PSAC WEST

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Carmichael gets good advice being a coach's kid. He seems to have a great head on his shoulders and is from a large, very close family. The extended family attends many away games. I'm hoping this means he either knows something good or he's at least taking a wait and see approach before jumping into the portal as a late transfer.

They should find a Pat Cleary type. You know, a guy who likes the school and town ... and knows how to put good teams on the floor with little budget.

Oh wait. Nevermind.

[Fightingscot82]

Him and Berger havent been listed on the portal so it'd make you think its someone at least one of them know or are familiar with.

Carmichael gets good advice being a coach's kid. He seems to have a great head on his shoulders and is from a large, very close family. The extended family attends many away games. I'm hoping this means he either knows something good or he's at least taking a wait and see approach before jumping into the portal as a late transfer.

[bballfan03]

Wonder if Carmichaels dad is in the mix?

Him and Berger havent been listed on the portal so it'd make you think its someone at least one of them know or are familiar with.

[bballfan03]

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

I just browsed the listing for D1 - 3 and theres quite a few as ig today:
D1 - 3
D2 - 12
D3 - 17

I have a feeling this will become the norm much like how team rosters get decimated - coaches will move through the ranks yearly and D2/D3 will have openings into late summer.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The listing is removed which means they've moved forward in the process. I assume an announcement will be made in the next 30 days giving them time to screen, bring to campus, vet, and offer.

Wonder if Carmichaels dad is in the mix?

[Fightingscot82]

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

The listing is removed which means they've moved forward in the process. I assume an announcement will be made in the next 30 days giving them time to screen, bring to campus, vet, and offer.

[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.

[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]

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

[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.

[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]

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.

[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]

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]

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.