Guess we may as well have a new thread for the new coach. Here's the letter that was sent out from the Athletic Department to season ticket holders this morning:

Quote:Update from Drexel Athletics


Zach Spiker Named Head Coach of Drexel Men’s Basketball

Dear Drexel Basketball Season Ticket Holders,

I wanted to share the great news with you that Zach Spiker, who led Army West Point to its most wins in more than 30 years, has been named the new men’s basketball coach at Drexel University.

Coach Zach Spiker is an exceptional coach and person. He has unbelievable energy and he is a true CEO and modern coach of college basketball. I know you will come to love coach Spiker. His team plays a tactical, up-tempo pace and exceptionally creative basketball. Coach Spiker has a contagious energy and will bring a new excitement to the Drexel fan base, the CAA, and the City of Philadelphia.

In fact, Zach’s brand of basketball and personality perfectly fits the aspirations of our University as a creative, fast-paced, and innovative institution of higher learning.

Drexel’s new coach will be formally introduced to the Drexel community on Tuesday next week at noon outside the DAC. I would like to invite all of you to attend this event.

Zach also worked under well-respected coaches and administrators, all of who endorsed him enthusiastically as an ambassador of basketball and a “sure thing.”
John Beilein – Head Coach, University of Michigan
Gregg Marshall – Head Coach, Wichita State
Steve Donahue – Head Coach, University of Pennsylvania
Kevin Anderson – AD, University of Maryland
Mentored by Mike Kryzewski, Head Coach at Duke University and former West Point Coach.

They all told me the same thing, hire him; he will do great things for Drexel.

Spiker comes to the Dragons from Army West Point, where he spent the past seven seasons as the head coach of the Black Knights. He won 102 games during his time at West Point, tied with Naismith Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight for second all-time at the Academy. This season, Spiker led the Black Knights to a 19-14 record, tied for the best overall mark in the Patriot League. They earned Army’s first postseason appearance since another Hall of Famer, Mike Krzyzewski, led them to the National Invitation Tournament in 1978. The winner of the 2013 Patriot League Coach of the Year award, Spiker was also named a finalist for the 2013 Skip Prosser Man of the Year and the Hugh Durham Award, presented annually to the nation’s top mid-major coach. Spiker was one of only seven coaches in the country to receive at least one vote for the Associated Press National Coach of the Year honor that season.

In the near future and after he transitions from West Point to Drexel, I will personally introduce coach Zach Spiker to you.

Go Dragons!

Dr. Eric A. Zillmer

It's an interesting hire that I'm cautiously optimistic about. Would seem that we are going to be playing at a much faster pace than we did under Bru. I'm going to withhold a strong opinion until I hear Coach Spiker, Zillmer and (hopefully) Fry speak on Tuesday laying out (again, hopefully) the vision of Drexel hoops moving forward.

Was bouncing around various other boards last night to see what the feelings towards the hire were from other city/conference rivals. SJU fans are planning our move to the Patriot League as we speak, with one of their posters (who admittedly is very plugged in on the recruiting scene) saying that AAU teams will not be cooperative with Spiker and whatever staff he puts together. He also doesn't expect much support from Catholic and Public league teams. While it bothers me that they would be prejudicial over a non-local hire, Spiker's position as Army head coach should have allowed him to develop contact all over the country which he can hopefully put to use here. Plus, it's not like we've pulled in a lot of local talent anyway. Delaware fans think it was a great hire because they think it was a bad one. They also expect Ingelsby to get the job in Newark, which will make the next couple of years interesting as we see who got their hire right.

For selfish reasons, which I can't mention on a public forum, I was disappointed that Drexel didn't hire Ingelsby, and will be more disappointed if or when our enemies from the south hire him.

That said, we have no idea if it's a good hire or not, and we won't know for several years. I like most Drexel fans should give the AD the benefit of the doubt that they know what they're doing and things work out for the best at 33rd and Market.

Of some of the characteristics that Drexel fans were looking for in a new coach...

1. Young and Energenic - CHECK
2. No connections to Bruiser or Calipari - CHECK
3. Strong academic background - CHECK
4. Has Recruiting connections from a High Major School - NO
5. Has Philly Roots and Connections - NO


One thing to note is that the most successful coach in Drexel history came to Drexel with no Philly connections, and things worked out well for him.

I'm looking forward to hearing him speak on Tuesday. Go Spiker..Go Drexel.

(03-25-2016 12:52 PM)J.B. Wrote:  One thing to note is that the most successful coach in Drexel history came to Drexel with no Philly connections, and things worked out well for him.

Not that it matters much anymore, but did that "most successful coach" recruit the player that carried him to three straight NCAAs, or was that player already in place under the prior coaches regime?

Speaking of local talent, lets not dismiss it so easliy, look at the top 4 names on the all time scoring list. (I know Reading isn't Philadelphia, but close enough If its not close enough just look at the top 3.) Not saying that Spiker can't bring in the local players, but lets not ignore local talent.

Quote:When Army basketball Coach Zach Spiker sits at his office desk, it is impossible for someone sitting across from him not to notice the dozen ring-sizers that dangle from the shelf behind him.

“Brought them from Cornell,” he likes to say. “We used them there. All our guys know that the goal is to use them here.”

Quote:“It was just about the first thing he said to me on his recruiting visit,” Army senior center Kevin Ferguson said recently. “You’re coming to Army to make history. I liked that idea then. I like it now. I want to have that moment when I’m part of something no Army basketball player has ever been part of before.”

Quote:“Ever since I was a kid, playing in the NCAA tournament has been a dream. I still remember Coach Spiker saying to me, ‘You can go someplace and help take them back or you can come to Army and do it for the first time.’ I wanted to be part of something that had never been done.”

Not going to lie, I love this attitude. Why go somewhere where you'll be compared to names and teams in the rafters when you can come here and be the one future recruits are compared to? We have some history, but are still enough of a blank canvas where this approach could be successful.

Quote:Spiker made two decisions soon after taking the job: that his team needed to play a style that players would enjoy — up-tempo and aggressive — and that he had to sell them on making history at a place soaked in it.

Am definitely expecting a 180 turn from what we're used to. Hopefully it's exciting enough to get people back to the DAC.

Now some concerns:

Quote:injuries were part of an unfortunate pattern for Army the past two seasons

Not much control, but seriously, NO MORE INJURIES!

Quote:Oxley, who still attends games frequently and knows the players and coaches, enjoys the team’s up-and-down style but admits he becomes frustrated at times by its defense.

“I understand what Zach’s trying to do,” he said. “It’s kind of ironic, though, because everything we did was predicated on defense. That’s how we won. When these guys are making shots, they’re very good. But there are nights when you don’t make shots, and those are the nights you need to defend. They struggle with that.”

I mentioned some concerns with defense in my piece on Monday. I know when MetSox asked what people were looking for in a new coach, I, and I believe others, mentioned the new hire knowing their weaknesses and bringing in assistants to help mitigate them. Don't know who his staff is going to be, but hope he's willing to try and strengthen that side of the equation here.

Interesting to note, and I came across this fact when I was looking into him last weekend, Army has received a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Coach Knight decided to decline it and go to the NIT instead.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/co...story.html

Congrats on the new hire. Sounds like he has a good resume.

If he can teach our team to inbound the ball and do well during crunch time I will love this coach!

Welcome coach Spiker. Many of Drachen's points are in line with my thoughts. His previous pitches to recruits will work just as well here, or they should anyhow. Recruiting will always be a concern with new coaches especially one that came from Army. It will be interesting to see what he learned from West Point and how he uses that to recruit for Drexel or any non-academy university.

As far as schemes, most of us don't care what they schemes are that he runs as long as the talent brought in reflect what he wants to do. Hopefully there is a balance between both offense and defense and not just a focus on one or the other. Ideally, as Drachen said, if we are weak in one area hopefully he brings in assistants that help mitigate that weakness and we end up with a well-rounded staff.

Was this hire a good one? Time will tell. On the surface it does not jump out and scream home run, but it does not scream that we did nothing/took the easy route either. That is a good sign. We do have to commend the AD and the search firm for going in a different direction. It was needed, whether good or bad. Hopefully we he reaches out to the alumni and starts off on the right foot in improving attendance and gaining interest back in Drexel basketball. I imagine there will be some immediate butts in seats that wanted change. We got it, now it is time to get behind and support the new regime. Glad we did not wait too long and got the coach we wanted. He has talent and all eye will be on him to see what he does with the talent on the roster. Tomorrow's press conference has a chance to really re-engage the fans and alumni. Hopefully he knocks it out of the park.

Spiker will be introduced to the Drexel community today at Noon at a media event outside the DAC.

It will be broadcast live on Drexeldragons.tv.

Zilmer's speech was tough to listen to. Not sure he really has a clue of anything going on in Philadelphia or at Drexel. At least he had his notes to read exactly from.

Webcast went out toward the end of Spiker's speech.

Nice touch from Spiker calling out our seniors and focusing on them having a great year as well as putting focus on the players instead of him. He said many of the right things so hopefully we are off to a good start. Only semi-alarming comment was about the family atmosphere of Drexel athletics and how he is excited to become a part of that family. Hopefully he does not get sucked into some of the issues of our athletic department and he paves his own way to get to the fans/alumni etc. to support the program. He has a big task in front of him and hopefully he is truly up for it.

(03-29-2016 11:50 AM)dan10 Wrote:  Zilmer's speech was tough to listen to. Not sure he really has a clue of anything going on in Philadelphia or at Drexel. At least he had his notes to read exactly from.

Yeah, he and the Provost were a little rough in their speaking. In regards to the Provost, why was he there and Fry not? I mean, they're spending a nice chunk of change between buying Bru out, buying Spiker out from his contract at Army, paying Spiker's new contract and whatever they paid the search firm.

I like Spiker's attitude and enthusiasm and wish him success while here, but for attempting to rebuild what we've lost the last four years, the administration provided a lot of fluff and no meat. Wasn't looking for a lot, but wanted more than was given.

(03-29-2016 12:27 PM)DrachenFire Wrote:  

(03-29-2016 11:50 AM)dan10 Wrote:  Zilmer's speech was tough to listen to. Not sure he really has a clue of anything going on in Philadelphia or at Drexel. At least he had his notes to read exactly from.

Yeah, he and the Provost were a little rough in their speaking. In regards to the Provost, why was he there and Fry not? I mean, they're spending a nice chunk of change between buying Bru out, buying Spiker out from his contract at Army, paying Spiker's new contract and whatever they paid the search firm.

I like Spiker's attitude and enthusiasm and wish him success while here, but for attempting to rebuild what we've lost the last four years, the administration provided a lot of fluff and no meat. Wasn't looking for a lot, but wanted more than was given.

I know that they're certain posters here and on the CAA Zone who would want Zillmer to say something to the extent of "The last 3 years were completely unacceptable and we demand better results out of our new coach". But they're not going to go in that direction, and you know they would present everything in positive perspective.

Of course they provided fluff. What else could Zilmer give? I think many of us dont actually believe he cares one iota about basketball. I am not surprised we didnt get many answers. Zilmer just repeated everything from his letter and the press release. I dont think he had a single new thought in his speech.

I thought Spiker did as well as he reasonably could up there without going overboard and being unrealistic, without having really dealt with the recruiting world as a head coach or in Philadelphia. He certainly has his hands full but he seems to be ready to go and full of excitement, which is much needed.

Fry not being there, nor advertised to be there, is a bit disheartening. Even Donahue allowed to be bothered to show up yet our own President couldnt? Frustrating. But he is a bit busy with making Drexel a real estate business.

Will Spiker pick his staff in the next couple weeks/soon? I haven't read about the off staff being let go yet.

Zillmer did say that their goal is to win the CAA, and not just be competitive or graduate all of the players. So he did state their goals. But it wasn't in the tough manner that Phillies owner John Middleton had when he fired Ruben Amaro or hired Matt Klentak.

(03-29-2016 12:34 PM)J.B. Wrote:  

(03-29-2016 12:27 PM)DrachenFire Wrote:  

(03-29-2016 11:50 AM)dan10 Wrote:  Zilmer's speech was tough to listen to. Not sure he really has a clue of anything going on in Philadelphia or at Drexel. At least he had his notes to read exactly from.

Yeah, he and the Provost were a little rough in their speaking. In regards to the Provost, why was he there and Fry not? I mean, they're spending a nice chunk of change between buying Bru out, buying Spiker out from his contract at Army, paying Spiker's new contract and whatever they paid the search firm.

I like Spiker's attitude and enthusiasm and wish him success while here, but for attempting to rebuild what we've lost the last four years, the administration provided a lot of fluff and no meat. Wasn't looking for a lot, but wanted more than was given.

I know that they're certain posters here and on the CAA Zone who would want Zillmer to say something to the extent of "The last 3 years were completely unacceptable and we demand better results out of our new coach". But they're not going to go in that direction, and you know they would present everything in positive perspective.

Yes I know. I wasn't looking for admonishment, and thought Spiker acknowledging Bruiser was a very classy gesture, but I was looking for a sliver of hope on how the university was going to help make this hire more successful. Instead we got a quip from Zillmer about the lunch truck culture that the absent Fry was trying to shut down last year. Coach Spiker has a tall order in front of him as there is quite a bit of backlash against his hiring:
http://www.phillytrib.com/sports/truth-b...cfd71.html

He's going to need more support from the university than Bruiser received in order to be successful.

Personally I thought that article you posted is a bunch of garbage. Did all of the other schools get "reprimanded" per se because they didnt hire based on race? Some of the names on there I am sure got interviews and decent shots at getting the job. They went in a different direction and avoided connections from Bruiser and Drexel. I do not see that as a bad thing and see that as moving on in a different direction, which was much needed. Philadelphia as a whole is too caught up in having local people running everything. Who cares where they come from! Does having local people help recruit the local talent? Sure, but in this day and age playing for the local team is as much of a pipe dream as they come by. There are other reasons that players go to various schools and it is not just because they are a local school and can stay home. Time will tell on Spiker but I think that article was very poorly written and write Drexel in a manner that does not seem appropriate to me. It is unnecessary criticism based on bad logic. I hope Spiker proves them wrong and recruits Philly well while having zero connection to Philly. If he does, I doubt we will be getting praise for the work he put in to get there. In general, the media in Philly is a bunch of hypocrites who all want their local guys everywhere. There is really no reason for this to be true. They act like thinking outside of the box and outside of your backyard is a bad thing.

(03-29-2016 02:24 PM)dan10 Wrote:  Personally I thought that article you posted is a bunch of garbage. Did all of the other schools get "reprimanded" per se because they didnt hire based on race? Some of the names on there I am sure got interviews and decent shots at getting the job. They went in a different direction and avoided connections from Bruiser and Drexel. I do not see that as a bad thing and see that as moving on in a different direction, which was much needed. Philadelphia as a whole is too caught up in having local people running everything. Who cares where they come from! Does having local people help recruit the local talent? Sure, but in this day and age playing for the local team is as much of a pipe dream as they come by. There are other reasons that players go to various schools and it is not just because they are a local school and can stay home. Time will tell on Spiker but I think that article was very poorly written and write Drexel in a manner that does not seem appropriate to me. It is unnecessary criticism based on bad logic. I hope Spiker proves them wrong and recruits Philly well while having zero connection to Philly. If he does, I doubt we will be getting praise for the work he put in to get there. In general, the media in Philly is a bunch of hypocrites who all want their local guys everywhere. There is really no reason for this to be true. They act like thinking outside of the box and outside of your backyard is a bad thing.

Thank you, Dan. I totally agree with what you said. Drexel had an African American coach for 15 years. Chaney was the only African American coach who was a HC at a City Six school longer. LaSalle, Nova, and SJU NEVER had an African American HC. Nobody should be criticizing Drexel for not specifically hiring based on race or locality.