I always thought it odd, that so few African American college basketball coaches have been able to recruit elite talent on a consistent basis. While Black coaches represent around only 20% of the Div. I coaches, none of them lead traditional "blueblood" programs (I suppose one could argue that Big John's son, J. Thompson, III, at G'town has the helm of a traditional powerhouse program). However, given the fact that African Americans represent nearly 60% of all college players, and the number is closer to 80% when you just look at NBA caliber college players, that an African American coach has not been able to consistently draw elite high school talent to his college program. Of course the best players want to play at the "best" colleges, which in turn rarely have African American coaches...but I still would have thought there would be more examples of Black coaches attracting elite players.
John Thompson, II was the first to have tremendous recruiting success starting with Patrick Ewing, back in the early 1980's. Big John, had a great run of nearly 15 years recruiting Reggie Williams, Alonzo Mourning, and Allen Iverson among a few others. Nolan Richardson had a good run at Arkansas, with his "40 minutes of Hell" approach. But that's about it. We all know, you can't be a great coach without great players, so I reject the notion that there have not been enough talented Black coaches. I would argue the talented Black coaches never had sufficiently talented players.
As I look at the current crop of African American coaches. Shaka Smart, now that he is at the resource rich, Univ. of Texas, he would have been my choice as the next Black coach to rise to national prominence. However, with Cuonzo Martin's stunning recruiting success this spring, he is poised to start a whole new trend at Cal. Just like Big John did at G'town, Coach Martin might be on the cusp of doing something similar.
John Thompson, II was the first to have tremendous recruiting success starting with Patrick Ewing, back in the early 1980's. Big John, had a great run of nearly 15 years recruiting Reggie Williams, Alonzo Mourning, and Allen Iverson among a few others. Nolan Richardson had a good run at Arkansas, with his "40 minutes of Hell" approach. But that's about it. We all know, you can't be a great coach without great players, so I reject the notion that there have not been enough talented Black coaches. I would argue the talented Black coaches never had sufficiently talented players.
As I look at the current crop of African American coaches. Shaka Smart, now that he is at the resource rich, Univ. of Texas, he would have been my choice as the next Black coach to rise to national prominence. However, with Cuonzo Martin's stunning recruiting success this spring, he is poised to start a whole new trend at Cal. Just like Big John did at G'town, Coach Martin might be on the cusp of doing something similar.
