Gerry Staff Predictions…

[Scooch]

Thrilled that Gerry is hiring non-SU alums. Fresh eyes, different perspectives, broader exeriences. All critical things.

 

[Sherman20]

The university will not release those names publicly until the process is complete, including BoT approval - previous recent history taught them this lesson.

The BOT is approving the assistant coaching staff?

 

[RM32]

Guessing both -Brunt, Daly, Lee, Blackwell, AO, Pete plus a GM and the S&C staff. I’m guessing some GAs in the mix too like Eugene’s role.

Did they retain Harris? or was he let go along with Red? I liked his intensity at the very least but don’t recall seeing anything related to that

 

[Orangezoo]

Didn’t know he worked there before will take a look

Top 50 defense every year he was there at VCU including top 10 twice.

 

[Sherman20]

I’m wondering if it’s AO or Blackwell, but not both? My guess would be AO as big man coach.

I imagine we’re gonna have a bigger staff. At least 5 full time assistants. If not 6. Arizona has 6, which is the most I’ve seen.

 

[Orangezoo]

Did they retain Harris? or was he let go along with Red? I liked his intensity at the very least but don’t recall seeing anything related to that

Not sure

 

[Sherman20]

Wasnt penn state’s defense horrendous?

Mike Rhodes, the PSU coach, is a very good defensive coach. Remember when he was at VCU and shut us down in one of the early season MTEs with the Boeheim brothers. The problem down there is that they can’t get good players.

 

[Orangezoo]

Don’t forget Lee is a very smart basketball mind as well both defensively and offensively.

 

[Scooch]

I imagine we’re gonna have a bigger staff. At least 5 full time assistants. If not 6. Arizona has 6, which is the most I’ve seen.

Axe reported that Wildhack said Gerry will hire 4 assistants and a GM.

 

[Orangezoo]

Mike Rhodes, the PSU coach, is a very good defensive coach. Remember when he was at VCU and shut us down in one of the early season MTEs with the Boeheim brothers. The problem down there is that they can’t get good players.

You can’t succeed or win there when you are 5th on the food chain for sports.

 

[007]

The BOT is approving the assistant coaching staff?

Fiscal responsibility for the contract details, not for approval of the specific individuals.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[jdubs30]

I’ll admit it .. I was wrong about Gerry

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

These assistant hirings make me feel so much better about Gmac. I was trending that way anyways but this is the icing on the cake.

 

[Cusefan69]

Officially confirmed

 

[Cusefan69]

Daly and Brunt confirmed

 

[Sherman20]

Axe reported that Wildhack said Gerry will hire 4 assistants and a GM.

That reporting might be incorrect. I can’t imagine Gerry didn’t demand at least 5 assistants, which matches what some other peer programs have. But I could be wrong. Maybe one will move into a support staff role like player development/assistant coach.

 

[cusefan88]

I’ll admit it .. I was wrong about Gerry

Yup same here. The proof will be on the court but seems to be off to the right start.

 

[Cusefan69]

What about Lee?

 

[Franz69]

Wasnt penn state’s defense horrendous?

"Brunt has been tasked with leading the team’s defense in his time at Penn State. The Nittany Lions struggled defensively this past season with limited personnel, but had defenses in the top third of the country, according to KenPom, in Brunt’s first two seasons on staff."

https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-basketball/article315276268.html

 

[JeffCuse]

I like the addition of Brunt. Good mix of his guys and some others will do just fine.

 

[Scooch]

That reporting might be incorrect. I can’t imagine Gerry didn’t demand at least 5 assistants, which matches what most other peer programs have.

I hope he hires 5. Would be crazy not to.

 

[007]

Thrilled that Gerry is hiring non-SU alums. Fresh eyes, different perspectives, broader exeriences. All critical things.

Yup. Knee jerk reactions before seeing the staff hires and the full roster always seemed misguided.

The GMac era is off to a very good start. But, there is no denying that all that really matters is winning.

 

[M2MPrinciples]

PSU was bad defensively this season, but top-80 in defensive efficiency 2024 and 2025. I feel like that's about as well as one can do at Penn State. Rhoades's/Brunt's VCU defenses were elite though.