Official: Former UAPB defensive coordinator to coach DBs at WKU

Per a release from Arkansas-Pine Bluff:

PINE BLUFF, Ark.- University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Defensive Coordinator Alonzo Hampton has resigned from his post with the Golden Lions football program to take a position with Western Kentucky University.

Alonzo Hampton was set to begin his sixth season as a member of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff football coaching staff and his third season as the teams’ Defensive Coordinator.

In 2007 Hampton was named cornerbacks coach for Arkansas-Pine Bluff and in 2008 he took over the entire secondary unit as he was named defensive backs coach. Hampton’s secondary unit garnered national attention in 2008 as the Golden Lions ranked in the Top 30 in the NCAA FCS Division in Pass Efficiency Defense (8th), Pass Defense (17th), and Passes Intercepted (29th).

Additionally, UAPB ranked 1st in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in Passing Defense allowing just 160.9 yards per game. At the conclusion of the season UAPB defensive back Kevin Thornton ranked tied for 1st in the conference in interceptions. For his outstanding play on the field Thornton was tabbed a First Team All-SWAC selection at defensive back as well as a 2009 Preseason All-SWAC Team member.

Hampton’s playing days began at Warren High School. After graduating from Warren Hampton went on to play football at the University of Louisiana at Monroe where he was a member of the football and track and field team. While at ULM he was named team captain in 1996 and was chosen to the All-Louisiana Defensive Back Team in 1996.

His professional career includes stints with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars and the NFL Europe’s Frankfurt Galaxy where he started at cornerback in the World Bowl in 1998 and 1999.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Head Football Coach Monte Coleman has announced that a search to fill the position will begin immediately.

Devil’s advocate wonders: Are Rick Pitino and Steve Masiello eyeing WKU?

By now I’m sure most of you have read Pat Forde’s latest Forde Minutes column on ESPN.com where he ponders whether or not Western Kentucky athletic director Ross Bjork is eyeing Louisville assistant coach Steve Masiello as a (Forde’s words, not mine) strong theoretical (coaching) candidate for the Hilltopper basketball program.

Forde – and later the Courier-Journal’s Rick Bozich – both pondered today whether or not Bjork’s recent visit to the KFC Yum! Center and sit-in on Pitino’s postgame presser that featured plenty of back-patting for Masiello could be interpreted that WKU is putting out feelers for a new men’s basketball coach.

Specifically, Masiello.

But just to be different, what about the other side of that coin?

Is it at all possible that Bjork took an invitation from donor and former WKU Board of Regent Joe Iracane – a known friend of Pitino – to take in a Louisville game simply to check out the ins and outs of the latest college basketball shrine called the Yum Center? A facility the Hilltoppers will be playing in next season, by the way.

Is it at all possible that by getting Bjork in the door, Pitino was then presented with an opportunity to push one of his latest prodigies for a D-1 head coaching job? I mean, let’s be honest here. Masiello is a Pitino guy – he played for him, he’s coached under him – and Pitino would naturally want him to succeed. And by succeed, I mean he wants one of his guys to get his foot in the door of the head coaching fraternity ballroom.

Is it at all possible that Bjork went to check out one of Kentucky’s newest basketball hot spots but was then persuaded into listening to somewhat of a time-share presentation?

Maybe it’s not possible. Maybe it is.

What it is, though, is pure speculation.

Here are the facts as we know them.

– Ken McDonald is still the Western Kentucky men’s basketball coach.

– Neither Bjork, nor WKU president Gary Ransdell, have made any comments (publicly anyway) suggesting that McDonald is on his way out. At the same time, neither have made any public comments that he’s totally safe.

– The Hilltopper fan base is less than satisfied with this season – and some (donation givers or otherwise) have made their opinions vocal about their disapproval of McDonald as the program’s head coach.

– Rick Pitino would naturally hope for one of his up and coming assistant coaches to get a head coaching shot – even if it’s down the road at a place that seems to be hitting a rough patch.

So in conclusion, I’m not saying ‘but I’m just saying’ – maybe look at it from both sides.

Maybe Bjork was really in Louisville with a hidden agenda to seek out a new men’s basketball coach while his current coach preps for the Sun Belt Tournament.

Or, maybe he was in Louisville to watch a basketball game in a state of the art facility that his program will visit next winter – before being given a serious Steve Masiello sales pitch.

Or, maybe both.

You be the judge.

WKU hoops: Steffphon Pettigrew, Ken McDonald talk Senior Night

Western Kentucky senior forward Steffphon Pettigrew and coach Ken McDonald met with the media this afternoon to discuss Thursday’s home tilt against FIU.

The game’s not only noteworthy due to its Sun Belt Tournament implications, but also because it’s the final home game of the season – meaning it’s the final time seniors Pettigrew, Sergio Kerusch and Juan Pattillo will play at E.A. Diddle Arena.

As WKU’s lone four-year senior, Pettigrew discussed the moment:

On the moment of Senior Night in general:

“It feels like I just got here. I was talking with Jim McDaniels (recently) and he was saying how he couldn’t believe how quick my four years went by. Me and Sergio talk all the time about how this will be our last home game, and we’ve just got to go out one more time and leave it all on the court.”

“I think it’ll all hit me right after the game, knowing you’ll never play in Diddle again. … It’s just like high school in my last game, the emotions hit you right after that last buzzer. I remember my senior year in high school I broke down with tears – hopefully I won’t cry again, but it’ll be an emotional night.”

On what playing in E.A. Diddle Arena for four years has meant to him:

“It’s meant a lot, I’ve played with some great players here – Courtney Lee, Tyrone (Brazelton), A.J. (Slaughter) and Jeremy (Evans) – to be a part of this program means a lot to me. To be able to walk around campus and walk around on the street and know you can wear WKU on your chest means a lot.

“For future recruits that come here – there’s nothing like WKU. I remember coming here on my visit, surrounded by great players like Courtney and those guys who brought me into the program. This place means a lot and I’m going to miss it a lot.”

On still having a chance to get back to the NCAA Tournament:

“Me, Sergio and Juan keep talking about trying to get this two seed, playing three games instead of four. We’ll go out there and still play every one of those games like they’re our last – and hopefully get back to the NCAA Tournament.

“With everything that’s gone on this season, for us to have been playing the way we have means a lot. We’ve been playing good team ball over the past couple weeks, even though we didn’t win at Lafayette – that second half showed that we can still play with the best of them. We just have to keep being more consistent.”

Earlier in the season, Pettigrew said he wanted to leave the floor at Diddle the final time with no regrets about his senior season or his entire career – Pettigrew on whether or not he feels he’s accomplished that:

“Most definitely. I try to give everything I have in practice and in games and I believe WKU fans see that. That’s one thing I want to leave behind once I’m gone.

“Hopefully the fans see how hard I worked on how I didn’t give up – and hopefully I’ll be remembered by that.”

 

Coach Ken McDonald

On Senior Night:

“The more you know guys and the more time you invest and get to spend more years with players you truly value the time you had with guys. We’re in this business to teach and help guys get better. In each instance, with each guy, I’m proud of how they’ve matured and developed individually. We’ve gone through ups and downs but at the end of the day they’re finishing strong and I’m proud about that. We’ll miss these guys and they’ve done a lot.

“This front line is one of the most feared in our conference and sometimes they probably miss out because they’re fighting with each other (for points or rebounds). You’ve got a guy that’s been here four years, one three and one that’s played just one – and I’m really happy with how they’re finishing out.”

On Steffphon Pettigrew, the team’s lone four-year senior:

“When you have a chance to run your own program, you want a certain thing to be the reflection of how your program is. You cannot find a better example of what you want in your product – everything about us, all the positives and work ethic – and everything you want your fans walking away talking about – Pett is that person.

“He’s been like that from day one. The more guys we can get like him (the better), and with our incoming class we feel like we’re getting that type of guy. It says a lot about Steff and it says a lot about his family, his upbringing and what he’s willing to do for our program. He plays out of position and works on his game every single year. He’s had a terrific career.

“He does everything you ask. He’s never a problem. He’s two feet in. He’s been like that since day one. He’s competitive, he’s hungry for improvement and coaching. He’s a joy to coach. I’ll talk about other players sometimes and say ‘he’s the guard version of Steffphon Pettigrew’ or he’s the ‘wing version of Steffphon Pettigrew.’ And that’s a true compliment, because that’s a kid that has the toughness and understands the team concept and the work ethic you need to be successful.”

On the three seniors overall:

“I’m most proud that they’re still in position to finish this season out the way they wanted to – winning a conference title and going to the NCAA Tournament. That wasn’t the outlook two and a half months ago.

“It shows a lot about them character-wise, they’ve all improved in different ways. A lot of times being a college athlete isn’t easy and we assume it is. We all see the 40 minutes under the bright lights, but that’s the fun part.

“They’ve all improved. Pett, we know his story. Sergio started off not as good as we’d hoped, but has turned the corner. He’s averaging about 18 and 10 in conference play and I don’t know when the last time that’s happened with a Western Kentucky player. I bet there’s not a lot of them.

“Juan has come a long way, he really has. On and off the court he’s matured. There’s a willingness on his part to accept what we’re doing. He’s got a different past and a different upbringing. Those challenges he’s faced in his life – who knows if I’d be here if I had to deal with some of the things he’s dealt with. It says a lot about him that he’s been able to come in and adjust to what we’re doing.

“I’m proud of all of them. There’s a lot of production and a lot of memories with these guys that will be leaving.”

Some WKU notes for Tuesday

A football hitter really quick. Sorry I couldn’t pass this along yesterday, but I was covering prep basketball and had no Internet connection of any kind for about six hours.

In any event, a source confirmed to the Daily News on Monday that Arkansas Pine Bluff defensive coordinator Alonzo Hampton interviewed for the vacant WKU defensive backs position.

No hire has been made, says the source, but one could be in place by as early as week’s end.

The DB spot is one of two vacancies Willie Taggart is trying to fill, as the quarterbacks coach job also remains open.

And an interesting basketball note:

ESPN.com’s Pat Forde touched on WKU basketball during his latest Forde Minute’s column.

Here’s the exceprt as it appeared today:

Among the 22,776 in attendance at the KFC Yum! Center on Friday for Louisville’s victory over Connecticut was one particularly interesting visitor: Western Kentucky athletic director Ross Bjork (21).

He was the guest of a guy named Joe Iracane, who has dual citizenship as a major WKU booster and a close friend of Louisville coach Rick Pitino. Bjork was in the press room for Pitino’s postgame news conference, in which the coach was effusive-and-then-some in his praise of the scouting work done by assistant Steve Masiello (22) — both in preparation for the Huskies and throughout the season.

By the time Pitino was finished, you’d have thought Masiello had taken a lead role in the Human Genome Project and figured out how to deny the ball to Kemba Walker.

Anyway, this was all very intriguing when you factor in the declining fortunes of Western Kentucky coach Ken McDonald (23). He went 25-8 his first season and advanced to the NCAA tourney second round after taking over a robust program from Darrin Horn, who left for South Carolina. Last season, the Hilltoppers missed the NCAAs. This season, they’re 13-14 and plagued by off-court issues, with the demanding WKU fans increasingly restless.

Connect those dots and it seems fair to wonder whether a change is in the wind at one of the traditional mid-major powers, with Masiello a strong theoretical candidate should the job come open. Unless, of course, he gets the presumptively open job at Manhattan (24), where Barry Rohrssen is snorkeling through his fifth straight losing season.

 

Again, that all seems to be speculatory, as Ken McDonald is still very much the coach of the WKU basketball program.

Neither Bjork nor WKU president Gary Ransdell has said much of anything publicly with regard to their stance on McDonald’s security at WKU.

When asked directly earlier this season about that very thing, Bjork had this to say:

“Honestly, what I’m worried about is how (the team) feels after this game,” Bjork said after a January loss to Florida Atlantic. “They played hard, we saw some good signs and I’m worried about Thursday night at South Alabama.”

The College Heights Herald also asked Ransdell about McDonald and the program, to which he replied:

“Neither Ross or I are giving up on this program, this coaching staff and certainly not these players,” Ransdell said. “So we’re taking it a week at a time and studying it. Where we are now is not acceptable. It will be corrected.”