http://www.fordhamsports.com/asp_new/coachprofile.asp?CoachID=453054317&TeamID=120&SN=

Quote :

"About Coach Whittenburg When Dereck Whittenburg took over the reigns of the Wagner College program in 1999, many wondered what he was doing. The Wagner program had just experienced five straight losing seasons and had never won a Northeast Conference championship in over 20 years as a member of the conference. Whittenburg quickly changed that, leading the Seahawks to a winning record and an NIT bid in his third year and then the NEC title and their first ever NCAA bid in 2003. Last year, Fordham fans experienced a bit of that Whittenburg magic. Taking a team that was comprised of five true freshmen and only four scholarship players, Whittenburg led the Rams to one of their best seasons in over six years, compiling a 13-16 overall record, 8-8 in the Atlantic 10. The eight conference wins were the most by a Fordham team since joining the Atlantic 10 and put the Rams in fourth place in the East Division, while the 13 overall wins were the most for the Rams since the 1999-2000 squad went 14-15. The team also turned in some firsts last winter, winning their first Atlantic 10 Tournament game with a 65-53 win over Duquesne in the first round of the tournament. The Rams also defeated Xavier and Temple for the first time since joining the league in 1995-96. The Rams regained a home court advantage in the historic Rose Hill Gym last year, winning nine of the 13 games played at home, including six of their final seven. The nine home wins were the most since the 1993-94 squad went 9-3 at home. As a result of the Rams’ success in 2004-05, Whittenburg was rewarded with a contract extension following the season that will keep him on the Fordham bench through the 2010 season. In his first year at Fordham, Whittenburg led the Rams to a 6-22 overall finish, 3-13 in the Atlantic 10. But what the record didn’t show was that the Rams were an intense, hard-working group who fought until the end of each game. This effort happened despite playing many games shorthanded due to injury, dressing no more than seven scholarship players at times. Whittenburg, 44, brings 19 years of college coaching experience to Rose Hill, including five seasons at Georgia Tech under former head coach Bobby Cremins. As Wagner’s head coach from 1999 to 2003, he led the Seahawks to a 67-50 record. The Seahawks improved every year under Whittenburg, advancing from 11 wins his first year to 21 in 2002-03. Wagner finished the 2002-03 campaign with a 21-11 overall record, 14-4 in the Northeast Conference (NEC). The Seahawks won the Northeast Conference Tournament, winning the three games by an average of over 15 points per game, en route to earning their first ever NCAA Tournament bid. Wagner fell to second seeded University of Pittsburgh, 87-61, in Boston. Wagner earned numerous Northeast Conference accolades in 2002-03, with Whittenburg earning the Jim Phelan Coach of the Year Award. Wagner senior forward Jermaine Hall also earned NEC Player of the Year honors. In 2001-02, Whittenburg led Wagner to a 19-11 overall record, 15-5 in the conference – the best record for the school in Northeast Conference history, with the Seahawks advancing to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) for the first time in 23 years. The Seahawks offense fueled the turnaround, leading the NEC in scoring three of Whittenburg’s four seasons, including an 81.4 point average in 2001-02. Whittenburg’s squad ranked in the top 10 in the nation in scoring two of his last three seasons at Wagner. Aside from the team’s play on the court, Whittenburg is just as proud of his team’s accolades off the court. Six of his players reached the Wagner College Dean’s List in 2001-02 and the team’s grade-point-average approached 3.0 overall. Wagner also had a player named Northeast Conference Student-Athlete of the Year and Academic All-District I selection in 2002-03. In May of 2003, Whittenburg was selected as a court coach for the 2003 USA Basketball Men’s National Team Trials. His duties included serving as a court coach during the 2003 USA Basketball Men’s National Team Trials that were held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Trials court coaching staff is responsible for conducting drills, coaching scrimmages and working with players who tried for spots on a pair of 2003 USA teams. A Washington, D.C. native and a 1984 graduate of North Carolina State, Whittenburg began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in Raleigh for the Wolfpack (1985-86). He then moved on to George Mason (1986-87) and Long Beach State as a full-time assistant coach (1987-88) before returning to his alma mater for a three-year stint (1988-91) under then head coach, the late Jimmy Valvano. In his playing days, Whittenburg achieved national prominence as a starting guard on the N.C. State basketball team that recorded one of the most remarkable upsets in the history of the NCAA Tournament by defeating a heavily favored Houston team featuring “Phi Slamma Jamma,” Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon, for the national title in 1983. In the closing seconds of the title game, Whittenburg’s desperation 40-foot heave missed the mark, but was slammed home by teammate Lorenzo Charles to seal the championship. Whittenburg is currently ranked 23rd on N.C. State’s all-time scoring list and second on the Wolfpack’s career three-point shooting list. As a junior, he was named second team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and second team All-ACC Tournament. In his senior season, he was named to the All-ACC Tournament team and was honored as the West Region and NCAA Finals Most Valuable Player. Following his collegiate career, Whittenburg was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the third round (51st overall) of the 1983 NBA Draft. A former prep school All-American at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, he played for legendary coach Morgan Wootten’s undefeated national championship team in 1978. During his playing days at both DeMatha and N.C. State, Whittenburg played against high-profile stars such as Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Dominique Wilkins, Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon and a host of others. In late October 2001, Whittenburg was honored with induction into the DeMatha Athletic Hall of Fame for his outstanding accomplishments as a high-school athlete. Whittenburg’s collegiate alma mater also retired his jersey in honor of his outstanding college career. Whittenburg earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from North Carolina State in 1984. He is an active member of the V Foundation, established by Valvano to raise money to fight cancer, and sits on its board of directors. A community leader, Whittenburg also sat on the board of the Staten Island CYO and the YMCA in Manhattan. Whittenburg is married to the former Jackie Williams of Raleigh, N.C."

I know everyone wants a 'big name' coach and if we do end up with Whittenburg some egos will be hurt (mainly b/c of all the "nc state CAN'T get an A list coach" crap by media-some fans.. but that aside. I think this would be good for us.

Besides we can do two things here... have an alumni who was a star on our championship team, and it's a perfect opportunity for NC State to come into the 21st century and have a black head coach.

Thoughts?

4/7/2006 5:41:19 PM

please god no

4/7/2006 5:43:40 PM

please god no

4/7/2006 5:51:12 PM

I think it would be great if we had an alumni head coach, but unfortunately I dont believe we have any alumni that are qualified that would actually come if we are serious about taking a step forward here.

Ive seen the "black coach" factor also brought up in regards to Frank Haith, Nolan Richardson, etc. But honestly, why should the color of someones skin matter?

4/7/2006 5:54:56 PM

I'm just saying... IF Barnes,Pitino,Calipari, etc. ("A-list" coaches) are out... and it comes down to someone like a 50yo version of Herb (Larranaga)... Whittenburg wouldn't be a bad choice.

(and the race thing was just an after thought btw, just pointing out that along with an alum, we'd have our first black head coach... all rolled into one.)

[Edited on April 7, 2006 at 6:00 PM. Reason : a]

4/7/2006 5:56:29 PM

Did you miss that big Confederate flag someone was waving around on National Television-- ESPN GameDay. I would be scared of what some dumb redneck fan would say when we lose.

[Edited on April 7, 2006 at 6:02 PM. Reason : .]

4/7/2006 6:02:24 PM

^I would more be scared of what that dumb thug Nolan Richardson would say when we lose.

I think NC State could deal with a black coach who didn't play the race card when he got in trouble, though. Especially an alumnus and hero like Whit. McMillan would be much better, but we don't have 5 million a year to pay him.

[Edited on April 7, 2006 at 7:58 PM. Reason : 2]

4/7/2006 7:57:52 PM

^^ do you really want those people running the university? because when you let fear of them influence things that's exactly what you're doing...

hopefully, Fowler isn't dumb enough for that...

4/7/2006 8:14:34 PM

^I mean, of course not--- I still would be worried though. Not that it would stop me from supporting a black coach. I wasn't trying to make a case against anyone.

4/7/2006 9:26:46 PM

why not post this in the fucking HERB REPLACEMENTS THREAD

9one9 for sports talk mod

4/7/2006 9:43:02 PM

i know everyone's worn out from "rumors" & "...my sources say " shit ---- i am too. but today i heard from someone in holiday/develop. that Whittenburg is being floated to the top of the list, and there's agreement on him (with the people that matter in the decision)..

He would get my vote

4/13/2006 1:02:26 PM

Quote :

"Whittenburg’s collegiate alma mater also retired his jersey in honor of his outstanding college career."

Actually it is just honored.

4/13/2006 1:06:18 PM

N.C. State's Head Basketball Coach





[Edited on April 21, 2006 at 12:05 PM. Reason : ;]

4/21/2006 12:05:14 PM

After reading that Entire article I like D.W. as a Coach...I think I would prefer a relative unproven Minority over an "A" list guy...plus since we are not in the running for "A" list guy lets try something new, a different route...

something UNC & Duke would not do


III

4/21/2006 12:10:28 PM

Quote :

"something UNC & Duke would not do "

read: lose

4/21/2006 12:15:41 PM

This guy hasnt accomplished shit.

Why the hell would we want to throw him into the fire like this.


This has all the makings of a disaster.


I'd actually be upset over Herb leaving if we end up with Whittenburg.

Fordham? Wagner? Are you kidding me?

Can we at least see some results at a mid-major before we give him the keys?

How the fuck is he going to recruit...?

4/21/2006 12:15:43 PM

Quote :

"Did you miss that big Confederate flag someone was waving around on National Television-- ESPN GameDay"

im going to be the guy that says heritage not hate

i, for one had many ancestors that fought in the civil war. My father is a member of the Sons of the Confederacy: a historical group that participates in reinactments and has many interesting discussion groups about the war. I see nothing wrong with waiving a confederate flag b/c im not a racist and i am proud of my heritage

4/21/2006 12:23:11 PM

Quote :

""The next N.C. State target remained uncertain Wednesday night as the rumor mill churned at a breakneck pace. One source said a flight was arranged for AD Lee Fowler to meet with Dereck Whittenburg, who said he hadn't been contacted. Former UCLA coach Steve Lavin, an ESPN analyst, was said to have interest in the job. -- Charlotte Observer""

Lee Fowler and the people with the $$ seem to think he's worth it. I think he'd be great also. That's still what I'm hearing.

[Edited on April 21, 2006 at 12:25 PM. Reason : b]

4/21/2006 12:24:00 PM

I'm abandoning ship if we hire Whittenburg.

That's a disaster.


I'll even apologize for all the Herb-hating.

4/21/2006 12:25:07 PM

Yeah D.W. is untested at such a level...and has not shown anything "stellar" but neither has our bball team since the Tourny Championship.


III

4/21/2006 12:36:01 PM

Quote :

"This guy hasnt accomplished shit."

Did you read his bio?

4/21/2006 12:36:57 PM

What they won an A-10 tournament GAME?


Yeah I saw that.



What else did I miss? That 6 of his players made deans list one year? He's on the board of directors for the V foundation?


Give me a fucking break. This guy is not a legitimate candidate.


[Edited on April 21, 2006 at 12:41 PM. Reason : a]

4/21/2006 12:39:31 PM

Whitt also was an assistant at NC State and Georgia Tech

4/21/2006 12:44:36 PM

Gotta look at what he has done with what little he has got. You have to start somewhere to build a rep. Seems like we keep looking for that guy that has already made it...how a guy that is making it


III

4/21/2006 12:44:55 PM

I think Whitt may be ready for a shot at a Clemson or Northwestern.


You dont throw an unproven guy into the fire when your program is loaded and has expectations.

4/21/2006 12:47:01 PM

Quote :

"I'll even apologize for all the Herb-hating."

For this reason alone...we should get Whittenberg.

Oh what a disaster Derek would be here.

4/21/2006 12:50:28 PM

He may be good, but he's unproven.

I like him more then Lon fucking failure Kruger, but thats like saying I'd prever to get my balls chopped off with an Ax rather then a short sword.

4/21/2006 12:50:28 PM

God even thinking about this makes me downright irritable.


I dont want to hear another mention of Whittenburg.


I've got a lot on the line here. If we hire this guy Im gonna be hearing about "SEEE WE SHOUDLNT HAVE GOTTEN RID OF HERB" for the rest of my life.

4/21/2006 1:02:36 PM

I don't see why everyone hates Lon Kruger. He's done some rather impressive things as a head coach. I mean...he hasn't coached Fordham to the middle of the pack in the A-10...but he's had a few good seasons.

4/21/2006 1:04:39 PM

^^you're god damn right you will

if we hire whitt to replace herb? omfg...


lavin i could accept, but not fucking whitt who goes .500 in the A-10

[Edited on April 21, 2006 at 1:21 PM. Reason : ]

4/21/2006 1:04:50 PM

you have to realize they are going after someone now that will in no way say no

you think this guy would turn down the job?

hell no

4/21/2006 1:07:21 PM

Like I said on PackPride... Well, since we've thrown up nothing but airballs in the coaching search so far why not go ahead and hire the greatest airball in NCSU history.

Lavin FTW.

4/21/2006 1:09:49 PM

too much for him too soon
didn't read what anyone else wrote so it may have already been said

4/21/2006 1:09:55 PM

By no means was he most people's first choice as a coach at NC State. No he hasn't had a stellar career at Indiana or taken a no name team to the tournament for 8yrs in a row & won a national title, but with what we have and what we need naming Whittenburg as coach would create a storm of excitement in Raleigh.

Although we want someone to come in, WIN and win big, and having done that already would be a huge plus, Dereck Whittenburg IS a winner. He was a winner in HS, he was a winner on State's championship team, he was a winner as an assitant coach, and he's a winner now. He took a school (Wagner) with 1600 students to the NCAA tournament!

Alumni love him, obviously the people who really matter... (Those with deep pockets and a whisper in Lee Fowler's ear) like him.... And yeah, for what's it worth if he came here and had the records Herb had I'd be happy. Why? Because the guy has a passion for what he does.... and we can see that. And honestly, with what NC State has to offer in terms of $/facilities/conference and Whittenburg's obvious ties to our bball tradition, he can't fail.

Whittenburg is a winner. Herb just won(some).


But we'll see how it works out...possibly tomorrow.

4/21/2006 1:13:23 PM

Quote :

"Like I said on PackPride... Well, since we've thrown up nothing but airballs in the coaching search so far why not go ahead and hire the greatest airball in NCSU history."

gg....that's very clever

4/21/2006 1:13:46 PM

Quote :

"He took a school (Wagner) with 1600 students to the NCAA tournament! "

obviously if we aren't happy with a coach that's going to take us 5 years in a row, hitting the tournament once every few years isn't a great step up

4/21/2006 1:14:52 PM

you miss the point. alas, we all have to wait & see..... "Damn you Lee Fowler for taking so long."

4/21/2006 1:20:52 PM

Quote :

"Dereck Whittenburg IS a winner. He was a winner in HS, he was a winner on State's championship team, he was a winner as an assitant coach, and he's a winner now. He took a school (Wagner) with 1600 students to the NCAA tournament! Alumni love him, obviously the people who really matter... (Those with deep pockets and a whisper in Lee Fowler's ear) like him.... And yeah, for what's it worth if he came here and had the records Herb had I'd be happy. Why? Because the guy has a passion for what he does.... and we can see that. And honestly, with what NC State has to offer in terms of $/facilities/conference and Whittenburg's obvious ties to our bball tradition, he can't fail. Whittenburg is a winner. Herb just won(some). "

4/21/2006 1:57:55 PM

that is ridiculous

i hate those kind of people if herb's record wasnt good enough, then why would it be good enough for another coach?


retarded

4/21/2006 2:06:12 PM

i think Whittenburg would makea find head coach of our bball program...
in 5 or 6 years...
but right now, i just can't see it...

4/21/2006 2:08:36 PM

I think we should offer Sendek the job. Seriously.

4/21/2006 2:09:19 PM

rwoody....lets be fair on this one....



Herb wouldnt have herb's record next year if Ced stays in the draft. He's was still a year away from Chris Wright and possibly another big man.

4/21/2006 2:11:29 PM

so if derek whittenburg came in and had the exact same record we had this year, beat the same teams, lost to the same teams and made it no further in either tourney


you would think it was a step up?

that is stupid

if a new coach cant outperform sendek then he is not better than sendek.

4/21/2006 2:14:23 PM

^If Ced is gone, yes.


If Ced stays, I think any coach who can get the players to buy into his system and play hard will do better than Sendek. Period.

4/21/2006 2:16:03 PM

you obviously didnt read what you posted very well

it clearly says records implying that he keeps the same trend as herb which everyone wants to call mediocrity


and what makes you think herb wouldnt have been smart enough to change his style based on the players he had. you think he would still try to make us be shooting team when our best shooter was brackman?


nevermidn dont answer that, i told myself i wouldnt get into anymore of these ridiculous arguments

[Edited on April 21, 2006 at 2:20 PM. Reason : and simmons is good, but dman some people make him sound like our personal savior]

4/21/2006 2:18:44 PM

Quote :

"and what makes you think herb wouldnt have been smart enough to change his style based on the players he had."

I dunno, maybe everything Ive ever seen from the guy the past five years?

4/21/2006 2:22:29 PM

can we just fucking hire gregg marshall FOR THE LOVE OF GOD

4/21/2006 2:23:31 PM

ok so I didnt read the "s" on records


But whatever coach comes in here next year is gonna be WAY behind the 8 ball if Ced is gone. That wasnt my point in copying that post anyway, it was more the fact that Whitt is a winner and he's better than the other two candidates on the apparent list right now.


And I'm going to answer your question....I dont think we have the tools to not be a shooting team next year, thats why I dont think he would change. Thats not to argue, its just fact. I dont think Grant is a good enough ball handler to get to the rim w/out a million turnovers and Fells didnt have the chance to show us what he's got last year.


Ced isnt the savior, but we have nobody above 6-8 returning unless brackman comes back and Costner is a peremiter player anyway. Its a lot easier to build around a big man.

[Edited on April 21, 2006 at 2:26 PM. Reason : ]

[Edited on April 21, 2006 at 2:28 PM. Reason : Costner not McCauley....]

4/21/2006 2:24:24 PM

i have news for you

if you dont think we can survive as a non-spot up shooting team next year

then that means we are going to be terrible even if ced is here

we have a grand total of ZERO shooters on the team unless ferguson ends up shooting as well in games as he does in pick up

and ced is nowhere good enough to run the offense through and carry the team. at least not right now. if he can put on more lower body muscle, learn to correct some of his consistent mistakes and learn to play hard every game, then maybe. but there wasnt a single game last year where he showed he could fill that role. yes including the duke game.

[Edited on April 21, 2006 at 2:30 PM. Reason : mccauley is as tall as simmons and taller than costner]

4/21/2006 2:29:07 PM

^x7 You are ignoring the fact that we had a very deep, experienced team last year that underacheived & was downright pitiful at the end of the year. Even if Ced comes back, I would still think this years team won't be as talented as last years. I would be happy if we could duplicate our record this year, given the loss of experience/depth.

[Edited on April 21, 2006 at 2:30 PM. Reason : ]

4/21/2006 2:29:18 PM