Recruiting, coaching carousel hot topics these days

By Gary Bedore     Jul 13, 2000

Ryan Humphrey, a forward who transferred from Oklahoma to Notre Dame a year ago, is eligible to play for the Irish this season.

“Initially, coach (Matt) Doherty was the reason why I came, but once I got here on campus, I loved everything about Notre Dame,” Humphrey told the South Bend Tribune about the new North Carolina coach. “It’s sad to see coach Doherty go, but I’m totally committed to Notre Dame.”

A former Tulsa Washington standout, Humphrey picked Oklahoma over KU and UCLA in recruiting.

Roy’s on road: Kansas University coach Roy Williams, who evaluated high school prospects at the Nike and adidas camps last week, will next scout an AAU tournament in Las Vegas.

“What’s nice is I have the opportunity to jump back into my work. It’s what I enjoy doing. I enjoy this time period,” Williams said of the summer evaluation period. “You can’t talk to the kids. You just evaluate them. There can be three coaches sitting together. I may decide I like the player you (rival coach) don’t like.”

Williams has received slaps on the back from rival coaches who followed his week-long decision-making process between UNC and Kansas.

“I was shocked by the intensity and frenzy it seemed to create. It was an animal feeding on itself,” Williams said of media coverage. “People would come out with some so-called facts and somebody else would try to get that topped. I said the only source in the process would be me and the athletics director. It was a case of some people not wanting to believe the truth.”

Of Notre Dame’s job search coming during the evaluation period, Williams said: “Notre Dame did not have many scholarships to give out anyway (one), so I do not think it is something they have to panic about.

“Matt already had two early commitments from youngsters who are from the Midwest. The new coach will probably contact those youngsters first, try to reaffirm their commitment to the school. I think Matt laid a great foundation at Notre Dame. In the next five or six days … my guess is they will have a coach at Notre Dame.”

ISU fills slot: Illinois State was the last non-conference date filled on KU’s 2000-2001 hoop schedule.

KU will not return the game to the Normal, Ill., school.

“It required over 100 calls,” KU associate athletics director Richard Konzem said. “We were looking for someone who could play in Lawrence. Their coach (Tom Richardson) coached Sean Pearson in high school. This allowed Illinois State to get a nice guarantee game on the road, so they could get one at home.”

KU’s upcoming series with Tulsa is two games in Lawrence, one in Tulsa. The teams will play at Allen Fieldhouse the next two seasons and in Tulsa in 2002-03.

The Jayhawks will complete home-and-home deals with Ohio State and DePaul this season, plus a 2-for-1 with Middle Tennessee State.

KU will travel to Wake Forest with a return game at Allen Fieldhouse in 2001-2002. Williams has said KU has upcoming series with Arizona and UCLA planned for the future.

No details have yet been announced.

“The Tulsa date worked out great,” Konzem said. “Tulsa was an Elite Eight team last year and that matchup was of great interest to ESPN.”

Dean Smith on Williams declining the UNC job: “Who would know? I’m the only one there with Roy in my car. We spent time together, and I was sure he was coming when he left to go there (back to Kansas after interview).

“But it’s still amongst friends. I told him: ‘Don’t worry about saying no to me. You’ve got to do what’s best for you, in your opinion.’ That’s the way I’d treat any friend.”

Of Williams, Eddie Fogler, Larry Brown and George Karl, all believed to be ahead of Doherty on Smith’s wish list, the legend said:

“Any of those I named, I would be very pleased. Those four and Matt. The fact that he took a team and did well and had experience with Roy … Matt Doherty will be a tremendous coach.”

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