David Patrick of Sacramento State, Mike Magpayo of UC Riverside, and Stan Johnson of Loyola Marymount all have something in common besides being head coaches at Division One colleges. While each is at different steps in the process of building (rebuilding being an inaccurate term), each has either turned around or is in the midst of doing so, a program previously known as long term unsuccessful or "a coach killer" to those more dramatically inclined.
Remarkably, this trio of metamorphoses are taking place without basketball palaces to play in, gleaming practice facilities, a large fan base and unlimited financial support from the school. In fact, chatter and more surrounding the Riverside program is of eliminating Division One athletics entirely but new plans are present to prevent that from taking place.
Patrick just finished 14-18, 7-11 in Big Sky Conference action with the northern California-based Hornets in his initial season. He did Magpayo a favor, leaving Riverside in 2019-20 with building blocks in place after 17-15, 7-9 overall records. Patrick has nine foreigners on his 2023-24 team including four Aussies, plus much more size. But his is primarily a young team in need of experience. 6-foot-1 senior transfer Brandon Bettson is out of Salesian Prep plus Tulsa and Chicago, and consistency in the backcourt is needed from him. 6-foot-4 Emil Skatta is likely too young to be consistent so returning fellow guards Quadry Adams and Austin (Sonora High) Patterson need to step up their game in-game out production.
Magpayo has enjoyed the best numerical success to date, building on Patrick's momentum in turning the previously hapless program in southern California into a winning one, going 51-31 in his first three years with the Highlanders, 31-16 in Big West Conference play.
But he lost his best talent in 6-foot-4 Zyon (College Park High) Pullin to transfer (Florida) and the second best player Cameron Flynn looks to have graduated. However, 6-10 Aussie sophomore Lachlan Olbrich returns with his 11.4 points and 6.1 rebounds a game. 6-foot-1 JC point recruit Isaiah Moses will need to perform immediately.
Johnson took over Loyola Marymount in 2020 and last season concluded with a 19-12 overall record, 9-7 in West Coast Conference outings. Victories over Georgetown, Wake Forest, Gonzaga, BYU and St. Mary's punctuated the 2022-23 schedule. But Johnson will be missing his top talent from last season, Cam Shelton, plus his third-leading scorer Jalin Anderson. This season will be a solid test for Johnson and the Lions. Can the momentum continue?
Do keep in mind the successes achieved by all three also came during the COVID pandemic when recruiting was often limited and truncated so more credit to them.
The coach who wins the national championship should not automatically be deemed as Coach of the year. Possibly but possibly not. Judging who truly deserves the annual honor involves taking many factors into consideration. Any one of these three should have rightfully received votes after this last season.
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