It is Friday morning, October 16, 2009. Thousands of fans who live in the 901 area code and beyond are aware of certain event taking place in less than twelve hours. Madness will take place….Memphis Style!!! So far in this 3 part series, Jordan Isaac and Brooks Hansen have given an extensive look at the updated 2009-10 roster. Jordan Isaac has given us insight to our much talented and explosive backcourt. Brooks Hansen has educated us on the status and projection of the enormity of the frontcourt. Part III will provide detailed look at the masterminds behind this roster. There are both similarities and differences in character within this coaching staff. Here are some question marks that surround the new staff.
Is Josh Pastner too young to be a head coach?
Will Jack Murphy live up to the hype that was created during his hire?
Can Glynn Cyprien bring the same success to Memphis that he brought to his previous teams?
Can Willis Wilson win the Best Dressed Coach?
Can Coach Pastner bring back the windbreaker pants trend? (See Jordan Isaac for details)
Josh Pastner – Head Coach
Several adjectives come to mind when one would think of Josh Pastner: Pure, Genuine, Legit, Original, Respect, etc. Anyone that knows Coach Pastner will tell you that he is consistent with these virtues, whether speaking in front of a large group, to media or one-on-one. He will look you in the eyes and listen to your opinions, suggestions, questions, and compliments that you might have.
Despite the fact that he has never coached a single game at the collegiate level, most fans will agree in the opinion that Memphis landed a prodigy, a wunderkinds, someone who is tailor-made for this job. He exhibits the passion of Roy Williams, the dedication shown by Mike Krzyzewski, and the personality reminiscent of, well… Josh Pastner; originality at its best. Who else have you heard of who shooed away alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes his entire life.
So what are his qualifications? What did he do to put himself in a position to succeed now as Memphis’ head coach? It takes some serious self-fortitude to be the head coach of an AAU basketball team when you are 16 years old. Prior to attending the University of Arizona, he coached the likes of Emeka Okafur (#1 overall pick out of UCONN), T.J. Ford (8th overall draft pick out of Texas), Lawrence Roberts, Marcus Spears (yeah, the football player in the NFL!), and Stephen Jackson (top player of the Golden State Warriors). Let’s face it, the guy can go out and get the best players. He led the Houston Hoops to the championship at the Global Championships in Oregon.
He took this skill to college and enhanced his craft under the tutelage of hall of famer Lute Olson, former Arizona head coach. He did not receive the same notoriety as Mike Bibby on the ’97 Arizona team that captured the National Championship over Kentucky, yet, as a teammate, he played a crucial role in working out Bibby and other players in the mornings before class and well after practices had concluded. The guy worked his brains out, was educated by one of the greatest coaches of all time in Olson, and now puts that work ethic on display in Memphis.
To get down to the nitty-gritty, Josh Pastner knows how garner trust and belief from his players. Not only that, he has done the same thing with an entire city. Tonight, the city of Memphis will fill the stands to show their approval and state, as one, “We believe in you.”
Glynn Cyprien – Assistant Coach
Glynn Cyprien took his place on the Memphis staff with prior experience and success in his college coaching career. The man known as “Cyp” has been coaching the game since 1987. He has made several stops on his way to the Bluff City. Coach Cyp spent time being tutored by one of the greatest coaches ever – Eddie Sutton at Oklahoma State. Yes, the same Oklahoma State team that knocked Memphis out of the 2nd round in the NCAA Tournament back in 2004.
He made his most recent, and most well known, stop at Kentucky as an assistant coach under Billy Gillispie. During his time in Lexington, Cyprien had the privilege of training some very special talents (2nd round draft pick Jodie Meeks for example) while teaching them how to grow in their skill and maturity. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Texas-San Antonio. Cyprien has a bevy of experience in recruiting the southern half of the United States and, simply put, he will get it done on the recruiting trail. Coach Cyprien will bring a tremendous amount of experience, success, work ethic and respect to this program.
Willis Wilson – Assistant Coach.
Experience is the key when it comes to a coaching staff, and Willis Wilson is full of experience. If you’re forming a coaching staff and need someone with experience, why not bring a coach who has it AND has been awarded Best Dressed Coach in 2001 and 2007. Coach Wilson brings a knowledgable teaching voice to the table, providing many of the small insights that it takes to remain successful. Wilson also possesses a quick-witted sense of humor.
Willis Wilson coached Rice University from 1992 until 2007. With this experience and familiarity, he brings a significant advantage to this program. He knows Conference USA; the strengths and weaknesses its teams. This will come in handy for the rest of the staff, who have a combined one season experience in this league (Pastner 1, Cyprien & Murphy 0.). He’ll be a great mentor for Coach Pastner and a wise voice in his ear.
Jack Murphy – Assistant Coach
The last assistant coach to come aboard the staff is probably the most anticipated. Jack Murphy was hand-picked by Coach Pastner to join the Memphis staff purely based off of their friendship going back to their days at Arizona. Continuing the “young” theme, Murphy is the epitome at this level of coaching. He got his Bachelor’s degree in 2002 and his Master’s in 2005, both from Arizona. During that span of time, he worked as recruiting coordinator, team manager, administrative assistant, and video coordinator. Needless to say, the man has a few pockets of specialized knowledge.
He was eventually hired on by the Denver Nuggets as a scout and video coordinator, spending many nights at the office scouting the Nuggets’ opponents. After dedicating three years to the Nuggets organization, Murphy accepted his first assistant coaching position at Memphis.
Pastner and Murphy are practically one-in-the-same and can be described in one word: energy. Shortly after being hired to Memphis’ staff, Murphy helped work the Memphis Elite Camp that included top recruits such as Joe Jackson, Will & Antonio Barton, Andre Hollins, etc. Watching Coach Murphy working out Joe Jackson in several drills was an eye-opening experience. Energy, energy, and more energy. Keeping with Jackson and others step for step, Murphy showed why he is considered by many to be the “workout guru”.
These are the keys to new and modified machine that is the 2009-10 Memphis Tigers. Different styles, yet similar personalities will be leading the charge for this team, invoking the passions of this city. Your personal opportunity to start this new journey with this new staff is tonight. 7:00pm. The FedEx Forum. Memphis Madness.
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