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Thursday News:

April 7, 2011 at 9:48 am
Filed under Basketball, Chris Young, Fairfield, Matt Henshon, Today's News

Fairfield introduced Sydney Johnson as the program's new head coach yesterday. You can watch the full presentation here (video) and read quotes from Johnson's subsequent conversation with the media here.

Former Princeton player Matt Henshon nails many key issues in Johnson's departure from a variety of angles.

The Associated Press, the Connecticut Post, the Fairfield Mirror and the Trenton Times have more.

Current Fairfield Director of Basketball Operations Tyson Wheeler will serve as an assistant coach on Johnson's staff. There is no word on who Johnson's other assistants will be.

In the eyes of Andy Katz it all came down to money. While I personally don't think this was the only factor, Katz makes a few sound points.

Yale's James Jones and several returning Fairfield players share their impressions of Coach Johnson.

Chris Young joined ESPN 1050 after his first win for the Mets.

Previous post: Wednesday News:
Next post: Clay Wilson decommits.

George Clark said,

April 7, 2011 @ 11:37 am

Henshon linked to a report about alumni financial support for the Harvard basketball program the purpose of which is to change the culture in Cambridge. Since many observers have installed the Crimson as the team to beat next season and beyond, it appears the alumni affort has succeeded. Interestingly, the Harvard AD is given credit for, at least, coordinating the alumni efforts. Does anyone not believe that substantial amounts of money for Princeton basketball could be raised quickly? Perhaps the culture of Princeton basketball is not what many of us imagine it to be, but is there any reason why we do not compete with other members of our own League in the same ways? Gary Walters is first and foremost a BASKETBALL guy!!!! How much did Princeton receive from its tournament appearance? Why am I wringing my hands in abject frustration after the most successful season, on so many levels, in this decade?

Peter Carry said,

April 7, 2011 @ 11:58 am

Matt's points are interesting, but his history is wrong. Butch VBK worked virtually continuously in the pros from 1967 to 1976, which means he coached in the pros for about six seasons after he left the Lakers. I covered pro basketball for Sports Illustrated for much of that time, and while I'm certainly well aware of Butch's benching of Chamberlain in Game 7 of the playoffs, I've never heard he was blackballed from the pros for this act. To the contrary, if my memory serves, Butch already had a contract from the Pistons in his pocket when he told Wilt to sit down. Butch was a charming, talented, innovative and stubborn man with very strong opinions. The reason his pro career went on the rocks is that he eventually wore out his welcome.

Steven Postrel said,

April 7, 2011 @ 1:01 pm

The good news for Stags fans is that SJ has expressed his love for Fairfield.

Randy Bergmann said,

April 7, 2011 @ 1:34 pm

John,
Has Johnson officially left campus? Or does he still need to finish up business in Princeton? Have you reached out to him for an interview? Do you expect him to meet with the local media to explain his decision?

Jon Solomon said,

April 7, 2011 @ 1:40 pm

Randy,

I have reached out to Coach Johnson for an interview and I am confident that when the time is right he and I will talk. This could be a few days from now but it could also be a few weeks from now. I can't speak for other media outlets.

Jon

Matt Henshon said,

April 7, 2011 @ 2:09 pm

@PeterCarry: You are correct, sir. I had thought VBK was out of basketball until the Suns; in my defense I was 6 months old at the time (but already an avid Celtics fan.) Post has been fixed.

Gregg Lange said,

April 7, 2011 @ 5:22 pm

I've been intrigued to hear (which is easy if you know anyone up there) the gripes from the rest of the Harvard community over the all-out push on the basketball front. It would appear the other 39 varsity sports (besides football) have reduced low AI slots, and some resent the AD showing what appears to be blatant favoritism. There also appears to be significant confusion about the part the admissions office may or may not be playing.

All of which they'll need to readdress the minute Amaker leaves, which is very likely to be sooner rather than later. The point would be.....?

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