the 1994-95
season as an assistant. He help guide the Sun Kings to the
single-best season record (36-20) in franchise history and the
club's first CBA championship, defeating Pittsburgh in the finals
in six games. After spending some time with the Sioux Falls
Skyforce, Woolpert returned to Yakima as head coach in January
1998 and led the team to a 14-10 finish.
During his CBA coaching career, Woolpert has guided several
players who went onto play in the NBA, including: Eldridge
Recasner, Chucky Brown, Anthony Goldwire, Larry Robinson,
Reggie Jordan, Jason Sasser, Randy Livingston, and Anthony
Carter.
Woolpert began his career as a scout and video coordinator for the Seattle SuperSonics, with whom he spent eight seasons. He also worked as a scout for the Portland Trail Blazers. More recently, he worked as an advanced scout for the Atlanta Hawks. Woolpert is the son of Hall of Fame coach Phil Woolpert, who coached Bill Russell, K.C. Jones, and the University of San Francisco to an NCAA Championship in 1955 and 1956.
This season, Woolpert's Sun Kings are fighting it out for the best record in the CBA. If this continues, expect to one day see Woolpert in the NBA.
2. Greg Graham, Indiana AlleyCats (ABA)
A native of Indianapolis, Graham is a 1993 graduate of Indiana University, where he played for Bobby Knight and earned a bachelor's degree in sports marketing and management.
During his playing tenure at Indiana, Graham was a member of two Big Ten title teams, including the '92 squad that advanced to the Final Four. He is the only player in Big Ten history to lead the league in field-goal percentage (55 percent) and three-point percentage (53 percent) in the same season.
Graham was a first-round draft choice of the Charlotte Hornets (No. 17 overall). He played in the NBA for five seasons -- with Philadelphia, New Jersey, Seattle and Cleveland -- before going to Europe to finish his career. He also was a member of Magic Johnson's traveling exhibition team.
Graham is in his first season as a head coach, and has the AlleyCats in first place in the ABA's overall standings. With his playing resume, Graham could have a successful career on any level he chooses.
3. Tim Hardaway, Florida Pit Bulls (ABA)
Hardaway had an All-Star career as a point guard in the NBA, and is now honing his coaching skills in the ABA. Hardaway has had good tutors, having played for such legends as Pat Riley in the NBA and Don Haskins in college.
During his playing career, Hardaway was named an All-Star on five occasions and has provided leadership to every team he played for.
Now, with the Pit Bulls, Hardaway is earning his coaching stripes -- and with his impressive resume, including an NBA background, it's only a matter of time before he is pacing the sidelines of a NBA team.
4. Joe Harge, Arkansas RimRimrockers (NBA D-League)
Harge may be struggling a bit this season, but there is little doubt that he is a coach on the rise.
Last season, Harge led the RimRockers to the ABA championship, before the franchise moved to the D-League during the summer. Harge became the RimRockers' head coach following a four-year stint as an assistant at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.
Harge is a 1989 graduate of Oregon State University, where he played for four years. During his time at OSU, the Beavers received two invitations to each the NCAA and NIT tournaments. He then spent nine years playing professionally in Europe.
Harge can credit his natural basketball ability to his father, Ira Harge. Ira played in the old ABA for nine years and also spent time in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers.
5. Harold Ellis, Rome Gladiators (WBA)
This past summer, Ellis led the Gladiators of the WBA to the league title, earning Coach of the Year honors in the process. Ellis is also the team's general manager. He has also spent time coaching with Rockford (CBA) and Las Vegas (IBL). The last two summers, he has participated in the NBA's Basketball Without Borders African tour.
Ellis is also in his fourth season as a scout for the Atlanta Hawks. Ellis, 35, focuses on minor-league and college scouting.
Ellis spent several seasons playing for the Hawks, and with his many contacts in the NBA, and his recent success in the WBA, his young coaching career appears to be headed in an exciting direction.
6. Chris Daleo, Rockford Lightning (CBA)
In his fourth season as the head coach of the Lightning, Daleo got the team off to a 17-8 start and the top of the Eastern Conference at the All-Star break. Daleo's 17th win of the season was also the 100th of his career. Daleo was named the league's coach of the month for November, and was selected the coach of the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the third time in four years.
During his four seasons in Rockford, Daleo has been to the playoffs four times, and the finals once. He was named the CBA coach of the year in 2002-03 after leading his team to a career-best 32-16 record. He has received the CBA Coach of the Month award three times in his career -- November '02, December '02, and November '05. He has enabled two of his players, Linton Johnson (Chicago Bulls) and Desmond Ferguson (Portland Trailblazers) to be called-up to the NBA.
In other words, it's only a matter of time before Daleo begins to receive recognition for his hard work in the CBA.
7. Kevin Keathley, Kentucky Colonels (ABA)
This past season, Kevin Keathley was named an ABA Coach of the Year and guided the Colonels to a second-round playoff appearance. As reported in a recent USbasket.com interview, Keathley has been coaching for several seasons both on the college and professional levels. He has also written a book on the profession entitled,"A BluePrint to Coaching Success." It should be noted that Keathley is only 27-years old, the youngest of any coach in all of the minor leagues last season.
Before coaching the Colonels, Keathley was the associate head coach of the 2003 UPBL champion Louisville Eagles, and was a successful college assistant.
Having accomplished so much at such a young age, its only a matter of time before more people know the name Kevin Keathley.
8. Joe Wolf, Idaho Stampede (CBA)
Wolf, an 11-year NBA veteran, begins his second year as the Stampede's head coach. Following the 2004-05 season in which he coached league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Sam Clancy, Wolf has been building on the momentum. He is the team's fifth head coach and has a proven history of success at the professional and collegiate level.
Wolf began his coaching career as an assistant in college and is now steering his own team to success. He is another young guy with a bright future, someone who is clearly capable of leading a team at the next level.
9. John Bailey, Southern Crescent Lightning (WBA)
Bailey also acts as the GM of the Lightning, and has been coaching for close to 12 years. Prior to working for the Lightning, he served as as assistant with the WBA's Macon Blaze, as well as the All-Armed Forces team in '04. The Armed Forces team captured the gold-medal in the Annual S.H.A.P.E. basketball tournament.
Bailey's strong work ethic and belief in discipline has been the driving force behind his success. There are sure to be more doors opening for Bailey in the near future.
10. Dave Joerger, Sioux Falls Skyforce (CBA)
Dave Joerger led the Skyforce to the 2005 CBA championship, his third title in four years. He was also named CBA coach of the month in November of last season, and helped four Skyforce players make the jump to the NBA.
The 31-year old Joerger became the youngest coach in CBA history to win a championship, winning his first at the age of 28. He's also one of just three CBA coaches to have won back-to-back All-Star games (Flip Saunders and Bill Musselman are the others).
There's no question that these 10 men are quality coaches. The only real question is how soon the NBA may come calling.
Ten coaches you don't know about, but should
By Steve Conn
Jan. 31, 2005
Professional basketball at the minor league level has many players that are sure to make a name for themselves in the NBA one day -- but there are several coaches who have been quietly serving notice lately, too.
A lot of great ones have come from the minor leagues. Names such as Phil Jackson, Flip Saunders, Bill Musselman, Hubie Brown, Larry Brown and George Karl have all coached in the minors.
Now, here are 10 more coaches to keep an eye on:
1. Paul Woolpert, Yakima Sun Kings (CBA)
Woolpert originally came to the Sun Kings during the 1994-95
season as an assistant. He help guide the Sun Kings to the
single-best season record (36-20) in franchise history and the
club's first CBA championship, defeating Pittsburgh in the finals
in six games. After spending some time with the Sioux Falls
Skyforce, Woolpert returned to Yakima as head coach in January
1998 and led the team to a 14-10 finish.
During his CBA coaching career, Woolpert has guided several
players who went onto play in the NBA, including: Eldridge
Recasner, Chucky Brown, Anthony Goldwire, Larry Robinson,
Reggie Jordan, Jason Sasser, Randy Livingston, and Anthony
Carter.
Woolpert began his career as a scout and video coordinator for the Seattle SuperSonics, with whom he spent eight seasons. He also worked as a scout for the Portland Trail Blazers. More recently, he worked as an advanced scout for the Atlanta Hawks. Woolpert is the son of Hall of Fame coach Phil Woolpert, who coached Bill Russell, K.C. Jones, and the University of San Francisco to an NCAA Championship in 1955 and 1956.
This season, Woolpert's Sun Kings are fighting it out for the best record in the CBA. If this continues, expect to one day see Woolpert in the NBA.
2. Greg Graham, Indiana AlleyCats (ABA)
A native of Indianapolis, Graham is a 1993 graduate of Indiana University, where he played for Bobby Knight and earned a bachelor's degree in sports marketing and management.
During his playing tenure at Indiana, Graham was a member of two Big Ten title teams, including the '92 squad that advanced to the Final Four. He is the only player in Big Ten history to lead the league in field-goal percentage (55 percent) and three-point percentage (53 percent) in the same season.
Graham was a first-round draft choice of the Charlotte Hornets (No. 17 overall). He played in the NBA for five seasons -- with Philadelphia, New Jersey, Seattle and Cleveland -- before going to Europe to finish his career. He also was a member of Magic Johnson's traveling exhibition team.
Graham is in his first season as a head coach, and has the AlleyCats in first place in the ABA's overall standings. With his playing resume, Graham could have a successful career on any level he chooses.
3. Tim Hardaway, Florida Pit Bulls (ABA)
Hardaway had an All-Star career as a point guard in the NBA, and is now honing his coaching skills in the ABA. Hardaway has had good tutors, having played for such legends as Pat Riley in the NBA and Don Haskins in college.
During his playing career, Hardaway was named an All-Star on five occasions and has provided leadership to every team he played for.
Now, with the Pit Bulls, Hardaway is earning his coaching stripes -- and with his impressive resume, including an NBA background, it's only a matter of time before he is pacing the sidelines of a NBA team.
4. Joe Harge, Arkansas RimRimrockers (NBA D-League)
Harge may be struggling a bit this season, but there is little doubt that he is a coach on the rise.
Last season, Harge led the RimRockers to the ABA championship, before the franchise moved to the D-League during the summer. Harge became the RimRockers' head coach following a four-year stint as an assistant at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock.
Harge is a 1989 graduate of Oregon State University, where he played for four years. During his time at OSU, the Beavers received two invitations to each the NCAA and NIT tournaments. He then spent nine years playing professionally in Europe.
Harge can credit his natural basketball ability to his father, Ira Harge. Ira played in the old ABA for nine years and also spent time in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers.
5. Harold Ellis, Rome Gladiators (WBA)
This past summer, Ellis led the Gladiators of the WBA to the league title, earning Coach of the Year honors in the process. Ellis is also the team's general manager. He has also spent time coaching with Rockford (CBA) and Las Vegas (IBL). The last two summers, he has participated in the NBA's Basketball Without Borders African tour.
Ellis is also in his fourth season as a scout for the Atlanta Hawks. Ellis, 35, focuses on minor-league and college scouting.
Ellis spent several seasons playing for the Hawks, and with his many contacts in the NBA, and his recent success in the WBA, his young coaching career appears to be headed in an exciting direction.
6. Chris Daleo, Rockford Lightning (CBA)
In his fourth season as the head coach of the Lightning, Daleo got the team off to a 17-8 start and the top of the Eastern Conference at the All-Star break. Daleo's 17th win of the season was also the 100th of his career. Daleo was named the league's coach of the month for November, and was selected the coach of the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the third time in four years.
During his four seasons in Rockford, Daleo has been to the playoffs four times, and the finals once. He was named the CBA coach of the year in 2002-03 after leading his team to a career-best 32-16 record. He has received the CBA Coach of the Month award three times in his career -- November '02, December '02, and November '05. He has enabled two of his players, Linton Johnson (Chicago Bulls) and Desmond Ferguson (Portland Trailblazers) to be called-up to the NBA.
In other words, it's only a matter of time before Daleo begins to receive recognition for his hard work in the CBA.
7. Kevin Keathley, Kentucky Colonels (ABA)
This past season, Kevin Keathley was named an ABA Coach of the Year and guided the Colonels to a second-round playoff appearance. As reported in a recent USbasket.com interview, Keathley has been coaching for several seasons both on the college and professional levels. He has also written a book on the profession entitled,"A BluePrint to Coaching Success." It should be noted that Keathley is only 27-years old, the youngest of any coach in all of the minor leagues last season.
Before coaching the Colonels, Keathley was the associate head coach of the 2003 UPBL champion Louisville Eagles, and was a successful college assistant.
Having accomplished so much at such a young age, its only a matter of time before more people know the name Kevin Keathley.
8. Joe Wolf, Idaho Stampede (CBA)
Wolf, an 11-year NBA veteran, begins his second year as the Stampede's head coach. Following the 2004-05 season in which he coached league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Sam Clancy, Wolf has been building on the momentum. He is the team's fifth head coach and has a proven history of success at the professional and collegiate level.
Wolf began his coaching career as an assistant in college and is now steering his own team to success. He is another young guy with a bright future, someone who is clearly capable of leading a team at the next level.
9. John Bailey, Southern Crescent Lightning (WBA)
Bailey also acts as the GM of the Lightning, and has been coaching for close to 12 years. Prior to working for the Lightning, he served as as assistant with the WBA's Macon Blaze, as well as the All-Armed Forces team in '04. The Armed Forces team captured the gold-medal in the Annual S.H.A.P.E. basketball tournament.
Bailey's strong work ethic and belief in discipline has been the driving force behind his success. There are sure to be more doors opening for Bailey in the near future.
10. Dave Joerger, Sioux Falls Skyforce (CBA)
Dave Joerger led the Skyforce to the 2005 CBA championship, his third title in four years. He was also named CBA coach of the month in November of last season, and helped four Skyforce players make the jump to the NBA.
The 31-year old Joerger became the youngest coach in CBA history to win a championship, winning his first at the age of 28. He's also one of just three CBA coaches to have won back-to-back All-Star games (Flip Saunders and Bill Musselman are the others).
There's no question that these 10 men are quality coaches. The only real question is how soon the NBA may come calling.