Tag: assistant coach

Report: Stephen Silas working hard to keep John Lucas with Rockets

Per Mark Berman, Lucas would have a higher role on Silas’ coaching staff than when he was director of player development for Mike D’Antoni.

New Houston Rockets head coach Stephen Silas is “working hard” to retain John Lucas on his staff, per Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston.

Since 2016, Lucas has worked with the Rockets as the director of player development for previous head coach Mike D’Antoni.

But according to Berman, Lucas could have a bigger role as an assistant for Silas. Lucas was reportedly one of three finalists in Houston’s recent search for the lead job, alongside Silas and Jeff Van Gundy.

Now 66 years old, Lucas was previously a head coach with San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Cleveland in the 1990s and early 2000s. His age and experience could be a good fit with the 47-year-old Silas, who is becoming an NBA head coach for the first time. Lucas also has existing relationships with current players like All-Star guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook, which is part of why he was a finalist for the main job.

Last week, Lucas congratulated Silas via Twitter on becoming head coach of the Rockets, which appeared to indicate that there were no hard feelings in regards to his personal bid coming up short. If that’s the case, it could further boost the odds of a potential partnership.

Other names believed to be in consideration for Silas’ staff of assistants include former NBA head coaches Jeff Hornacek and Nate McMillan. As of Monday night, there was no clear timetable for potential hires.

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Locked On Longhorns Podcast: ‘Surprising depth chart updates’

On Thursday’s episode, Patrick and Cami dissect the two-deep depth chart that Chip Brown of Horns247 recently provided.

On Thursday’s episode, Patrick and Cami dissect the two-deep depth chart that Chip Brown of Horns247 recently provided. The chart is based on the rumblings of multiple team sources.

There were a few surprises at running back, wide receiver and quarterback. This must be taken with a grain of salt due to the likelihood of injuries playing a role as well as the timeframe of still being two weeks out from the start of the season. However, it’s certainly telling in terms of which players are performing well.

Sophomore Roschon Johnson appears to have climbed up the depth chart and is currently sitting as the starter. Keaontay Ingram has battled injuries throughout fall camp, while true freshman Bijan Robinson continues to impress.

Could freshman Hudson Card compete for the backup quarterback position behind Sam Ehlinger? Why isn’t wide receiver Brennan Eagles listed as a starter?

To close out the show, we take a look at Texas men’s basketball head coach Shaka Smart’s hiring of SMU assistant K.T. Turner.

Texas regents approve new facility, finalize Yurcich and Ash contracts

The Texas regents are set to approve a new practice facility and announced the finalized contracts for several assistant coaches.

The Texas Longhorns basketball and rowing programs will have a new practice facility in 2022.

The $60 million project will be located near the Moody Center on the Forty Acres, totaling 75,000 square feet.

Brian Davis of the Austin American Statesman also announced that the Texas regents are set to approve several assistant coach contracts. Offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich will get a three-year deal worth $1.7 million annually, while defensive coordinator Chris Ash will be on a two-year deal worth $800,000.

New tight end and special teams coach Jay Boulware will receive a three-year deal totaling $700,000, whereas linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler receives a two-year deal worth $600,000.

 

Longhorns Wire Roundtable: Which new assistant will have biggest impact?

Now that head coach Tom Herman has finalized his coaching staff, Longhorns Wire authors predict which one will have the biggest impact.

The Texas Longhorns have revamped their coaching staff this offseason, which has high expectations considering it’s head coach Tom Herman’s one chance to do so per athletic director Chris Del Conte. With each of the new assistants finalized, Longhorns Wire authors give their prediction on which one will have the most impact on the team in 2020.

Cami Griffin, Staff Writer

Mike Yurcich – Offensive Coordinator

It’s hard not to choose defensive coordinator Chris Ash here, considering Texas had one of the worst defensive units in college football last season. However, the current roster on offense will make or break this team. Yurcich will have one of the best returning quarterbacks in football along with the nation’s top rated running back from the 2020 recruiting class.

Player development with Yurcich will be crucial. Although the offense has a plethora of weapons, they’re young. One of the best position battles in spring will be how Yurcich uses the three talented players in the backfield in Bijan Robinson, Keontay Ingram, and Roschon Johnson. Yurcich will have to find a way to get players like Jordan Whittington and Jake Smith the ball, too.

Too often last season the offense struggled to close out games. The play calling resorted to conservative natures rather than keeping their foot on the gas. Yurcich has complete control over the play-calling this season, which should be the most noticeable upgrade in 2020.

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It’s now or never for Texas head coach Tom Herman

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte recently expressed his opinions on head coach Tom Herman’s one chance to reshape his coaching staff.

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte expressed a few interesting statements last week to Horns247 on The Flagship Podcast.

Del Conte gave listeners a behind-the-scenes look of head coach Tom Herman’s coaching search and his expectations for Texas in 2020. Although several topics were covered, what stands out most is Del Conte’s words regarding Herman’s one chance to reshape his staff.

“He knows that you get a chance to do that one time,” said Del Conte in regards to Herman’s seven new assistant coaches. Could this be affirming that Herman is in a now or never moment? It appears so, considering the Longhorns consistently bring in a top 10 recruiting class yet fail to produce results.

If this newly assembled staff is unable to provide the necessary player development and production, Del Conte seems confident in steering the program in a new direction.

However, Del Conte did reiterate that he’s proud of Herman for taking the necessary steps to attempt to improve the program, “With what he did, I’m really proud of him because he took a step back, looked within, looked at what he needed to do to change and what he wanted to do with his staff and made the changes.”

Herman currently has the most talented roster yet throughout his four-year tenure at Texas. With a new coaching staff in tact, expectations for the 2020 season couldn’t be higher.