Simmons leaving SIUE for Evansville

[Ron Mexico]

post a story in a second

[Ron Mexico]

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/othersports/story/C5AE806409E1431F8625729F005EC951?OpenDocument

Simmons leaving SIUE for Evansville
By Vahe Gregorian
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/15/2007

Only weeks after Southern Illinois-Edwardsville’s proposed move from Division II to Division I was approved by the school’s board of trustees, the school is losing its most visible coach.
SIUE men’s basketball coach Marty Simmons is to be named Evansville’s head coach at 5 p.m. today, a source close to the situation said.

Simmons is an Evansville graduate and formerly a longtime assistant there.

In 2004-05, he led the Cougars into the Division II NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 years and SIUE went to the elite eight last year before failing to make the NCAA Tournament this season.




.......I think you guys could have done better but what do I know

[bcrawf]

Will the t shirts and short shorts make their return??

Seems like a really safe hire to me. Was hoping the Aces would make a splash, but it is what it is....

[Ron Mexico]

Will the t shirts and short shorts make their return??

Seems like a really safe hire to me. Was hoping the Aces would make a splash, but it is what it is....

my feelings exactly

[yeager]

I say yes the sirts will return.

[MSNSaluki]

I think it's a good hire.

[E-Ville]

Eh, We'll take it. He should've been the hire 5 years ago. I think everybody was wanting Brownell but Simmons did an impressive job at SIU-E. Let's hope this is for the best for the program.

:aces: :aces: :aces: :aces: :aces:

[AceFan]

Simmons is the Aces' choice
Former player, assistant will get coaching job today
Courier & Press staff
Originally published 01:10 p.m., March 15, 2007
Updated 01:29 p.m., March 15, 2007



The University of Evansville will name Marty Simmons as the school's basketball coach at a 6 p.m. news conference today.

Simmons, currently the coach at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, will replace Steve Merfeld, who resigned after five consecutive losing seasons.

UE sports information director Bob Boxell and UE athletics director Bill McGillis would not confirm the appointment. However, McGillis said he was meeting with the team at 2:30 today to inform them of his decision. McGillis also said contract details were being ironed out this afternoon.

Simmons, a high school legend in Lawrenceville, Ill., played two seasons for Bob Knight at Indiana University before transferring to UE, where he played for Jim Crews. He later served as an assistant coach for Crews, spent a year as head coach at tiny Wartburg College, and has been at SIUE for the past five years. His career record is 88-59. This year's team, hampered by injuries, went 15-12.

Simmons led the Cougars to two NCAA Division II tournament appearances in the past three years, including one berth in the Elite Eight. SIUE has begun the process to move from Division II to Division I.

He was the immediate frontrunner when UE began its coaching search.

[-Z-]

One less school that Indiana State has to battle with to get Sutton!!!

[Drakey]

This kinda reminds me of when Drake hired Kurt Kanaskie, except Kanaskie had a better D2 track record. Is there somrthing about this guy that doesn't show on paper that makes him better than he sounds?

[DUBulldog]

This kinda reminds me of when Drake hired Kurt Kanaskie, except Kanaskie had a better D2 track record. Is there somrthing about this guy that doesn't show on paper that makes him better than he sounds?

Unlike Kanaskie, Simmons is familiar with the school he is going to. Kanaskie was an eastern guy....most of his assistants were eastern guys....none of his assistants had midwest ties.

[Bigcityp]

Great Hire. Former player and ast. coach can't be all that bad. Look at what is going on up a Bradley..

Simmons will get the people back to support the team. He will run class program, and he will get the W's in those close games that Merfeld couldn't.

[yeager]

Will this be a good hire for UE...only time will tell. This was a very, very safe hire. Lot of backers wanted him. I am curious if the report about Brownell is true, where they said the job was your if you want it. Simmons, does have alot to bring to the table...local ties, played for UE and knows the rich tradition....he really needs to get the commuinity behind him.

[AceFan]

Marty Simmons is very smart and a tough competitor. He took a losing program at SIUE and turned it around. In my eyes, he has proven he can coach. He's a very good hire for UE and has instant credibility with the vast majority of UE fans. I think the excitement is back in Evansville! As a UE grad with family in town, he probably considers UE a destination job.

[bcrawf]

As a UE grad with family in town, he probably considers UE a destination job.

So did Greg McDermott....:innocent:

[redbirdtim]

Congrats UE on finding a coach.

I wonder how much more Sutton would cost if ORU wins today. I think the hard part about hiring a coach with NCAA tournament success in the year of the hire is that the coach would cost a lot more. However, it could be offset with better recruiting due to the coach's NCAA success.

[yeager]

Just because you take a team to NCAA and win a game...well Hampton went twice and won a game and poof Merfeld appears.........

[Nyghtewynd]

Definition of "safe hire". I would have thought that UE would have liked to be a bit more ambitious.

[Studgunners]

I don't understand why people are complaining about this hire. He seems like a very good hire to me. What is everyone's problem with him? Do you really think some coach from another mid-major who got to the NCAA's is the answer. Mid-majors in the minor mid-major conferences run in cycles. It's generally the team with the most seniors who were playing together for a long time that make it. The coach just gets to reap the benefits and abandon ship while the getting is good.

[UE!]

http://www.news25.us/Global/story.asp?S=6232762&nav=Fadt

[AceFan]

So did Greg McDermott....:innocent:


Given the state of the UE program today, we'll be pretty happy if Simmons has similar success to McDermott and then leaves for a BCS Conference job!

[Pocket Aces]

Definition of "safe hire". I would have thought that UE would have liked to be a bit more ambitious.


I think they would have liked to more ambitious but the state of the program right now would not allow it. Simmons will have immediate backing from many of those who count, he will get some of the fan base back immediately, and financially I don't think they could have been any more ambitious.

Brownell would have been choice one for me, but Simmons was a close second. He was great to watch as a player. If he is anywhere near as good at coaching as he was as a player, the Aces will be fine.

[Carrcar]

Marty Simmons is very smart and a tough competitor. He took a losing program at SIUE and turned it around. In my eyes, he has proven he can coach. He's a very good hire for UE and has instant credibility with the vast majority of UE fans. I think the excitement is back in Evansville! As a UE grad with family in town, he probably considers UE a destination job.
Does this mean Evansville will get a discussion site of its own?

[btisu22]

Does this mean Evansville will get a discussion site of its own?
:lol: :lol: :no:

[scottpt99UE]

Does this mean Evansville will get a discussion site of its own?

Rememeber most of our fan base is over the age of 60,

As for the hire I think it is a good and it doens't surprise, other than the fact that McGillis is saying he should of hired him 5 years ago. I think he will do a good job here and will make us a better team, especially defense and free throw shooting wise. Does he bring back Lennox as an assistant and then keep Kareem. I could see that as a good staff. Does SIUE have a big guy that could transfer here? Because we need one fast.

[Bigcityp]

The aces discussion board will be titled:

muletalk.com


:grin:

[yeager]

Rememeber most of our fan base is over the age of 60,

As for the hire I think it is a good and it doens't surprise, other than the fact that McGillis is saying he should of hired him 5 years ago. I think he will do a good job here and will make us a better team, especially defense and free throw shooting wise. Does he bring back Lennox as an assistant and then keep Kareem. I could see that as a good staff. Does SIUE have a big guy that could transfer here? Because we need one fast.


FT wise?? We were 2nd in conference this year at .733..

[AcePurpleFan]

WELCOME HOME MULE! Marty is a great hire and will do a good job at UE. And if he doesn't, we'll be D8 in a few years anyway.

[AcePurpleFan]

By the way... bring back the sleeves and maybe some orange home jerseys!

[ACES..ACES]

I'm very happy about Marty coming back home to coach the Aces! Marty always gave a 100% and then some, he's very intense, and relates to today's players very well....and I'm sure he will be able to motivate his players, and get the best efforts out of his team. I'm excited about ACES Basketball again!

WELCOME HOME MULE

:aces: :aces: :aces: :aces: :aces: :aces: :aces:

[ACES..ACES]

By the way... bring back the sleeves and maybe some orange home jerseys!


I AGREE 100% :yes:

[AceFan]

Simmons is the Aces' choice
'Evansville has a special place in my heart,' he says
Courier & Press staff
Originally published 01:10 p.m., March 15, 2007
Updated 03:08 p.m., March 15, 2007


The University of Evansville will name Marty Simmons as the school's basketball coach at a 6 p.m. news conference today.

Simmons, currently the coach at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, will replace Steve Merfeld, who resigned after five consecutive losing seasons.

"I am very pleased to bring one of the true legends of Aces basketball back to the University of Evansville," said Director of Athletics Bill McGillis in a news release. "Marty Simmons IS Evansville basketball. He represents the values, integrity and commitment to excellence that have exemplified our program throughout its history. Marty is an outstanding basketball coach, a proven winner and a very proud letterman. He wants to be at the University of Evansville and nowhere else.

"Marty's success as a player and assistant coach at UE, and the fantastic job he did in rebuilding the SIUE basketball program, have prepared him well for this opportunity. We had an outstanding pool of candidates, but no one could possibly bring the combination of expertise, leadership, passion and love for a university that Marty provides. We are very fortunate that he will lead our program into the future."

Simmons, a high school legend in Lawrenceville, Ill., played two seasons for Bob Knight at Indiana University before transferring to UE, where he played for Jim Crews. He later served as an assistant coach for Crews, spent a year as head coach at tiny Wartburg College, and has been at SIUE for the past five years. His career record is 88-59. This year's team, hampered by injuries, went 15-12.

Simmons led the Cougars to two NCAA Division II tournament appearances in the past three years, including one berth in the Elite Eight. SIUE has begun the process to move from Division II to Division I.

"Evansville has a very, very special place in my heart," Simmons said. "I feel fortunate to again be part of the Evansville basketball program, which has so much tradition and history. I look forward to locking arms with the current players so we can achieve success together."

He was the immediate frontrunner when UE began its coaching search.

[redbirdtim]

"He wants to be at the University of Evansville and nowhere else."

Any other Redbird fans having thoughts of Tom Richardson?

[Ace Happy]

Guess I'll have to get used to watching Knight's motion offense again. Won't be any run and gun style here.

I'm glad resolution has been achieved and hope we can recover on the recruiting trail quickly.

[aceshigh]

Simmons was here in the glory days of UE, I think he's a good hire, now lets all get behind him
Go Aces!

[Ace Happy]

Official release from Bob Boxell on Marty Simmons....

-
March 15, 2007

MARTY SIMMONS RETURNS TO EVANSVILLE AS HEAD COACH

Marty Simmons is back home.

He was one of the best basketball players in University of Evansville
history in the 1980s, and helped lead the Purple Aces to three NCAA
Tournament appearances as an assistant coach in the 1990s. Now he is
back at Evansville as men's basketball head coach at the age of 42.
Simmons replaces Steve Merfeld, who resigned March 3 after posting a
54-91 record over the past five years.

"I am very pleased to bring one of the true legends of Aces basketball
back to the University of Evansville," said Director of Athletics Bill
McGillis. "Marty Simmons IS Evansville basketball. He represents the
values, integrity and commitment to excellence that have exemplified our
program throughout its history. Marty is an outstanding basketball
coach, a proven winner and a very proud letterman. He wants to be at
the University of Evansville and nowhere else. Marty's success as a
player and assistant coach at UE, and the fantastic job he did in
rebuilding the SIU-E basketball program, have prepared him well for this
opportunity. We had an outstanding pool of candidates, but no one could
possibly bring the combination of expertise, leadership, passion and
love for a university that Marty provides. We are very fortunate that
he will lead our program into the future."

Simmons was head coach the past five years at Division II Southern
Illinois University-Edwardsville, where he took over a program that had
not won 10 games since 1999 and led the Cougars to 23 wins in 2005 and
25 in 2006. SIUE reached the NCAA Tournament in 2005 for the first time
in 15 years, and Simmons was chosen as Great Lakes Valley Coach of the
Year. His 2006 squad did even better, winning three games in the NCAA
Division II Great Lakes Regional Championships and advancing to the
Elite Eight. SIUE appeared in the national rankings 16 weeks during the
past three seasons.

Simmons takes over an Evansville program that has reached post-season
play six times in the past 20 years. However, it's also a program that
has produced seven consecutive losing seasons, the longest such stretch
in school history. UE's most recent post-season action came in 1999,
when the Aces won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season
championship and earned an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament.

"Evansville has a very, very special place in my heart," Simmons said.
"I feel fortunate to again be part of the Evansville basketball program,
which has so much tradition and history. I look forward to locking arms
with the current players so we can achieve success together."

A native of Lawrenceville, Ill., Simmons led Lawrenceville High School
to back to back Class A state championships and became one of the most
celebrated players in Illinois prep history. Affectionately known as
'Mule,' his 2,986 career points were the third most in Illinois history
when he graduated in 1983. He is still the fifth leading scorer
all-time in Illinois. Simmons played at Lawrenceville for Ron Felling,
who went on to become an assistant coach at Indiana University. Simmons
himself spent his first two years of college at Indiana. He was a key
player on I.U.'s final eight team in the 1984 NCAA Tournament, but
played less one year later in 1985 when the Hoosiers failed to reach the
NCAA Tournament. The 1985 team did finish as runnerup in the National
Invitation Tournament (NIT).

It was during Indiana's NIT run in 1985 when Indiana University
assistant coach Jim Crews replaced Dick Walters as Evansville's head
coach. Two months later, Simmons transferred to Evansville. Already
designated as the Aces' team captain while sitting out his redshirt
season, Simmons immediately helped turn around the UE program when he
became eligible in 1986-87. He averaged 22.4 points as a junior and led
Evansville to a first place tie in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference.
As a senior, he finished sixth in the nation in scoring at 25.9, and
finished ninth in balloting for the Associated Press College Basketball
Player of the Year. He led the Aces to a 21-8 record in 1988 and a
first-round win over Utah in the NIT. It was Evansville's first
post-season appearance since 1982, and the school's first post-season
victory at the Division I level. A first team all-MCC player in both of
his seasons at UE, Simmons scored 750 points as a senior, the fourth
most in school history. Despite playing only two seasons at Evansville,
he still ranks 22nd in career points with 1,265.

Simmons played one season for the LaCrosse Catbirds of the Continental
Basketball Association, in 1988-89, and made the World Basketball League
all-star team the following year while playing for the Illinois Express.
He returned to the University of Evansville in 1990 as restricted
earnings coach on Crews's staff, and remained in that position until
taking the head coaching position in 1996-97 at Division III Wartburg
(Iowa) College, where his team was 10-14. Simmons returned to
Evansville the next season as a full-time assistant coach, and stayed at
UE until taking the Southern Illinois-Edwardsville coaching job in
April, 2002.

With Simmons on the staff, the Aces reached the NCAA Tournament in 1992,
1993 and 1999, and the NIT in 1994. In addition, they won two MCC and
one MVC regular season titles, and two post-season tournaments. As
recruiting coordinator, he brought in eight players who went on to play
professional basketball, and every senior coached by Simmons received
his undergraduate degree. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball
Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994, and the University of
Evansville Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997. Simmons received his
bachelor's degree in business administration from UE in 1987, and his
master's in business administration in 1993.

This is also a homecoming for Marty's wife, Angie, who grew up in nearby
Newburgh and met her future husband while both attended UE. Marty and
Angie have four children: Brittany, 19, a sophomore at SIUE; Kelsey, 15;
Blake, 12, and Cole, 4.

[HollywoodBrave]

If they really bring back those sleeves, it would truly be "Shirts vs. the Blouses."

[DannyCooksey]

Congrats to the Aces and their fans

I think this is a good hire. As BU and SIU have proven, hiring one of your own is just what the doctor ordered. Simmons, I assume, has good contacts in Illinois and Indiana and he has a passion for UE basketball.

I think this will excite the fan base and it should sell tickets as well. I think it's the right move and he'll do a good job. I think he'll be good for the Valley also.

Good luck to Marty Simmons and the Aces!!

:aces:

FWIW-I hope he brings back the shirts. I thought those were awesome. Is Reed Jackson coaching anywhere? Bring him back too. He was an awesome player. I loved that guy.

[btisu22]

Will he keep Kareem Richardson on staff? I think he should!

[Ace95]

Will he keep Kareem Richardson on staff? I think he should!

Since Richardson played at UE while Simmons was an assistant, I think the prospects look good for him staying on.

[btisu22]

Since Richardson played at UE while Simmons was an assistant, I think the prospects look good for him staying on.
That's what I figured, but felt it was worth asking.

[aceshigh]

i SAY Keep Kareem, he is a big plus for the program!

[SycamoreFanatic]

Congrats to a quick and good hire for the Aces. As long as Simmons & UE can handle being thick-skinned for a couple of years while he gets the program established, I am sure he will do you all proud. I remember the "insults" thrown around at Bradley & Jim Les for the first couple of years while they were struggling to get going again & Les now has earned a lot of respect vs. his ability being questioned a lot when he was getting started. Good players don't always make good coaches, but some do very well.

:valley: :aces: :clap:

[Carrcar]

Does this mean that E'ville will drop Ace "the gambler" for Ace "the Mule" as a mascot?

[Ace Dad]

The right hire, at the right time, at the right school.

Good luck Coach Simmons.

[E-Ville]

If anybody wants to see a clip from the news conference of Simmons' Hiring, go to http://www.news25.us

The link is at the front center of the page. If it's not there just go to the sports tab and you'll find it there.

Simmons has more coaching charm than Merfeld. I think the community is excited about the hiring. When we hired Merfeld, it was kinda like, who????

[underdawg2]

This is a good hire. Unfortunately for the rest of the Valley---SIU-C has played E a couple times in the last few years---you'll see Saluki like defense--Simmons just never had the quality of athlete Lowery had.

[yeager]

was at the press conf., you could feel the electricity...fans will be behind him for sure.....

[Hail Red & White]

This is a good hire. Unfortunately for the rest of the Valley---SIU-C has played E a couple times in the last few years---you'll see Saluki like defense--Simmons just never had the quality of athlete Lowery had.

As I remember, didn't SIU-E beat Nebraska 54-50 just before the Huskers turned around and beat Creighton in November?

[jaypharmalum]

You're right they did lose to SIU-E in an exhibition, albeit UNL didn't play Aleks Maric who was the only player on the Fuskers to score a single point all season. I know that might sound like an exaggeration, but look it up. No one else on the entire Nebraska basketball team made a basket all year long. Without his big Aussie arse, Nebraska was essentially a freshman "B" team - with him they were a middling JV squad. Still not sure how the Jays lost to that hillbilly, Sadler - definitely the low point of the season.

[Bigcityp]

was at the press conf., you could feel the electricity...fans will be behind him for sure.....

Just wondering if anyone else at the press conf. knows how you feel about dropping out of the MVC??

For me this is exciting. We have the players, the conference to attract players, and now the coach to develope the players that will put Evansville Basketball back on the map.

[yeager]

Just wondering if anyone else at the press conf. knows how you feel about dropping out of the MVC??

For me this is exciting. We have the players, the conference to attract players, and now the coach to develope the players that will put Evansville Basketball back on the map.


LOL..you think me wanting to drop conf. makes you or anyone else a bigger fan??? The people that want Barry out of MSU, are they any less of a fan that wants Barry to stay....I want what is best for UE, and I THINK that would be best, because you or anyone else think differently means nothing. Also because I probably give more money to the program doesn't mean I am a bigger fan then you either.

Pretty dumb comment.

[AcePurpleFan]

Guess I'll have to get used to watching Knight's motion offense again. Won't be any run and gun style here.

I'm glad resolution has been achieved and hope we can recover on the recruiting trail quickly.


Personally I'm sick of the so called "run and gun". There are many different types of run and guns. If you mean we won't push the ball and try to score in transition, I think we should wait and see about that. But if you mean no more dribbling around and throwing up a bad shot while 4 guys stand around and pick their a--, I'd be happy to see that style of basketball go (and I use the term basketball there loosely). That form of the run and gun is the same reason the NBA is absolutely no fun to watch.

Like I said, I am fond of watching a Bob Knight style team. A team who remembers it is faster to pass the ball than dribble around with your head down. A team who can set good back-screens for wide open layups/dunks. I'd also like to see a team be able to shoot the basketball again. Remember, the last year we went to the NCAA tournament we lead the nation in three-point field goal percentage! I think Marty will bring all of this back.

WELCOME HOME!!!!

[AcePurpleFan]

LOL..you think me wanting to drop conf. makes you or anyone else a bigger fan??? The people that want Barry out of MSU, are they any less of a fan that wants Barry to stay....I want what is best for UE, and I THINK that would be best, because you or anyone else think differently means nothing. Also because I probably give more money to the program doesn't mean I am a bigger fan then you either.

Pretty dumb comment.



Yeager I got your back! I know you bleed Purple!

[Bigcityp]

LOL..you think me wanting to drop conf. makes you or anyone else a bigger fan??? The people that want Barry out of MSU, are they any less of a fan that wants Barry to stay....I want what is best for UE, and I THINK that would be best, because you or anyone else think differently means nothing. Also because I probably give more money to the program doesn't mean I am a bigger fan then you either.

Pretty dumb comment.

You obviously read my comment wrong. (your not ready to be a 6th man on here !) I was just wondering if anyone else at the press conf. knows how you feel about the Aces being in the MVC. It just seems odd that you were there, but also have the opinion you do about being in the MVC. I would think that most former players or supporters would be happy with being in the MVC. The rest of my comment wasn't even directed towards you.

Was Holsinger at the press conf??

[yeager]

Again, I was there because I am a fan, backer, and supporter of UE. What difference would it matter what conf. I think we should be in....and there are more people then you think that would like to be in a different conf. Although, they are willing to give Marty, as am I, all the chance he needs to compete in this conf. He has to start by getting the City behind him. From what I heard and saw, he is off to a good start.

[yeager]

Simmons will be live during sports on WEHT, about 15-20 min., and I am pretty sure he will have the coaches show Sunday night.

[Bigcityp]

Just asking a question.. . I guess the difference is that you've come on here in the past few weeks and have done nothing but say we need to drop down in conference. I was just wondering what others may think of your opinions. ( I know what most are on here.) From what I saw of it on TV it looked like current players, former players, family, UE admin, and media were really the only ones there. It just seems odd that many close to the program would want to drop down in conf. ( I've heard of some current supporters who are upset of Merfeld being removed so i guess it's possible.)

Again, Was holsinger there. He was the only current player i didn't see on the tube?

[AcePurpleFan]

Here's what I like the most about what I saw today at the press conference:

1) Bill McGillis talked to Jim Crews for 5 hours (and it wasn't primarily about coaching candidates).

2) Bill McGillis said "Marty Simmons IS Evansville Basketball" (which shows his talk with Coach Crews was useful).

3) Coach Simmons was visibly emotional about the job (showing how much he cares about the University of Evansville).

4) Coach Simmons asked the fans to support the Team! (a strong fan base makes a world of difference).

5) Coach Simmons said this is the City's basketball team and they will be available and out in the community (the best way to build community support and excitement).

I can't wait for season tickets to go on sale because one thing I know I'll see out there is a bunch of passionate players and coaches. And that is never boring to watch!

[yeager]

Yes he was there. All supporters can have different views, we don't all bow down to AD or admin. and agree with whatever they say....case in point, there were a few that wanted Merfeld to have another shot.

[yeager]

I also heard, nothing official, but the job was Brownell's...and he turned it down. I couldn't have anyone confirm this for sure.

[Bigcityp]

Well, hopefully Simmons will bring what it takes to get the Aces back to the top of the MVC. I said all year long on here that Merfeld was a joke and Simmons would bring back the glory we all remember. The press conf. on TV proved my point. Acepurplefan stated a few things that we TV viewers saw and are exicted about as well. Looking forward to what Coach Simmons has to say tonight! The coach's show will actually be fun to watch now!!

[AceGargantua]

Just watched the press conference and I'm pretty pumped. Simmons is going to bring some fire and credibility back to the program. Looking forward to it.

[RiseUp]

I still was hoping for Brad Brownell.

[yeager]

I predict first home game 10,000+.

[AceGargantua]

I was really trying not to hope for anybody in particular. Now that Marty's the guy, I couldn't be happier. Brownell would have been a great hire, but it's Coach Simmons now and I'm in full support mode.


:aces:

[getreal4]

So did Greg McDermott....:innocent:

when Mac made the great run in Cedarloo, no $$$ were available for him, think he had a $ 170K package when he left UNI UNI fans don't financially support their programs, cheap = cheap.

[AcePurpleFan]

I predict first home game 10,000+.


I agree, but I think we will see upwards of 9,000 for the first 3 or 4 games and if we win, that figure can be sustained. Crews had a run of 5 or 6 years in the 90's where attendance was over 10,000+ per year and one year over 11,000.

[skinny_uncle]

Marty is a good hire for the Aces. He is an alum with a good track record. Good luck to him.

[E-Ville]

Sometimes it was painful to watch Merfeld on the coaches show, So boring and depressing. He was not interesting to listen to at all.

Considering our recruits our injured, Marty really needs to hit the recruiting trail in the next month. Got a few to give, it'll be interesting what kinda kids he can bring in.

[Aces101]

I loved Marty Simmons as a player! He was and still is Aces Baaketball.

I wanted either Marty or Brownell.

Now that I have seen Marty back in Evansville again, I am excited about the direction of this program. He looked intense, even at the press conference. Marty was an intense player and is an intense coach. We need that fire out of our head coach!

He will be out in the community a lot more than Merfeld. Simmons considers Evansville to be his home and will coach his tail off to bring a winner to the Evansville community.

He will use his big men like von Tongeren and Hopf as true centers. Remember the days of Godfried and Hupmann, Aces fans? We will see that again. Tough, physical man-to-man defense is coming back to UE. No more gadget defenses and wide open 3's from the wing for the opponent.

Great Hire! Do I sound excited to anyone else?? :yes:

:aces:

[E-Ville]

I just watched an interview with Marty Simmons on News25's website.

He was asked about the sleeves, he said, stay tuned-we've got some neat things we're going to do with the sleeves.

Does anybody have the height/weight on Simmons? Dude is massive and one of the only d1 coaches with facial hair. I bet he could beat down all the other valley coaches.

I'm still worried about next year. We've got Holsinger and Ely and that's about it. It'll be tough to turn this around in one year but I think we all have a lot more faith now that tradition and passion is back with the program.

:aces: :aces: :aces:

[Ace Dad]

Sounds like the sleeves will return for some games.

They did not call him the "mule" for being a little guy.

[XjimmyfunkX]

anyone else think this was a little too quick...

if the job was actually offered to Brownell it's hard to imagine that he would accept the job, or seriousely entertain it while their season was still going on....

I didn't expect an announcement for a couple of weeks for that reason alone....

[Hail Red & White]

anyone else think this was a little too quick...

if the job was actually offered to Brownell it's hard to imagine that he would accept the job, or seriousely entertain it while their season was still going on....

I didn't expect an announcement for a couple of weeks for that reason alone....

UNCW fans at the caazone speak very highly of Brad Brownell. They are still feeling the effects of him leaving, and they are pretty down on the school's athletic department for not sweetening the pot to keep him around this year. From all the accounts I've read about him, he's a standup guy. If it's true that he had a chance to go to UE and turned it down, I think it was probably out of loyalty to Wright State since he didn't want to bail out of Dayton after just one year. The mighty mites from Wright had a nice comeback against Pittsburgh yesterday after they got down 13-0, but in the end, the size factor was too much to overcome. He's still young enough to make a mark in the Horizon League, and given the state of flux college basketball coaches experience this time of year, he'll still get looks for other opportunities in the future.

[AcePurpleFan]

I think with the current state of the program and where we need to be 10 years down the road, the Mule is our guy. If Marty turns our program around, he's not looking to jump-ship to a "better" BCS job.

Deep down inside I think Brownell was offered the job and turned it down for very good reasons. Brownell is in his early 40s. He took Wright State to the NCAAs this year and will likely get them back next year. This will equate to a MAJOR job opening for him after next season (remember, he was already tossed around for the IU job last season). However, if he would've left WSU for Evansville, it would take him 3 or 4 years to turn UE into an NCAA team. Why take that chance (and time) when he can win one more year in the Horizon and then move on to a big-time school around this time next year. It's a case of being a day late and a dollar short.

McGillis didn't offer the job to Brownell last year when he was wanting to leave UNCW (day late) and we can't pay him enough as the big boys now (dollar short)!

That's just my speculation but it's all academic - GO MARTY!!!!

[NDMA90]

Did I read an earlier post right that Jim Crews was at the press conference? I like Jim. McGillis knew that Marty was a "cash cow", no pun intended. Maybe Crews can become the AD?

[AcePurpleFan]

Crews would be a fantastic AD. He still has a lot of connections. Many donors would still like Crews. And the AD position doesn't have as much to do with community issues which is apparently why Crews was run off the last time.

[SubGod22]

I really do hope this works out well for UE.

[XjimmyfunkX]

I think a decision this early simply means that Marty was the #1 choice from the beginning. If Brownell was the frontrunner they would have waited until Wright St. was done and out before beginning talks with him. With the emotions involved in trying to win and run a team, McGillis certainly wouldn't have been naive enough to make an offer to Brownell while they were still in the tournament.

I'm just a little surprised with the timing, but if Marty was the #1 choice... you have to be happy about getting your first choice...... and if everyone is happy, then I'm on board. See you at the stadium.