Zach Spiker interview with Jim Rome on 2/22/16.
Zach Spiker interview with Matt Leon, KYW Philadelphia 3/29/16.
Zach Spiker interview with Matt Leon, KYW Philadelphia 3/29/16.
Drexel names Army's Zach Spiker as basketball coach
by Dick Jerardi, STAFF WRITER 3/25/16
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Zach Spiker was in Chicago in the fall of 2009 recruiting for Cornell when the Army job suddenly opened up. Then-Big Red head coach Steve Donahue strongly recommended his assistant, who had been with him for five years and was critical in assembling the team that would go on to win its third straight Ivy League title and finish in the 2010 Sweet 16. "He was instrumental in our recruiting and our style of play," said Donahue, who just finished his first season as Penn coach. Spiker got the Army job. Now, he has the job up 33rd Street from Penn. After seven seasons at Army, one of a handful of original NCAA schools that has never been to the NCAA Tournament, Spiker will be named new Drexel coach, succeeding Bruiser Flint, who was let go after 15 seasons. Spiker's Army team was 19-14 this season, 9-9 in the Patriot League. In 2012-13, Army had its first winning record in 28 years. Spiker was 102-112 at Army, where nobody has won since Bob Knight. And those non-winners would include the coach with more wins than anybody - Mike Krzyzewski, who played for Knight at Army and was the Army coach before taking over at Duke. Spiker, a 2000 Ithaca graduate, is a Morgantown, W.Va., native whose father was the longtime trainer for the West Virginia basketball team. So the new Drexel coach, who has a master's from WVU, is familiar with Philly hoops from all the years the Mountaineers played at the Palestra in the Atlantic 10 Tournament. He will be getting even more familiar now.
Thank you, Bruiser, for running a class program with passion and integrity.
We'll remember the good times... 2012 NIT, December 2006,Louisville (think Gerald not Damion), at Creighton for a BracketBusting win, beating VCU to get to our first CAA Championship game in 2003, the sellout DAC atmosphere during that 2012 win over George Mason (now think Damion), and the 2005 & 2013 PreNITs, just to name a few.
Thanks for making the Quakers walk up the street twice and sending them home with 2 losses. "Come to my building and play me!"
Thanks for bringing us Bashir, Chaz, Dom, Frank, Samme, Chris, Frantz, Damion, and the dozens of other quality players and student-athletes that you fostered through our school.
We appreciate your hard-work and dedication, and wish you the very best in the future.
We'll remember the good times... 2012 NIT, December 2006,Louisville (think Gerald not Damion), at Creighton for a BracketBusting win, beating VCU to get to our first CAA Championship game in 2003, the sellout DAC atmosphere during that 2012 win over George Mason (now think Damion), and the 2005 & 2013 PreNITs, just to name a few.
Thanks for making the Quakers walk up the street twice and sending them home with 2 losses. "Come to my building and play me!"
Thanks for bringing us Bashir, Chaz, Dom, Frank, Samme, Chris, Frantz, Damion, and the dozens of other quality players and student-athletes that you fostered through our school.
We appreciate your hard-work and dedication, and wish you the very best in the future.
Seasons...
Season Overall Conf Place ConfTournament Postseason
Bruiser Flint CAA
2013-14 16-14 8-8 4th 0-1/first round
2012-13 13-18 9-9 7th 0-1/first round
2011-12 29-7 16-2 1st 2-1/finalist NIT Quarterfinals (2-1)
2010-11 21-10 11-7 5th 1-1/quarterfinals
2009-10 16-16 11-7 t-5th 0-1/first round
2008-09 15-14 10-8 6th 0-1/first round
2007-08 12-20 5-13 t-10th 0-1/first round
2006-07 23-9 13-5 4th 1-1/semifinals NIT First Round (0-1)
2005-06 15-16 8-10 7th 0-1/first round
2004-05 17-12 12-6 t-4th 0-1/quarterfinals NIT First Round (0-1)
2003-04 18-11 13-5 2nd 0-1/quarterfinals NIT First Round (0-1)
2002-03 19-12 12-6 t-2nd 2-1/finalist NIT First Round (0-1)
2001-02 14-14 11-7 t-3rd 0-1/first round
Steve Seymour America East
2000-01 13-17 9-9 5th 0-1/first round
1999-00 15-12 12-6 3rd
Bill Herrion America East
1998-99 20-9 15-3 2nd
1997-98 13-15 10-8 6th
1996-97 22-9 16-2 2nd 2-1/finalist NIT First Round (0-1)
North Atlantic Conference
1995-96 27-4 17-1 1st 3-0/CHAMPION NCAA Second Round (1-1)
1994-95 22-8 12-4 1st 3-0/CHAMPION NCAA First Round (0-1)
1993-94 25-5 12-2 1st 3-0/CHAMPION NCAA First Round (0-1)
1992-93 22-7 12-2 1st 2-1/finalist
1991-92 16-14 9-5 2nd 2-1/finalist
Bruiser Flint CAA
2013-14 16-14 8-8 4th 0-1/first round
2012-13 13-18 9-9 7th 0-1/first round
2011-12 29-7 16-2 1st 2-1/finalist NIT Quarterfinals (2-1)
2010-11 21-10 11-7 5th 1-1/quarterfinals
2009-10 16-16 11-7 t-5th 0-1/first round
2008-09 15-14 10-8 6th 0-1/first round
2007-08 12-20 5-13 t-10th 0-1/first round
2006-07 23-9 13-5 4th 1-1/semifinals NIT First Round (0-1)
2005-06 15-16 8-10 7th 0-1/first round
2004-05 17-12 12-6 t-4th 0-1/quarterfinals NIT First Round (0-1)
2003-04 18-11 13-5 2nd 0-1/quarterfinals NIT First Round (0-1)
2002-03 19-12 12-6 t-2nd 2-1/finalist NIT First Round (0-1)
2001-02 14-14 11-7 t-3rd 0-1/first round
Steve Seymour America East
2000-01 13-17 9-9 5th 0-1/first round
1999-00 15-12 12-6 3rd
Bill Herrion America East
1998-99 20-9 15-3 2nd
1997-98 13-15 10-8 6th
1996-97 22-9 16-2 2nd 2-1/finalist NIT First Round (0-1)
North Atlantic Conference
1995-96 27-4 17-1 1st 3-0/CHAMPION NCAA Second Round (1-1)
1994-95 22-8 12-4 1st 3-0/CHAMPION NCAA First Round (0-1)
1993-94 25-5 12-2 1st 3-0/CHAMPION NCAA First Round (0-1)
1992-93 22-7 12-2 1st 2-1/finalist
1991-92 16-14 9-5 2nd 2-1/finalist
Drexel Extends Herrion's Deal 2 Years
Drexel coach inked through 1996-97 season.
March 29, 1993 By Tim Panaccio
Drexel basketball coach Bill Herrion, who led the young Dragons to a share of first place in the North Atlantic Conference this season, has been given a two-year contract extension through the 1996-97 season.
Herrion signed the contract on Friday. It is a reworking of his current four-year pact, which had two years remaining.
The extension was drawn up by school president Richard Breslin and athletic director Johnson Bowie.
Herrion said the contract does not have any financial incentives or escape clauses should he be offered a job elsewhere.
"I never thought to ask for an out clause," Herrion said, "because I like to think that if a better job ever came along down the road, they would be understanding."
Herrion said the contract extension was a symbol that Drexel is committed to his style of basketball, which has helped the Dragons advance to the NAC tournament final the last two seasons, twice coming within a victory of an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
"I'm very happy here and happy to have four more years," Herrion said. ''I told our kids last week that I was probably going to sign a new contract and that there is a serious commitment here to build upon our solid foundation."
Herrion, 34, is a native of Oxford, Mass. His record in two seasons at Drexel is 38-21, and he is considered by his peers to be one of the bright young coaches in the country.
Herrion succeeded Eddie Burke. Before taking the Drexel job, Herrion was an assistant coach at George Washington under Mike Jarvis. The Herrion-Jarvis connection spans six years and goes back to 1985, when Herrion was Jarvis' assistant at Boston University.
Herrion is a graduate of Merrimack College, where he was a starting point guard.
March 29, 1993 By Tim Panaccio
Drexel basketball coach Bill Herrion, who led the young Dragons to a share of first place in the North Atlantic Conference this season, has been given a two-year contract extension through the 1996-97 season.
Herrion signed the contract on Friday. It is a reworking of his current four-year pact, which had two years remaining.
The extension was drawn up by school president Richard Breslin and athletic director Johnson Bowie.
Herrion said the contract does not have any financial incentives or escape clauses should he be offered a job elsewhere.
"I never thought to ask for an out clause," Herrion said, "because I like to think that if a better job ever came along down the road, they would be understanding."
Herrion said the contract extension was a symbol that Drexel is committed to his style of basketball, which has helped the Dragons advance to the NAC tournament final the last two seasons, twice coming within a victory of an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
"I'm very happy here and happy to have four more years," Herrion said. ''I told our kids last week that I was probably going to sign a new contract and that there is a serious commitment here to build upon our solid foundation."
Herrion, 34, is a native of Oxford, Mass. His record in two seasons at Drexel is 38-21, and he is considered by his peers to be one of the bright young coaches in the country.
Herrion succeeded Eddie Burke. Before taking the Drexel job, Herrion was an assistant coach at George Washington under Mike Jarvis. The Herrion-Jarvis connection spans six years and goes back to 1985, when Herrion was Jarvis' assistant at Boston University.
Herrion is a graduate of Merrimack College, where he was a starting point guard.
Bill Herrion Will Interview For Duquesne Coaching Job
Sources Say The Drexel Coach Is The Top Choice Of The Dukes, but There Are Several Candidates.
March 21, 1995 By Tim Panaccio
Drexel basketball coach Bill Herrion will interview at Duquesne University on Thursday for the Dukes' vacant head-coaching job.
Herrion spoke to Duquesne athletic director Brian Colleary last night and plans to fly to Pittsburgh tomorrow night.
"One of the reasons we're interested in him is his A-10 background and a proven track record," Colleary said last night. "He is very familiar with the league."
Herrion has been an assistant coach at George Washington University.
"This job would put Billy on the same level as Temple and St. Joe's and La Salle," Colleary said.
Herrion said last night that he still had much to learn about the Duquesne job.
"I've had a lot of phone calls from people asking me if I had been interviewed," Herrion said, "but I'm still trying to find out about the job myself."
According to sources in Pittsburgh, Herrion is Duquesne's top choice to succeed John Carroll, who was fired on March 7.
"He is clearly the guy they want," said one source.
In four seasons, Herrion has become the most successful coach in Dragons history, compiling an 85-34 record and winning back-to-back North Atlantic Conference championships. The Dragons went to two straight NCAA tournaments, losing in the first round to Temple last year and to Oklahoma State last week.
The competition for the Duquesne job is impressive. The other four candidates are:
* Fran Fraschilla of Manhattan. His Jaspers (26-5) upset Oklahoma in the first round of the Southeast Regional of the NCAA tournament last week.
* Herb Sendek of Miami of Ohio. He led the Redskins (23-7) to a first-round upset of Arizona in the Midwest Regional. He is said to be interviewing for the job at Georgia.
* Scott Edgar of Murray State.
* Ted Fiore of St. Peter's.
Edgar and Fiore are both former residents of Pittsburgh's Penn Hills suburbs and have ties to the community.
Herrion has spent parts of the last few days talking to coaches and friends familiar with the Duquesne basketball program. He had a long conversation with GW coach Mike Jarvis over the weekend. He also coached under Jarvis at Boston University.
"They haven't won in years," Herrion said of the Dukes, who went 10-18 overall and 5-11 in the A-10 this season.
"What I need to know is why haven't they won. Is it because of poor recruiting? A lack of talent? Or bad coaching?
"There's a lot of questions I still have about Duquesne which have to be answered."
Colleary, the AD, announced two weeks ago that he had hoped to have a coach in place within a month. He has appointed a five-man search committee of which he is chairman.
Sources said that Colleary would have the final say.
Herrion signed a two-year contract extension last year taking him through the 1998-99 season. The extension raised his salary from $67,500 to $69,000. Herrion believes Drexel would allow him to leave his contract for an Atlantic Ten offer.
"If I left Drexel," Herrion said, "I wouldn't be looking to take a pay cut."
March 21, 1995 By Tim Panaccio
Drexel basketball coach Bill Herrion will interview at Duquesne University on Thursday for the Dukes' vacant head-coaching job.
Herrion spoke to Duquesne athletic director Brian Colleary last night and plans to fly to Pittsburgh tomorrow night.
"One of the reasons we're interested in him is his A-10 background and a proven track record," Colleary said last night. "He is very familiar with the league."
Herrion has been an assistant coach at George Washington University.
"This job would put Billy on the same level as Temple and St. Joe's and La Salle," Colleary said.
Herrion said last night that he still had much to learn about the Duquesne job.
"I've had a lot of phone calls from people asking me if I had been interviewed," Herrion said, "but I'm still trying to find out about the job myself."
According to sources in Pittsburgh, Herrion is Duquesne's top choice to succeed John Carroll, who was fired on March 7.
"He is clearly the guy they want," said one source.
In four seasons, Herrion has become the most successful coach in Dragons history, compiling an 85-34 record and winning back-to-back North Atlantic Conference championships. The Dragons went to two straight NCAA tournaments, losing in the first round to Temple last year and to Oklahoma State last week.
The competition for the Duquesne job is impressive. The other four candidates are:
* Fran Fraschilla of Manhattan. His Jaspers (26-5) upset Oklahoma in the first round of the Southeast Regional of the NCAA tournament last week.
* Herb Sendek of Miami of Ohio. He led the Redskins (23-7) to a first-round upset of Arizona in the Midwest Regional. He is said to be interviewing for the job at Georgia.
* Scott Edgar of Murray State.
* Ted Fiore of St. Peter's.
Edgar and Fiore are both former residents of Pittsburgh's Penn Hills suburbs and have ties to the community.
Herrion has spent parts of the last few days talking to coaches and friends familiar with the Duquesne basketball program. He had a long conversation with GW coach Mike Jarvis over the weekend. He also coached under Jarvis at Boston University.
"They haven't won in years," Herrion said of the Dukes, who went 10-18 overall and 5-11 in the A-10 this season.
"What I need to know is why haven't they won. Is it because of poor recruiting? A lack of talent? Or bad coaching?
"There's a lot of questions I still have about Duquesne which have to be answered."
Colleary, the AD, announced two weeks ago that he had hoped to have a coach in place within a month. He has appointed a five-man search committee of which he is chairman.
Sources said that Colleary would have the final say.
Herrion signed a two-year contract extension last year taking him through the 1998-99 season. The extension raised his salary from $67,500 to $69,000. Herrion believes Drexel would allow him to leave his contract for an Atlantic Ten offer.
"If I left Drexel," Herrion said, "I wouldn't be looking to take a pay cut."
Malik Rose drafted in the 2nd Round (#44 overall) by the Charlotte Hornets.
Rutgers pursuing Drexel Coach
Herrion Meets Informally With Rutgers A.D.
March 17, 1997 by Mike Kern
Drexel basketball coach Bill Herrion has met informally with Rutgers athletic director Fred Gruninger to discuss the vacant Scarlet Knights job.
On Saturday afternoon, Herrion traveled to North Jersey to watch St. Augustine play St. Anthony's in that state's parochial high school title game. Senior Mike Kouser, who has signed with the Dragons, plays for St. Augustine.
On the way up, Herrion stopped to speak with Gruninger.
``We met for about an hour,'' Herrion said last night. ``It was very informal. We were just getting to know each other. No specifics were discussed. We talked in generalities.
``I left with the impression that `I'll get back to you.' But I haven't heard anything.''
South Carolina coach Eddie Fogler has also been mentioned as a possible candidate to succeed Bob Wenzel, who was fired last Monday.
March 17, 1997 by Mike Kern
Drexel basketball coach Bill Herrion has met informally with Rutgers athletic director Fred Gruninger to discuss the vacant Scarlet Knights job.
On Saturday afternoon, Herrion traveled to North Jersey to watch St. Augustine play St. Anthony's in that state's parochial high school title game. Senior Mike Kouser, who has signed with the Dragons, plays for St. Augustine.
On the way up, Herrion stopped to speak with Gruninger.
``We met for about an hour,'' Herrion said last night. ``It was very informal. We were just getting to know each other. No specifics were discussed. We talked in generalities.
``I left with the impression that `I'll get back to you.' But I haven't heard anything.''
South Carolina coach Eddie Fogler has also been mentioned as a possible candidate to succeed Bob Wenzel, who was fired last Monday.
Herrion Gets A Contract Extension
Drexel coach signed through 2002-03 season.
May 01, 1997 By Joe Juliano
A year ago, when Drexel won an NCAA tournament game for the first time, the administration showed its appreciation to head basketball coach Bill Herrion by reworking and extending his contract through the 2000-2001 season with a nice hike in pay.
Yesterday, the Drexel administration showed its appreciation once again to Herrion, who, in March, turned down an offer to coach at Rutgers, by extending his contract again, this time through the 2002-2003 season.
Terms of the extension were not revealed, nor was it known whether another raise was granted. Herrion's extension last year was believed to have raised his annual salary to around $120,000, one of the best in the nation for a mid-level Division I program. Herrion was en route to Las Vegas for a clinic yesterday and was unavailable for comment.
In his sixth season of coaching the Dragons, Herrion, 39, led his team to a 22-9 record and into its sixth consecutive conference championship game. The Dragons were invited to the National Invitation Tournament for the first time.
Once the Drexel season ended, Herrion became a top candidate to replace Bob Wenzel as head coach at Rutgers. Herrion received an offer, which came with a reported salary of about $350,000, but turned it down on March 28.
A short time later, Boston College officials received permission to speak with Herrion about that school's coaching vacancy, but never formally interviewed him before appointing Rhode Island's Al Skinner to the post.
May 01, 1997 By Joe Juliano
A year ago, when Drexel won an NCAA tournament game for the first time, the administration showed its appreciation to head basketball coach Bill Herrion by reworking and extending his contract through the 2000-2001 season with a nice hike in pay.
Yesterday, the Drexel administration showed its appreciation once again to Herrion, who, in March, turned down an offer to coach at Rutgers, by extending his contract again, this time through the 2002-2003 season.
Terms of the extension were not revealed, nor was it known whether another raise was granted. Herrion's extension last year was believed to have raised his annual salary to around $120,000, one of the best in the nation for a mid-level Division I program. Herrion was en route to Las Vegas for a clinic yesterday and was unavailable for comment.
In his sixth season of coaching the Dragons, Herrion, 39, led his team to a 22-9 record and into its sixth consecutive conference championship game. The Dragons were invited to the National Invitation Tournament for the first time.
Once the Drexel season ended, Herrion became a top candidate to replace Bob Wenzel as head coach at Rutgers. Herrion received an offer, which came with a reported salary of about $350,000, but turned it down on March 28.
A short time later, Boston College officials received permission to speak with Herrion about that school's coaching vacancy, but never formally interviewed him before appointing Rhode Island's Al Skinner to the post.
East Carolina Hires Herrion
The Coach Left Drexel To Undertake A Rebuilding Job With The Pirates.
March 31, 1999 By Kevin Tatum
When the members of the Drexel men's basketball team received telephone calls Monday night, requesting their presence at an 8:30 a.m. meeting yesterday, the Dragons knew what was up.
Their head coach was moving on.
Bill Herrion, who summoned the team to let the players know that he had accepted another job, was introduced as the new head coach at East Carolina yesterday afternoon in Greenville, N.C.
``He said he got us up so early so he could tell us before we heard it in the media, and before his press conference [at East Carolina],'' Drexel guard Bryant Coursey said.
``He told us it was a tough decision he had to make, and that he hoped it was the right one. He said he had to look out for his family and his future. He felt he had to move on, and I understand that.''
In his eight seasons at Drexel, Herrion compiled an impressive record of 167-71 and led the team to consecutive NCAA appearances in 1994, 1995 and 1996. The 1996 team, led by Malik Rose, now a forward with the San Antonio Spurs, went 27-4 and upset Memphis in the NCAA tournament.
``Obviously, I am excited about the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead at East Carolina,'' Herrion, 41, said in Greenville yesterday. ``There is a part of me which is sad to be leaving the Drexel program and the Philadelphia area, which has been home.''
Herrion had been prominently mentioned as a candidate for the vacant Rutgers job two years ago, but he elected to stay in Philadelphia. Talk of his moving to another job subsided after a 13-15 season in 1997-98, but it revived this year when the Dragons shared the America East crown with Delaware. The Dragons finished 20-9 after losing to the Blue Hens in the conference tournament championship; Herrion was honored as conference coach of the year for the fourth time.
Drexel athletic director Eric Zillmer said yesterday that the school would ``move quickly'' to replace Herrion.
A leading candidate is Dragons associate head coach Steve Seymour, who worked with Herrion for eight years. Seymour, 39, was a starting forward for three years at Bridgewater State in Massachusetts.
In the five seasons before Herrion's arrival in 1991-92, Drexel went 69-71, with only one winning season. The Dragons' only other appearance in the NCAA tournament came in 1986 under coach Eddie Burke.
At East Carolina, Herrion will take over a team that finished 13-14 this season under Joe Dooley. The Pirates compete in the Colonial Athletic Association, which includes Richmond and Old Dominion.
Herrion leaves Drexel as the school's third-winningest coach, behind Sam Cozen (213 wins in 16 seasons) and Burke (205 in 14 seasons).
``It's a big loss,'' said Zillmer, who gave East Carolina permission to talk with Herrion about two weeks ago. ``He's been an ambassador for our program and the university. I'm happy for Bill, sad for Drexel. He had a good run and put us on the map.''
Coursey's father, Michael, also was sorry to see Herrion go, but he expressed appreciation for the stern but fair way the coach had dealt with his son, who was suspended for the last 11 games of the 1997-98 season for not paying sufficient attention to academics. Coursey focused on his studies, and this season he came back to get most of
the minutes at point guard. Herrion praised the 6-foot-1 junior after he averaged nine points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
``I think he benefited,'' Michael Coursey about the suspension. ``Maybe some people wouldn't like it, but it helped in our case. There comes a time in a guy's life when he has to step up and show himself, and Bryant did that. Bill is a good coach, and wherever he goes, his record follows him.''
Not having the intense and demanding Herrion on the sideline will be different, Bryant Coursey said.
``It'll be a change,'' he said. ``I'm not really happy and I'm not really sad. I hope he goes there and gets that program started, and that we stay on a championship pace. I hope it works out for him and I hope it works out for us.''
Bill Herrion's Career Team Record: 165-70
March 31, 1999 By Kevin Tatum
When the members of the Drexel men's basketball team received telephone calls Monday night, requesting their presence at an 8:30 a.m. meeting yesterday, the Dragons knew what was up.
Their head coach was moving on.
Bill Herrion, who summoned the team to let the players know that he had accepted another job, was introduced as the new head coach at East Carolina yesterday afternoon in Greenville, N.C.
``He said he got us up so early so he could tell us before we heard it in the media, and before his press conference [at East Carolina],'' Drexel guard Bryant Coursey said.
``He told us it was a tough decision he had to make, and that he hoped it was the right one. He said he had to look out for his family and his future. He felt he had to move on, and I understand that.''
In his eight seasons at Drexel, Herrion compiled an impressive record of 167-71 and led the team to consecutive NCAA appearances in 1994, 1995 and 1996. The 1996 team, led by Malik Rose, now a forward with the San Antonio Spurs, went 27-4 and upset Memphis in the NCAA tournament.
``Obviously, I am excited about the opportunities and challenges which lie ahead at East Carolina,'' Herrion, 41, said in Greenville yesterday. ``There is a part of me which is sad to be leaving the Drexel program and the Philadelphia area, which has been home.''
Herrion had been prominently mentioned as a candidate for the vacant Rutgers job two years ago, but he elected to stay in Philadelphia. Talk of his moving to another job subsided after a 13-15 season in 1997-98, but it revived this year when the Dragons shared the America East crown with Delaware. The Dragons finished 20-9 after losing to the Blue Hens in the conference tournament championship; Herrion was honored as conference coach of the year for the fourth time.
Drexel athletic director Eric Zillmer said yesterday that the school would ``move quickly'' to replace Herrion.
A leading candidate is Dragons associate head coach Steve Seymour, who worked with Herrion for eight years. Seymour, 39, was a starting forward for three years at Bridgewater State in Massachusetts.
In the five seasons before Herrion's arrival in 1991-92, Drexel went 69-71, with only one winning season. The Dragons' only other appearance in the NCAA tournament came in 1986 under coach Eddie Burke.
At East Carolina, Herrion will take over a team that finished 13-14 this season under Joe Dooley. The Pirates compete in the Colonial Athletic Association, which includes Richmond and Old Dominion.
Herrion leaves Drexel as the school's third-winningest coach, behind Sam Cozen (213 wins in 16 seasons) and Burke (205 in 14 seasons).
``It's a big loss,'' said Zillmer, who gave East Carolina permission to talk with Herrion about two weeks ago. ``He's been an ambassador for our program and the university. I'm happy for Bill, sad for Drexel. He had a good run and put us on the map.''
Coursey's father, Michael, also was sorry to see Herrion go, but he expressed appreciation for the stern but fair way the coach had dealt with his son, who was suspended for the last 11 games of the 1997-98 season for not paying sufficient attention to academics. Coursey focused on his studies, and this season he came back to get most of
the minutes at point guard. Herrion praised the 6-foot-1 junior after he averaged nine points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
``I think he benefited,'' Michael Coursey about the suspension. ``Maybe some people wouldn't like it, but it helped in our case. There comes a time in a guy's life when he has to step up and show himself, and Bryant did that. Bill is a good coach, and wherever he goes, his record follows him.''
Not having the intense and demanding Herrion on the sideline will be different, Bryant Coursey said.
``It'll be a change,'' he said. ``I'm not really happy and I'm not really sad. I hope he goes there and gets that program started, and that we stay on a championship pace. I hope it works out for him and I hope it works out for us.''
Bill Herrion's Career Team Record: 165-70
Steve Seymour named new Drexel Head Coach
Seymour To Follow Herrion At Drexel Promotion Of The Team's Associate Head Coach Since 1995 Is Expected To Be Announced Today.
April 01, 1999 By Kevin Tatum
As expected, Steve Seymour, an eight-year Drexel assistant, is the school's choice to succeed Bill Herrion as the men's basketball coach. Seymour, 39, will be named today at a news conference.
On Tuesday, Herrion became the head coach at East Carolina after leading Drexel to three straight NCAA appearances between 1993-94 and 1995-96, and to seven tournament finals during his eight-year tenure.
Seymour, who was at Herrion's side for each of those seasons, was promoted to associate head coach in 1995.
Seymour was unavailable for comment last night. On Tuesday, several Dragons voiced support for him. Two players on the squad he inherits said yesterday that they were glad Seymour will be their new coach.
``I'm happy that it's somebody who's here already, and who we have a relationship with,'' Dragons guard Bryant Coursey said.
``Coach and I have a positive relationship,'' said forward Petrick Sanders. ``He has always been there to help me work on my game.''
Under Herrion, Seymour led the staff's recruiting efforts, in addition to his practice duties and some scouting.
The 6-foot-9 Seymour, a 1981 graduate of Bridgewater State College (Mass.), was a four-year letter-winner and a three-year starting forward for the Bears. His wife, the former Doreen Ferguson, played for Providence College and was a second-team all-Big East selection in 1988.
Sanders said Seymour had given him more than oral instructions. ``He can still play,'' Sanders said with some degree of wonder.
This season, the Dragons finished 20-9 and lost to Delaware in the America East title game. Herrion won his fourth coach of the year award, and he left behind a team that loses only one starter.
That starter, 6-3 guard Mike DeRocckis, was the player who set the tone for the Dragons on the practice floor and will be missed.
Drexel also loses 5-7 guard Greg Gaffney, 6-3 guard Ross Neisler and 6-7 forward/center Brahin Riley, all valuable reserves.
But along with Coursey (9.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists) and Sanders (9.2 ppg., 4.1 rebounds), Drexel returns 6-9 two-time all-America East center Joe Linderman (17.3 ppg., 7.6 rebounds) and 6-7 forward Mike Kouser (13.3, 8.2).
Sanders doesn't think much is going to change in the team's approach to winning under Seymour, who takes over for a coach who was both intense and demanding. Under Herrion, Drexel was a gritty team that scrapped defensively.
``They both have the same coaching style,'' Sanders said.
Seymour, who broke into coaching in 1986 as a part-time assistant at St. Anselm's College in Manchester, N.H., helped the Hawks to an NCAA Division II berth that season.
He then had a one-year stint as the director of athletics and varsity basketball coach at John Stark High in Weare, N.H., and returned the next year to St. Anselm's and was there when the team reached another regional final.
Seymour went to Drexel as an assistant in 1991. He now gets to put his own stamp on the program.
``He wants to win just as bad as any competitor,'' Coursey said of Seymour. ``He's not as intense as Coach Herrion, but he gets his point across. I think he'll do a good job.''
The school has scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m. today at the Physical Education Center at 33d and Market.
April 01, 1999 By Kevin Tatum
As expected, Steve Seymour, an eight-year Drexel assistant, is the school's choice to succeed Bill Herrion as the men's basketball coach. Seymour, 39, will be named today at a news conference.
On Tuesday, Herrion became the head coach at East Carolina after leading Drexel to three straight NCAA appearances between 1993-94 and 1995-96, and to seven tournament finals during his eight-year tenure.
Seymour, who was at Herrion's side for each of those seasons, was promoted to associate head coach in 1995.
Seymour was unavailable for comment last night. On Tuesday, several Dragons voiced support for him. Two players on the squad he inherits said yesterday that they were glad Seymour will be their new coach.
``I'm happy that it's somebody who's here already, and who we have a relationship with,'' Dragons guard Bryant Coursey said.
``Coach and I have a positive relationship,'' said forward Petrick Sanders. ``He has always been there to help me work on my game.''
Under Herrion, Seymour led the staff's recruiting efforts, in addition to his practice duties and some scouting.
The 6-foot-9 Seymour, a 1981 graduate of Bridgewater State College (Mass.), was a four-year letter-winner and a three-year starting forward for the Bears. His wife, the former Doreen Ferguson, played for Providence College and was a second-team all-Big East selection in 1988.
Sanders said Seymour had given him more than oral instructions. ``He can still play,'' Sanders said with some degree of wonder.
This season, the Dragons finished 20-9 and lost to Delaware in the America East title game. Herrion won his fourth coach of the year award, and he left behind a team that loses only one starter.
That starter, 6-3 guard Mike DeRocckis, was the player who set the tone for the Dragons on the practice floor and will be missed.
Drexel also loses 5-7 guard Greg Gaffney, 6-3 guard Ross Neisler and 6-7 forward/center Brahin Riley, all valuable reserves.
But along with Coursey (9.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists) and Sanders (9.2 ppg., 4.1 rebounds), Drexel returns 6-9 two-time all-America East center Joe Linderman (17.3 ppg., 7.6 rebounds) and 6-7 forward Mike Kouser (13.3, 8.2).
Sanders doesn't think much is going to change in the team's approach to winning under Seymour, who takes over for a coach who was both intense and demanding. Under Herrion, Drexel was a gritty team that scrapped defensively.
``They both have the same coaching style,'' Sanders said.
Seymour, who broke into coaching in 1986 as a part-time assistant at St. Anselm's College in Manchester, N.H., helped the Hawks to an NCAA Division II berth that season.
He then had a one-year stint as the director of athletics and varsity basketball coach at John Stark High in Weare, N.H., and returned the next year to St. Anselm's and was there when the team reached another regional final.
Seymour went to Drexel as an assistant in 1991. He now gets to put his own stamp on the program.
``He wants to win just as bad as any competitor,'' Coursey said of Seymour. ``He's not as intense as Coach Herrion, but he gets his point across. I think he'll do a good job.''
The school has scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m. today at the Physical Education Center at 33d and Market.
Former Drexel Coach Accused of Fostering Player Fights in ECU Locker Room
Herrion Denies Allegations
April 03, 2000 Daily News Wire Services
East Carolina basketball coach Bill Herrion, who led a successful program at Drexel for eight seasons, has been accused by players of fostering a violent atmosphere in practice that led to a fight before the team's final game.
That fight, in turn, led to one player being injured, according to a report in the Daily Reflector, of Greenville, N.C., on Saturday.
The newspaper, citing several unnamed players, said the fight led to a confrontation between Herrion and team trainer Jim Bazlucki, who also blamed the coach for provoking the fight. Bazlucki was subsequently removed from his position.
The fight, involving Quincy Hall and David Taylor, happened Feb. 29, just three days before ECU ended its season with a 74-54 loss to American University in the first round of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament. Taylor suffered a gash under his right eye, and both players were suspended afterward.But several unnamed players say Herrion, who took over at Carolina last year, encouraged fighting most every day in practice, the newspaper said.
According to players, his comments included:
* "At Drexel, there would have been three or four fights by now."
* "At Drexel, I would come in at halftime and someone would be pinned against the wall by their throat. Why can't I get that here?"
Herrion, 41, denied trying to provoke any fighting among his players. He did, however, admit making some comments in an effort to try to bring out toughness in his team. He specifically denied saying anything about a Drexel player pinning another by his throat.
"I was just trying to get us to compete harder," he said. "We need that in order to be successful. The last thing I would endorse is a fight within my program."
Athletic director Mike Hamrick said "the situation has been reviewed. We are confident that this situation has been handled appropriately."
April 03, 2000 Daily News Wire Services
East Carolina basketball coach Bill Herrion, who led a successful program at Drexel for eight seasons, has been accused by players of fostering a violent atmosphere in practice that led to a fight before the team's final game.
That fight, in turn, led to one player being injured, according to a report in the Daily Reflector, of Greenville, N.C., on Saturday.
The newspaper, citing several unnamed players, said the fight led to a confrontation between Herrion and team trainer Jim Bazlucki, who also blamed the coach for provoking the fight. Bazlucki was subsequently removed from his position.
The fight, involving Quincy Hall and David Taylor, happened Feb. 29, just three days before ECU ended its season with a 74-54 loss to American University in the first round of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament. Taylor suffered a gash under his right eye, and both players were suspended afterward.But several unnamed players say Herrion, who took over at Carolina last year, encouraged fighting most every day in practice, the newspaper said.
According to players, his comments included:
* "At Drexel, there would have been three or four fights by now."
* "At Drexel, I would come in at halftime and someone would be pinned against the wall by their throat. Why can't I get that here?"
Herrion, 41, denied trying to provoke any fighting among his players. He did, however, admit making some comments in an effort to try to bring out toughness in his team. He specifically denied saying anything about a Drexel player pinning another by his throat.
"I was just trying to get us to compete harder," he said. "We need that in order to be successful. The last thing I would endorse is a fight within my program."
Athletic director Mike Hamrick said "the situation has been reviewed. We are confident that this situation has been handled appropriately."
Drexel Joins the Colonial Athletic Conference
Drexel, Delaware Among Four Leaving America East
December 12, 2000 by Mike Kern
In a move that had been anticipated for several months, Drexel is leaving the America East Conference - along with Delaware, Hofstra and Towson - to join the Colonial Athletic Association, a switch that will become effective in July 2003.
"I think a lot of it has to do with geography," said Drexel athletic director Eric Zillmer. "Now, we'll be part of a footprint that stretches from North Carolina to New York. If we hadn't gone, our closest away game would have been Hartford."
The official announcement will come tomorrow morning at a press conference in Washington, D.C.
Drexel and Delaware joined the America East when it was still the North Atlantic Conference, in 1991. Hofstra followed in 1994, and Towson the next year.
The CAA was looking to replace East Carolina, American and Richmond, which are moving on this summer to Conference USA, the Patriot League and the Atlantic 10 Conference, respectively. There had been discussions about the remaining six schools - George Mason, Virginia Commonwealth, William & Mary, James Madison, Old Dominion and North Carolina-Wilmington - joining the America East. But it never materialized.
Ironically, former Drexel basketball coach Bill Herrion took the job at East Carolina in 1999.
"I think if there was ever a chance for Drexel to step up and get in an even better situation, this may be it," Zillmer said. "It's a terrific opportunity, from an all-sports standpoint, to be associated with some really prestigious institutions. In basketball, it's probably more of a lateral move. But we'd like to get in a position where we might be able to get an at-large bid [to the NCAA Tournament], which is something that America East could not produce."
Drexel has 18 Division I athletic programs. In some instances, it didn't make sense to belong to a New England-based conference any longer.
"I'm obviously disappointed, but it's been in the works for some time," said America East commissioner Chris Monasch. "We will try to move on and explore our options in the future."
The America East already has targeted two independent schools, Albany and Stony Brook (N.Y.), as replacements. Binghamton, a newcomer to the Division I ranks, is also being considered.
America East bylaws require that members give the conference two full years' notice on any plans to leave. Failure to comply would have resulted in fines of $200,000. Hence, the wait.
The three departing CAA teams wanted to be eligible to compete in postseason play this season. But the CAA won a court ruling to prohibit the teams from participationg in the conference tournament, which carries an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
That won't be an issue with the departing America East teams.
"We're a full member [until we leave]," said Zillmer. "We're following the rules."
December 12, 2000 by Mike Kern
In a move that had been anticipated for several months, Drexel is leaving the America East Conference - along with Delaware, Hofstra and Towson - to join the Colonial Athletic Association, a switch that will become effective in July 2003.
"I think a lot of it has to do with geography," said Drexel athletic director Eric Zillmer. "Now, we'll be part of a footprint that stretches from North Carolina to New York. If we hadn't gone, our closest away game would have been Hartford."
The official announcement will come tomorrow morning at a press conference in Washington, D.C.
Drexel and Delaware joined the America East when it was still the North Atlantic Conference, in 1991. Hofstra followed in 1994, and Towson the next year.
The CAA was looking to replace East Carolina, American and Richmond, which are moving on this summer to Conference USA, the Patriot League and the Atlantic 10 Conference, respectively. There had been discussions about the remaining six schools - George Mason, Virginia Commonwealth, William & Mary, James Madison, Old Dominion and North Carolina-Wilmington - joining the America East. But it never materialized.
Ironically, former Drexel basketball coach Bill Herrion took the job at East Carolina in 1999.
"I think if there was ever a chance for Drexel to step up and get in an even better situation, this may be it," Zillmer said. "It's a terrific opportunity, from an all-sports standpoint, to be associated with some really prestigious institutions. In basketball, it's probably more of a lateral move. But we'd like to get in a position where we might be able to get an at-large bid [to the NCAA Tournament], which is something that America East could not produce."
Drexel has 18 Division I athletic programs. In some instances, it didn't make sense to belong to a New England-based conference any longer.
"I'm obviously disappointed, but it's been in the works for some time," said America East commissioner Chris Monasch. "We will try to move on and explore our options in the future."
The America East already has targeted two independent schools, Albany and Stony Brook (N.Y.), as replacements. Binghamton, a newcomer to the Division I ranks, is also being considered.
America East bylaws require that members give the conference two full years' notice on any plans to leave. Failure to comply would have resulted in fines of $200,000. Hence, the wait.
The three departing CAA teams wanted to be eligible to compete in postseason play this season. But the CAA won a court ruling to prohibit the teams from participationg in the conference tournament, which carries an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.
That won't be an issue with the departing America East teams.
"We're a full member [until we leave]," said Zillmer. "We're following the rules."
Seymour dismissed as Drexel Head Coach
Drexel Fires Stunned Seymour
March 08, 2001 By Mike Kern
Steve Seymour said he never saw it coming.
Sure, his Drexel basketball team had lost its last four games, including a one-pointer to Northeastern on Saturday in the first round of the America East tournament, to finish 15-12. Still, he looked forward to a future that included a move to the more prestigious Colonial Athletic Association in 2002-03.
Now, the program's future no longer includes Seymour.
He was fired by the school yesterday, after only two seasons on the job. Seymour, an assistant under Bill Herrion for eight seasons, was promoted after Herrion left for a job at East Carolina. Seymour will be paid for the remaining two years on his contract.
Also let go were John O'Connor, an assistant with the program for eight seasons, and Dino Pressley, a fourth-year staff member.
"I was surprised by the decision," said Seymour, who was 28-29 overall. "I had no inkling. It came completely out of leftfield. I had no reason to think this was going to happen."
Seymour was told of the decision at a meeting yesterday morning with athletic director Eric Zillmer and university vice president Tony Caneris.
"It is in the best interest of Drexel University to make a switch now, as we upgrade our program with an eye toward successfully competing in the Colonial Athletic Association in the 2002-2003 season," Zillmer said in a release. "We believe we have a proud basketball tradition and a foundation for future success, but we need new leadership in achieving our elevated goals.
"We are indebted to coach Seymour for the contributions he has made to our program, and we wish him the best in his professional pursuits."
Zillmer could not be reached for further comment.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity I had," Seymour said. "And I'm proud of the way my kids played and my staff performed. Other than trying to win more games, there's nothing I would change, in terms of what we demanded from our kids.
"Nothing prepares you for this. I've got to clear my head, get my feet back on the ground. You have to go on."
So, too, must the Dragons.
Seymour's successor must replace four senior starters, including three of the conference's top five scorers, who averaged a combined 55 points a game.
Sources indicated the school, which still plays its games in a 2,000-seat gymnasium that's not always filled, wants to hire a "big-name" assistant.
The Dragons won the title three straight times in the mid-1990s. They also reached the title game in 1992, '93, '97 and '99. They had never before lost in the quarterfinals since joining the conference a decade ago. *
March 08, 2001 By Mike Kern
Steve Seymour said he never saw it coming.
Sure, his Drexel basketball team had lost its last four games, including a one-pointer to Northeastern on Saturday in the first round of the America East tournament, to finish 15-12. Still, he looked forward to a future that included a move to the more prestigious Colonial Athletic Association in 2002-03.
Now, the program's future no longer includes Seymour.
He was fired by the school yesterday, after only two seasons on the job. Seymour, an assistant under Bill Herrion for eight seasons, was promoted after Herrion left for a job at East Carolina. Seymour will be paid for the remaining two years on his contract.
Also let go were John O'Connor, an assistant with the program for eight seasons, and Dino Pressley, a fourth-year staff member.
"I was surprised by the decision," said Seymour, who was 28-29 overall. "I had no inkling. It came completely out of leftfield. I had no reason to think this was going to happen."
Seymour was told of the decision at a meeting yesterday morning with athletic director Eric Zillmer and university vice president Tony Caneris.
"It is in the best interest of Drexel University to make a switch now, as we upgrade our program with an eye toward successfully competing in the Colonial Athletic Association in the 2002-2003 season," Zillmer said in a release. "We believe we have a proud basketball tradition and a foundation for future success, but we need new leadership in achieving our elevated goals.
"We are indebted to coach Seymour for the contributions he has made to our program, and we wish him the best in his professional pursuits."
Zillmer could not be reached for further comment.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity I had," Seymour said. "And I'm proud of the way my kids played and my staff performed. Other than trying to win more games, there's nothing I would change, in terms of what we demanded from our kids.
"Nothing prepares you for this. I've got to clear my head, get my feet back on the ground. You have to go on."
So, too, must the Dragons.
Seymour's successor must replace four senior starters, including three of the conference's top five scorers, who averaged a combined 55 points a game.
Sources indicated the school, which still plays its games in a 2,000-seat gymnasium that's not always filled, wants to hire a "big-name" assistant.
The Dragons won the title three straight times in the mid-1990s. They also reached the title game in 1992, '93, '97 and '99. They had never before lost in the quarterfinals since joining the conference a decade ago. *
Flint Eyes Drexel, La Salle?
March 15, 2001 by Daily News Wire Services
Bruiser Flint is looking into resuming his coaching career at La Salle, Drexel or Northeastern, according to a report in yesterday's Boston Globe.
Flint, a St. Joseph's University product, resigned Monday after five years at the University of Massachusetts.
Flint is making calls about each of the schools he is eyeing, each of which has merits and drawbacks.
"I've talked to some people at La Salle," said Flint, who made it clear there hasn't been official contact with any school, but he expects that will come soon.
Bruiser Flint is looking into resuming his coaching career at La Salle, Drexel or Northeastern, according to a report in yesterday's Boston Globe.
Flint, a St. Joseph's University product, resigned Monday after five years at the University of Massachusetts.
Flint is making calls about each of the schools he is eyeing, each of which has merits and drawbacks.
"I've talked to some people at La Salle," said Flint, who made it clear there hasn't been official contact with any school, but he expects that will come soon.
Drexel talks to Flint and 2 others for coaching job
Former UMass coach and St Joe's guard, joins Demopoulos and Soderberg on Dragons' list
March 24, 2001 By Kevin Tatum
James "Bruiser" Flint, Dean Demopoulos and Brad Soderberg have been interviewed by Drexel athletic director Eric Zillmer as he searches for a new men's basketball coach, according to a university source familiar with the process.
Flint, a former St. Joseph's player, recently resigned as Massachusetts coach; Demopoulos, the longtime Temple assistant, is the coach at Missouri-Kansas City; and Soderberg was not retained at Wisconsin after succeeding Dick Bennett on an interim basis this season.
"I won't tell you who we've had in, but we've had some initial visits," Zillmer said yesterday. "There are a lot of coaching vacancies, and we were happy for the chance to do that. Our timetable is open. We'll talk to some people at the Final Four, and then revisit others."
Zillmer fired Steve Seymour just days after the Dragons' season ended.
Flint interviewed at Duquesne on Thursday and plans to visit Northeastern on Monday.
In two seasons as Dragons coach, Seymour compiled a 28-29 overall record. This season, the team was 15-12, finishing third in the America East Conference.
Seymour, who replaced Bill Herrion, had two years left on his contract, which will be honored. Assistants coaches John O'Connor and Dino Presley were also dismissed.
Zillmer said he had been in touch with the program's three recruits for next school year - Steve Showers, Phil Goss and Brahin Howard.
"I asked them to wait until we hire a new coach and to give him the chance to talk to them," Zillmer said.
Drexel will move from the America East to the Colonial Athletic Association after next season along with Hofstra, Delaware and Towson.
March 24, 2001 By Kevin Tatum
James "Bruiser" Flint, Dean Demopoulos and Brad Soderberg have been interviewed by Drexel athletic director Eric Zillmer as he searches for a new men's basketball coach, according to a university source familiar with the process.
Flint, a former St. Joseph's player, recently resigned as Massachusetts coach; Demopoulos, the longtime Temple assistant, is the coach at Missouri-Kansas City; and Soderberg was not retained at Wisconsin after succeeding Dick Bennett on an interim basis this season.
"I won't tell you who we've had in, but we've had some initial visits," Zillmer said yesterday. "There are a lot of coaching vacancies, and we were happy for the chance to do that. Our timetable is open. We'll talk to some people at the Final Four, and then revisit others."
Zillmer fired Steve Seymour just days after the Dragons' season ended.
Flint interviewed at Duquesne on Thursday and plans to visit Northeastern on Monday.
In two seasons as Dragons coach, Seymour compiled a 28-29 overall record. This season, the team was 15-12, finishing third in the America East Conference.
Seymour, who replaced Bill Herrion, had two years left on his contract, which will be honored. Assistants coaches John O'Connor and Dino Presley were also dismissed.
Zillmer said he had been in touch with the program's three recruits for next school year - Steve Showers, Phil Goss and Brahin Howard.
"I asked them to wait until we hire a new coach and to give him the chance to talk to them," Zillmer said.
Drexel will move from the America East to the Colonial Athletic Association after next season along with Hofstra, Delaware and Towson.
Flint ready to take reins as men's basketball coach at Drexel
James "Bruiser" Flint, 35, will arrive from UMass, where he was 86-72. He grew up in Southwest Philadelphia.
April 05, 2001 by Kevin Tatum
Drexel University will introduce James "Bruiser" Flint, a native Philadelphian, as its new men's basketball coach today.
Flint, who resigned under pressure at Massachusetts a few weeks ago after going 86-72 in five seasons, will succeed Steve Seymour, who was fired last month after a 15-12 finish that brought his two-year record to 28-29.
UMass was 15-15 this season before losing to Temple in the Atlantic Ten championship.
"We did a national search, and we had a wide net," Drexel athletic director Eric Zillmer said.
"We talked to a ton of people and we knew who were the hottest coaches," he said. "I'm a professor, and I collected a lot of data and information. I took painful detail for the right fit. I'm delighted to have him."
Flint's deal is believed to be for five years, at $200,000 a year. Flint had his third interview with Drexel on Tuesday. St. Joseph's assistant coach Matt Brady and Connecticut assistant coach Karl Hobbs also were in for further talks that day.
Flint, 35, who served as an assistant coach under John Calipari at UMass for seven seasons, took over the top job in 1996, two days after Calipari left for the NBA and the New Jersey Nets.
It was Flint's first head coaching job. At Drexel, he will be in charge when the Dragons move from the America East Conference to the Colonial Athletic Association next season.
"It's a good opportunity," Flint said. "Drexel is trying to get a new identity, in a new league, and I'm happy that they picked me to lead them there."
Flint, who played at Episcopal Academy and St. Joseph's, grew up at 58th Street and Baltimore Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia. He spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Coppin State, from 1987 to '89, before Calipari hired him at UMass.
UMass made the NCAA tournament in Flint's first two seasons as head coach. But the Minutemen fell to 14-16 in 1998-99 and 17-16 the next season, including a first-round loss in the National Invitation Tournament. This season, UMass failed to receive an invitation to the NCAA tournament or the NIT after losing to Temple, 76-65, in the Atlantic Ten tournament final.
On March 26, UMass introduced ex-Villanova coach Steve Lappas as Flint's replacement.
Flint was in the running for the top job at Duquesne, as well.
"Drexel wanted me more," Flint said in a telephone interview. "I came out of a situation where at times I didn't get the support I needed. When Drexel called and offered me the job, Duquesne wasn't ready. It became easy for me.
"Drexel wants to make an impact in the city, and I think we'll have to recruit different players than we were when we were in the America East. We need better players, and that's one of the things they talked to me about."
"He's a Philly guy and he's been to the NCAA tournament," Zillmer said. "Drexel has been playing basketball for 105 years, and it's important that we have somebody who understands the pulse of Philadelphia basketball."
April 05, 2001 by Kevin Tatum
Drexel University will introduce James "Bruiser" Flint, a native Philadelphian, as its new men's basketball coach today.
Flint, who resigned under pressure at Massachusetts a few weeks ago after going 86-72 in five seasons, will succeed Steve Seymour, who was fired last month after a 15-12 finish that brought his two-year record to 28-29.
UMass was 15-15 this season before losing to Temple in the Atlantic Ten championship.
"We did a national search, and we had a wide net," Drexel athletic director Eric Zillmer said.
"We talked to a ton of people and we knew who were the hottest coaches," he said. "I'm a professor, and I collected a lot of data and information. I took painful detail for the right fit. I'm delighted to have him."
Flint's deal is believed to be for five years, at $200,000 a year. Flint had his third interview with Drexel on Tuesday. St. Joseph's assistant coach Matt Brady and Connecticut assistant coach Karl Hobbs also were in for further talks that day.
Flint, 35, who served as an assistant coach under John Calipari at UMass for seven seasons, took over the top job in 1996, two days after Calipari left for the NBA and the New Jersey Nets.
It was Flint's first head coaching job. At Drexel, he will be in charge when the Dragons move from the America East Conference to the Colonial Athletic Association next season.
"It's a good opportunity," Flint said. "Drexel is trying to get a new identity, in a new league, and I'm happy that they picked me to lead them there."
Flint, who played at Episcopal Academy and St. Joseph's, grew up at 58th Street and Baltimore Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia. He spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Coppin State, from 1987 to '89, before Calipari hired him at UMass.
UMass made the NCAA tournament in Flint's first two seasons as head coach. But the Minutemen fell to 14-16 in 1998-99 and 17-16 the next season, including a first-round loss in the National Invitation Tournament. This season, UMass failed to receive an invitation to the NCAA tournament or the NIT after losing to Temple, 76-65, in the Atlantic Ten tournament final.
On March 26, UMass introduced ex-Villanova coach Steve Lappas as Flint's replacement.
Flint was in the running for the top job at Duquesne, as well.
"Drexel wanted me more," Flint said in a telephone interview. "I came out of a situation where at times I didn't get the support I needed. When Drexel called and offered me the job, Duquesne wasn't ready. It became easy for me.
"Drexel wants to make an impact in the city, and I think we'll have to recruit different players than we were when we were in the America East. We need better players, and that's one of the things they talked to me about."
"He's a Philly guy and he's been to the NCAA tournament," Zillmer said. "Drexel has been playing basketball for 105 years, and it's important that we have somebody who understands the pulse of Philadelphia basketball."
Temple gets approval for Flint interview
Tuesday, March 21, 2006 by Andy Katz
Temple asked for permission to speak with Flint on Tuesday.
Flint, who played at Saint Joseph's and is from Philadelphia, is considered one of five finalists. The frontrunner for the job since Hall of Fame coach John Chaney retired has been Penn's Fran Dunphy. He's expected to talk to Temple as well, if he hasn't already.According to multiple sources, there is a strong urge for Temple to go with a Philly guy to fill one of the more unique jobs in college basketball. Temple is Philly's school, and if the Owls were back to being the "it" program in the area, not many players would get away.
Temple also is expected to discuss the opening with former Owl and current NBA player Rick Brunson, Blazers assistant and former Temple assistant Dean Demopolous and current Temple assistant (and the glue to the whole current operation) Dan Leibovitz.
The early line, though, favors Flint and Dunphy.
Flint, who played at Saint Joseph's and coached in the A-10 at UMass, also would be a natural. Flint is extremely popular with the masses in Philadelphia. Dunphy played in the same La Salle infield as Temple athletic director Bill Bradshaw. He has been the peacemaker among the Philly Six, one of the most beloved coaches in the city, but would be making a distinct change in recruiting at Temple rather than for Penn. Both would likely help ease the program's transition from Chaney.
While the Owls will move on and perhaps the infusion of a fresh face, even if it's one of the Philly Six, will help energize the program, Chaney is a coach who comes along once in a generation. That's what makes replacing him one of the toughest decisions Bradshaw will face, and one that might keep him thinking of Philadelphia, because few outside the city would understand the dynamics of this job.
March 22, 2006 by Mike Jensen
Getting its search into high gear, Temple received permission from Drexel yesterday to talk to Dragons basketball coach Bruiser Flint, according to sources familiar with Temple's efforts to replace the retired John Chaney.
A day earlier, the Owls received permission from Penn to talk to Quakers coach Fran Dunphy, sources said.
Expect Temple to begin talking to candidates this week. Also in the mix are three candidates recommended by Chaney, according to sources. Temple assistant Dan Leibovitz is expected to get an interview soon.
March 29, 2006 by Mike Jensen
Penn coach Fran Dunphy and Manhattan coach Bobby Gonzalez were both on Temple's campus yesterday talking to school officials, according to several sources familiar with the school's search.
Temple athletic director Bill Bradshaw, reached last night, had no comment, but Bradshaw did say that he did not expect a new men's basketball coach to be named before next week, after the Final Four.
Gonzalez also is reportedly a candidate at Seton Hall. Meanwhile, Temple also has talked to Drexel coach Bruiser Flint, former Owls point guard Rick Brunson, former Owls assistant Dean Demopoulos, current Owls assistant Dan Leibovitz, and 76ers assistant Henry Bibby.
Temple asked for permission to speak with Flint on Tuesday.
Flint, who played at Saint Joseph's and is from Philadelphia, is considered one of five finalists. The frontrunner for the job since Hall of Fame coach John Chaney retired has been Penn's Fran Dunphy. He's expected to talk to Temple as well, if he hasn't already.According to multiple sources, there is a strong urge for Temple to go with a Philly guy to fill one of the more unique jobs in college basketball. Temple is Philly's school, and if the Owls were back to being the "it" program in the area, not many players would get away.
Temple also is expected to discuss the opening with former Owl and current NBA player Rick Brunson, Blazers assistant and former Temple assistant Dean Demopolous and current Temple assistant (and the glue to the whole current operation) Dan Leibovitz.
The early line, though, favors Flint and Dunphy.
Flint, who played at Saint Joseph's and coached in the A-10 at UMass, also would be a natural. Flint is extremely popular with the masses in Philadelphia. Dunphy played in the same La Salle infield as Temple athletic director Bill Bradshaw. He has been the peacemaker among the Philly Six, one of the most beloved coaches in the city, but would be making a distinct change in recruiting at Temple rather than for Penn. Both would likely help ease the program's transition from Chaney.
While the Owls will move on and perhaps the infusion of a fresh face, even if it's one of the Philly Six, will help energize the program, Chaney is a coach who comes along once in a generation. That's what makes replacing him one of the toughest decisions Bradshaw will face, and one that might keep him thinking of Philadelphia, because few outside the city would understand the dynamics of this job.
March 22, 2006 by Mike Jensen
Getting its search into high gear, Temple received permission from Drexel yesterday to talk to Dragons basketball coach Bruiser Flint, according to sources familiar with Temple's efforts to replace the retired John Chaney.
A day earlier, the Owls received permission from Penn to talk to Quakers coach Fran Dunphy, sources said.
Expect Temple to begin talking to candidates this week. Also in the mix are three candidates recommended by Chaney, according to sources. Temple assistant Dan Leibovitz is expected to get an interview soon.
March 29, 2006 by Mike Jensen
Penn coach Fran Dunphy and Manhattan coach Bobby Gonzalez were both on Temple's campus yesterday talking to school officials, according to several sources familiar with the school's search.
Temple athletic director Bill Bradshaw, reached last night, had no comment, but Bradshaw did say that he did not expect a new men's basketball coach to be named before next week, after the Final Four.
Gonzalez also is reportedly a candidate at Seton Hall. Meanwhile, Temple also has talked to Drexel coach Bruiser Flint, former Owls point guard Rick Brunson, former Owls assistant Dean Demopoulos, current Owls assistant Dan Leibovitz, and 76ers assistant Henry Bibby.
For Dragons, a quiet end to their hopes for a bid
Drexel suffered its toughest loss of the season.
Mar. 16, 2007 by Mel Greenberg
The Dragons were not undone by an unbelievable shot at the buzzer, but it did take place in front of a national television audience.The end to Drexel's hopes for an NCAA basketball tournament at-large bid became official when the final pairing of the South Regional and NCAA bracket announced that No. 6 Louisville would meet No. 11 Stanford in Lexington, Ky. At that moment, silence fell across the banquet room on campus that had earlier been filled with hopes and expectations after Drexel (23-8) experienced one of its most joyous seasons. Coach Bruiser Flint then let his team quickly file out of the room without comment.
Only minutes earlier, Drexel enjoyed its last great cheer when the Dragons were shown on CBS as the NCAA selection show went to the commercial with host Greg Gumbel noting that Flint's bunch would soon learn their fate. The season is not totally over - an NIT date with North Carolina State at 8 p.m. tomorrow at home awaits - but it didn't end the way it could have after Drexel piled up those impressive road wins at Syracuse, Villanova, and Creighton this season.
"It's disappointing," Flint said. "Disappointing for my guys. We had a great season. We put a lot into it. We won some games. We had some bumps in the road and actually that must have been the things that cost us." The realists in the room knew early the Dragons might be in trouble when Colonial Athletic Association rival Old Dominion received an at-large into the Midwest Regional.
A year ago, the CAA managed to get a rare at-large invite, and George Mason made good on the gesture by advancing to the Final Four. However, the odds that the conference would get three representatives were long, and Drexel lost both its conference games against ODU. The Dragons finished fourth in the CAA and were eliminated by top-seeded Virginia Commonwealth, 63-56, in the conference tournament semifinals. "It was a very tough decision [between ODU and Drexel]," NCAA tournament committee chairman Gary Walters said. "Both teams had performed admirably during the year.
"We were very much aware of the good road record that Drexel had," Walters said. "But what impressed us more was the fact that within the conference ODU had just performed admirably and come in second in the league and had a better inter-conference record by a significant margin."
Flint said he was more upset over some of the teams that drew invitations. "I think people are going to be more shocked over teams that got in instead of us, more so, than why we did not get in," he said.
"I think they're going to look at some of these teams and say, 'Wow. That team got in.' That disappoints me a little bit, but what are you going to do?" Iimmediately after the field was announced, CBS analyst Seth Davis criticized the omission of Drexel and Syracuse from the field.
It was at Syracuse in late December that the Dragons recorded one of their surprising victories by rallying to beat the Orangemen, 84-79. That victory occurred following a first-ever triumph at Villanova and before Drexel beat Temple, another Big Five school. Drexel also had a win over St. Joseph's, making it the first time the Dragons had ever beaten three Big Five teams in the same season. The Dragons had a tough schedule and soon became one of the feel-good stories of the season. It just didn't end up that way.
"You look at some of the faces of your guys - you know what they put into it," he said. "You know how much this is a big moment for them and it really didn't happen."
Mar. 16, 2007 by Mel Greenberg
The Dragons were not undone by an unbelievable shot at the buzzer, but it did take place in front of a national television audience.The end to Drexel's hopes for an NCAA basketball tournament at-large bid became official when the final pairing of the South Regional and NCAA bracket announced that No. 6 Louisville would meet No. 11 Stanford in Lexington, Ky. At that moment, silence fell across the banquet room on campus that had earlier been filled with hopes and expectations after Drexel (23-8) experienced one of its most joyous seasons. Coach Bruiser Flint then let his team quickly file out of the room without comment.
Only minutes earlier, Drexel enjoyed its last great cheer when the Dragons were shown on CBS as the NCAA selection show went to the commercial with host Greg Gumbel noting that Flint's bunch would soon learn their fate. The season is not totally over - an NIT date with North Carolina State at 8 p.m. tomorrow at home awaits - but it didn't end the way it could have after Drexel piled up those impressive road wins at Syracuse, Villanova, and Creighton this season.
"It's disappointing," Flint said. "Disappointing for my guys. We had a great season. We put a lot into it. We won some games. We had some bumps in the road and actually that must have been the things that cost us." The realists in the room knew early the Dragons might be in trouble when Colonial Athletic Association rival Old Dominion received an at-large into the Midwest Regional.
A year ago, the CAA managed to get a rare at-large invite, and George Mason made good on the gesture by advancing to the Final Four. However, the odds that the conference would get three representatives were long, and Drexel lost both its conference games against ODU. The Dragons finished fourth in the CAA and were eliminated by top-seeded Virginia Commonwealth, 63-56, in the conference tournament semifinals. "It was a very tough decision [between ODU and Drexel]," NCAA tournament committee chairman Gary Walters said. "Both teams had performed admirably during the year.
"We were very much aware of the good road record that Drexel had," Walters said. "But what impressed us more was the fact that within the conference ODU had just performed admirably and come in second in the league and had a better inter-conference record by a significant margin."
Flint said he was more upset over some of the teams that drew invitations. "I think people are going to be more shocked over teams that got in instead of us, more so, than why we did not get in," he said.
"I think they're going to look at some of these teams and say, 'Wow. That team got in.' That disappoints me a little bit, but what are you going to do?" Iimmediately after the field was announced, CBS analyst Seth Davis criticized the omission of Drexel and Syracuse from the field.
It was at Syracuse in late December that the Dragons recorded one of their surprising victories by rallying to beat the Orangemen, 84-79. That victory occurred following a first-ever triumph at Villanova and before Drexel beat Temple, another Big Five school. Drexel also had a win over St. Joseph's, making it the first time the Dragons had ever beaten three Big Five teams in the same season. The Dragons had a tough schedule and soon became one of the feel-good stories of the season. It just didn't end up that way.
"You look at some of the faces of your guys - you know what they put into it," he said. "You know how much this is a big moment for them and it really didn't happen."
Drexel's Inspiration Courtside at games
The Dragons and their fans listen for one voice - the voice of Calvin Hicks.
February 27, 2007 by Frank Fitzpatrick Something was missing from the sound track.
Students inside the sold-out Daskalakis Athletic Center screeched during Drexel's Jan. 27 game against Virginia Commonwealth. The cheerleaders chanted. The referees tweeted. The coaches barked. The players grunted.
Still, it all sounded hollow and a little empty.
Where was the familiar mantra of Dragons basketball, the impassioned, nonstop shrieks of "De-fennnnnn-se! De-fennnnnn-se!" that typically accompanied their games like a drumbeat?
"I watch tapes of our games and, believe me, sometimes that's all you can hear," Drexel coach Bruiser Flint said.
Then someone in the stands, perhaps one of the hundreds who were wearing T-shirts that bore this late arrival's name and photo, spotted him.
Calvin Hicks, in a wheelchair and wearing sweats instead of a pinstriped suit, was entering the building.
The sight of Drexel's longtime basketball manager touched off a scream of recognition that quickly built into an arena-wide ovation. By the time the 2,511 fans had risen to their feet, they were chanting his name, "Cal-vin! Cal-vin! Cal-vin! Cal-vin!
"I never saw anything like it," said Johnson Bowie, Drexel's senior associate athletic director. "Five minutes into a game and the crowd was on its feet for a basketball manager."
Normally, Hicks, who is 44, 5-foot-6, and mentally challenged, would have accompanied the Dragons out of the locker room, then taken a seat near courtside, where fans have grown accustomed to his constant bellowing, his prodigious hot-dog consumption, and his intense scrutiny of every move his "Uncle Bru" - Flint - makes.
Lately though, Hicks' legs have failed him. Hicks used to be on his feet for long stretches of every game and power-walked continuously during daily practices - "He says he does it so he can look good and check out all the girls," said Geoff Arnold, Drexel's associate head coach. But Hicks no longer can move without pain.
Drexel's version of the inspirational title character from the film Radio has stopped, after more than a decade of doing so, traveling with the Dragons. He can't get to every practice and he has to be driven to and from home games.
"The more he's not here," Bowie said, "the more people miss him."
Flint's Dragons finished the regular season 22-7 overall and 13-5 in the Colonial Athletic Association on Saturday, earning a fourth seed and a first-round bye in the league tournament. On Saturday, they will play the winner of Friday's game between Northeastern and Delaware.
As Drexel makes a run for the CAA title and the NCAA berth that goes with it, Hicks' absences have taken on a special significance within a blossoming program that has never had a more devoted supporter.
Players worry about him. "He means a lot to us," senior guard Bashir Mason said. "It's hard to see him struggling."
Calvin Hicks bobbleheads will be sold as a fund-raiser. Students already wear the T-shirts, which display his favorite phrase, "Defense wins championships." At home games, they have begun to wait so fervently for his arrival that it sometimes seems as if their attention is diverted from the court.
The basketball staff bought him a radio so he could hear Dan Baker's road-game broadcasts, and they anxiously await his daily phone calls.
"Tell them boys to win for me" is Hicks' typical pregame message.
The West Philadelphian has been a fixture at Drexel sporting events since the late 1980s, when George Griffin, a firefighter at the 43d and Market Streets station who had befriended him, took Hicks to a Dragons soccer game.
Drexel sports quickly became an obsession. He attended every team's games and practices, but eventually latched on to Bill Herrion's basketball program. He has stayed through 16 years and two coaching changes, readying the players' water bottles, sternly lecturing them in word-for-word replays of Flint's speeches, attending dinners with recruits, and, until recently, traveling with the Dragons.
"I love my Uncle Bru and Drexel very much," Hicks said. "I love everybody."
"There's not a player who has been here who, when I see him, doesn't ask about Cal right away," said Arnold, who roomed with Hicks on the road and frequently drove him back and forth to his home on 40th Street.
"I ran into Malik Rose [a Drexel graduate who plays with the New York Knicks] on Market Street last summer, and the first thing he said was, 'How's Cal?' Everyone who's played here loves him and has been extremely protective of him. And it's not just athletes. Our maintenance guy stopped me the other day and asked if there was anything he could do for him."
Jay Overcash, a former player, bought Hicks a cell phone and calls him every night. When Arnold got his job, the first thing former Dragons assistant John O'Connor told him was to "take care of Cal." Arnold drops in on him regularly. Flint buys the manager a new suit at the start of each season.
"But Calvin likes to eat hot dogs so much that by the end of each year it's covered with mustard stains," Flint said with a laugh.
This recent, sudden disruption in the central aspect of Hicks' life has concerned his Drexel friends.
Trainer Mike Westerfer has made doctor's appointments for him, hoping that the problem with his legs will be discovered and that his precise mental condition will be identified. Flint sometimes sends the team bus to pick him up for home games, and recently the Dragons visited Hicks in the tiny bedroom of the Powelton Village house he shares with family members.
If you're having a bad day," Bowie said, "when Calvin walks into the room, you're suddenly having a great day. He's one of the few people you'll ever meet who absolutely has no mean streak. He's just pure and innocent and always positive."
Hicks used to spend his days - and sometimes his nights - kibitzing with the firemen at 43d and Market. He often ate and slept there, and Griffin, who was an assistant soccer coach at Drexel at the time, became especially close to him. In fact, Hicks, who is African American, refers to Griffin, who is white, as his father.
Almost everyone else - Flint, assistant coaches, and most of the players, past and present - he calls "Uncle."
Herrion noticed him at basketball practices and gave him some menial duties. Soon Hicks was teasing players and coaches and getting teased in return. "You're killing me!" and "I got you good!" are his favorite comments, depending on whether he's the teaser or the teasee.
"Sometimes new guys might be a little reluctant to get into it with Cal because of his condition," Arnold said. "But pretty soon they're right in there with him. They realize he gives as good as he takes."
Hicks soon became such an integral part of the program that Herrion allowed him to travel. He rarely missed a game. This year, his health prevented him from making the trip to Syracuse, N.Y., where on Dec. 19 the Dragons scored one of the most significant wins in school history. Afterward, the coaches called Hicks and jokingly told him they didn't want him on the road anymore.
Last season, Duke head manager Mike Jarvis Jr. sent Calvin some Blue Devils clothing. He wore it so often and so proudly that it took Flint some effort to get the manager to admit he still loved Drexel more.
"He's given so much to Drexel and Drexel in return has given a lot to Cal," Arnold said.
When Flint got the Drexel job in 2001, the first person he met was Hicks.
"I walk into my office and Calvin is already in there waiting for me," Flint recalled. "I had no idea who this guy was. And before I can ask him, he says, 'Can I still travel with the team?' "
If nothing else, while Hicks has been disabled, Drexel has been saving money on its water bill. The manager has a penchant for hourlong showers.
"He gets in there and he likes to cover himself with a mountain of lather until he looks like the Abominable Snowman," Arnold said. "One day Charles Smith [the former NBA player who is now a TV analyst] was dressing at his locker. Cal wanted to meet him and, all lathered up, he came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. Charles turned around and you never saw a guy jump so high."
During games, Hicks' voice is so powerful that it takes opponents and fans a while to adjust to it. When Drexel played UCLA at Madison Square Garden last year, Flint said, 15 college scouts sitting close to him couldn't get any work done amid his bellowing cry.
"But the amazing thing," Flint said, "is that he never, ever gets hoarse."
February 27, 2007 by Frank Fitzpatrick Something was missing from the sound track.
Students inside the sold-out Daskalakis Athletic Center screeched during Drexel's Jan. 27 game against Virginia Commonwealth. The cheerleaders chanted. The referees tweeted. The coaches barked. The players grunted.
Still, it all sounded hollow and a little empty.
Where was the familiar mantra of Dragons basketball, the impassioned, nonstop shrieks of "De-fennnnnn-se! De-fennnnnn-se!" that typically accompanied their games like a drumbeat?
"I watch tapes of our games and, believe me, sometimes that's all you can hear," Drexel coach Bruiser Flint said.
Then someone in the stands, perhaps one of the hundreds who were wearing T-shirts that bore this late arrival's name and photo, spotted him.
Calvin Hicks, in a wheelchair and wearing sweats instead of a pinstriped suit, was entering the building.
The sight of Drexel's longtime basketball manager touched off a scream of recognition that quickly built into an arena-wide ovation. By the time the 2,511 fans had risen to their feet, they were chanting his name, "Cal-vin! Cal-vin! Cal-vin! Cal-vin!
"I never saw anything like it," said Johnson Bowie, Drexel's senior associate athletic director. "Five minutes into a game and the crowd was on its feet for a basketball manager."
Normally, Hicks, who is 44, 5-foot-6, and mentally challenged, would have accompanied the Dragons out of the locker room, then taken a seat near courtside, where fans have grown accustomed to his constant bellowing, his prodigious hot-dog consumption, and his intense scrutiny of every move his "Uncle Bru" - Flint - makes.
Lately though, Hicks' legs have failed him. Hicks used to be on his feet for long stretches of every game and power-walked continuously during daily practices - "He says he does it so he can look good and check out all the girls," said Geoff Arnold, Drexel's associate head coach. But Hicks no longer can move without pain.
Drexel's version of the inspirational title character from the film Radio has stopped, after more than a decade of doing so, traveling with the Dragons. He can't get to every practice and he has to be driven to and from home games.
"The more he's not here," Bowie said, "the more people miss him."
Flint's Dragons finished the regular season 22-7 overall and 13-5 in the Colonial Athletic Association on Saturday, earning a fourth seed and a first-round bye in the league tournament. On Saturday, they will play the winner of Friday's game between Northeastern and Delaware.
As Drexel makes a run for the CAA title and the NCAA berth that goes with it, Hicks' absences have taken on a special significance within a blossoming program that has never had a more devoted supporter.
Players worry about him. "He means a lot to us," senior guard Bashir Mason said. "It's hard to see him struggling."
Calvin Hicks bobbleheads will be sold as a fund-raiser. Students already wear the T-shirts, which display his favorite phrase, "Defense wins championships." At home games, they have begun to wait so fervently for his arrival that it sometimes seems as if their attention is diverted from the court.
The basketball staff bought him a radio so he could hear Dan Baker's road-game broadcasts, and they anxiously await his daily phone calls.
"Tell them boys to win for me" is Hicks' typical pregame message.
The West Philadelphian has been a fixture at Drexel sporting events since the late 1980s, when George Griffin, a firefighter at the 43d and Market Streets station who had befriended him, took Hicks to a Dragons soccer game.
Drexel sports quickly became an obsession. He attended every team's games and practices, but eventually latched on to Bill Herrion's basketball program. He has stayed through 16 years and two coaching changes, readying the players' water bottles, sternly lecturing them in word-for-word replays of Flint's speeches, attending dinners with recruits, and, until recently, traveling with the Dragons.
"I love my Uncle Bru and Drexel very much," Hicks said. "I love everybody."
"There's not a player who has been here who, when I see him, doesn't ask about Cal right away," said Arnold, who roomed with Hicks on the road and frequently drove him back and forth to his home on 40th Street.
"I ran into Malik Rose [a Drexel graduate who plays with the New York Knicks] on Market Street last summer, and the first thing he said was, 'How's Cal?' Everyone who's played here loves him and has been extremely protective of him. And it's not just athletes. Our maintenance guy stopped me the other day and asked if there was anything he could do for him."
Jay Overcash, a former player, bought Hicks a cell phone and calls him every night. When Arnold got his job, the first thing former Dragons assistant John O'Connor told him was to "take care of Cal." Arnold drops in on him regularly. Flint buys the manager a new suit at the start of each season.
"But Calvin likes to eat hot dogs so much that by the end of each year it's covered with mustard stains," Flint said with a laugh.
This recent, sudden disruption in the central aspect of Hicks' life has concerned his Drexel friends.
Trainer Mike Westerfer has made doctor's appointments for him, hoping that the problem with his legs will be discovered and that his precise mental condition will be identified. Flint sometimes sends the team bus to pick him up for home games, and recently the Dragons visited Hicks in the tiny bedroom of the Powelton Village house he shares with family members.
If you're having a bad day," Bowie said, "when Calvin walks into the room, you're suddenly having a great day. He's one of the few people you'll ever meet who absolutely has no mean streak. He's just pure and innocent and always positive."
Hicks used to spend his days - and sometimes his nights - kibitzing with the firemen at 43d and Market. He often ate and slept there, and Griffin, who was an assistant soccer coach at Drexel at the time, became especially close to him. In fact, Hicks, who is African American, refers to Griffin, who is white, as his father.
Almost everyone else - Flint, assistant coaches, and most of the players, past and present - he calls "Uncle."
Herrion noticed him at basketball practices and gave him some menial duties. Soon Hicks was teasing players and coaches and getting teased in return. "You're killing me!" and "I got you good!" are his favorite comments, depending on whether he's the teaser or the teasee.
"Sometimes new guys might be a little reluctant to get into it with Cal because of his condition," Arnold said. "But pretty soon they're right in there with him. They realize he gives as good as he takes."
Hicks soon became such an integral part of the program that Herrion allowed him to travel. He rarely missed a game. This year, his health prevented him from making the trip to Syracuse, N.Y., where on Dec. 19 the Dragons scored one of the most significant wins in school history. Afterward, the coaches called Hicks and jokingly told him they didn't want him on the road anymore.
Last season, Duke head manager Mike Jarvis Jr. sent Calvin some Blue Devils clothing. He wore it so often and so proudly that it took Flint some effort to get the manager to admit he still loved Drexel more.
"He's given so much to Drexel and Drexel in return has given a lot to Cal," Arnold said.
When Flint got the Drexel job in 2001, the first person he met was Hicks.
"I walk into my office and Calvin is already in there waiting for me," Flint recalled. "I had no idea who this guy was. And before I can ask him, he says, 'Can I still travel with the team?' "
If nothing else, while Hicks has been disabled, Drexel has been saving money on its water bill. The manager has a penchant for hourlong showers.
"He gets in there and he likes to cover himself with a mountain of lather until he looks like the Abominable Snowman," Arnold said. "One day Charles Smith [the former NBA player who is now a TV analyst] was dressing at his locker. Cal wanted to meet him and, all lathered up, he came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. Charles turned around and you never saw a guy jump so high."
During games, Hicks' voice is so powerful that it takes opponents and fans a while to adjust to it. When Drexel played UCLA at Madison Square Garden last year, Flint said, 15 college scouts sitting close to him couldn't get any work done amid his bellowing cry.
"But the amazing thing," Flint said, "is that he never, ever gets hoarse."
Flint not in like Miller at Dayton
April 04, 2011
Archie Miller was hired as the University of Dayton's men's basketball coach Sunday. The move came less than a week after Brian Gregory left to take over at Georgia Tech. The 32-year-old Miller has been associate head coach the last two seasons for older brother Sean Miller at Arizona. Drexel coach Bruiser Flint, who was reported to have interest in the job, said he never spoke with Dayton athletic director Tim Wabler but indicated that his agent inquired about the job on his behalf.
Archie Miller was hired as the University of Dayton's men's basketball coach Sunday. The move came less than a week after Brian Gregory left to take over at Georgia Tech. The 32-year-old Miller has been associate head coach the last two seasons for older brother Sean Miller at Arizona. Drexel coach Bruiser Flint, who was reported to have interest in the job, said he never spoke with Dayton athletic director Tim Wabler but indicated that his agent inquired about the job on his behalf.
Drexel fires coach Bruiser Flint after 15 seasons
Drexel has fired coach Bruiser Flint after a 15-year run without an NCAA Tournament appearance.
MARCH 7, 2016 by DAN GELSTON,
The longest-tenured active coach at one school without an NCAA berth, Flint went 245-217 with the Dragons and slumped to 6-25 this season. The Dragons went 3-15 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
"Loved being a Dragon." Flint tweeted Monday. "Enjoyed the 15yrs. Love my guys and the ppl were great to me. Thanks Drexel."
Flint coached the Dragons in five NITs, but only one since 2007. His best season came in 2011-12 when the Dragons went 29-7 and reached the NIT quarterfinal. Drexel won only 17 games the last two seasons.
"Our basketball program is well positioned for the future and he deserves credit for that," Drexel AD Eric Zillmer wrote in a letter to season ticket holders. "I believe that we have the resources, commitment, and infrastructure in place to hire an exceptional and winning coach, and that our department and University is a very desirable place to work."
Drexel retrained Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search to manage a national search for a new coach.
Flint, a former University of Massachusetts assistant coach under John Calipari, was a four-time winner of the CAA coach of the year award. Flint also coached UMass from 1996-2001 and made the NCAA Tournament in 1997 and 1998 and went 86-72 at the school.
The 50-year-old Flint led Drexel to several solid seasons, just not the NCAAs. Yale's James Jones led the program to the NCAA Tournament this year for the first time in his 17 seasons, leaving Flint with the dubious distinction of longest time coaching one program without an NCAA berth. Tony Shaver has coached William & Mary for 13 seasons and J.P. Piper has coached Nicholls State for 12 without an NCAA Tournament, leaving them next on the list, per STATS LLC. There are six other active coaches at 11 seasons. One of them is New Hampshire's Bill Herrion, who has gone 11 seasons without a March Madness trip. Herrion coached Drexel for eight seasons and led the Dragons to their last NCAA Tournament appearances, in 1994, 1995 and 1996. The Dragons won their last tournament game in 1996.
MARCH 7, 2016 by DAN GELSTON,
The longest-tenured active coach at one school without an NCAA berth, Flint went 245-217 with the Dragons and slumped to 6-25 this season. The Dragons went 3-15 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
"Loved being a Dragon." Flint tweeted Monday. "Enjoyed the 15yrs. Love my guys and the ppl were great to me. Thanks Drexel."
Flint coached the Dragons in five NITs, but only one since 2007. His best season came in 2011-12 when the Dragons went 29-7 and reached the NIT quarterfinal. Drexel won only 17 games the last two seasons.
"Our basketball program is well positioned for the future and he deserves credit for that," Drexel AD Eric Zillmer wrote in a letter to season ticket holders. "I believe that we have the resources, commitment, and infrastructure in place to hire an exceptional and winning coach, and that our department and University is a very desirable place to work."
Drexel retrained Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search to manage a national search for a new coach.
Flint, a former University of Massachusetts assistant coach under John Calipari, was a four-time winner of the CAA coach of the year award. Flint also coached UMass from 1996-2001 and made the NCAA Tournament in 1997 and 1998 and went 86-72 at the school.
The 50-year-old Flint led Drexel to several solid seasons, just not the NCAAs. Yale's James Jones led the program to the NCAA Tournament this year for the first time in his 17 seasons, leaving Flint with the dubious distinction of longest time coaching one program without an NCAA berth. Tony Shaver has coached William & Mary for 13 seasons and J.P. Piper has coached Nicholls State for 12 without an NCAA Tournament, leaving them next on the list, per STATS LLC. There are six other active coaches at 11 seasons. One of them is New Hampshire's Bill Herrion, who has gone 11 seasons without a March Madness trip. Herrion coached Drexel for eight seasons and led the Dragons to their last NCAA Tournament appearances, in 1994, 1995 and 1996. The Dragons won their last tournament game in 1996.
Drexel basketball coach Bruiser Flint fired after 15 seasons
March 7, 2016 by Dick Jerardi & Jonathan Tannenwald -
Bruiser Flint’s Drexel teams never had much luck through the years, but they were generally competitive and sometimes more than that. Flint survived far too many injuries to key players to win more games than any other coach in school history, but he could not survive a 6-25 season. He was let go Monday with a year left on his contract.
Flint broke the news himself Monday morning. He told ESPN that he had been dismissed from the job, then posted a tweet of his own confirming his departure:
The 1987 Saint Joseph’s graduate was hired in April 2001 after five mostly successful seasons at Massachusetts. But even two NCAAs and an NIT were not enough at UMass coming off the 1996 Final Four. Nobody has done as well as Flint at UMass since he left.
Flint’s Drexel teams were 245-217 in 15 seasons, but had losing records in three of the last four. This season was doomed when Damion Lee graduated last spring and decided to use his final season of eligibility at Louisville. Schools such as Drexel can’t replace players of Lee’s caliber, and the Dragons did not.
Flint’s best Drexel teams were in 2006-07, when the Dragons finished 23-9 and won road games against Villanova, Syracuse, Temple and Saint Joseph’s, and 2011-12, when the Dragons were 29-7 and lost a heartbreaking CAA championship game to VCU in Richmond. Both teams were in the NCAA at-large mix, but neither got a bid.
Flint, who started his coaching career as an assistant at Coppin State under Fang Mitchell and was right by John Calipari’s side when UMass went from national joke to national power, certainly has a resume that will get him more work in the business. It just won’t be at Drexel anymore.
Among the potential candidates to replace Flint is Doug Overton, the former La Salle star and St. Joe's assistant coach who now works as Comcast SportsNet's color commentator on 76ers broadcasts. Overton's son Miles is a redshirt sophomore for the Dragons, and Yahoo Sports recently reported that Overton has drawn interest from unnamed local college programs.
March 7, 2016 by Dick Jerardi & Jonathan Tannenwald -
Bruiser Flint’s Drexel teams never had much luck through the years, but they were generally competitive and sometimes more than that. Flint survived far too many injuries to key players to win more games than any other coach in school history, but he could not survive a 6-25 season. He was let go Monday with a year left on his contract.
Flint broke the news himself Monday morning. He told ESPN that he had been dismissed from the job, then posted a tweet of his own confirming his departure:
The 1987 Saint Joseph’s graduate was hired in April 2001 after five mostly successful seasons at Massachusetts. But even two NCAAs and an NIT were not enough at UMass coming off the 1996 Final Four. Nobody has done as well as Flint at UMass since he left.
Flint’s Drexel teams were 245-217 in 15 seasons, but had losing records in three of the last four. This season was doomed when Damion Lee graduated last spring and decided to use his final season of eligibility at Louisville. Schools such as Drexel can’t replace players of Lee’s caliber, and the Dragons did not.
Flint’s best Drexel teams were in 2006-07, when the Dragons finished 23-9 and won road games against Villanova, Syracuse, Temple and Saint Joseph’s, and 2011-12, when the Dragons were 29-7 and lost a heartbreaking CAA championship game to VCU in Richmond. Both teams were in the NCAA at-large mix, but neither got a bid.
Flint, who started his coaching career as an assistant at Coppin State under Fang Mitchell and was right by John Calipari’s side when UMass went from national joke to national power, certainly has a resume that will get him more work in the business. It just won’t be at Drexel anymore.
Among the potential candidates to replace Flint is Doug Overton, the former La Salle star and St. Joe's assistant coach who now works as Comcast SportsNet's color commentator on 76ers broadcasts. Overton's son Miles is a redshirt sophomore for the Dragons, and Yahoo Sports recently reported that Overton has drawn interest from unnamed local college programs.
Bad luck overshadows Bruiser Flint's achievements at Drexel
Bruiser Flint won 245 games as the head coach at Drexel and was named the CAA Coach of the Year four times.
March 8, 2016, Dave Zeitlin
Heading into the 2013-14 season, Bruiser Flint believed he had assembled his strongest team ever at Drexel. And in the first month of campaign, the Dragons backed it up, taking two nationally ranked teams in UCLA and Arizona right down to the wire.
But in what became a familiar theme for Flint and the Dragons, those good vibes were quickly dashed when, late in their game against then-No. 4 Arizona, standout guard Damion Lee came down funny on the Madison Square Garden court and tore his ACL.
Later that season, another starter, Kazembe Abif, missed almost all of conference play with an injury. The season before that, star shooter Chris Fouch was lost for the year in the third game. The season after, it was about half of the team, including Abif and Lee, that went down.
Suddenly, a talented core that included Lee, Abif, Fouch, Frantz Massenat and Dartaye Ruffin, among others, seemed like a distant memory as, at times, Flint struggled with simple things like finding enough healthy players to even practice.
“You’re thinking to yourself, ‘Yo, I’m gonna have it like this for a couple of years,’” Flint said last week before leading this year’s less-talented Drexel team into the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament. “Then Chris goes down, Damion goes down, Kaz goes down. We haven’t been the same since.”
In the end, all of the bad luck caught up to Flint, who was fired after the Dragons lost in the quarterfinals of the CAA tourney, ending a dismal 6-25 campaign — the coach’s worst in 15 years running the program.
And it’s hard not to think about what might have been.
Flint’s detractors will immediately point out he never got to the NCAA Tournament and thus had to go, especially after sputtering through his first-ever back-to-back losing seasons. And they’re probably right. Fifteen years is a really long time for any coach to stay with the same school, and when you become the longest-tenured Division I coach to never go to the NCAA tourney — a distinction Flint earned when Yale, under his friend James Jones, punched its dance ticket over the weekend — well, that’s not a good thing.
But Flint’s accomplishments, in the face of seemingly endless adversity and bad luck, are still quite good. He won more games than any other Drexel coach (245) and was named the CAA Coach of the Year a very impressive four times — in 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2012. And yes, the fact that the Dragons didn’t make the NCAA Tournament in any of those years largely boils down to bad luck, too.
For starters, until recently, the conference tournament was held in Virginia where the local teams like VCU, George Mason, James Madison, Old Dominion and UNC Wilmington dominated. Should Drexel have won at least one CAA Tournament in Flint’s tenure? Of course. But it’s still fair to say that the deck was always stacked against the Dragons and the other Northern schools in the league.
Because of those conference tourney struggles, the Dragons were often left hoping for an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. And again, that simply led to more bad luck and frustration. The Dragons were snubbed in 2012, despite winning the regular-season league title, amassing 27 victories before Selection Sunday and, at one point, reeling off 19 straight wins. The problem, perhaps, was a weak non-conference schedule. But that just makes another snub — five years earlier — tougher to swallow. That season (2006-07), Flint purposely scheduled some tough road games and then proceeded to win most of them, beating Syracuse, Creighton, Temple, Villanova and Vermont away from home. But those wins — and 18 others — somehow weren’t enough for Drexel to get in either.
Perhaps in 15 years, Flint should have more to show than two almost NCAA Tournament berths.
But it’s important to remember that he still produced mostly winning campaigns and lured high-level mid-major recruits to a school that plays in a small gym and competes for players and headlines with five other, arguably higher-profile, D-1 programs.
The best recruit of all may have been Lee, who also serves as a perfect microcosm for Flint’s misfortune.
It was during Lee’s freshman year, when he was named the CAA Rookie of the Year, that Drexel won 29 total games but didn’t hear its name called on Selection Sunday.
Two seasons later, Lee tore his ACL at the Garden. The following season, he got hurt before the conference tournament, preventing the Dragons from possibly going on a late run. And then, between last season and this one, he told Flint he’d be using his extra year of eligibility (gained from the ACL injury) at the University of Louisville, setting the table for the Dragons’ disastrous six-win campaign. (Lee’s bad luck continued at Louisville when the school imposed its own postseason ban, preventing him from ever competing in the NCAA Tournament).
What would have happened if Lee hadn’t come down awkwardly on his knee at Madison Square Garden? Or if Fouch didn’t break his ankle after falling on a photographer at the Palestra? Or if there had been different people on the NCAA Selection Committee looking at different things?
Maybe Flint still has a job today. Maybe he doesn’t. But as one of the most colorful and demonstrative coaches in Philly looks for a new place to work and Drexel a new coach, all we can do is wonder what if?
Bruiser Flint won 245 games as the head coach at Drexel and was named the CAA Coach of the Year four times.
March 8, 2016, Dave Zeitlin
Heading into the 2013-14 season, Bruiser Flint believed he had assembled his strongest team ever at Drexel. And in the first month of campaign, the Dragons backed it up, taking two nationally ranked teams in UCLA and Arizona right down to the wire.
But in what became a familiar theme for Flint and the Dragons, those good vibes were quickly dashed when, late in their game against then-No. 4 Arizona, standout guard Damion Lee came down funny on the Madison Square Garden court and tore his ACL.
Later that season, another starter, Kazembe Abif, missed almost all of conference play with an injury. The season before that, star shooter Chris Fouch was lost for the year in the third game. The season after, it was about half of the team, including Abif and Lee, that went down.
Suddenly, a talented core that included Lee, Abif, Fouch, Frantz Massenat and Dartaye Ruffin, among others, seemed like a distant memory as, at times, Flint struggled with simple things like finding enough healthy players to even practice.
“You’re thinking to yourself, ‘Yo, I’m gonna have it like this for a couple of years,’” Flint said last week before leading this year’s less-talented Drexel team into the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament. “Then Chris goes down, Damion goes down, Kaz goes down. We haven’t been the same since.”
In the end, all of the bad luck caught up to Flint, who was fired after the Dragons lost in the quarterfinals of the CAA tourney, ending a dismal 6-25 campaign — the coach’s worst in 15 years running the program.
And it’s hard not to think about what might have been.
Flint’s detractors will immediately point out he never got to the NCAA Tournament and thus had to go, especially after sputtering through his first-ever back-to-back losing seasons. And they’re probably right. Fifteen years is a really long time for any coach to stay with the same school, and when you become the longest-tenured Division I coach to never go to the NCAA tourney — a distinction Flint earned when Yale, under his friend James Jones, punched its dance ticket over the weekend — well, that’s not a good thing.
But Flint’s accomplishments, in the face of seemingly endless adversity and bad luck, are still quite good. He won more games than any other Drexel coach (245) and was named the CAA Coach of the Year a very impressive four times — in 2002, 2004, 2009 and 2012. And yes, the fact that the Dragons didn’t make the NCAA Tournament in any of those years largely boils down to bad luck, too.
For starters, until recently, the conference tournament was held in Virginia where the local teams like VCU, George Mason, James Madison, Old Dominion and UNC Wilmington dominated. Should Drexel have won at least one CAA Tournament in Flint’s tenure? Of course. But it’s still fair to say that the deck was always stacked against the Dragons and the other Northern schools in the league.
Because of those conference tourney struggles, the Dragons were often left hoping for an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. And again, that simply led to more bad luck and frustration. The Dragons were snubbed in 2012, despite winning the regular-season league title, amassing 27 victories before Selection Sunday and, at one point, reeling off 19 straight wins. The problem, perhaps, was a weak non-conference schedule. But that just makes another snub — five years earlier — tougher to swallow. That season (2006-07), Flint purposely scheduled some tough road games and then proceeded to win most of them, beating Syracuse, Creighton, Temple, Villanova and Vermont away from home. But those wins — and 18 others — somehow weren’t enough for Drexel to get in either.
Perhaps in 15 years, Flint should have more to show than two almost NCAA Tournament berths.
But it’s important to remember that he still produced mostly winning campaigns and lured high-level mid-major recruits to a school that plays in a small gym and competes for players and headlines with five other, arguably higher-profile, D-1 programs.
The best recruit of all may have been Lee, who also serves as a perfect microcosm for Flint’s misfortune.
It was during Lee’s freshman year, when he was named the CAA Rookie of the Year, that Drexel won 29 total games but didn’t hear its name called on Selection Sunday.
Two seasons later, Lee tore his ACL at the Garden. The following season, he got hurt before the conference tournament, preventing the Dragons from possibly going on a late run. And then, between last season and this one, he told Flint he’d be using his extra year of eligibility (gained from the ACL injury) at the University of Louisville, setting the table for the Dragons’ disastrous six-win campaign. (Lee’s bad luck continued at Louisville when the school imposed its own postseason ban, preventing him from ever competing in the NCAA Tournament).
What would have happened if Lee hadn’t come down awkwardly on his knee at Madison Square Garden? Or if Fouch didn’t break his ankle after falling on a photographer at the Palestra? Or if there had been different people on the NCAA Selection Committee looking at different things?
Maybe Flint still has a job today. Maybe he doesn’t. But as one of the most colorful and demonstrative coaches in Philly looks for a new place to work and Drexel a new coach, all we can do is wonder what if?