Eagles’ search intensifies
The search for a new men’s basketball coach at Eastern Washington appears to be moving at a rapid pace with interim athletic director Michael Westfall still hoping to have potential candidates on campus by the end of the week.
“I spent the weekend talking to all the coaches who have called to recommend somebody,” Westfall said on Monday. “I’ve had a couple of conversations with applicants who have tracked me down.
“I’m working with HR (Human Resources) to make sure we have all the resumes. I’m looking at over 40 applicants right now.”
He wouldn’t divulge any names but sources say he is trying to lure a veteran coach to Cheney to replace Mike Burns, who was fired last Wednesday after three seasons as the Eagles head coach.
Names said to be on the top of Westfall’s list are former San Diego head coach Brad Holland and current Utah Valley State coach Dick Hunsaker.
Holland, who was fired after last season, confirmed his interest last week and spoke with Westfall over the weekend.
Hunsaker, who took Ball State to the NCAA tournament early in his career before moving to the CBA, has a career record of 270-106. That includes one season filling in for Rick Majerus at Utah and being name the Mountain West Conference coach of the year. In five seasons with UVSC, as the Wolverines moved from a junior college to Division I, he is 82-36. A 22-7 record last season was the best by an independent school in 21 years.
Another name already mentioned that could be a serious candidate is Washington assistant Jim Shaw. A long-time Division I assistant, Shaw spent five years with Kelvin Sampson before going to the Huskies three years ago. A native of Chimacum, Wash., Shaw also worked with Huskies coach Lorenzo Romar at St. Louis and spent two years at Montana State and five at Portland.
However, Shaw said Monday night he had not been contacted.
“In these type of searches they make the contact,” he said. “I have not heard from anyone.”
UCLA assistant Scott Garson has also been mentioned. Garson joined the Bruins three years ago after five years with Majerus at Utah.
With the process of finding an athletic director also moving forward, Westfall, who was hired as vice president for university advancement last fall, is extremely busy.
“You’re telling me?” he said. “This is unbelievable, but you do what you’ve got to do.”
Still, he does have a timeline.
“This week, wrap up the basketball search,” he said. “Next week Bill Carr comes in to review the athletic department. That would be used as the foundation of the athletic director search. Week three, that would be the week of the NCAA coming in to do some reviews.”
Eastern self-reported some potential violations to the NCAA last week, including the possibility of improper payments to circumvent the 13 scholarships limit in basketball. Burns adamantly denies such allegations and an in-house and independent investigation reported that there is not enough evidence to support the charges. Still, Westfall forwarded the findings to the NCAA.
Bill Carr has a search firm to help with hiring within collegiate athletic departments. Westfall said the job posting for the athletic director is open until the end of this month.
“Hopefully in July we’ll actively interview for the athletic director position, make an offer by the end of July for that person to start in September,” Westfall said.
As for the work of the Foundation, he said, “It’s going as well as can be expected.
“I have a great staff and I’m doing what I can not to miss meetings. I missed a few last week, but they’re professional … they know what they need to do.
“I’m looking forward to getting everything cleaned up so we can start moving forward.”