Chad Groth and D. Wade
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Northern Arizona Spring Showcase 2012 Highlights
Click here for highlights from the Northern Arizona Spring Showcase 2012. More »
Ben Howland UCLA
Herb Sendek
Lumberjack Coaches Clinic a Success
Flagstaff, AZ – The Lumberjack Coaches Clinic was held on August 3-4, 2012 at The Rolle Activity Center located on the campus of Northern Arizona University.
This clinic was directed by Northern Arizona University head coach Jack Murphy as several key name speakers participated, including University of Memphis Head Coach Josh Pastner.
In attendance I noticed close to 100 high school and college coaches from all levels attended.
As I navigated in the stands introducing myself I met coaches from Kansas, California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.
This was the first of it’s kind as I can not ever remember a coaches clinic in Flagstaff or know of one with the line-up of speakers at the Lumberjack Coaches Clinic, what support Murphy has in the business. As I say in this business it’s all about relationships.
Chad Iske – Denver Nuggets
On Friday Chad Iske, assistant coach Denver Nuggets: spoke to the coaches about defending the pick & roll, Iske has spent 14 years in the Denver Nuggets organization and soon could end up a head coach, great experience and relates well with the players.
Phoenix Suns assistant coach Noel Gillespie spent a good hour on Up-tempo Offense, as many of the coaches enjoyed to learn about the Phoenix Suns system. Gillespie also explained how in practice the Suns often use a 16 second shot clock.
Mike Dunlap – Charlotte Bobcats
The final speaker on Friday was George Karl, as he needs to introduction. Karl is the head coach of the Denver Nuggets and spent an hour just talking to the crowd and answering questions from the coaches. It was a very relaxed and enjoying session as Karl is the best at telling you straight how it is from a coaches stand point. Karl also gave pointers on dealing with the younger players now in high school, college and in the NBA, Karl also got into be aggressive on the floor, shot selection and spacing.
I can’t give you everything about the clinic as if you missed it, maybe you will need to be at the next one. All I can say was the hospitality coach Jack Murphy and his entire staff gave everybody in attendance was first class as Northern Arizona Basketball is back with Jack. Two NBA head coaches and two NBA assistant coaches speaking at a coaches clinic in Flagstaff, IMPRESSIVE!
Josh Pastner – University of Memphis & Chad Groth – Area Codes Basketball
Saturday’s line up of coaches included; Josh Pastner (Head Coach-University of Memphis), James Whitford (Associate Head Coach-University of Arizona), Al LaRocque (former Head Coach Durango HS -Las Vegas, NV), Jeff Rutter (Head Coach Arizona Christian University), Sue Darling (Women’s Head Coach Northern Arizona University), Damon Stoudamire (Assistant coach – University of Memphis), Mike Dunlap (Head Coach Charlotte Bobcats) and Jack Murphy (Head Coach Northern Arizona University).
Also in the stands was former University of Arizona and Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton. Walton was showing support of Jack Murphy who was at Arizona during Murphy’s days at Arizona.
Norther Arizona University basketball coaches have selected next years dates for there team camps. June 14-16 and June 21-23, 2013. For more information on NAU basketball follow on Twitter @NAUBasketball or www.nauathletics.com
