Three of a Kind

[hoxltc]

My dynasty will center around three players, from different backgrounds, that become teammates and very good friends. All three then look to take their experiences on the floor to hopes of landing a head coaching in the college ranks.

 

Meet Tyler Hannan, Cody Lovat, and David Tharby. The trio were all recruited by University of Missouri-Kansas City long time coach German Izaguirre. Besides a few offers from D2 and D3 schools, none of the three were scouted by anyone but Izaguirre.

 

The 6-4 Hannan is from Chattanooga, Tennessee where in his senior season, he helped his high school team to a runner-up finish at the state finals.

 

Lovat is a 6-0 shooting guard from Missoula, Montana. As a senior, he was a key player in his high school team's Elite 8 appearance in the Class 2A playoffs. He left thier the school's all-time leading scorer.

 

While Tharby used his 6-10 frame to lead Somerset High School in Kentucky to back-to-back 20 win seasons. He was named the the second team All-State.

 

None are flashy, but Izaguirre saw the fire in each that led him to offer each a full-ride to play for the Roos.

[hoxltc]

<p>In their freshman season (2000) they were all in the starting five as UMKC finished 12-19 (9-9 Summit League; fourth place) and they won their first round game in the conference tournament, but fell in the semifinals to league regular season champion Oral Roberts (16-2). Oakland punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a win over ORU in the conference tournament final.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Tharby</strong> earned Summit League Freshman of the Year, second team all-conference and freshman All-American honors after averaging 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. <strong>Lovat</strong> (11.1 ppg, 2.1 apg) and <strong>Hannah</strong> (11.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg) were also named to the all-freshman team.</p>

[hoxltc]

<p>Their sophomore season (2001) the three shared an apartment and it was a fine year on and off the floor. UMKC ended the season 22-11 (13-5 Summit League; second place) to become only the second team in school history to win 20+ games. The Roos fell in the semifinals of the league tournament, but received a invitation to the NIT Tournament, losing in the second round. The three formed a nice bond with one another, heck they all spent the Christmas break in Montana with Lovat's family.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Tharby</strong> was named Summit League Player of the Year after posting 19.2 ppg and 8.5 rpg. <strong>Lovat</strong> and <strong>Hannah</strong> also had nice years as <strong>Lovat</strong> finished with 10.6 ppg, 3.0 apg and <strong>Hannah</strong> 10.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg. All three started all 33 games for the Roos and coach Izaguirre.</p><p> </p><p>

In a surprise move, <strong>Tharby</strong> hired an agent and declared himself for the NBA draft. The two-time all-conference center was given some bad advice as it turned out as he went undrafted. However he was lucky enough to sign with a professional team in Italy over the summer, leaving just Lovat and Hannah to return for their junior season at UMKC.</p>

[hoxltc]

<p>That junior campaign (2002) without <strong>Tharby</strong> was a struggle for UMKC. The Roos ended 14-16 (8-10 Summit League; seventh place) and lost in the quarterfinals in the loop tournament.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Hannah </strong>was named to the first team all-conference team after scoring 14.5 ppg and grabbing 7.6 rpg. <strong>Lovat</strong> continued his steady play, putting up 11.1 ppg and handing out 2.8 apg. Each player went over the 1,000 career point mark late in the season.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Tharby </strong>started off and on for his club in Italy and they reached the semifinals of the league championship.</p><p> </p><p>

The three spent the summer playing some ball and working at a fun and water park in downtown Kansas City. Tharby spent most of his time working at the food bar and put on 20 pounds.</p>

[hoxltc]

<p>It was a rough basketball season (2003) to say the least for the three. UMKC ended the year a disappointing 10-20 (8-10 Summit League; fifth place) and even worse, they lost <strong>Hannah</strong> in the third game of the season with a dislocated patella against Missouri. </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lovat </strong>led the team with 13.4 ppg and a league best 4.3 apg, while <strong>Hannah</strong> started rehab after surgery and was awarded red-shirt status. Meanwhile <strong>Tharby</strong> struggled in Italy after showing up to the team out of shape and spent most of the season scratching back into the starting lineup.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lovat</strong> took an internship with a local ad agency over the summer, while <strong>Tharby</strong> worked with <strong>Hannah</strong> through his rehab process for 2004.</p>

[hoxltc]

<p>That 2004 season brought with it a solid 20-13 (13-5 Summit League; second place) season for UMKC. They fell again after reaching the semifinals of the conference tournament and lost in the second round of the NIT.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Hannah</strong> wasn't quite the same as before the injury, but scored 12.6 ppg and grabbed 6.8 rpg. He finished his Roos career with 1,461 points and 887 rebounds, both good for seventh place on the school's all-time list.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lovat</strong> quit his job in early December and attended all of UMKC's home games there after. He started having thoughts of a coaching career, something Hannah and Tharby had always talked about doing after their playing careers were over. Lovat hadn't given it much thought until watching coach <strong>Izaguirre </strong>work his magic the second half of the season.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Tharby</strong> was named to the All-League team in Italy after finishing third in points and second in rebounds for his team that won the championship for the first time in the club's long history.</p><p> </p><p>

In the early summer however, <strong>Tharby</strong> tore his ACL/MCL in a pickup game on Hannah's home town court in Chattanooga. Tharby was cut from his team in Italy a short time later because he had voided a clause in his contract by playing in the game.</p><p> </p><p>

The three talked over dinner a couple weeks later and all were leaning towards pursuing college coaching jobs.</p>

[hoxltc]

The boys contacted coach Izaguirre before practice started for the 2005 season and asked if there was anything they could help with on a volunteer basis. He gladly excepted. The three helped as much as they could and gained valuable knowledge from their old coach. The team finished 16-13, 12-6 in the Summit League.

 

Following the season the trio worked together on resumes and sent them to almost every school they could find. They knew that the offers would probably be few and far between, but having the fact that they played for and studied under a future Hall of Fame coach couldn't hurt.

[hoxltc]

A few weeks after sending out their resumes the first offer came in.

 

Hannan received a call from first-year Pepperdine head coach Michael Mattos, who had been an assistant at Arizona for six seasons. Mattos had heard of Hannan's work ethic to come back from his injury and also saw the passion for the game in game film from the 2004 season. The interviews went great and Hannan excepts his first coaching job as the lead scout for Mattes and West Coast Conference member Pepperdine who finished 18-13 a year ago.

 

Just over week after Hannan signed his deal, Lovat's phone rang – it was Henry Pellerin, who had just took over at Troy (17-14) after being an assistant at Alabama since 2001. Pellerin liked everything about Lovat after a couple interviews, offered him the job as lead assistant - he accepted the job.

 

Tharby was hoping a school would like the fact that he had played over seas and had knowledge of that aspect of the recruiting angle, however his phone never rang. He did however pick up a assistant coaching job at a high school just outside Kansas City. His dream of being a college coach would just have to stay on the back burner.

 

In between Hannan and Lovat taking their jobs, coach Izaguirre left UMKC to take the opening at Milwaukee of the Horizon League.

[hoxltc]

***A quick note on the players becoming coaches. Setup coaches ratings (recruiting, scouting, offense and defense ratings, plus defenses taught, are the same for all three), except for tweaking each guys philosophies. Each of the three played a different position in college, so I thought they'd have their own mind set on how to run things in their own programs.***

 

I'm very excited to see what paths each take in thier coaching careers. I will post mostly yearly updates on how each coach does, with maybe an few other tidbits on the way. Thanks for reading!!!

[hoxltc]

<p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">2006 season</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Hannan (Lead scout, Pepperdine) </strong>– The Waves end the season 14-17 (8-6 West Coast; third) and lose in the second round of conference tournament. They really struggled on the defensive end of the floor as they ranked 338th (of 347) in point allowed. Hannan is staying at PU for now.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lovat (Lead scout, Troy) </strong>– The Trojans put together a fantastic season as they end 24-9 overall and 13-5 (second) in the East Division of the Sun Belt. They began the season by knocking off #5 Louisville and 10 days later beat coach Pellerin's former team, #20 Alabama. It was the first 20-win season in school history. Troy falls in the final of the conference tourney, but receives an invite to the NIT, where they lose in the first round. Three-players make All-Conf. First team. Lovat is staying for now.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Tharby (Asst. coach, Lakeview H.S.) </strong>- With his help the Lakeview team reached the finals of the district tournament. He's still looking to land a college coaching, ut for now he is happy where he is at.</p><p> </p><p>

Milwaukee and<strong> Izaguirre </strong>end 18-14 for the season. Izaguirre picked up career win #400 late in the season.</p><p> </p><p>

The three caught up to watch #1 Texas beat #25 Michigan State 76-60 in the National Title game at Tharby's apartment in Kansas City.</p>

[hoxltc]

<p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">2007 season</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Hannan (Lead scout, Pepperdine)</strong> – The team ends the season 18-14 (8-6 WCC, tied for second) and loses in the semifinals of conference tournament.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lovat (Lead scout, Troy) </strong>– Troy rolls in another fine year. The Trojans finish 24-9, win the crown of Sun Belt's East Division to go along with the championship of the conference tournament to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. They earn the 13th-seed in the South Region and face #11 Duke in the opening round. There the fall 84-55 to the Blue Devils. Troy Head coach Henry Pellerin win Sun Belt Coach of the Year.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Tharby (Asst. coach, Lakeview H.S.)</strong> - The team finishes a disappointed season just one game over .500.</p><p> </p><p>

Milwaukee and <strong>Izaguirre</strong> end the season 23-13, but win the NIT tournament.</p><p> </p><p>

#3 Louisville beats cinderella Creighton 77-74 in the National Final.</p><p> </p><p>

All three guys stay at thier present spots for the 2008 season.</p>

[hoxltc]

<p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">2008 season</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Hannan (Lead scout, Pepperdine)</strong> – The team ends another disappointing season at 11-19 (6-8 WCC, tied for third) and loses in the quarterfinals of conference tournament. <strong>Hannan</strong> is going to stay at least one more year, head coach is on the hot seat though.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Lovat (Lead scout, Troy) –</strong> The Trojans complete a fantastic season with a 23-10 record and again win the East Division of the Sun Belt and the conference tournament to return to the big dance. They receive the 10th-seed in the South Region of the NCAA tournament and promptly knock off Alabama 79-77 in overtime. (Head Coach <strong>Pellerin</strong> was an assistant for the Tide before taking the job at Troy) They then fall to eventual champ Georgetown. The Hoyas beat UNLV 77-72 for the national title. The phone may be ringing for <strong>Pellerin</strong> and <strong>Lovat</strong> after another great coaching job.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Tharby (Asst. coach, Lakeview H.S.) -</strong> The team makes it to district semifinals. <strong>Tharby</strong> is still waiting for that call, but he's enjoying working with the youngsters at Lakeview.</p><p> </p><p>

Milwaukee and <strong>Izaguirre </strong>end the season 18-14 and no post season invites.</p>

[hoxltc]

I'm starting to wonder if any of these guys will ever get a head coaching position. Only time will tell.

[hoxltc]

Prior to 2009 season

 

In the off season Georgia hires coach Pellerin away from Troy and Lovat is asked to follow him there. There was a chance if Lovat had stayed he'd have a shot at the Troy job, but he decides that his best option for him now still at just 27 years old.

 

As for Tharby, things were...well...exciting. A week after his season with Lakeview ends Tharby's cell phone rings and when he answers he's can't believe whose voice is on the other line. It was Georgetown head coach Rubin Wilke and he offered Tharby his open coaching assistant position. Tharby took exactly three seconds to say yes. The Hoyas were just National Champions that past season, but all of Wilke's coaching staff took positions else where, plus that fact that Wilke was teammates back in the day with Izaguirre (who may have given Tharby a good reference) at William & Mary didn't hurt either.

 

Another familiar name made a move in the summer as coach Izaguirre moved from Milwaukee to none other than South Carolina, in the same division of the SEC with Georgia.

 

Interesting.....Lovat scouting Izaguirre's team for SEC match-ups. Tharby finally gets his shot. Hannan staying put. Stories are starting to play out. This is going to be a fun ride I believe!!

[hoxltc]

January 22, 2009

 

South Carolina (7-11) @ Georgia (7-11)

 

South Carolina coach German Izaguirre wondered what his former player and head scout for Georgia Cody Lovat would have planned in their SEC matchup. The teams entered the game with identical records, but neither one was playing that well.

 

SC ranked last in the SEC in points scored, were a -3.4 in rebound margin, but had a nifty young point guard named Huey Wu that Lovat had to game plan for. Georgia came in with four players averaging double figures and were a +1.5 in rebounds.

 

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 35-20 halftime lead by limiting SC to just 35% shooting, while hitting 58% themselves. They also held a 17-9 advantage on the boards. However as Izaguirre team's were known for, they weren't about to lay down.

 

The Gamecocks battled back to take a one-point lead with two minutes to play and had the ball with :18 left, down three, but their last possession ended without even getting a shot off. It was a 62-59 win for the Bulldogs.

 

Izaguirre gave Lovat a big smile in the handshake line and told him, "Nice job young man. Will have to give you something better to plan for next time around."

[hoxltc]

March 3, 2009

 

Georgia (12-17, 6-9) @ South Carolina (10-19, 3-12)

 

The Bulldogs jumped put 30-19 at halftime and went on for a 55-46 road win over South Carolina. The Bulldogs held the Gamecocks to just 19% shooting in the first half and didn't allow a comeback this time around.

 

Izaguirre told Lovat after the game how proud and impressed he was in his former players career in coaching so far. The coach told him that if he ever needed anything (expect stuff on his own team) to let him know. Lovat had a really good feeling of satisfaction knowing his coach was happy with what he had done.

[hoxltc]

2009 season

 

Hannan (Lead scout, Pepperdine) – The Waves improve as the season goes on and finish 18-12 (7-5 WCC; second place), but fall in the semifinals of the conference tournament. Head coach may be off the hot seat at least for one more season and Hannan is staying

 

 

Lovat (Lead scout, Georgia) – Bulldogs end season 13-18, 7-9 in the SEC East. Preseason #1 Kentucky, lost to Alabama 73-45 in the SEC Championship, but won the National Title game over Utah State 74-65 went on to win the National Title game over Utah State 74-65.

 

 

Tharby (Asst. coach, Georgetown) – Hoyas end 25-11, 11-7 in the Big East. They reach the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament. Tharby did a fine job in his first year according to Wilke, who added that someday Tharby is going to be a heck of a good head coach somewhere.

 

Izaguirre ends his first season at South Carolina with a 10-21 overall record and 3-13 in the SEC East. (Quick note: UMKC and Jamie Ely win the Summit League Tourney).

 

Game of note: On January 18th, New Mexico took a NCAA record 48 3-point attempts, making 22, but fell 107-98 to Colorado State.

[hoxltc]

2010 season

 

Hannan (Lead scout, Pepperdine) – The Waves take a step back from 2009 by finishing 15-15 (6-8 WCC; tied for fourth) for the year. They fell in the first round of the conference tournament.

 

 

Lovat (Lead scout, Georgia) – Georgia ends the campaign a disappointing 13-19 overall and 6-10 in the SEC East. The Bulldogs lose in the second round of the league tournament. The Bulldogs do have the the SEC Freshman of the Year (also 2nd team All-SEC) however as Chris Buford receives the honor after scoring 19.7 ppg and grabbing 5.9 rpg.

 

Tharby (Asst. coach, Georgetown) – Georgetown starts the season 10-1, but finishes 19-14 (7-11 Big East) and lose in the quarterfinals of the loop tourney. The Hoyas do however get a at-large big to the NCAA Tournament. They get a 10-seed in the West Regional and are defeated in the opening round 101-99 to (7) Arizona State.

 

Izaguirre and South Carolina finish the year with a 13-18 overall record and 4-12 in the SEC East. The Gamecocks start 2-5, then go on a seven-game winning streak, before winning only four of their last 17. SC is third to last in the nation in turnovers per game (16.8). They also get swept in the two games with Georgia losing 71-64 and 69-56.

 

Team of note: Utah State won 33 straight games to begin the year, but fall in the championship game of their league tournament and then get upset in the round of 32. #8 Syracuse beats #2 Duke in the National Championship game 76-63.

[hoxltc]

Before 2011 season

 

Tharby, while happy at Georgetown gets a call and is offered more money to go to Villanova for the same position as assistant coach. He accepts the job for the team that reached the Elite 8 the previous season.

[hoxltc]

2011 season

 

Hannan (Lead scout, Pepperdine) – The Waves struggle through another tough season, finishing 14-19 overall and 5-9 in the West Coast Conference and they also lose in the first round of the league tournament. Head coach Mattos is again on the hot seat, so Hannan is looking to get out if a opportunity comes along as Pepperdine is six games below .500 in his six years at the school.

 

Lovat (Lead scout, Georgia) – The Bulldogs never find any consistency all season and end 14-17 (3-13 in SEC East). They start the conference season 0-7 and lose in the first round of the loop tourney.

 

Tharby (Asst. coach, Villanova) – The Wildcats are ranked #10 in the preseason poll and put together a solid 23-13 year, but only 8-10 in the Big East. They lose in the second round of the Big East Tournament, but receive a 5th-seed in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament. Villanova beats Old Dominion (90-81) and (4) Florida (91-79) before falling to eventual National Champion and #1 Maryland (81-74). Maryland blowout SEC West Division winner and #10 Auburn 72-48 in the title game.

 

Izaguirre and South Carolina finish the year with a 12-19 overall record and 7-9 in the SEC East. The Gamecocks had a pair of come-from-behind wins over Georgia, 96-88 and 70-65. They lost in opening round of loop tourney. Izaguirre's seat is getting warm.

 

Game of note: Middle Tennessee State's Nicholas Partlow grabs a NCAA record 26 rebounds in a 63-51 win over Florida International.

[hoxltc]

2012 offseason

 

Tyler Hannan gets an offer from Hartford, of the American East Conference and Head Caoch Cameron Box. He is more than happy, after six tough seasons at Pepperdine, to take the job as the recruiting coordinator for the Hawks, who haven't had a post season game in last three seasons.

[hoxltc]

Anyone reading? Good so far?

[thebest2427]

Anyone reading? Good so far?

Yeah, I love this & the concept. Keep up the awesome work.

[hoxltc]

2012 season

 

Hannan (Recruiting Coordinator, Hartford) – The Hawks win their most games since 2008, going 17-14 (9-7 American East), but lose in the second round of the loop tournament. Hannan gets an All-Stater from Rhode Island to sign for 2013.

 

 

Lovat (Lead scout, Georgia) – The Bulldogs put together a solid 22-15 season, going an even 8-8 in the SEC East.

 

They receive a 7th-seed in the league tournament, but reach the title game after wins over (10) LSU (78-75), (2) Alabama (69-53) and (6) Ole Miss (88-86 in ot). Star junior guard Chris Buford, who is named SEC Player of the Year, scores 98 points in the three wins, but is held to just 12 as the Bulldogs fall to top-seed Florida 79-50 in the title game.

 

Buford averages 20.6 ppg (7th in the nation) and 8.0 rpg and is also a 2nd-team All-American and ends the year just 47 points away from 2,000 for his career and has a shot at become the SEC All-Time leading scorer next season.

 

Georgia gets a No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region of the NIT. The defeat Pacific (71-56) and Drexel (60-51), before dropping a 80-67 decision to Duke after trailing by just one at halftime.

 

Tharby (Asst. coach, Villanova) – Nova finishes a nice season at 22-13 (9-9 Big East), however as the 9th-seed in the conference tournament, they lose their opening round game to No. 16 Notre Dame.

 

They regroup as they get a 8th-seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament and precede to defeat Wyoming (86-67), defending national champion, top-seed and #6 Maryland 79-55, and (12) St. Mary's 85-77 to reach the Elite 8. The season ends in a nail-bitting 71-68 loss to UConn. (Georgetown's Rubin Wilke is named Big East Coach of the Year after the Hoyas go 31-4 and win the regular season title).

 

 

Izaguirre, who ends the year six wins shy of 500 for his career, sees his South Carolina club finish the season a frustrating 13-17 (6-10 SEC East) and for the four straight year lose in the opening round of the conference tourney.

 

Georgia sweeps the two games against the Gamecocks, 86-70 (Buford 36 pts, 13 reb) and 70-62.

 

Izaguirre's days at SC may be numbered after fours years and a 48-75 overall record and 20-44 in the SEC.

 

Game of note: Point guard Chris McBrayer of North Carolina A&T picks up a NCAA record 12 steals, but his club falls to USC Upstate 65-52.

 

thebest2427, thanks for reading!! Wanted to put together something that will have a final chapter. I've read too many that are good, but never come to a final ending.

[hoxltc]

2013 offseason

 

Lovat was doing some yard work at his suburban Athens home when his cell rang, it was Hannan. What's that knucklehead want Lovat thought.

 

“Whats up Hanny?” he said.

 

“Did you hear about Coach Iz?” Hannan said in a voice that made Lovat fear the worst.

 

“Oh God no! What happened to him?” Lovat said as his heart skipped a beat.

 

“No. Not that dumb ass, he got canned at SC last night,” Hannan said with a bit of anger in his tone. “What the hell is wrong with the people down there? Sure they were having problems, but he would have turned things around in a couple more years. Jesus, he's only a couple away from 500 for crying out loud.”

 

Lovat and Hannan talked for an hour or so before each received texts from Tharby, who had obliviously also heard the news as well.

 

“He'll find another program to turn around in a second,” Lovat said to Hannan. “He'll just have to get that 500th somewhere else.”

 

The only problem was the 55-year old Izaguirre didn't get any offers that he was willing to take on for 2013 and decided to take a year off and reevaluate what he wanted to do.

 

Also over the summer, Lovat is moved from Lead Scout at Georgia to the Recruiting Coordinator in hopes the Bulldogs can land some of the in state talent that is going to other schools in the SEC.