PSAC WEST

[Fightingscot82]

Agreed. They will get some decent candidates from the assistant ranks.

If Edinboro wanted to go (very) young, they could look at Luke Dyer. He played at WL and has been the top assistant for Ron Fudala down at USCB. The PSAC is a good league with a good reputation. They'll get some good candidates -- late June or not. Unfortunately, the salary isn't going to keep anybody around very long.

McComb is deceivingly large. I get used to watching it on web streams and then when I go up I remember how big it is inside. Depending on how much coin they are going to dump in there, they could do some neat stuff. I think Clarion was the gold standard in renovating these old gyms. The current edition of Tippin in very nice.

Another strong candidate is Pitt-Bradford's Daniel Smay. He coached under Lombardi at IUP. He's a good recruiter and knows the area/league.

Smay is an intriguing candidate. He coaches in the AMC against Rowan Carmichael's dad, so that could possibly keep RC around longer.

Another is Pitt Greensburg coach Chris Klimchock. He has a 65-43 (.602) record in 4 seasons including 22-6 this past year. Best part is that he played his first two collegiate seasons at Edinboro before transferring to St. Vincent.

[bballfan03]

"$85,000 to $95,000 Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience"

https://pennwest.peopleadmin.com/postings/3292

He'd be the highest paid assistant in PSAC basketball history if he's anywhere approaching that.

The rumors are Easton is at 108k and chalas is 86k.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The rumors are Easton is at 108k and chalas is 86k.

Well, Gannon is getting Easton at a major discount. He should be getting paid way more than that considering he just won a national title.

If that is true, the assistant is -- my guess without question -- the highest paid assistant in the history of PSAC basketball (and it's probably not close).

I've heard Chalas is the actual X's and O's guy and Easton is more the recruiter. Not sure if that's accurate or not.

[bballfan03]

Well, Gannon is getting Easton at a major discount. He should be getting paid way more than that considering he just won a national title.

If that is true, the assistant is -- my guess without question -- the highest paid assistant in the history of PSAC basketball (and it's probably not close).

I've heard Chalas is the actual X's and O's guy and Easton is more the recruiter. Not sure if that's accurate or not.

Sounds of it, easton took less money so Chalas could get a bigger bump. Also remember Chalas is now "Associate Head Coach".

[Fightingscot82]

Sounds of it, easton took less money so Chalas could get a bigger bump. Also remember Chalas is now "Associate Head Coach".

It depends and we'll never know for certain. Sometimes title change is something negotiated that carries more emotional weight than financial weight. I believe there's a PSAC football program where the associate head coach is a part-timer.

[bballfan03]

It depends and we'll never know for certain. Sometimes title change is something negotiated that carries more emotional weight than financial weight. I believe there's a PSAC football program where the associate head coach is a part-timer.

This was definitely financially driven. They did it to raise his pay more so he'd stay at Gannon.

[Fightingscot82]

This was definitely financially driven. They did it to raise his pay more so he'd stay at Gannon.

I guess what I'm saying is that they can name him anything they want, even if it comes with more pay. I don't believe Gannon has any internal structures that tie pay to title.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Smay is an intriguing candidate. He coaches in the AMC against Rowan Carmichael's dad, so that could possibly keep RC around longer.

Another is Pitt Greensburg coach Chris Klimchock. He has a 65-43 (.602) record in 4 seasons including 22-6 this past year. Best part is that he played his first two collegiate seasons at Edinboro before transferring to St. Vincent.

Hard to say ... very interesting time of the year to hire (especially when you aren't waiving much coin to entice).

[Fightingscot82]

Hard to say ... very interesting time of the year to hire (especially when you aren't waiving much coin to entice).

At least they were transparent with that range. Granted, you can live nicely in Erie and Crawford Counties on that salary.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

At least they were transparent with that range. Granted, you can live nicely in Erie and Crawford Counties on that salary.

They'll get somebody decent. There are tons and tons of good assistants growing tired of being the clipboard holder by the day.

I think the larger challenge is trying to build a roster in mid-July. The thing that may help is the current players are almost tied down at this point. Most rosters are full. Where are they really going to go at this point. Sure, the best 1-2 will likely find homes. But, the rest may not.

[bballfan03]

I guess what I'm saying is that they can name him anything they want, even if it comes with more pay. I don't believe Gannon has any internal structures that tie pay to title.

From what has been said its been made to sound like Gannon had a cap for an assistant coach, so different title allowed them to go above that. Im just going by people's statements who are close so the situatuon.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Usually by mid-July, I have a pretty good feel for the upcoming season.

Here's what I know for the quickly approaching '26-'27 year:


1) Gannon is the favorite

2) IUP and Cal will battle for second

3) Good luck picking the rest






Some minor observations:

Gannon has a good bit back (especially by current standards). The Knights did lose some serious players. Easton Bazzoli has obviously proved he can build a roster -- seemingly overnight. IUP's also lost 10 straight to Gannon. Expectation: Until we see otherwise, the West run through Peach Street.


IUP has 3-4 key players returning. Joe has also brought in 3 impact transfers. Physically, this will be IUP's biggest team in a very long time. Two of his high school recruits will play right away. He's brought in some muscle and dynamic guards. Expectation: IUP will be in the mix for the Silver in the West. They got the bronze last year and made it to the Sweet 16. Tough division.


Cal has been gutted. We say that yearly. But, this time Danny was really gutted. What does that mean? Not much. He'll just quickly find more guys. Like him or not, Danny is a great recruiter and a great coach. Expectation: The Vulcans will be good every year under this regime. However, I expect a step backward this season. He lost too much.


From here down, it's a total crapshoot.


Lock Haven comes back, and the Bald Eagles are typically fairly decent. Scrappy.

UPJ will have a new HC for the first time in what seems an eternity. The Mountain Cats also have some nice players returning. UPJ could be the sleeper team.

Slippery Rock may have the oldest team in the nation if some of their guys ended up sticking around. If not, you can at least expect an Ian Grady team to be competitive. He's a good coach.

Clarion had a lot coming back ... and then they all left. This is nearly a 'start over' in Tippin.

Seton Hill saw all its returning stars leave Greensburg. Total reboot.

Edinboro doesn't have a coach at the moment, but that should change here in a day or so.

[Bballfan]

How you don't have a coach in mid-July isn't good for a program.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

How you don't have a coach in mid-July isn't good for a program.

Well, Jennings just resigned a couple weeks back. They are part of PASSHE so hiring is a process. They have to follow the union rules.

[Bballfan]

Well, Jennings just resigned a couple weeks back. They are part of PASSHE so hiring is a process. They have to follow the union rules.

Oh no doubt. I fully understand the long, lengthy hiring process academia follows at state institutions.