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Mike Dunlap

wellpoke

Well-known member
Ian over on the "other" board is reporting (no sources, mostly well-founded rumor according to him) that Mike Dunlap is the leading candidate and has basically been signed. Was apparently talked about on the Sportzone last night.

What do we think about this? I don't know enough about him to make an informed decision, but what I do know seems positive. Lots of experience as an assistant at Arizona, Oregon, and St. Johns, NBA experience with the Nuggets, and a pretty good track record at Metro in Denver. Also has connections down under, as a past head coach to an Aussie team (Legerski, anyone?).

Seems like he could be a quality hire. What does Wyonation think?

GO POKES!
 
Here is the write-up of when St. John's hired him (June 15, 2010). Hmmmmm. I would expect his staff to be exciting if he was hired...(Cox?, Gosar?, Stewart?)...

{"Dunlap, 53, joins the St. John's basketball family after serving as the associate head coach on Pac-10 staffs during the last two seasons. Arizona went 21-14 in 2008-09, advancing to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 before ending the season with a loss to top-seed Louisville in the NCAA Midwest Regional Semifinal game, before Oregon posted a 16-16 record last season in 2009-10.

"I don't think Coach Lavin could have done better in selecting Mike Dunlap as an assistant coach. He is one of the outstanding minds in the game. His strengths are in organization and on-the-floor coaching, and he is a great addition to the staff at St. John's," said Lute Olson, the retired Arizona coach and owner of 46 NCAA Tournament wins. "With Coach Lavin's recruiting ability, I think that Mike will be the perfect complement to the program. I had known Mike for a long time before I hired him, and I have nothing but greatest amount of respect for him."

Prior to his appointments at Arizona and Oregon, Dunlap spent two seasons in the NBA, working for the Denver Nuggets under head coach George Karl. The Nuggets compiled a 95-69 (.579) record during his tenure and made two playoff appearances, including a 50-win season for the 2007-08 Denver squad, first for the organization in 23 seasons.

"Mike Dunlap absolutely elevates every player and team he comes into contact with," said Karl. "He is our guy. He will take you from good to great. Name any top-level, elite coach in the game - the only difference between Mike and them is their address. There is no higher level of coaching ability than his. There is absolutely no one better."

Before his time in the NBA, Dunlap was a two-time NCAA Division II national championship mentor (2000 and 2002) and National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division II Coach of the Year (2000 and 2002) at Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colo., leading the Roadrunners to nine NCAA Tournament appearances in each of his nine seasons as head coach (1997-2006). Dunlap posted a 248-50 (.832) record en route to three NCAA Division II title game appearances, three North Central Regional championships, five Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) titles, two RMAC Coach of the Year awards and in the process, became Metro State's all-time winningest coach. Further contributing to his reputation as one of the finest teachers in the game while at Metro State, he was selected as an on-court coach for the Under-18 National Team trials for USA Basketball in May 2006, one year after serving in the same capacity at the 2005 USA Men's Under-22 National Team trials.

In 2003-04, Dunlap led Metro State to a school-record 30-consecutive victories, including a perfect 19-0 slate in RMAC play. It was the first time an RMAC team went undefeated in eight seasons. The Roadrunners led the nation in margin of victory (+28.1 ppg) and were third in scoring offense (93.4 ppg).

Metro State won its second national championship in 2002, defeating Kentucky Wesleyan, 80-72. Dunlap was named the NABC and the Bulletin Division II Coach of the Year. The squad posted a 29-6 record and finished second in the RMAC, but after a loss in the RMAC Tournament, the Roadrunners won six straight games to win the national title.

Dunlap's first national championship came in 2000, also a win over Kentucky Wesleyan, 97-79. The Roadrunners tied for the RMAC regular-season championship, won the RMAC Tournament title and went 33-4 after posting wins in their final 12 contests. The 33 wins is still a school record, and Dunlap was honored as the NABC National Coach of the Year and the RMAC Coach of the Year.

Prior to his tenure at Metro State, Dunlap served three seasons as the head coach of the Adelaide 36ers, a professional basketball team in Australia. The 36ers posted a 59-33 (.641) record during his tenure and advanced to the National Basketball League Final Four in 1995 and 1996 after appearing in the Grand Final in 1994.

Before arriving in Australia, Dunlap served five years as head coach at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif. He led his 1992, 1993 and 1994 teams to Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) titles and appearances in the NCAA Division III national championship. The Kingsmen also advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1992 and 1994. The Kodak West District Coach of the Year in 1994, Dunlap was 80-54 (.597) in his five seasons, and his 1993-94 team was ranked No. 1 for two weeks during the year.

Early in his career, Dunlap also served as an assistant coach at the University of Southern California under the esteemed George Raveling, as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa, and he spent five years at Loyola Marymount University.

"What you need to know about Mike can be found on his coaching resume. There's national championships, and nationally ranked teams," said Raveling. "Within the coaching circle, he is looked upon as one of the next Coach Ks or Roy Williams or Calhouns. I don't know a better teacher or mentor than Mike. He is a walking encyclopedia of basketball knowledge."

Dunlap has had several articles published nationally, including, "Shooting: The Simple Approach (1990)," "The Free Throw" (1990), "Let Your Feet Do the Talking" (1989), "Motion Offense" (1987) and "Basic Framework for Achieving Academic Eligibility for Your Players" (1987).

A native of Fairbanks, Alaska, Dunlap earned an associate of arts degree in science from Pierce College in 1978, before attaining a bachelor's degree in English from Loyola Marymount University in 1980.

Dunlap and his wife, Mollie Busterud Dunlap, have three children: Holt (19), Spencer (17) and Ellie (14). An avid runner, Dunlap has a 100-mile race to his credit.}"
 
I think he'd be a hell of a hire. Knows the area, has a history with several big time programs, has overseas recruiting connections, and has seen success everywhere he went. He's also big on teaching fundamentals and shooting, which we are desperately in need of. The guy's a winner, and that's exactly what this team needs.
 
A guy called Theo Rabinowitz,a guy from NY and looks like some connections within St. Johns tweeted last night"Wyoming will be in the tournament in the next 5 to 6 years. Book it. I know stuff."

I don't really know anything about anything but it looks like a homerun hire to me if we get dunlap.
 
TSpoke said:
A guy called Theo Rabinowitz,a guy from NY and looks like some connections within St. Johns tweeted last night"Wyoming will be in the tournament in the next 5 to 6 years. Book it. I know stuff."

I don't really know anything about anything but it looks like a homerun hire to me if we get dunlap.

5 to 6 years? WTF. How about 2 to 3 years...or am I being impatient?

Fuck. A lot of things change in 5 to 6 years.
 
McPeachy said:
5 to 6 years? WTF. How about 2 to 3 years...or am I being impatient?

f##k. A lot of things change in 5 to 6 years.


I agree 5 to 6 years is long. I dont think this guy knows anything about wyoming just that he thinks we are hiring Mike Dunlap so he is being very conservative. 2 or 3 sounds good.
 
WYO1016 said:
I think he'd be a hell of a hire. Knows the area, has a history with several big time programs, has overseas recruiting connections, and has seen success everywhere he went. He's also big on teaching fundamentals and shooting, which we are desperately in need of. The guy's a winner, and that's exactly what this team needs.



Wyo, i agree 100%. I read that bio and I got very excited...if we can't get Gillespie, I'd sure be happy about this guy!! Hope the rumors are true.
 
McPeachy said:
"Within the coaching circle, he is looked upon as one of the next Coach Ks or Roy Williams or Calhouns. I don't know a better teacher or mentor than Mike. He is a walking encyclopedia of basketball knowledge."

This is encouraging to me. If we can get a guy like that who's familiar with the area and will be willing to stick around and build something here, it could be awesome.

My only question is: if he's so good, why has no one snapped him up already? My understanding is that he was offered the job at Arizona, but turned it down due to lack of a long-term contract. Thoughts?

GO POKES!
 
I would strongly endorse a hire of Dunlap - I sort of wrote him off as a possibility just because I thought he was unobtainable.
 
Because I figured he could have a better gig if he wanted it. One in a higher profile program that pays better.
 
WYCowboy said:
That's a very impressive resume. Go Pokes.

Ya think? He sure has had a lot of jobs. How does he end up at St. Johns with a head coach that NOBODY wanted for the last several years? It's not like St. Johns has a big budget or great facilites. In fact, they have been nothing in the big east for a long time. It doesn't seem like other schools have been beating this guy's door down with head coaching offers. He was not offered the job at Arizona, only the interim position (according to the baseball writer on the other board). Color me skeptical but winning at Metro State reminds of another coach that won big at Northern Colorado and Montana.
 
wellpoke said:
McPeachy said:
"Within the coaching circle, he is looked upon as one of the next Coach Ks or Roy Williams or Calhouns. I don't know a better teacher or mentor than Mike. He is a walking encyclopedia of basketball knowledge."

This is encouraging to me. If we can get a guy like that who's familiar with the area and will be willing to stick around and build something here, it could be awesome.

My only question is: if he's so good, why has no one snapped him up already? My understanding is that he was offered the job at Arizona, but turned it down due to lack of a long-term contract. Thoughts?

GO POKES!

In regards to why he is available, I believe he has been quite picky about accepting a HC job (the reason that I am still doubtful we can land him). It was reported that he declined interest in both Wyoming and CSU last time around. Some have said he declined interest in Oregon State as well.

The Arizona situation was a case where he was offered the interim gig but it was pretty clear they were going to look elsewhere for the permanent replacement (he was in his first year at AZ, but was the Assoc. HC). He wasn't interested in being in Langley's position I guess.
 
bladerunnr said:
WYCowboy said:
That's a very impressive resume. Go Pokes.

Ya think? He sure has had a lot of jobs. How does he end up at St. Johns with a head coach that NOBODY wanted for the last several years? It's not like St. Johns has a big budget or great facilites. In fact, they have been nothing in the big east for a long time. It doesn't seem like other schools have been beating this guy's door down with head coaching offers. He was not offered the job at Arizona, only the interim position (according to the baseball writer on the other board). Color me skeptical but winning at Metro State reminds of another coach that won big at Northern Colorado and Montana.

Do you have a better idea?
 
bladerunnr said:
WYCowboy said:
That's a very impressive resume. Go Pokes.

Ya think? He sure has had a lot of jobs. How does he end up at St. Johns with a head coach that NOBODY wanted for the last several years? It's not like St. Johns has a big budget or great facilites. In fact, they have been nothing in the big east for a long time. It doesn't seem like other schools have been beating this guy's door down with head coaching offers. He was not offered the job at Arizona, only the interim position (according to the baseball writer on the other board). Color me skeptical but winning at Metro State reminds of another coach that won big at Northern Colorado and Montana.

A few comments:

1. St. Johns Men's Basketball Budget, at nearly $5 million, is more than double that of Wyoming's. Their Men's BB budget is the 40th largest in the country. Hardly on the level of Kentucky or UNC, but Top 40 definitely puts them into the realm of big boy budgets.

2. He has declined interest in other head coaching jobs in the past (including Wyoming). Why would he be interested now? I don't know the answer to that question and I am still not sure he is.

3. The comparison to Joe Glenn is fair (success at a lower level certainly doesn't guarantee success in the MWC), however I would point out a couple of key differences (beyond the sport). First, Glenn had never coached at the D1 FBS level. He had always coached at a lower level. Dunlap has been an assistant at several D1 programs (Arizona, Oregon, St. John's, LMU many years ago, etc.) and has coached professionally as well (head coach in Australia pro league, assistant/scout for Denver Nuggets). Second, Dunlap is very well known and respected in the coaching community and has many publications, seminars, etc. to his name.


None of that is to say that Dunlap would automatically have success here (or that he is even interested), but it is a hire that would raise a lot of eyebrows around the country (in a positive manner) and put to bed some of the comments that imply that nobody worth a darn would want this job.

I am not advocating "winning the press conference" as a strategy, but this hire would be looked upon far more favorably than Shyatt, Cox, etc.
 
WYCowboy said:
bladerunnr said:
WYCowboy said:
That's a very impressive resume. Go Pokes.

Ya think? He sure has had a lot of jobs. How does he end up at St. Johns with a head coach that NOBODY wanted for the last several years? It's not like St. Johns has a big budget or great facilites. In fact, they have been nothing in the big east for a long time. It doesn't seem like other schools have been beating this guy's door down with head coaching offers. He was not offered the job at Arizona, only the interim position (according to the baseball writer on the other board). Color me skeptical but winning at Metro State reminds of another coach that won big at Northern Colorado and Montana.

Do you have a better idea?

Other than Shyatt, no. I just hate the fact were going after an assistant who has no D1 experience. It bothers me he had 9 years at Metro State and then couldn't get a head job. He may work out great. But I don't agree that his resume is very impressive. I know were not Oregon, but they went and got Creighton's coach and he is now a candidate for coach of the year. I would rather we hire a current D1 coach from a small program than basically a career assistant. Maybe no one wants to come here. I guess I'd better lower my hopes.

I'm just sorry we couldn't land the big one. Now, if we go this route, we are looking at another 3-4 years of "we have to give this guy time to rebuild the program". Yippee
 
bladerunnr said:
WYCowboy said:
bladerunnr said:
WYCowboy said:
That's a very impressive resume. Go Pokes.

Ya think? He sure has had a lot of jobs. How does he end up at St. Johns with a head coach that NOBODY wanted for the last several years? It's not like St. Johns has a big budget or great facilites. In fact, they have been nothing in the big east for a long time. It doesn't seem like other schools have been beating this guy's door down with head coaching offers. He was not offered the job at Arizona, only the interim position (according to the baseball writer on the other board). Color me skeptical but winning at Metro State reminds of another coach that won big at Northern Colorado and Montana.

Do you have a better idea?

Other than Shyatt, no. I just hate the fact were going after an assistant who has no D1 experience. It bothers me he had 9 years at Metro State and then couldn't get a head job. He may work out great. But I don't agree that his resume is very impressive. I know were not Oregon, but they went and got Creighton's coach and he is now a candidate for coach of the year. I would rather we hire a current D1 coach from a small program than basically a career assistant. Maybe no one wants to come here. I guess I'd better lower my hopes.

I'm just sorry we couldn't land the big one. Now, if we go this route, we are looking at another 3-4 years of "we have to give this guy time to rebuild the program". Yippee


Schroyer, Wright, and Dees all fit the mold of "Current D1 coach from a small program" and they didn't really work out (acknowledging that technically Heath came in as an assistant from Fresno, but he had been the head man at PSU recently). When Shyatt was hired, he fit the mold of high level assistant that Dunlap fits now (although their backgrounds are very different of course).

Our options are always going to be either assistants from successful programs (Shyatt, McClain, etc.) or head coaches from smaller programs (Brandenburg, Dees, Wright, Schroyer, etc.). I am not sure that there is a specific winning formula in that regard.
 
bladerunnr said:
WYCowboy said:
bladerunnr said:
WYCowboy said:
That's a very impressive resume. Go Pokes.

Ya think? He sure has had a lot of jobs. How does he end up at St. Johns with a head coach that NOBODY wanted for the last several years? It's not like St. Johns has a big budget or great facilites. In fact, they have been nothing in the big east for a long time. It doesn't seem like other schools have been beating this guy's door down with head coaching offers. He was not offered the job at Arizona, only the interim position (according to the baseball writer on the other board). Color me skeptical but winning at Metro State reminds of another coach that won big at Northern Colorado and Montana.

Do you have a better idea?

Other than Shyatt, no. I just hate the fact were going after an assistant who has no D1 experience. It bothers me he had 9 years at Metro State and then couldn't get a head job. He may work out great. But I don't agree that his resume is very impressive. I know were not Oregon, but they went and got Creighton's coach and he is now a candidate for coach of the year. I would rather we hire a current D1 coach from a small program than basically a career assistant. Maybe no one wants to come here. I guess I'd better lower my hopes.

I'm just sorry we couldn't land the big one. Now, if we go this route, we are looking at another 3-4 years of "we have to give this guy time to rebuild the program". Yippee

You're crazy - this guy would be an absolute coup de gras for Wyoming basketball. He was Lute Olsen's personally chosen successor at ARIZONA - just didn't like having to work on an interim basis while waiting for UA to make a decent contract. Also, he coached for the NUGGETS - do you think a recruit or two might dig that? Lastly, he seems to have great Aussie connections - I understand that Bogut wanted to come to Metro to play for him, but that Dunlap thought he needed to be D1. Hope it's a possibility, he's the best choice on the market in my opinion!!!

http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2010/03/08/dunlap-hanging-on-at-oregon/7674/
 
From what I'm hearing, this rumor might have some legs. Apparently BCG was told he wouldn't be interveiwed but was very interested in the job. Disappointing if true, but who knows.

Dunlap seems like a great hire on paper, but I'm wondering why he wants the HC position now. He's been pretty selective, and I'm wondering what makes UW so attractive at this point?

Just hope the announcement comes soon, but if Dunlap is the guy, we'll have to wait until their tourney run is done.

GO POKES!
 
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