May 10, 2006
Down at Raleigh, North Carolina, the decision was finally made. The new Wolfpack coach was chosen and it was a homecoming as Sidney Lowe was picked to take over for Herb Sendek.
Lowe played a vital role in NC State's 1983 national championship under Jimmy Valvano. It is great to see him return to the campus where he gained fame as a collegiate star.
The only question I have is: why wasn't Lowe's backcourt mate, Derreck Whittenburg, given a phone call, some opportunity to talk to athletic director Lee Fowler about the job opening? Whittenburg has gained collegiate coaching experience at two tough, tough places to win -- Wagner and Fordham.
Nothing against Lowe, who played for one of the greatest minds in the game in high school, Morgan Wooten. That's also where his buddy Whittenburg played. I just don't understand the logic of going with someone who has never coached on the college level over someone with that experience. Oh well.
Lowe did a positive thing by bringing in Monte Towe as an assistant coach. Towe has head coaching experience, recently leading the University of New Orleans. His presence will help Lowe get used to all of the rules and regulations, as well as recruiting. It is a different ballgame compared to coaching in the NBA, which Lowe did for the Timberwolves and Grizzlies.
With Lowe and Towe together in the backcourt, they will make sweet, sweet music in the recruiting world. They will help move NC State in the right direction, though they have a difficult task battling Duke and North Carolina for talent.
Remember this; both of these guys played for winners that cut down the nets as national champions. Lowe did it with Jimmy V. in 1983 and Towe was on a Wolfpack squad that featured David "Skywalker" Thompson and Tom Burleson that won it all under Norm Sloan in 1974.
If NC State could find another David Thompson to grace that Wolfpack uniform! Thompson was the greatest small forward I saw play on the collegiate level.
Keeping Larry Harris on the staff was another positive. His familiarity with the current players and knowledge of the academic situation and knowing the alumni is a big plus.
When it is all said and done, they brought in guys that have a passion and a love for that Wolfpack uniform. There is no doubt that Lowe, Towe and Harris will bust a gut to bring a sense of pride to the NC State campus.
For those who are negative and look at the NBA coaching record of Lowe (his best full-season mark was 23-59 with the Grizzlies), understand he never had a chance to coach a legitimate, quality squad. Those numbers can be very misleading.
NC State fans, sit back and understand it was quite a challenge to find the right guy. Lee Fowler has a guy he wanted and it has been greeted with lots of optimism among former players that donned that Wolfpack uniform.
It will be interesting to see what happens with recruits scheduled to play in 2006-07. There is also the question over Cedric Simmons, who declared for the NBA draft early but did not sign with an agent, leaving room for a return to Raleigh.
Let the Lowe campaign begin! Wait and see what happens with the Wolfpack.
Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question for Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.
