Hipsher confirms five-hour interview at FAU

USF assistant coach Dan Hipsher, a finalist for the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic, confirmed a formal interview on the school's Boca Raton campus on Friday, issuing a brief statement through USF's sports information department:

"First of all, I'm honored to be a finalist for this position. I met with university officials for about five hours today, including the director of athletics and president. I also toured the facilities and campus and am looking forward to the next step in the process."

FAU is also interviewing former St. John's coach Mike Jarvis today, according to the Palm Beach Post, and athletic director Craig Angelos could reach a decision as early as this weekend. Hipsher has previously been a head coach at Stetson and Akron and joined Stan Heath's staff at Arkansas two years ago before following him to USF.

Comments

[The Champ]

Tonelli is already unofficially an assistant coach for USF.

Since the benching of Hansen and Samuels, Tonelli has taken more of an active role as the assistant Heath can rely on.It was he not the two other jokers that came up with a list of names that USF could still get this late in the recruiting process and some '09 prospects as well.

Tonelli is but one good name we still need two more unless Hipsher doesn't get the job at FAU.

Tonelli, Watkins, and Pearson/Cunningham would give USF a great coaching staff imo.Nice if that were to come true.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I am a big fan of Tommy Tonelli..

I called up the basketball office about getting tickets to the Wake Forest road game and Tonelli called me back and said he could get me some seats.

I think we should make him first assistant.

[G.A.]

And if an assistant were to leave the staff, I think the first option for an assistant would be Tommy Tonelli, who's working as director of basketball operations right now. Gives Heath a well-respected tie to the program's history and someone with strong local connections to high school coaches.

[G.A.]

Didn't know about Simon. O'Neill's out at Arizona, but only because he thought he had the head coaching job there. Like I said, I think if Kevin O'Neill goes anywhere as an assistant, it's the NBA.

[AGW]

G.A., Miles Simon and Kevin O'Neil are already out at Arizona. They are free agents looking for coaching jobs. I agree on Cunningham, Pearson and Watkins, they all would be huge pick-ups for USF.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Do you guys realize that USF could be the worse basketball program in major college ball???

I urge you to find me another college basketball program in a BCS conference that is worse than USF...

We haven't made the tourny in 16 years. Haven't been to the Big East tourny since we entered the league. Haven't won 20 games since the Kennedy Adminstration.

Our program stinks. Its a miracle we convinced poor Stan Heath to come here and coach.

I say we give him some time....and make sure D. Jones doesn't go anywhere.

[The Champ]

Here are a few names that fit what we need in great recruiting assistants.

Phil Cunningham-Miss St's lead recruiter

Phil Pearson-Alabama's main recruiter and with the very possiblity of a coaching change looming he could probably be talked into coming to USF.He is considered one of the best recruiters in the southeast.

Melvin Watkins-Mizzou's top recruiter.He is doing a great job there for Mike Anderson who's seat is getting a little warm.Watkins is good recruiting the kids out of Florida as well.

Larry Harris-NC State

Russ Springmann-TAMU

Chris Mack-Xavier

Those guys according to Rivals are top 25 recruiting assistants at last check.

Now those are just a few names that could replace Samuels and Hansen if Heath were to talk with them and if they would be willing to listen.Remember these are just some names I wish USF would go after, not a hint from a source.

Now I do have a guess as to who might be joining the staff but he wasn't listed in the above names.

Phil Pearson, Phill Cunningham, and Melvin Watson would probably seriously listen if Heath came calling, just my guess.

[G.A.]

Guys, guys. So many things I shouldn't go near here. I'm "supposily" the real typo/spelling error warden here, so everybody be nice and try to avoid the typos unless it's part of the nuanced personality you're trying to convey online.

I don't think Stan Heath's son is posting here, if only because I don't see Heath coming home and ranting about any alleged office turmoil over dinner with his family. I could be wrong, but that's my hunch.

And no disrespect to USF, but I'm not entirely sure why Miles Simon would leave his alma mater for an assistant position near the bottom of an elite conference -- seems like he wouldn't have to leave Arizona til he was a head coach -- or why Kevin O'Neill would go anywhere but the NBA as an assistant coach. There aren't any openings right now, but fun to see you guys aiming high for potential replacements. Sorry Larry Brown is off the board.

[The Champ]

"If it Stan hired these assistant coaches"

Wait a minute you are talking about my skills as a writer?

Reality you should have wrote, If it's Stan that hired these assistant coaches, or just left out the word it.What are you a neanderthal?

Reality I can appreciate you too, because every single time you respond to me with something absurd, I look even smarter then I already am.

All yeah since I'm supposily Heath's young son, how sorry must you be to constantly lose to one so young.LOL that a youngster knows more about sports then a grown man.(shaking head)

[AGW]

I hope we get one of the Arizona assistans Miles Simon or Kevin O'Neil. They would be good assistants at USF. Greg Heiar wouldn't be bad either. Plus, I'm sure whoever The Champ had in mind would be a good choice as well. Get those guys in here for interviews. It would really help.

[Reality]

Yes Batman, I am clueless. You got me.

I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to heap praise upon Champ. His spelling and language skills do not always put a high SAT Verbal score in his future.

I do appreciate how he puts out conspiracy theories as to why Stan can't recruit. Those are appreciated more than Ari "9-9" Hinkelberger getting into fights in here with everyone.

If it Stan hired these assistant coaches, then he is responsible for their "supposed" mistakes. Let's not forget that. Everyone let's chip in and buy Stan a calendar and a calculator so that he recruits correctly next year.

I'm out, Rack me.

[The Champ]

BATMAN what are doing responding to Reality?

I told you to hook me up with BATGIRL, let me deal with the CLOWN aka REALITY, John, RR, etc. You have a much more important assignment.

[Eltton John]

SSSuper...sounds like Batman lost his crush on the Catwoman and moved it over to the Champ. How cute!

[BATMAN]

Is The Champ really Heath's son or are you guys just assuming that?

Heath has two sons Jordan and Joshua, with the oldest being Jordan.Both are really good ball players for their age from what I hear.Two future Bulls I hope.

Both kids are real intelligent so if Champ is really Heath's son then he could be either one.

I happens to think it is great that a kid spends a part of his day to post and educate us adults about USF basketball.However since Reality is the one who calls Champ Heath's son I highly highly doubt that information is true considering how often Reality is clueless on most situations.

[jarred]

Is The Champ really Heath's son or are you guys just assuming that?

[The Champ]

Greg Heiar wasn't the name I had in mind, but he would be an improvement over Hansen or Samuels.

[Ken]

There are multiple people to meet and talk with--I don't think five hours is at all unusual. That said, this doesn't sound good for the Bulls.

[Reality]

Who is Dad hiring Champ? Greg Heiar?

[The Champ]

That means he is probably gone.

Maybe we can get Mike Javis on staff here.

I have a good idea who one of the assistants will be once Hip goes, but we still need two more.

I just hope Stan can hire a couple if BULLDOG recruiters with AAU play about to really kick in.

[Robert Gibson]

That means they played a round of golf...

[Ari Hinkelberger]

A 5 hour interview..??