This hire may ease Pitino’s rough summer
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2009 1:34 PM
Filed Under:
Recruiting
The din surrounding Rick Pitino’s last few months – the alleged extortion, the sex scandal, the strange presser – clouded that he’s still one of the nation’s top program builders. The guy knows how to recruit, coach and boost the fan base.
And sometimes, he does it in an effective, if somewhat shady way. Like hiring someone close to a top recruit.
Louisville hired Shabaka Lands, an assistant high school coach of Marquis Teague, the top point guard in the class of 2011. This presumably gives the Cardinals the inside track to signing Teague, the kind of player who can turn a good team into a title team.
Couple things here:
This kind of hire isn’t against NCAA rules, nor is it uncommon. Schools often hire assistant coaches or men with roles in the athletic department who also have ties to top recruits. Sometimes they’re even related to the recruits. It may feel sleazy, but if programs have the ability to make such moves, why wouldn’t they?
Also, this isn’t the only tie Pitino will have to Teague. Shawn Teague, Marquis’ dad, played for Pitino at Boston University. And that background may be just as important.
“He’s an excellent coach. I’m very happy for him. It’s a great opportunity for him,” Shawn Teague told the Indianapolis Star. “Without question, we have a lot of respect for him.”
Besides, Lands may be more important that just Teague. Lands comes from a school that’s produced Courtney Lee, Robert Vaden, Jeff Teague and Chris Thomas, all former D-I players, two of whom are now in the NBA.
Frankly, I’m amazed someone else didn’t do this first.
(H/T: Card Chronicle.)
