Matt Lottich Is Our Coach...Let's Look Underneath the Hood

[ValpoDad89]

I'll say this, great foresight on Matt's part. It seems we end up with 2 up and coming coaches that no one would have given a chance under other circumstances. Point is we are Valpo, strong. But we need to garner strength in other areas that Matt tapped into. As far as No. KY is concerned, they have only played D1 basketball for a very short time. They are program worth watching as they played well as a D 2 school. Yes, they struggled but given time, they can do some damage in the Horizon. Taking one of their top assistants or top assistants is a matter of addition by their subtraction.

[oklahomamick]

Matt Lottich was quoted that he envisions playing Jaume Sorolla and Derrik Smits together.  Twin towers at the same time. 

[nkvu]

Matt Lottich was quoted that he envisions playing Jaume Sorolla and Derrik Smits together.  Twin towers at the same time. 

Didn't the 98 team start a 7' and a 6'11? 

[vu72]

Matt Lottich was quoted that he envisions playing Jaume Sorolla and Derrik Smits together.  Twin towers at the same time. 

Didn't the 98 team start a 7' and a 6'11? 

Yep, The "V" Towers.  Just don't ask me to spell their names!

[agibson]

Matt Lottich was quoted that he envisions playing Jaume Sorolla and Derrik Smits together.  Twin towers at the same time. 

Didn't the 98 team start a 7' and a 6'11? 

Yep, The "V" Towers.  Just don't ask me to spell their names!

Tony Vilcinkas and Ivan Vujic?

Without peeking! And... wrong.  Vilcinskas.

But, maybe Vujic wasn't on the team until 98-99?

[cmack]

Matt Lottich was quoted that he envisions playing Jaume Sorolla and Derrik Smits together.  Twin towers at the same time. 

Didn't the 98 team start a 7' and a 6'11? 

Yep, The "V" Towers.  Just don't ask me to spell their names!

Tony Vilcinkas and Ivan Vujic?

Without peeking! And... wrong.  Vilcinskas.

But, maybe Vujic wasn't on the team until 98-99?

Tony Vilcinskas and Zoran Viskovic

[vu72]

The staff is now official:

http://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2015-16/15506/matt-lottich-announces-coaching-staff/#.VyEWVjArLNM

[agibson]

Interesting - a Director of Basketball Operations with (lower-level) head coaching experience. NABC National Coach of the Year.

For Manuel, I knew about UNC. But I missed that national championship, and that he was a defensive specialist. Interesting.

I'm glad Warner's older than me, at least. I'd always sort of assumed Luke Gore was, as long as he's been at Valpo - but we're closer in age than I realized.

[VULB#62]

The resumes of all three blow the doors off any aspiring coach who might just have been bouncing around the last couple of years as a DBO and might have "important connections" overseas.  Speaking of the DBO, Chad almost seems overqualified for the job.

Reprising the article that was posted a couple of weeks ago (with my highlights)     .....what exactly does the director of basketball operations do?

A large amount of the job is administrative work -- making sure the budget is in order, maintaining the daily schedule, working with Under Armour {Nike}to order equiment and really anything else the head coach needs to help make the program run smoothly.  The director of operations also helps maintain the academic side of things, and makes sure everything is a-okay on the compliance side of things.

Recruiting plays a big role, as well. While NCAA regulations prohibit the director of operations to recruit off-campus, they are allowed to recruit on-campus and are responsible for daily recruiting operations -- planning and coordinating visits (including how the prospect gets there and what they do when they arrive) and keeps a list of potential prospects.

There is one other notable restriction on the position -- they're not allowed to actively coach on the court during pre-season or post-season workouts or regular season practices. The director of operations can teach players through film study and learning the playbook, however, so they're not completely hands off with the players.

[vu72]

I think in particular, the hiring of Jackie Manuel will be a great replacement for Roger Powell.  Both have similar amount of coaching experience and while Powell played in a Final Four, Jackie played on a National Champion which should play well with high school kids.  Both played briefly in the NBA, and while Powell comes from nearby Illinois, Jackie comes from the Southeast and may open new recruiting avenues.

Obviously Matt had these guys in mind for a while as they were named very quickly, at least in the Twitter world.  I don't think we needed a guy like Vu for international connections as Matt's staff, including himself, have plenty of overseas time.

[valpo84]

Jackie Manuel was an assistant at UNC-G under UNC grad and current coach Wes Miller, who has become an up and coming young coach in the mid-major ranks down in the Southeast. 

[VULB#62]

Nuff said.  I'm on board.

[tweet]725461500694020096[/tweet]

[historyman]

Where is Ivan Vujic these days. He's an ex-Crusader and a big man coach with Big 10 and Big East experience. 

Well, now you know.

[agibson]

I think in particular, the hiring of Jackie Manuel will be a great replacement for Roger Powell.  Both have similar amount of coaching experience and while Powell played in a Final Four, Jackie played on a National Champion which should play well with high school kids.  Both played briefly in the NBA, and while Powell comes from nearby Illinois, Jackie comes from the Southeast and may open new recruiting avenues.

Powell played 14 minutes, scoring two free throws. Brief indeed!

Manuel was signed by the Celtics once, but never played. Played several seasons in the D league.

[agibson]

For Manuel, I knew about UNC. But I missed that national championship, and that he was a defensive specialist. Interesting.

And thanks to Paul Oren for pointing out that UNC beat Powell's Illinois team in the championship game.
http://www.nwitimes.com/sports/college/valparaiso-university/lottich-rounds-out-valparaiso-coaching-staff/article_78b0a2ef-419e-5e67-85d5-342b7e21e4d6.html

[vu72]

Great interview with Coach Lottich.  Can't wait to see the program move forward!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASQef-mhS4o

[FWalum]

Really loved this quote from Warner.

"I met Matt two years ago at the Final Four on a treadmill and we immediately hit it off," Warner said. "We share similar views and when a position came to be open, I would've walked to Valpo."

[VULB#62]

Matt, in his interview with Todd regarding hiring staff:

"I didn't want any knuckleheads running around."     

[VU2014]

Knucklehead...

[agibson]

Great video, great interview. A few quick reactions:

Winning in the post-season! One monkey off Valpo's back, for sure (but that NCAA win is going to be sweeter).

The idea of Lottich following twitter for coaching updates (even Vanderbilt, even VU??, updates) is a bit nuts.

"Carolina coaching tree runs deep", "wouldn't believe some of the names that called"... endorsing Manuel? Fascinating.

Alec leaving for Utah Friday, with a first-class ticket which even Lottich thought was cool. I've been wondering how things have gone for Alec. Does anyone keep track of individual workouts? Lottich seemed to think he had a pretty good chance at getting invited to the Combine (May 10-15).

It seemed like maybe we were getting a few more, and juicier, tidbits than we would from Bryce. Seems like Lottich's willing to be a little more public with the press - could be a fun time to be a fan.

[valpotx]

The longer Peters goes with these camps and workouts, the more likely other schools will fill their spots up

[Chairback]

Peters goes with these camps and workouts

I'll be the first in line to buy a Broekhoff or Peters NBA jersey.  I hope one of them makes it.

[ValpoDad89]

I'll say this, having some guys close to DePaul that I can tap, Vujic was hired to bring in Sandi Marciunis and to pipeline to an East Eurpean flow.  He did neither for DPU.

Now fellas, we have to keep this in mind  JC kids may be good but there's more prep schools out three that take these kids away from true JCs like back in the day. Many are simply basketbal factories. Having Vujic, from what I've heard about his coaching and what he did with Skara is thanks but no thanks. We are so much better off not having him on staff. Lottich surrounded himself with credibility and proven winners. Again, Vujic can only tap a limited market. We have guys on staff that can show kids a NC ring. As superficial as that sounds, it resonates with the millenials that want it NOW!!!

[wh]

17h17 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Matt Lottich optimistic about building schedule: "Administration wants to play best schedule we can, we want to play best schedule we can."

17h17 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Matt Lottich: "... We're looking at transfers, freshmen, prep schools. We have a lot of good names on a list right now."

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Matt Lottich on recruiting: "We're exploring all routes. We want guys who fit in culturally and compete at a high level ...

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Matt Lottich on Keith Carter: "Not an easy decision for NCAA. They're looking at his situation. Bodes in his favor and our favor."

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Matt Lottich on David Skara: "I haven't talked to David. I don't know what he's doing. You have to ask him, to tell you the truth."

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Lottich on Peters: "... That said, most people view him as a 4-year player. But he's going to perform better than most people anticipate."

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Lottich on Peters: "Going to perform really well in workouts. Great shape, mindset. Wouldn't be surprised if plays way into 1st round ...

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Alec Peters has a workout with the Jazz on Saturday, leaves Friday. Other teams have expressed interest and plan to bring him in.

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Matt Lottich on Chad Warner: "Chad was a steal. I really wanted experience. Only one who's been a head coach, can help with my transition."

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Matt Lottich: "... They mesh well together. They're people who can get guys better. They can recruit and relate to the players we have."

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Matt Lottich on staff: "My primary focus was on men of high character. They have a sense how to work with multiple personalities ...

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
Matt Lottich: " ... If they know I care, they're not going to care when I push them. And I'm going to push them to be great."

18h18 hours ago
Michael Osipoff ‏@MichaelOsipoff
#Valparaiso coach Matt Lottich: "My main goal is to make sure they know I care — they already know ...

[ValpoDad89]

And that WH is what all of us are talking about!!! Awesome stuff. I don't think, I know this program is in great hands.