West Liberty Hilltopper Basketball

[boatcapt]

I think Fayetteville has great potential for Crutch ball. Great talent in that area. If they embrace Crutch ball, they will be dangerous.

It's the embracing Crutch ball that is the problem. Rightly or wrongly, Fayetville State has an alumni base that expects them to play a certain way...and that way ain't congruent with the WLU Style. I can hear the faithful howling now when Fayettville "passes" on the high flying, big name local in favor of a player who "just" shoot's 3's...or passing on a big inside player that shakes the house with his thunder dunks in favor of the 6'7" Euro who is more at home shooting 3's and driving to the basket.

But as they say, wins overcome all objections. Hoehn will have a chance at Fayetville but he will need to win THIS year!!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Not going to happen but that would be rich! During his WJ days, he had no love for WLU, the WLU Style or the WLU fans! That would be like Nick Saban going to coach Ohio State!

I'd also agree that wouldn't happen but I do certainly think he would be interested.

He's done well at Cal but there's just no following. There was a massive following 30 years ago but it just hasn't come back despite their success during his tenure. It's really odd playing games in front of 125 people in a 6,000 seat arena.

I've seen some bitterness between coaches over the years but nothing to the extent of Danny and Joe. It's on a hatred level. They don't even speak before the game. There's no pause in the handshake line. Touch hands and keep moving. It's fairly customary the coaches b.s. for a few minutes prior to a game. They don't even look at each other.

[TopperNation]

I'm afraid of what the new WL looks like, because since 2000 it's been the same system, similar players, and winning! I would lose my mind if we have to go back to a IUP pace (no offense to those supporters), which is possible if we don't get Lamberti, Hoehn, or Fee. I guess I/we've been spoiled with only having 2 coaches in twenty some years, but we all new that this day would come. Hell had he waited 2 years Butler might have been ready to take over.

[Topper_Hopper]

I'm afraid of what the new WL looks like, because since 2000 it's been the same system, similar players, and winning! I would lose my mind if we have to go back to a IUP pace (no offense to those supporters), which is possible if we don't get Lamberti, Hoehn, or Fee. I guess I/we've been spoiled with only having 2 coaches in twenty some years, but we all new that this day would come. Hell had he waited 2 years Butler might have been ready to take over.

After the three primary candidates you named, some options:

Luke Dyer?
Current Gannon coach (Bazoli)?

[Columbuseer]

I'm beginning to think this may be an exception to the rule. I certainly don't think Devin Hoehn would bounce around on a whim, but West Liberty is a very unique opportunity, since (1) He's a grad, (2) It's close to home, and (3) It's a fantastic Division II job. The stars align.

I think WLU would be successful with either Hoehn or Lamberti. Has to be one of those two (or Fee, if available).

Fayetteville has 7100 students, and is in a great recruiting area. Given what Hoehn did at Bluefield, he is in a great situation now.
Coker has less than 900 undergrad students. Imho that is not sustainable and for me that would be troubling in terms of job security.

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
Congrats Seger!
https://hilltoppersports.com/news/20...s-of-2025.aspx

[boatcapt]

After the three primary candidates you named, some options:

Luke Dyer?
Current Gannon coach (Bazoli)?

I mentioned earlier, Dan Monteroso. He has been playing pro in Germany for 7 years now. Local guy who lit it up in the two seasons he was here. Dad is the long time DC for the Topper football team. Might be right place, right time, right opportunity for him to make the change from player to coach.

Dyer is a little interesting but young. Maybe if the position opened after next season.

Bazoli's ties to the WLU Style is a little thin...one year as Fee's assistant and then one year as Gannon's HC. Another guy that would probably be a better candidate after this season.

Nick Smith from Nova? Two years as an assistant at aNova and before that played in the System at Nova.

Brandon Smith from Aurora College. Smith is a WLU grad with 4 years of playing experience. He was an assistant at Glenville for 4 years before moving on to Aurora College.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I mentioned earlier, Dan Monteroso. He has been playing pro in Germany for 7 years now. Local guy who lit it up in the two seasons he was here. Dad is the long time DC for the Topper football team. Might be right place, right time, right opportunity for him to make the change from player to coach.

Dyer is a little interesting but young. Maybe if the position opened after next season.

Bazoli's ties to the WLU Style is a little thin...one year as Fee's assistant and then one year as Gannon's HC. Another guy that would probably be a better candidate after this season.

Nick Smith from Nova? Two years as an assistant at aNova and before that played in the System at Nova.

Brandon Smith from Aurora College. Smith is a WLU grad with 4 years of playing experience. He was an assistant at Glenville for 4 years before moving on to Aurora College.

Very young guys scare me. Do they know basketball? Obviously.

But, can they go from friend to boss? That's the million dollar question (and risk).

When they fail it's usually because they still think they are one of the boys.

[boatcapt]

Very young guys scare me. Do they know basketball? Obviously.

But, can they go from friend to boss? That's the million dollar question (and risk).

When they fail it's usually because they still think they are one of the boys.

I agree. But that's the "pool" of coaches with experience in the system. Effectively the firs wave of assistants (Ben) have gotten their HC gig, the second wave (Fee, Lamberti and Hoehn) have mostly just gotten theirs so we are on the 3rd wave ,(effectively the assistants that took the place of the second wave when they got their HC shots a couple of years ago).

The most experienced WLU Style assistant is already on the Hilltop but we all kind of dismiss him.

We could always hire the tennis coach. I mean, it worked once with Crutch, maybe it will work again!!

[Columbuseer]

Fyi
iu indy is building a new 4500 seat basketball arena. That should aid Ben in recruiting.
mccollum had great success with d2 nw mo state xfers to Drake. Wonder if some wlu players will go to iu indy?

[IUPHawks24]

I agree. But that's the "pool" of coaches with experience in the system. Effectively the firs wave of assistants (Ben) have gotten their HC gig, the second wave (Fee, Lamberti and Hoehn) have mostly just gotten theirs so we are on the 3rd wave ,(effectively the assistants that took the place of the second wave when they got their HC shots a couple of years ago).

The most experienced WLU Style assistant is already on the Hilltop but we all kind of dismiss him.

We could always hire the tennis coach. I mean, it worked once with Crutch, maybe it will work again!!

I’d be surprised if it’s not Lamberti.

-Alum
-Successful as a West Liberty assistant
-Successful at a difficult head coaching job
-West Liberty job is a significant upgrade over his current job
-Allows him to get closer to home

[boatcapt]

I’d be surprised if it’s not Lamberti.

-Alum
-Successful as a West Liberty assistant
-Successful at a difficult head coaching job
-West Liberty job is a significant upgrade over his current job
-Allows him to get closer to home

Logic says it should be but logic doesn't always win out in these things.

[Columbuseer]

I’d be surprised if it’s not Lamberti.

-Alum
-Successful as a West Liberty assistant
-Successful at a difficult head coaching job
-West Liberty job is a significant upgrade over his current job
-Allows him to get closer to home

I hope you are right. He is my first choice. If he does leave coker, I would hope coker makes Brady Arnold their head coach.

[boatcapt]

WLU Head Mens Basketball Coach hob announcement is out. I note that it REQUIRES a Master's Degree and a minimum of 3 years of recruiting and supervisory experience. Think this might disqualify some of the younger potential candidates.

[Columbuseer]

WLU Head Mens Basketball Coach hob announcement is out. I note that it REQUIRES a Master's Degree and a minimum of 3 years of recruiting and supervisory experience. Think this might disqualify some of the younger potential candidates.

Good info.
Lamberti has masters from embry riddle and would seem to meet other quals.