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September 2009
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The Cougars said they wanted to find a new head coach in seven days...and they've done just that. I've been able to confirm that Portland State's Ken Bone will be the next head basketball coach at Washington State University. UPDATE 4:26pm: Washington State University just sent out a press release officially announcing Bone as the new head coach. All signs started to point to Bone after Utah State's Stew Morrill and University of Alabama-Birmingham head coach Mike Davis withdrew their names from contention. "I have not and will not pursue other coaching jobs," Morrill said. "Washington State contacted me and I think it was understood all along that I have deep roots here and it would be very difficult for us to leave Utah State University." That left Bone and former Phoenix Sun head coach Terry Porter as the only other options. It's not even known if Porter really interviewed for the job (it was reported that he had by The Birmingham News). Bone is kind of a journeyman when it comes to coaching. He started his career as an assistant at Cal State Stanislaus. He then became the head coach there for the 1984-85 season. Bone then became the head coach at Olympic Community College (in Bremerton) for a season. He then became an assistant at Seattle Pacific (1986-90), where he later became the head coach (1990-2002). Bone then became an assistant at the University of Washington, before finally taking the head coaching job a Portland State University in 2005. Bone has a career record of 328-146 in his time at Seattle Pacific (251-97) and PSU (77-49). He was 23-10 last year with the Vikings, leading his team to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year (Portland State was ousted in the opening round on both trips). A press conference to announce Bone as head coach is scheduled for 1:30pm tomorrow in Pullman. UPDATE 4:58pm: Here is some more information on Ken Bone. He is very familiar with the Pacific Northwest. Bone is a Seattle native, who played his college ball at Shoreline Community College, Edmonds Community College, and Seattle Pacific. Washington State Athletic Director Jim Sterk was actually the Associate Athletic Director at SPU from 1990-91. Bone was the Falcons head coach at the time. Hours after Tony Bennett made his decision to go to Virginia, Sterk was on the phone with Portland State inquiring about Bone. I think he was Sterk's number one option to begin with. Bone, who is 50 years old, is married (his wife is Connie) and has three daughters (Kendra, Jenae, and Chelsea). In an article in The Seattle Times from March 16, 2008, Bone is described as a guy "who usually keeps his emotions locked tightly inside." Here is an excerpt from the article: "Tall, with a boyish, easy smile, Bone has the demeanor of a church vicar. And that demeanor sometimes masks the competitive fire that he keeps stoked inside. He doesn't throw chairs or tantrums and rarely raises his voice, either in games or practices, but he is tough and his teams play tough." The article also quotes several of Bone's players at the time who called him "a great teacher" and "incredible." Please feel free to tell me what you think of the hire...just leave a comment below. 5 CommentsLeave a comment |
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I think a Virginia fan called Tony Bennett a dud...I would say the same about Ken Bone. Of all the names thrown out there throughout this entire process, he is probably the least qualified.
I agree with Rod B., I personnally believe that no one other than Bone was seriously considered. I heard nothing on anyone else really being contacted. interviewed, or anything. I personnally would have choosen Terry Porter over Bone by a county mile, if for no other reason than exerience.
So, the poor Cougs have a second rate couch from a minor university, with very little basketball experience save that they won in the minor leagues, but then nailed to a cross on the two trips to the dance. hmmm. Could something other than the interest of WSU and the players have something to do with this choice? Like, but he's my friend and I helped to hired him at PSU.
I think there is a word for this sort of favoritism, and it isnt integrity. Maybe that too had something to do with the departure of Bennett. Makes you wonder sometimes.... Maybe some other personnal in the athletic department should be considered for replacement. I feel the true Cougar supporters have been buffaloed and a lot of this story has not come to the light of day.
No experience? I hardly consider more than 20 years of coaching experience to be "very little basketball experience".
I think Bone's style and offensive play will compliment that Bennett defense nicely. We'll have a hot team to watch next year, I'm looking forward to it.
I disagree with both Cougfan and Rob B; I live in Portland and have seen Ken develop his players. He is well founded in the fundamentals. The only thing he has not proven is recuiting ability.
WSU will be fine next year.
I don't think anyone will know how good a choice this is until well into the next basketball season and beyond. As for recruiting, the only way you potentially get over the hurdle of Wazzu's remote location and more premiere schools in the Pac-10 is to have a big name coach. But they cost big bucks which we don't have.
Hopefully he can retain Xavier Thames and the rest of next year's class. I do like what I've heard about Bone playing a faster tempo. Good luck and Go Cougs!