He won his first state championship title in 1979. They slapped his bare buttocks and he felt fingers inserted into his anus while his scrotum was simultaneously squeezed.". Additionally, FIU reached the Sun Belt Tournament Title game as a four seed, before falling to Western Kentucky in the tournament championship game, 6563. The Lobos beat National Runner Up San Diego St on the road and also defeated NCAA tournament team Boise St during conference play. ABC-7 spoke 1-on-1 with coach Hooten roughly three weeks into his tenure. They forced Shak to spin around and do squats as they slapped his buttocks.". Privacy Policy Pitino was named Minnesotas head coach in March of 2013 after one season as the head coach at Florida International. The Lobos, who led the Mountain West in scoring, defeated four NCAA Tournament teams during the season, their most wins over teams in the tournament in seven years. . "We fully support New Mexico State's decision to suspend the rest of its season, as they take this time to focus on the health and safety of their student-athletes.". 1 in the national polls, eventually going 31-6 overall. 2022/2023 Tailgating Regulations. 4 recruit in Class of 2024, commits to Arizona, NBA announces 242 players declaring early for draft. Named the 22nd head coach of the Lobos on March 16, 2021, Pitino came to New Mexico with a track record of turning around programs in year one. In response to the assault taking place, one of the coaches turned around and yelled out, Stop playing around," the lawsuit alleged. 22 Wyoming on Feb. 15 extended Pitinos streak to eight straight seasons with at least one win over an AP ranked opponent. *includes games listed in all-time results with no head coach listed, Copyright 2023 The University of New Mexico. According to the lawsuit, Washington, Bradley and Aiken began to "degrade" Odunewu in the summer of 2022 through unwanted touching and cruel comments in the locker room. The Golden Gophers earned a No. In one incident outlined in the lawsuit, Benjamin was forced to expose himself to a hotel room full of teammates and unknown women while on a road trip for the basketball team. Aiken and Bradley pinned him down and pulled his pants and underwear down to his ankles. That team climbed as high as No. A state police officer later noticed the team boarding a bus at a hotel; with his calls to Heiar's phone going straight to voicemail, police ultimately had to track the bus down at a rest stop on a nearby highway. There, the No. In 2020-21, Minnesota climbed up to No. From there, Louisville defeated No. 10. A lot has happened in those three weeks. In an announcement made Sunday by NM State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia, Greg Heiar (pronounced "higher") has been named the head coach of NM State's men's basketball program. All rights reserved. Pitino replaces Paul Weir, who was fired in February amid a 6-16 season for the Lobos. Peake was transported to a local hospital and was listed in stable condition shortly after the incident. On Monday, the school also announced the signing of Jacksonville State and Wichita State transfer Clarence 'Monzy' Jackson. A win over No. 4 in the country prior to the 2019 season. Coach Pitino immediately found success in recruiting by attacking the newly invigorated transfer portal. Lobo Basketball holds a special place in the hearts of New Mexicans, and I cannot wait to get started.. Overall at Minnesota, Pitino picked up 19 wins over ranked opponents, including five top-10 opponents. His first NCAA Tournament berth with the Golden Gophers came in 2016-17, when he led Minnesota to a 24-10 record. Pitino has also had assistant coaching stops at Duquesne, Northeastern and the College of Charleston. Heiar regardless instructed his team to leave Albuquerque, N.M. and return to NMSU's Las Cruces campus on the team bus, despite police requesting to interview three of Peake's teammates Marchelus Avery, Issa Muhammad and Anthony Roy as they searched for the shooting weapon and other evidence. [2] In his first stint with the Cardinals, he helped them advance to back-to-back NCAA Elite Eight appearances. I am committed to the safety and well-being of all members of our campus community, as well as to the integrity of our university. The New Mexico State University men's basketball coach has been fired days after the program was suspended for the rest of the season amid an investigation into alleged hazing incidents, the school's chancellor said. He has been a part of seven NCAA Tournaments, including two as a head coach. 11thin total rebounds (7,372) I welcome Richard, Jill and their three children to The University of New Mexico and to Duke City, and I am excited for the future of Lobo Basketball.. Heiar will become the 27th head men's basketball coach at NMSU. The program had already been suspended for the rest of the season. That squad was ranked the entire season, getting as high as No. 15 Purdue and No. For two years, he also served as an assistant basketball coach for Saint Andrew's School in nearby Barrington, Rhode Island. At Kirkwood, Heiar's play helped his team to its first NJCAA Tournament appearance in the history of the program. NMSU chancellor Dan Arvizu had previously suspended team operations amid an investigation into an alleged hazing incident involving members of the team. LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- In the span of five months, the NMSU Men's basketball program was involved in a deadly shooting, three players on the team were accused of sexually assaulting at least two other players, the program was suspended, the head coach fired and a lawsuit filed. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? ", "Over the last 48 hours, our staff and membership have been working to find a solution that best protects every WAC student-athlete and institution," Thornton said. ABC News was not immediately able to reach Heiar for comment. LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KTSM) - After a lawsuit naming New Mexico State University, three former men's basketball players and two former coaches alleging sexual assault was filed by two former . The board noted it was informed of the suspension Friday evening. Brown will join Andy Hill and Isaac Chew and complete the new trio of assistant coaches . The following season saw Louisville ascend to No. The Official Athletic Site of the New Mexico Lobos, partner of WMT Digital. 25 Florida before losing in the Final Four to No. The following season in 2009-10, Florida won the SEC regular season championship and went 29-8 overall, advancing the Elite Eight, losing to a Cinderella Butler squad 74-71 in overtime. NM State Collection. 1 in both polls. Copyright 2023 The University of New Mexico. The Golden Gophers defeated Pitinos former school, Louisville, in the First Round before falling to No. 24 Maryland. Between Louisville stops, Pitino spent two seasons at Florida coaching under Billy Donovan. Donovan coached New Mexico athletic director Eddie Nuez at Florida and later employed Pitino as an assistant with the Gators. The report indicates the accuser did not want to press criminal charges at the time. Main Navigation Menu. Pitino came to UNM after an eight-year stint at Minnesota, where he went 141-123 with two NCAA Tournament berths and an NIT Championship. The lawsuit also alleged Benjamin suffered mental abuse. Oturu was also the first to be as high as third team since Quincy Lewis was a third team pick in 1999. In that Final Four run, the Shockers defeated Pittsburgh, Gonzaga, LaSalle and Ohio State. On Nov. 19, forward Mike Peake was allegedly involved in a pre-dawn shootout on the University of New Mexico's campus while in Albuquerque for a game against the school, New Mexico State University officials said. Deuce Benjamin has yet to meet with investigators, according to the complaint. 5 Michigan State and No. While with the Gophers, Pitino compiled a . ", "Sadly, hazing can become part of an organization's culture left unchecked," Arvizu said. The 2019-20 season was highlighted by the play of Daniel Oturu, who earned Third Team All-America honors from CBS and The Sporting News, becoming the first Golden Gopher named All-America since Kris Humphries was named Honorable Mention in 2004. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. He spent two separate stints at Louisville coaching alongside his Hall of Fame father Rick Pitino. "The most important job I have as Chancellor of the NMSU System is to ensure our students are safe and protected from harm," Arvizu said. Arvizu said the players and coaching staff were called back to the school in Las Cruces and interviewed by university personnel specially trained to conduct investigations into hazing incidents. The ESPN report specifies that it was unknown at the time how the phone, gun and tablet were moved in the hours immediately following the shooting. Under Pitino, Minnesota players were awarded All-Big Ten honors twelve times including Nate Mason, who was named First Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media in 2016-17. Any further decisions regarding the remainder of the coaching staff will be made after additional investigations are concluded. The Lobo basketball coaching search should end in Chicago, with three names surfaced so far and a big decision looming. In 20042005, he worked as an administrative assistant under Tom Herrion at the College of Charleston. position. The 24 wins marked the second time in his career that his team surpassed the previous school record for wins. 5 Michigan State. It humiliates and degrades someone and has the potential to cause physical and emotional harm, or even death. From there, Louisville defeated No. Further released details, via ESPN, indicate once Peake arrived, the students Travis, two of his friends and a 17-year-old female attacked him with bats. 13 Purdue, No. Winners of the Big East regular season title, Louisville also won the Big East Tournament title, defeating Syracuse in the title match. Feb 13, 2023. The team was ranked for five weeks over the course of the season and listed in the polls for nine consecutive weeks. A 22-year coaching veteran at the NJCAA, NCAA Division III and NCAA Division I levels, Heiar's most recent stop was a memorable one in Niceville, Fla. Only Arizona's Tommy Lloyd (.914), Gonzaga's Few (.837), Kansas . Along the way, the Golden Gophers knocked off three top-20 teams in No. Another former New Mexico coach, Dave Bliss, won NCAA Tournament games with the Lobos in four straight seasons from 1996-99, and was then hired by Baylor in the Big 12 -- although his tenure with the Bears then ended in scandal. ", The chancellor added that the school will work to "ensure that support systems are in place to prevent this from happening again.". Louisville was the No. During his six years at Chipola the last five as a head coach Heiar's teams won 164 games as a head coach, while capturing five Panhandle Conference titles and making four appearances in the National Junior College Tournament. Minnesota was selected as an at-large into the 2019 NCAA Tournament, earning a 10-seed. That team climbed as high as No. His first season at the helm of the Golden Gophers saw Minnesota go 25-13, setting a school record for wins as Minnesota won the second NIT Championship in school history. I have known Chris Jans for almost 30 years and hope to build upon what he achieved at NM State over the last half-decade. Coach Eloy Brazil said his coaching career has been incredible. A+ Aggie Program. A 17-year-old was arrested and charged with aggravated battery and conspiracy in connection to the shooting, and no additional arrests have been announced. The year-long stay in Tennessee came on the heels of a highly-successful run for Heiar in Baton Rouge, La., at LSU. The Aggies will finish the 2022-23 season with a 9-15 record (2-16 in Western Athletic Conference play). The 2019-20 season was highlighted by the play of Daniel Oturu, who earned Third Team All-America honors from CBS and The Sporting News, becoming the first Golden Gopher named All-America since Kris Humphries was named Honorable Mention in 2004. His first NCAA Tournament berth with the Golden Gophers came in 2016-17, when he led Minnesota to a 24-10 record. In the past week, former New Mexico State basketball players Deuce Benjamin and Shakiru Odunewu, and Bejamin's father, William Benjamin, sued the Board of Regents, former head coach Greg Heiar . Coach Pitino brought future All-Mountain West performers Jaelen House (Arizona State) and Jamal Mashburn Jr (Minnesota) to Albuquerque as foundational pieces for the program. Hes known for making a signature gesture during games. Before becominga full-fledged member of a coaching staff, Heiar served as a graduate assistant at a pair of Hawkeye State institutions - Loras College (graduate assistant from 2001-03) and Mount St. Clare College (student assistant in 2000-01). Heiar opened the press conference by reading a prepared statement but did not answer questions specifically [] VanVleet, a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, signed with the Toronto Raptors where he won a 2019 NBA Championship, while Baker who was a top-10 all-time leading scorer at Wichita State signed with the New York Knicks and also spent a season with the Washington Wizards. in history in 2005. at Eastern New Mexico University. 7 seed Louisville, a school he previously helped coach and a program which his father Rick had been head coach of for 16 years. The release by New Mexico State police called Peake who was also shot at the scene a victim acting in self-defense. 19 Iowa. 8 Wisconsin, No. Said chancellor Arvizu of Heiar's firing: As I've stated previously, hazing has no place on our campus, and those found responsible will be held accountable for their actions. Greg Heiar controversy, explained: Why NMSU fired coach, canceled season amid alleged hazing, shooting scandals, March Madness bracket predictions 3.0: Projecting the Field of 68 for 2023 NCAA Tournament, According to a police report filed by the accuser, Best conference ever? At just 38, Pitino has the time to rebuild his brand in the profession and position himself for another shot at a high-profile job. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 24 Maryland. According to the lawsuit the three forced Odunewu "onto the floor in the back of the bus. During his time at Providence, Pitino was the manager for the Friars men's basketball team under Tim Welsh. "The attacks usually happened in the locker room before workouts or before practices. 3 seeded Cardinals fell to top-seeded North Carolina. Three former Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball players have filed a federal lawsuit against the school claiming their coach forced them to go to her home in . The matter is still under investigation by law enforcement. After graduating, he became the head coach at Cimarron High School for 14 years. Lobo Basketball holds a special place in the hearts of New Mexicans, and I cannot wait to get started.". 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament in 2016-17, facing Middle Tennessee State in the opening round. Another former New Mexico coach, Dave Bliss, won NCAA Tournament games with the Lobos in four straight seasons from 1996-99, and was then hired by Baylor in the Big 12 -- although his tenure with . The elder Pitino offered counsel during the process that led to Richard Pitino's quick rebound with the Lobos. New Mexico State hired Greg Heiar as its next men's basketball head coach, the school announced Sunday. Pitino spent eight seasons as Minnesota's coach and led the program to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2017 and 2019 before posting losing records the past two seasons. Furthermore, Wichita State was also among the national statistical leaders over that six-year stretch: T3rdin defensive field goal percentage (.390) "We're in pretty good shape for as many people as we've brought in we've either got a commitment or a signing," Hooten said. New Mexico State, on Tuesday, announced the firing of first-year basketball coach Greg Heiar after he was hired to the position on March 27, 2022. 9 before eventually finishing at No. Last season in 2020-21, Minnesota climbed up to No. Lost in the shadows of the Super Bowl, a college basketball team canceled the remainder of . "I think we're right on track. 25thin assists (3,057). Heiar will become the 27th head men's basketball . LAS CRUCES New Mexico State has hired Northwest Florida State College men's basketball head coach Greg Heiar to succeed Chris Jans. Police claimed Peake, who was ultimately suspended from the team as police investigated the shooting, placed his gun, phone and tablet in the car. In 2011-12 as associate head coach, the Cardinals went 30-10, advancing all the way to the Final Four. 6-keys: media/spln/collegebasketball/reg/free/stories, at Heiar's tenure at Chipola began as an assistant coach under then-head coach Chris Jans in 2003-04. Story Links. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. Heiar worked extensively with the Shocker backcourt, which saw Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet earn All-American honors, and both eventually signed NBA contracts following the 2016 season. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. He is the son of St. Johns University head coach Rick Pitino. While at Providence he served as a student manager under Tim Welsh before beginning his coaching career the following year. Heiar spent his days as a student-athlete at two institutions - Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Mount St. Clare College in Clinton, Iowa. Cimarron High Schools head coach is currently in his 44th season. Two days after that, the Aggies fired Heiar. "When the behavior goes too far, and crosses the line into nonconsensual touching, it is not mere hazing; it is battery and sexual assault. That prompted a shootout between Peake and Travis, with Peake fatally shooting the latter. Along the way, the Golden Gophers knocked off three top-20 teams in No. Coach Brazil is also only one of two coaches to win a championship at three different schools. Academic Support Program & Services Center. Under Pitino, UNM brought nine new incoming recruits to Albuquerque in hopes to improve upon a 616 record left by the coaching regime the previous year. The 68-year-old started coaching when he was just 22. "While the task of replacing Chris Jans as the leader of our basketball program is a tall one, I am excited that we have selected Greg Heiar to serve as our new head . All rights reserved. Peake was not listed as a suspect at the time. 22 Wisconsin (on the road) and No. 24 Nebraska before defeating No. ABC News' Nick Kerr contributed to this report. April 28, 2023. Though the New Mexico program has struggled as of late, it's a job with a track record for sending coaches on to bigger gigs. The team was ranked for five weeks over the course of the season and listed in the polls for nine consecutive weeks. "William was very upset and tried to reach Coach Heiar and Athletic Director Mario (Moccia), who did notreturn his calls," according to the complaint. Names tossed around to replace Paul Weir at New Mexico. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. ", The 27th bench boss in the history of the program, Heiar succeeds three-time WAC Coach of the Year Chris Jans - an individual Heiar served with on staff at two institutions (Chipola College in 2003-04 and Wichita State from 2011-14 and 2015-17). In the Round of 32, the Gophers lost 70-50 to 2nd-seeded Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team then led by Cassius Winston, who went on to a Final Four appearance after a 6867 win over the 1st overall seeded Zion Williamson-led Duke team, which notably also consisted of Cam Reddish and R.J. Barrett. That run allowed Heiar to be named the Coach of the Tournament - an award presented to the best NJCAA bench boss at the national tournament since 1959. 15, climbing to No. 16 in the rankings and picked up five more nationally ranked wins, including a pair in the top 10. 140. In addition to his strong recruiting connections, Heiar's on-court coaching helped Tremont Waters the No. From 2013 to 2021, he was head coach of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team. He said he immediately suspended the basketball program, canceled Saturday's game and placed the coaching staff on paid administrative leave. Pitino was fired Monday by Minnesota after eight seasons at the school. Requests for comment to Heiar, Taylor and Bradley by the Sun-News were not immediately returned. That success came after seven years as an assistant coach that included five NCAA appearances, including one Final Four appearance and four trips to the Elite Eight, three conference titles and two 30-win seasons. Contests & Promotions, 2023, NPG of Texas, L.P. El Paso, TX USA, What El Paso city officials are saying over community concerns of how the disaster declaration will affect them, Car rolls over at the summit of Transmountain, Police identify man found with gunshot wounds, NMSU 2023-24 Mens Basketball Team Tracker. Deuce resisted, though it is alleged that Washington exposed Deuces backside and forcefully grabbed his scrotum, "inflicting great pain and humiliation.". Dr. Paul Weir coached his last game as the New Mexico basketball head coach this past week. According to a New Mexico State University Police Department report, a player reported the alleged incidents on Friday, claiming they have been "hazed" by three teammates in the locker room of both home and away games for several months, usually in front of the entire team. Richard William Pitino (born September 16, 1982) is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos men's team. He spent two separate stints at Louisville coaching alongside his Hall of Fame father Rick Pitino. Heiar's first NCAA Division I coaching assignment sent the Iowan to Hattiesburg, Miss., for a spot on Larry Eustachy's staff. Head coach Richard Pitino is rebuilding a New Mexico basketball program that hit rock bottom. ", Rachel Phillips is the weekend sports anchor and reporter. The 2017-18 season saw Minnesota ranked in the preseason at No.
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