Finding best coach is key for UC Davis
Find the right guy.
That's the only thing that matters as UC Davis continues to interview candidates for its men's basketball head-coaching position vacated when Gary Stewart agreed to step down a month ago.
This recruiting season is all but lost. There are only four other Division I jobs still open, according to espn.com. And any climb to respectability likely would take at least a few years with the loss of senior stars Mark Payne and Joe Harden.
So there's no urgency. The Aggies must hire the candidate who can breathe life into the program, recruit, coach and energize the community.
That won't be easy. The Aggies have gone 46-79 overall and 21-43 in the Big West Conference in their four Division I seasons. UC Davis has finished ninth, and tied for seventh, third and ninth in league play. So who will it be?
Jim Les – the former Kings guard, Monarchs assistant and Bradley head coach – has a family connection in son Tyler Les, a freshman guard for the Aggies last season.
Danny Yoshikawa, USF's associate head coach who starred for the Aggies from 1994 to 1996, helped UC Davis reach the NCAA Division II Tournament and is considered an excellent recruiter.
There are also plenty of other former Division I head coaches and current top assistants available.
Success in the Big West is possible, especially with the 7,100-seat Pavilion as UCD's home court.
The Aggies just need to find the right fit.
What to watch
Baseball, 1:05 p.m., Giants at Washington, CSNBA: The World Series champions take on the Nationals in the second game of a four-game series.
What to do
High school track and field, Meet of Champions, Hughes Stadium: Open division starts at 11 a.m., Invitational at 3 p.m.
Weekend poll
How do you view the NFL draft? • It's overkill. • It's football, and the more the better.
• The draft is fine, but Mel Kiper Jr.'s hair kills me.
• Please, no more Chris Berman and Tom Jackson.
To vote, go to www.sacbee.com/sports.
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Contact John Schumacher at jschumacher@sacbee.com or (916) 326-5523.
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