Shawnee State Mens BB Coach

[boatcapt]

He won't be at Shawnee State very long. I give 2 or 3 years tops. Shawnee is a stepping stone for bigger and better things for him.

It will depend on how he does. Shawnee has been a good NAIA team and in fact won the NAIA men's basketball championship in 2021.

[Scrub]

If not for West Liberty suckling at the teat of Gary West, the Hilltoppers would probably be as you describe if not gone the way of AB.

Apples & oranges. AB was a tuition-dependent private (of the sort that are closing at record rates these days--OVU, Notre Dame, Urbana, etc.). And while many of the regional publics around the country are becoming more tuition dependent (especially when not tethered to a flagship), West Liberty is far from being the regional public in WV in the worst shape. I can think of 3-4 that are likely in a more precarious position at present.

Not to say that things won't change in the landscape of WV public higher ed in the next 5-10 years, but for now, I don't think WLU is in danger of "pulling an AB."

Yes, Gary West did a lot to float the sinking ship of a football team, but there are other elements helping to keep the academic institution afloat right now.

[Bballfan]

It will depend on how he does. Shawnee has been a good NAIA team and in fact won the NAIA men's basketball championship in 2021.

That's why I think he will have success there. A good location for recruiting. Granted, there is nothing around there, but there isn't really much around any Mountain East School. Should have success pretty quickly and move on. Shawnee State is a stopping point, not a destination.

[Fightingscot82]

It will depend on how he does. Shawnee has been a good NAIA team and in fact won the NAIA men's basketball championship in 2021.

NAIA success translates better to D2 than D3 success purely because it's scholarship football and you're competing against resources instead of opportunity. Shawnee is a great addition, especially once they get that football stadium back up to snuff.

[boatcapt]

That's why I think he will have success there. A good location for recruiting. Granted, there is nothing around there, but there isn't really much around any Mountain East School. Should have success pretty quickly and move on. Shawnee State is a stopping point, not a destination.

I agree, he does have resources and is in an area without much recruiting competition...particularly at the DII level. I also agree that he doesn't seem like the "I'm here for the long haul" type. But the isolation is a double edged sword. Probably not much chance of moving up as a consistent 20 game winner. He's going to have to get conference championships and do consistently well in the NCAA Tourney to have a shot at a D1 HC gig. I mean, look how long it took Howlett to get a D1 HC shot and even then that was sort of a unique situation (down trodden program that fired their coach late). Had it not been for the late firing after the usual D1 suspects had already found homes, Howlett would have been back at WLU preaching his "love for WLU" and how WLU wins because team accomplishments are more important than individual glory.

[WVSU1995]

Well along some of the lines of topics that have been posted on this thread, this was released by the Higher Learning Commission of West Virginia. I believe this is the same designation that the HLC gave Ohio Valley University and Alderson-Broaddus a year before those institutions shut down.

https://www.wtrf.com/wheeling-univer...0PfEvuDbczhKhQ


I realize that Wheeling admin is using the line "things aren't that bad as of now", but these type of stories have not lately led to better enrollment for other schools. Wheeling probably needs some quick fixes prior to their meeting with the HLC in December.

[IUPalum]

Ahhhh...Because the PSAC has more dumpster fire programs, that makes IUP look like less of a dumpster fire...ORRR, as I call it, the Cheyney Effect. Cheyney was so bad and in such a bad enrolment, financial and athletic situation that it made every other PSAC school look good by comparison! Same thing here...IUP looks pretty good when compared with the four PSAC back markers of Mansfield, Pitt-Johnstown, Clarion and Shepherd.

Typical narcissist! Still can't answer the question and tried deflecting with zero facts. What is WLU good at besides Men's basketball? By your response, the answer must be NOTHING!

[Bballfan]

Well along some of the lines of topics that have been posted on this thread, this was released by the Higher Learning Commission of West Virginia. I believe this is the same designation that the HLC gave Ohio Valley University and Alderson-Broaddus a year before those institutions shut down.

https://www.wtrf.com/wheeling-univer...0PfEvuDbczhKhQ


I realize that Wheeling admin is using the line "things aren't that bad as of now", but these type of stories have not lately led to better enrollment for other schools. Wheeling probably needs some quick fixes prior to their meeting with the HLC in December.

I have been waiting for Wheeling to close the past few years. Them, Kentucky Wesleyan University, and Lake Erie are in bad shape. All have universities close to them that given the choice, you are going to chose the better school. Basically these schools are only surviving on the athletes.

[Fightingscot82]

I have been waiting for Wheeling to close the past few years. Them, Kentucky Wesleyan University, and Lake Erie are in bad shape. All have universities close to them that given the choice, you are going to chose the better school. Basically these schools are only surviving on the athletes.

Its a matter of time. They're following the same pattern as all the others who are closing: borrowing to the limit, spending down the scholarship endowment, and trying to overextend campus with low staffing and increased admission. The reality is that they're out of money and not a desirable place to learn.

[Bballfan]

Well the Mountain East is forward thinking in getting Shawnee State added. While it has had some financial challenges, as a state supported school in the middle of nowhere, I don't see it going anywhere. Very good fit for the Mountain East IMHO.

[crixus]

Well the Mountain East is forward thinking in getting Shawnee State added. While it has had some financial challenges, as a state supported school in the middle of nowhere, I don't see it going anywhere. Very good fit for the Mountain East IMHO.

I concur.