Looking For A New VB Coach

[mtcatsfan]

Does anyone know if the general public has an opportunity to meet the candidates or sit in on a Q&A session?

[coachouert]

Does anyone know if the general public has an opportunity to meet the candidates or sit in on a Q&A session?

http://msubobcats.com/news/2012/1/28/WV ... 23556.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

All three candidates for the open Montana State volleyball coaching vacancy will take part in open forums during the on-campus interview process, announced Bobcat Athletics Director Peter Fields.

“We like to give the candidates an opportunity to meet the many fans and boosters that support volleyball,” Fields said. “Volleyball has a tremendous fan base and it's nice for the candidates to see the Bobcat pride in the community.”

Kyle Weindel, an assistant at Ohio University, will be first up on Monday, Jan. 30, followed by Hannah Long, head coach at Southwestern University on Tuesday, and Todd Nelson, an assistant at Denver University on Wednesday.

All three public forums are set for 1:15 p.m., in the Hall of Fame Room in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

[BelgradeBobcat]

Gidal, what is the recruiting timeframe for VB? I would have thought it would be similar to FB considering the similar season timeframe but not exactly sure. Seems odd to me that MSU doesn't seem to have any urgency (at least outwardly) about finding a new coach at this time.

Seriously! This has to be the slowest, longest coaching search in the history of coaching searches.

[Gidal Kaiser]

Gidal, what is the recruiting timeframe for VB? I would have thought it would be similar to FB considering the similar season timeframe but not exactly sure. Seems odd to me that MSU doesn't seem to have any urgency (at least outwardly) about finding a new coach at this time.

Seriously! This has to be the slowest, longest coaching search in the history of coaching searches.

I don't know about that. Schaub was fired/let go/resigned on Dec. 8. Finalists are in by Feb. 1. Decision probably within the end of the month - which gives 1-2 months of recruiting for final scholarship and enough time before spring ball starts to get acclimated and get things rolling.

Also, I'll have audio from Kyle Weindel's interview today up by 10 p.m. And a blog.

[Gidal Kaiser]

Gidal, what is the recruiting timeframe for VB? I would have thought it would be similar to FB considering the similar season timeframe but not exactly sure. Seems odd to me that MSU doesn't seem to have any urgency (at least outwardly) about finding a new coach at this time.

I should check the board more often...finalists are in all this week. I'll ask Peter tomorrow when a final decision is expected to be rendered. I might be able to get a player "what we thought of each person" story in between now and then. I think they'll have someone by mid-February, but I can't think clearly at this point.

[Gidal Kaiser]

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ap ... s/?p=10173 Blog with audio. It's eight parts, 42 or 43 minutes. Have fun. More tomorrow with Hannah Long, the Southwestern University coach.

[Billings Cat]

I don't know about that. Schaub was fired/let go/resigned on Dec. 8. Finalists are in by Feb. 1. Decision probably within the end of the month - which gives 1-2 months of recruiting for final scholarship and enough time before spring ball starts to get acclimated and get things rolling.

Most college volleyball D1 programs are done recruiting the class of 2012 at this point. Volleyball players typically sign in the late fall, not now or in the next 1-2 months. Not that there aren't still quality players out there, but this is pretty "late" in the game for the 2012 season and is probably better seen as starting the recruiting process "early" for the 2013 season. All that being said, if they get the right hire, it makes sense being patient given the disaster that the last two hires have been for the volleyball program.

[wbtfg]

Aside from Volleyball, Peter Fields and staff have really done a nice job in hiring quality coaches.

Ash, Binford, and Huse have all done a nice job of coming in during turbulent times and restoring order and consistency during their respective tenures at MSU. While Huse may not have the winning percentage we'd like, he's put together a respectable team and his athletes are doing well in the classroom, as well as in the community.

For those who bash Huse, keep in mind the other two coaches who were finalists for the position.

Bill Johnson: Hasn't coached basketball in over 4 years
Larry Gipson: Coaching at D-II Northeastern State (OK) Riverhawks. Currently 4-16 on the year.

[Gidal Kaiser]

Talked with Fields and Tom Schulz, the volleyball SID after today's meet & greet. The committee will meet Friday; they will either make a decision then or postpone making a decision for a later date. Those are the current options. But they will meet on Friday.

[Gidal Kaiser]

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ap ... s/?p=10189 The Hannh Long blog

[bpcats]

Looking forward to blog with last VB coach. Lots of difference between the first two candidates.

[Gidal Kaiser]

http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/ap ... s/?p=10205 The Todd Nelson blog. I think, though he may not have expressed it orally, Nelson is the strongest candidate based on experience and background. Weindel's age might not help him (previous two coaches were young-ish when they took over); Long might not get it because she'd make the jump from DIII to DI (Schaub was a DII coach at MSU-B). Both of them aren't from the area. They all made the finalist cut, though, so the committee and Fields thinks highly of them. I'll have a column with my thoughts in tomorrow's paper - but what are your impressions?

[Colter_Nuanez]

Nelson ready to make the jump
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/sp ... 3ce6c.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I forgot to upload Gidal's column on his thoughts, but it's a good one. Pick up a Chronicle or check the website Friday and give it a read.

[kmax]

Long might not get it because she'd make the jump from DIII to DI (Schaub was a DII coach at MSU-B).

I think this is a pretty unfair comparison to make. Schaub was a DII coach at MSU-B for 1 season and to the best of my knowledge that was her only head coaching experience. She went 18-10 but finished 5th in their conference. Long has spent 8 years coaching DIII at Southwestern, has gone 255-56 , and made the DIII national tournament 7 times. Now, whether she is the right one for the job or not I really don't know but to compare someone that has proven they know how to build a winning program over many years to someone that had almost no experience is apples to oranges.

[Gidal Kaiser]

Fair enough, Kevin. I think it's down to her and Nelson as Fields makes his pick.

[bpcats]

My impressions from listening to the audio posts:

First of all, I think Fields and the committee did a tremendous job of finding some amazing candidates.

Long: - Seems to be very intense and straight forward. Even though she coached at DIII level, she has been vRmry successful at it with top ten rankings. Willing to learn and adapt. Liked how she mentioned several times through interview process how she adapts her coaching to each player. Her experience as a head coach definitely comes through.

Probably most impressing thing that stood out was that the comment by her employer (former VB coach at University of Nationally ranked team) that Long was both a good game coach AND and a good practice coach and that it was really hard to find one that was good at both. (Also should know a lot about recruiting Texas...(works for football).

Biggest concern: Don't know how team will respond to her personality wise. Reminds me of Coach Huse in a lot of respects.

Nelson - Seems ready to be a head coach and personality wise is kind of between Long and Weindell. Strong recruiter and experienced at D1 recruiting athletes. Like the fact that he is a great communicator and a team builder. Thought his answer that team captain is an honor has to be earned was the best answer.

Weindell - Of all the interviews I really liked his the the best. His energy seemed to just jump out at me and it didn't matter who was asking the question. The biggest thing that stood out to me versus the other interviews was that he had a very solid idea what he wanted to do offensively and defensively. His teams at Ohio University were nationally ranked defensively, almost laughed at the some of the square training system, emphasized ball control, fast offense, strong defense...(although I know nothing about volleyball..seems to really important in volleyball from what I have seen in a limited basis). His school was known for its team chemistry and was a selling point.....Already had a master training program scheduled out...which the current players really liked. All the other coaches wanted to watch film to evaluate players he wanted to watch them play. I really think the players would love playing for him. Top 30 under 30 assistant coach for a reason.

Personally I think that Weindell would do a really good job and could be a diamond in the rough. If the staff decided they wanted to go with a more experienced candidate then Nelson would be my next pick because I think he could do a good job recruiting.