Twitter Rumor: Dwayne Killings filling the vacant asst coaching spot

[tcf_15]

Guy only has 29 followers, but pretty random thing to tweet out.

Regardless, Killings pretty much fits the job description.

Minimum 5-years asst coaching experience: just completed 5th season with Temple as assistant coach.

Collegiate playing experience at D1 school: played at UMass and Hampton

Exp. as full-time asst at more than one D1 institution: 5 seasons (2011-present) at Temple and 1 season (2010-11) at Boston University

Member of coaching staff that has lead a team to multiple NCAAT appearances: 1 NCAAT appearance with BU (2011) and 3 with Temple (2012, 2013, 2016)

Experience in overall basketball operations at collegiate level, including a demonstrated understanding of team travel, scheduling, and budget: Was Temple's assistant director of men's basketball operations from 2006-2009 and there's this line from his bio here: "He was responsible for assisting in the team's travel, scheduling, budget management and on-campus recruiting efforts while he simultaneously worked on advanced scouting reports and assisted the student-athletes in academic and athletic development."

Involvement in student-athlete community service activities: Another line from his bio - "Killings is active in community service, currently serving on the Board of Directors of Triad Trust, a non-profit organization that coordinates youth sports and arts programs which are used as platforms to educate and raise awareness about AIDS and HIV. In July of 2009, Killings spent time in the Nkomazi region of South Africa conducting coaching clinics with local organizers."

Experience at the professional (NBA) level: worked in the D-League for the 2009-10 season "handling multiple responsibilities that included monitoring player development programs and providing updates on the players' progress to the Vice President of Basketball Operations. In addition, Killings also scouted potential D-League players during NBA summer camps." Also worked for the Charlotte Bobcats from 2003-2006 - "His first position within the organization was as a special assistant and video coordinator. He also coordinated annual draft reports in preparation for the NBA draft and assisted with the player development of players, such as Sean May and Emeka Okafor."

 

[tcf_15]

 

[the Blades]

6' 0" Amherst. MA native who worked as a ballboy for Calipari then played in 6 games as a walk-on for Umass in 2 years ......... sounds like it will fill a need ......and be the perfect big man's coach to me.....SMH !!!

 

[UConnFamily]

Heard he's a great recruiter with good connections in new england

 

[tcf_15]

Confirmed.

 

[aman kidwai]

 

[tcf_15]

July live period starts tomorrow. With no official announcement from UConn yet, I wonder when Killings will get out on the road for UConn - we'll need him out there.

 

[Dr.O1]

July live period starts tomorrow. With no official announcement from UConn yet, I wonder when Killings will get out on the road for UConn - we'll need him out there.

Tomorrow...haha

 

[tcf_15]

Back when he was first hired at Temple, he provided OwlScoop.com with his philosophy on recruiting:

On the notion that recruiting is about relationships and what ultimately helps an assistant coach form a bond with a player and get him to commit to accepting a scholarship offer:
"I think it's a lot of listening and a lot of talking. You talk to the parents, you talk to the AAU coach, you talk to his high school coach. You talk to the kid and you start to understand. What is the kid looking for? What's important to him? And I think it's really important to understand what type of kid he is and what he's looking for in his career and in his academic time here as well, because I think that's important to make sure it fits. If he chooses a school for all the wrong reasons, whether it's just basketball or just academics and everything doesn't work in his life, four years is a long time. So I think it's really important that they have a good feel for the university, how things work here at the school, how things work in the basketball program, how the coaching staff works, how you do things and making sure they know everything that's going on.

"It could be anything to understand the kid and find a comfort level, from having a conversation or having some common interests with the kid. It could be that they might love baseball; they might love to watch it. Or they might enjoy some of the same things you do and all of a sudden, you start to connect a little bit, and that really helps. Having the opportunity to really get to know these kids beyond just basketball I think is huge. And at the end of the day, I think a huge piece of this is that you have these kids for four years. You have a chance to mold who they're going to become in their lives. So I think it's really important that you know these kids because once you start recruiting them and they tell you they want to come, not only are they making a huge commitment to the program and to the university, they're making a huge commitment to you, because they're trusting the coaching staff with their basketball careers. And really, you're preparing them for life."

On the qualities he looks for in a player when he's out recruiting, beyond the numbers on the stat sheet and the highlight-reel moments:

"I think certain kids will jump out at you, but sometimes you've just got to pay attention a little bit. There's a lot of big-time athletes, kids that run, jump and fly around the gym and do some amazing things, but then you've got to take a step back and watch a little bit for kids that have a great skill set. In today's day and age, everybody's caught up in what comes on ESPN, all the highlight-reel plays, but what a lot of people don't take the time to watch sometimes is just the kids who are very skilled. There's a lot of skilled basketball players that do a lot of things well, whether it be footwork, ball handling, knowing how to get open, knowing how to get guys open, knowing how to control the game. And I think one of the things that's lost is paying attention to kids who do the small little things on the court - dive for loose balls, give extra effort, pick guys off the floor, help direct their team. Those things are huge.

"And at the end of the day, I think you try to find the guys that want to play the game the right way and fit into what we try to do here and what Coach Dunphy wants to do."

https://temple.n.rivals.com/news/a-conversation-with-dwayne-killings

 

[Huskymaniac]

Well, hopefully he learned how to be a good buffer while at umess.

 

[Dominicfrank]

ties to Calamari........Im out.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Come on Don, if you can't beat em, join em. Watch our recruiting take a major tick up now. But we do need to be careful. You have to either be very selective with one and dones or you have to go all in like the squid or coach k. If you take one or two at the wrong positions at the wrong time, you risk killing chemistry.

 

[the Blades]

I don't get it, Uconn had a top 10 class this year without this guy. They need help in North East recruiting ???? ... as the #1 blueblood and top program in the NE??? This just seems like more duplication to what KO's staff already is. Coaches who all played guard and nobody to work with the bigs. We haven't seen a big develop in years at Uconn so who's in charge of that ?.....Glen Miller ? Ricky Moore, KO ??? ....because obviously Freeman won't be doing it with a non coaching position ( if he even stays around ), since he's been passed...

Guys like Nolan, Brimah, Facey, Olander, etc. have done nothing but stayed stagnant or gone backwards with this staff......And according to this guy his claim to fame is: "One of the points of pride listed in Killings’ Temple biography is his role in the development of UConn great Emeka Okafor.. " Seriously ??? Last I knew Uconn's 1st round NBA picks that came out of nowhere from their HS rankings like Meka, Boone, Armstrong, etc did their developing at Uconn ( Meka entirely under Clyde Vaughan) ..... and since Emeka was a 2nd overall pick and had just an average pro career I don't think Killings’ should be claiming any great success regarding his development, because if he worked with him down in Charlotte he already got a finished product. He may turn out to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, but where is the staff diversity.... and what is the other job title specs.. that you have to be 6'2 " or less so KO can look down at you ???

 

[tcf_15]

Man tough crowd. This is a great hire and with all of the talent in New England in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 classes, getting anyone with more AAU connections in this region is important and a leg-up over everyone else. Especially now that KO is involved with USA Basketball and won't be on the road recruiting as much during the July live periods.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

Emeka Okafor was developed by Clyde Vaughn who was UConn's best big man coach ever. Unfortunately Clyde liked getting $10 blow jobs from undercover cops so he was let go.

There is a guy out there who lives in CT, played at UConn and comes from a coaching family. That would be Jake Voskuhl. Jake was the most fundamentally sound 5 who ever played at UConn. Set great screens, clogged the lane, blocked shots and threw awesome outlet passes. I think he lives in the Norwalk area and Kevin Freeman should be the guy to call and ask him to help work with the 5s. Maybe Jake can work as a volunteer assistant in preseason and if they like his work hire him down the road.

Regarding Killings, I don't know his work that much so I have no objection but I like the idea of raiding an AAC foe of its top assistant or top recruiter. Although maybe Killings is one of these opportunists who takes the elevator rather than the stairs, meaning that when Calipari has an opening and makes an offer he says, "later UConn, thanks for the stepping stone."

 

[Dr.O1]

Talk to a few people and they all love this guy. Blades we want a top 3 or 4 class. Not top 10

 

[tcf_15]

Well, hopefully he learned how to be a good buffer while at umess.

ties to Calamari........Im out.

Emeka Okafor was developed by Clyde Vaughn who was UConn's best big man coach ever. Unfortunately Clyde liked getting $10 blow jobs from undercover cops so he was let go.

There is a guy out there who lives in CT, played at UConn and comes from a coaching family. That would be Jake Voskuhl. Jake was the most fundamentally sound 5 who ever played at UConn. Set great screens, clogged the lane, blocked shots and threw awesome outlet passes. I think he lives in the Norwalk area and Kevin Freeman should be the guy to call and ask him to help work with the 5s. Maybe Jake can work as a volunteer assistant in preseason and if they like his work hire him down the road.

Regarding Killings, I don't know his work that much so I have no objection but I like the idea of raiding an AAC foe of its top assistant or top recruiter. Although maybe Killings is one of these opportunists who takes the elevator rather than the stairs, meaning that when Calipari has an opening and makes an offer he says, "later UConn, thanks for the stepping stone."

Let's nip this right in the bud.

John Calipari coached at UMass from 1988-1996.
Dwayne Killings was at UMass from 2000-2002 then transferred to Hampton.

They have no association with each other whatsoever.

 

[the Blades]

The party line is we have to be all in with this guy, I get that.... But you know what will help Uconn in recruiting more than some guy fans want to call a great recruiter ??? A spot in a P-5 conference. KO will make plenty of contacts with USA hoops so that could help, but your still recruiting to a place that some kids or negative recruiters will be saying is a mid major, known as the AAC.

In the mean time development, as in FB, is something you can control yourself. Uconn needs help on this staff with the bigs and I always liked the thought of a guy like Jake ( as you mentioned KSTW) who was fundamentally sound enough to make an almost 10 year NBA career out of it ( or even Emeka if he was around) to work with the bigs in some capacity...
this staff needs the help...

 

[the Blades]

Let's nip this right in the bud.

John Calipari coached at UMass from 1988-1996.
Dwayne Killings was at UMass from 2000-2002 then transferred to Hampton.

They have no association with each other whatsoever.

He was an Amherst area kid that was a ball boy for Cal years ago..... that's it

 

[the Blades]

Talk to a few people and they all love this guy. Blades we want a top 3 or 4 class. Not top 10

Yeah I heard that buzz too, he's been at Temple since 2011 this time around ? I know stars are whatever, but if he's this super recruiter where are all the
bluechip players and these top classes he's supposed to be bringing them ?.....they haven't had anything but 3 star players( on Rivals) at Temple for 5 years
and haven't broken a top 50 class according to 24/7 : 2016 (.#74).......2015 (#52)......2014( #109).....2013 (#73)....2012 ...(#61)


anyway here is the Uconn release: Dwayne Killings the next Husky

 

[Dr.O1]

Yeah I heard that buzz too, he's been at Temple since 2011 this time around ? I know stars are whatever, but if he's this super recruiter where are all the
bluechip players and these top classes he's supposed to be bringing them ?.....they haven't had anything but 3 star players( on Rivals) at Temple for 5 years
and haven't broken a top 50 class according to 24/7 : 2016 (.#74).......2015 (#52)......2014( #109).....2013 (#73)....2012 ...(#61)


anyway here is the Uconn release: Dwayne Killings the next Husky

Temple is not going to get the pull uconn will with the blue chips and so can not compare the temple kills he recruited to what he will land at UConn. I think we should guve him a chance.

 

[the Blades]

Temple is not going to get the pull uconn will with the blue chips and so can not compare the temple kills he recruited to what he will land at UConn. I think we should guve him a chance.

That was my point above... Uconn is still Uconn with or without him, ( and the no P-5 thing is always gonna hurt until it doesn't) but I obviously hope he kills it out there and wish him the best, just thought KO's current staff had a more pressing need .

 

[jeywalk]

The party line is we have to be all in with this guy, I get that.... But you know what will help Uconn in recruiting more than some guy fans want to call a great recruiter ??? A spot in a P-5 conference. KO will make plenty of contacts with USA hoops so that could help, but your still recruiting to a place that some kids or negative recruiters will be saying is a mid major, known as the AAC.

In the mean time development, as in FB, is something you can control yourself. Uconn needs help on this staff with the bigs and I always liked the thought of a guy like Jake ( as you mentioned KSTW) who was fundamentally sound enough to make an almost 10 year NBA career out of it ( or even Emeka if he was around) to work with the bigs in some capacity...
this staff needs the help...

Killings was apart of player development in the NBA and also the DLeague level, the program could use an uptick in player development everywhere, not just the bigs, so what is the issue in getting a guy with that in his background in addition to recruiting? Who would you have preferred KO hire?

 

[the Blades]

Killings was apart of player development in the NBA and also the DLeague level, the program could use an uptick in player development everywhere, not just the bigs, so what is the issue in getting a guy with that in his background in addition to recruiting? Who would you have preferred KO hire?

The point is there are zero bigmen specialist on the staff and the big men development unlike the guards/ wings, who have improved, have been a recent issue...probably has been since Clyde( minus Thabeet)... But at least with JC, Leitao, Clyde they had some one who played up front... but if Killings starts bringing five star 4 & 5's I guess development will be less of an issue...all I'm saying is show me, before I go all Husky blue over this guy...because he didn't do that at Temple.

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

How about let's give Killings a chance but let's also attempt to lure Jake Voskuhl, Emeka Okafor or someone who knows how to properly play the 5 UConn's way as a volunteer assistant for the preseason with the possibility of a more permanent gig down the road if all goes well? What's wrong with the old carrot and stick approach?

 

[the Blades]

Hey is Patrick Ewing available.....JOKE !!!

 

[the Blades]

KSTW, maybe Killings can recruit Emeka......did you see his Uconn release>>> in Charlotte he assisted with player development, including Emeka Okafor, whom he still counts as a close friend.

 

[jeywalk]

The point is there are zero bigmen specialist on the staff and the big men development unlike the guards/ wings who have improved have been a recent issue...probably has been since Clyde( minus Thabeet)... But at least with JC, Leitao, Clyde they had some one who played up front... but if Killings starts bringing five star 4 & 5's I guess development will be less of an issue...all I'm saying is show me, before I go all Husky blue over this guy...because he didn't do that at Temple.

The guards/wings over the past 5 years have been better prospects than the bigs coming out of HS, there is a reason why there has been an imbalance in play there. And you're crazy if you don't think player development hasn't been a point of emphasis at Temple, please name the last guy we had who was as lowly ranked as Quenton Decosey that improved at the rate he did? There's a reason why they won the regular season title with guys you mostly never even heard of when they committed besides Jaylen Bond(who was a transfer). Also, you don't have to be a big man to be able to coach bigs, Pete Newell is one of the more revered big men coaches of all time and he was 6'2" and not much as a player. Again I ask, who would you have preferred be named as an assistant coach over Killings?

 

[UConnFamily]

Wow. Never seen someone so upset to add a good recruiter with good connections in New England while also having just about every place he has been at talk highly of them.

Awful job KO you need to take advice from the peanut gallery.

 

[UConnFamily]

Yeah I heard that buzz too, he's been at Temple since 2011 this time around ? I know stars are whatever, but if he's this super recruiter where are all the
bluechip players and these top classes he's supposed to be bringing them ?.....they haven't had anything but 3 star players( on Rivals) at Temple for 5 years
and haven't broken a top 50 class according to 24/7 : 2016 (.#74).......2015 (#52)......2014( #109).....2013 (#73)....2012 ...(#61)


anyway here is the Uconn release: Dwayne Killings the next Husky

Temple has brought in 5 players rated 4* according to ESPN over the past 3 years including 3 top 150 players. Prior to 2014-2011 (when Killings came aboard) they brought in no 4* players and 4 players rated 3* with the rest below 3* and I think only 1 player rated in the top 150.

He clearly amped up their recruiting during his time. He was never going to pull 5* players or go toe to toe with the big schools being at Temple. Hell the Philly area is difficult to begin with because of the the competition just in the city not to mention Temple isn't the greatest campus in America

 

[the Blades]

The guards/wings over the past 5 years have been better prospects than the bigs coming out of HS, there is a reason why there has been an imbalance in play there. And you're crazy if you don't think player development hasn't been a point of emphasis at Temple, please name the last guy we had who was as lowly ranked as Quenton Decosey that improved at the rate he did? There's a reason why they won the regular season title with guys you mostly never even heard of when they committed besides Jaylen Bond(who was a transfer). Also, you don't have to be a big man to be able to coach bigs, Pete Newell is one of the more revered big men coaches of all time and he was 6'2" and not much as a player. Again I ask, who would you have preferred be named as an assistant coach over Killings?

So what is it, is he a great recruiter or a great developer of lowly ranked talent, because it sounds like it's supposed to be both... but you can't get both for the same price.. I'm glad your ten toes in and you have an opinion, you do get that for the same price.

 

[the Blades]

Temple has brought in 5 players rated 4* according to ESPN over the past 3 years including 3 top 150 players. Prior to 2014-2011 (when Killings came aboard) they brought in no 4* players and 4 players rated 3* with the rest below 3* and I think only 1 player rated in the top 150.

He clearly amped up their recruiting during his time. He was never going to pull 5* players or go toe to toe with the big schools being at Temple. Hell the Philly area is difficult to begin with because of the the competition just in the city not to mention Temple isn't the greatest campus in America

I told you where I got my ratings from Rivals and 24/7.....

 

[jeywalk]

So what is it, is he a great recruiter or a great developer of lowly ranked talent, because it sounds like it's supposed to be both... but you can't get both for the same price.. I'm glad your ten toes in and you have an opinion, you do get that for the same price.

Their most recent recruiting successes, Alston, Lowe, Aflakpui, and Enechionyia were all freshman and sophomores, their past team were dominated by upperclassmen, including Decosey who developed from a recruit with a composite ranking of 270 to a first team all conference selection his senior year. What recruit have we had since probably Hilton developed like that? Will you answer that question and my other question about who you would have preferred as the hire instead, or will it be more hand ringing because KO didn't hire some mythical big men coach?

 

[the Blades]

Wow. Never seen someone so upset to add a good recruiter with good connections in New England while also having just about every place he has been at talk highly of them. Awful job KO you need to take advice from the peanut gallery.

If KO reads this useless board, I do have some advice for him...it's for entertainment only...it's called a dissenting opinion regarding other variables....so no I'm not upset, but I am helping the web hits during a slow summer...., Aman

 

[the Blades]

Will you answer that question and my other question about who you would have preferred as the hire instead, or will it be more hand ringing because KO didn't hire some mythical big men coach?

.....I haven't vetted my list yet but I'll get back to you..in the mean time these are for Husky nation and their next great Uconn coach:

No..... I really mean that he seems like a gentleman, familyman and a great guy for Uconn's student/athletes

 

[KhalidShockedTheWorld]

I thought Temple was a very tough and tenacious team to play in the regular season last year and they clearly overachieved, but didn't UConn crush Temple in the AAC tournament?

It sounds like from what I read that Ollie hired Killings mostly based on the behavior he observed out of him on the recruiting trail, and felt he would be an asset. Killings does have some very diverse background and seasoning for this job position so let's see what he can do to help the team. Maybe he will be an upgrade from Hobbs. Maybe he will help the bigs. Maybe he can recruit Emeka to help him help the bigs on volunteer coach basis.

 

[UConnFamily]

KSTW-

Temple owned UConn prior to that win. I think they won 4 straight and Killings was definitely a part of the scouting and game planning during those Temple wins. They definitely had UConn's # so its a good thing to get his perspective being from outside the UConn family.

 

[Ozzie3178]

LOVE ABSOLUTELY LOVE... This hire!!!

Need a connected dude in northeast and New England for recruiting. You get energetic guy who oh by the way can coach a little too!!

Hope to see him also at Peach Jam

 

[the Blades]

LOVE ABSOLUTELY LOVE... This hire!!!
Need a connected dude in northeast and New England for recruiting. You get energetic guy who oh by the way can coach a little too!!
Hope to see him also at Peach Jam

Ozz, I'm disappointed I thought you would be the next "connected guy" !!!

 

[Ozzie3178]

Lol Blades. I love my life and job here down in the H my man!

I joked with KO about this a couple years ago but the money will be the same or less than mine here so