Richard Pitino has been hired as the next head coach of the New Mexico men's basketball program less than 24 hours after Minnesota announced his firing, the program announced on Tuesday. After a debut season in Albuquerque that saw the Lobos more than double their win total and climb over 140 spots in the NET, Pitino looks to continue to build on that foundation as he builds his vision for the future of UNM basketball. That Louisville team was ranked for every week of the season, save one, and finished the year ranked No. On Feb. 10, 2023, Deuce Benjamin reported assaults against him to New Mexico State University Police. Pitino came to UNM after an eight-year stint at Minnesota, where he went 141-123 with two NCAA Tournament berths and an NIT Championship. Dr. Paul Weir coached his last game as the New Mexico basketball head coach this past week. Pitino left his position as the associate head coach at Louisville to become the head coach at FIU on April 15, 2012, replacing Isiah Thomas. 4 overall. 24 Maryland. Oturu was also the first to be as high as third team since Quincy Lewis was a third team pick in 1999. Hes now returned to coaching the Cimarron Rams. Feb 13, 2023. He also was named the NABC District 7 Coach of the Year and Reggie Lynch was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Minnesota then beat SMU 65-63 for the NIT title. New Mexico State, on Tuesday, announced the firing of first-year basketball coach Greg Heiar after he was hired to the position on March 27, 2022. NM State Collection. It was made public last night that the University of New Mexico will part ways with current men's basketball coach Paul Weir at the end of the season. 10. William Benjamin was concerned about changes he saw in his son and confronted him about it, according to the complaint. Hes known for making a signature gesture during games. This was a rebuild that, on paper, looked like it would take time, with few . 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, and the team defeated Morehead State, Siena and Arizona before losing to second-seeded Michigan State in an Elite Eight matchup. He has also been a part of three Elite Eight runs and one Final Four berth as an assistant. In the suit, Benjamin and Odunewu alleged that they were sexually assaulted by three teammates and that despite reporting it to coaching staff nothing was done. Pitino, 38, brings with him to the Duke City a wealth of experience in the Division I coaching ranks, including plenty of postseason experience. 19 Iowa, No. Coach Brazil then went on to coach the Springer Red Devils, winning the state championship in 2002 and 2004. 51 selection in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics earn first team All-SEC honors in 2019. During his time at Providence, Pitino was the manager for the Friars men's basketball team under Tim Welsh. 22 Wyoming on Feb. 15 extended Pitinos streak to eight straight seasons with at least one win over an AP ranked opponent. New Mexico State has fired men's basketball head coach Greg Heiar amid an investigation into the program, the school announced Tuesday.. Right now, NM State Athletics Insider Podcast Series. Division regular season and conference tournament champion "William was very upset and tried to reach Coach Heiar and Athletic Director Mario (Moccia), who did notreturn his calls," according to the complaint. I welcome Richard, Jill and their three children to The University of New Mexico and to Duke City, and I am excited for the future of Lobo Basketball.. Pilipovich, who served in the same role for the Lobos in 2020-21, came back to UNM after spending the past season as an assistant coach with the Austin Spurs . "The attacks usually happened in the locker room before workouts or before practices. His FIU team also had the best conference record in school history. Following a historically bad third-year at Minnesota, Coach Pitino orchestrated an impressive turnaround by improving the team's record by 16 wins, utilizing a revamped roster that included five new contributors. 25thin assists (3,057). On March 17, 2021, less than 24 hours after Pitino was fired by Minnesota, Pitino became the 22nd Head Coach in University of New Mexico program history. In 20042005, he worked as an administrative assistant under Tom Herrion at the College of Charleston. "When the behavior goes too far, and crosses the line into nonconsensual touching, it is not mere hazing; it is battery and sexual assault. Deuce resisted, though it is alleged that Washington exposed Deuces backside and forcefully grabbed his scrotum, "inflicting great pain and humiliation.". 4 overall. There were at least two victims who had reported abuse by December. He has seen his players named Big Ten Player of the Week 16 times and Big Ten Freshman of the Week nine times. Severe Weather Heiar opened the press conference by reading a prepared statement but did not answer questions specifically [] New Mexico State hired Greg Heiar as its next men's basketball head coach, the school announced Sunday. Marvin Menzies was the last head coach to make over $400,000 in base salary at NM State. UNM finished the year at 13-19 and 5-12 in conference play, however, UNM was highly competitive in majority of their games and even beat AP Poll ranked Wyoming Cowboys as Pitino's first signature win in the Duke City. Academics. 925-5750: LoboCoachPitino: Isaac Chew . The Benjamins and Odunewu are asking for compensation over damages,as well as punitive damages leveled against NMSU over allegations of negligence. Dave Pilipovich returned to the program as Special Assistant to the Head Coach in May of 2022. The ESPN report specifies that it was unknown at the time how the phone, gun and tablet were moved in the hours immediately following the shooting. My family and I can't wait to call Las Cruces home.". The 68-year-old started coaching when he was just 22. 5 Michigan State. Jason Hooten takes over New Mexico State men's basketball program, Watch: NMSU holds press conference on alleged student athlete hazing, The Reporter's Notebook: Aggie basketball problems, NMSU releases Rodey Law Firm investigation report, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, Negligence Brought Pursuant to the Tort Claims Act Plaintiffs Benjamin Jr. and Odunewu vs. Twice Pitino had players named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and twice players were named to the All-Big Ten Defensive Team. The lawsuit also alleged Benjamin suffered mental abuse. Richard William Pitino (born September 16, 1982) is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos men's team. A second assault on Odunewu, the lawsuit alleged, occurred during a bus ride on Nov. 12, 2022 and involved Aiken, Bradley, and Washington. The report detailed how the teammates allegedly held the accuser down and "removed his clothing exposing his buttocks and began to 'slap his a'" while also allegedly touching his scrotum. Overall at Minnesota, Pitino picked up 19 wins over ranked opponents, including five top-10 opponents. A+ Aggie Program. The Lobos finished with a 22-12 record, including a loss to Utah Valley State in the post-season National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The release by New Mexico State police called Peake who was also shot at the scene a victim acting in self-defense. The Albuquerque Journal reported the women were listed as . Along the way, the Golden Gophers knocked off three top-20 teams in No. The report adds other alleged incidents of unwanted sexual touching occurred in July and August 2022, both in the team locker room and on road trips. 15, climbing to No. Travis allegedly confronted and shot Peake, 21, who returned gunfire, police said. 24 Nebraska before defeating No. Twice Pitino had players named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and twice players were named to the All-Big Ten Defensive Team. In 2005, he was hired by coach Ron Everhart to serve as assistant coach at Northeastern University and followed Everhart to Duquesne University the following year. Regardless, the filing of the report prompted Arvizu to launch a university investigation into the basketball team; at the same time, NMSU placed Heiar and his staff on paid administrative leave and suspended team activities. 24 ranking during the season. New Mexico State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia handed the reins to the coveted Aggie men's basketball program to Chris Jans on Monday, April 17, naming the Fairbank, Iowa, native the 26th head men's basketball coach at NM State. 1 in the national polls, eventually going 31-6 overall. Louisville was the No. The program had already been suspended for the rest of the season. At the time of the above interview, NMSU had only officially signed two players - freshman Keylon Dorsey and JUCO transfer Jaden Harris. Head coach Richard Pitino is rebuilding a New Mexico basketball program that hit rock bottom. Pitino spent eight seasons as Minnesota's coach and led the program to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2017 and 2019 before posting losing records the past two seasons. Heiar reportedly responded to the police request by saying he first needed to ensure his players didn't first need an attorney present. According to a statement issued by New Mexico State police the following day, four students from New Mexico lured Peake to the Albuquerque campus in the pre-dawn hours ahead of a basketball game between the two teams. Now new head coach Jason Hooten is tasked with rebuilding the program to its former glory. 10 in the polls. Further released details, via ESPN, indicate once Peake arrived, the students Travis, two of his friends and a 17-year-old female attacked him with bats. 18thin total points scored (15,882) CIMARRON, N.M.(KRQE) A basketball coach is a living legend. A Dec. 9, 2022 report by ESPN indicates Avery, Muhammad and Roy were seen on video in a yellow Camaro in the same parking lot Travis was shot and killed. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Three former women's basketball players at Eastern New Mexico University have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit claiming their coach coerced them to undergo "treatments" that amounted to sexual assault by her volunteer trainer husband. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. William Benjamin, a NMSU Hall of Fame player, was a plaintiff due to a damaged relationship with his son. 1 in the national polls, eventually going 31-6 overall. "I am grateful to Chancellor Arvizu and Mario Moccia for entrusting me as the leader of one of the most respected college basketball programs in the nation," commented Heiar. They would slap his buttocks and grab his scrotum and twist it, inflicting great pain. If he earns five more, he would set a new record beating out Albuquerque High School Legend, Jim Hulsman. Traditions. In 2011-12 as associate head coach, the Cardinals went 30-10, advancing all the way to the Final Four. "We took this action after receiving reports of alleged hazing incidents within our men's basketball team," Arvizu said in his statement. He comes to UNM after an eight-year stint at the University of Minnesota, where he went 141-123 with two NCAA Tournament berths and an NIT Championship. KVIA ABC 7 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. "Slapping a label of hazing on such behavior mischaracterizes the seriousness of the harmful conduct," the lawsuit stated. In addition to his strong recruiting connections, Heiar's on-court coaching helped Tremont Waters the No. They forced Shak to spin around and do squats as they slapped his buttocks.". Between Louisville stops, Pitino spent two seasons at Florida coaching under Billy Donovan. The Official Athletic Site of the New Mexico Lobos, partner of WMT Digital. He has seen his players named Big Ten Player of the Week 16 times and Big Ten Freshman of the Week nine times. All but one player from last season's roster has announced what they intend to do with their future and none of them are returning to NMSU. Academic Support Program & Services Center. Its just been a big part of my life, I mean, I feel like thats probably the best thing that I do, so I stay with it, said Coach Brazil. Richard Pitino is a proven winner with a track record of success on the court, including deep tournament runs and wins over nationally ranked programs, as well as proven success off the court by creating a tremendous student-athlete experience and supporting them as they earn their degrees. When the behavior continues for months, it cannot be viewed as an initiation rite; instead, it is harassment and abuse.". '", More: Jason Hooten takes over New Mexico State men's basketball program. In 2007-08, the Cardinals went 27-9, defeating Boise State, Oklahoma and Tennessee to advance to the Elite Eight. 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament in 2016-17, facing Middle Tennessee in the opening round. That squad was ranked the entire season, getting as high as No. National champion PORTALES, N.M. . Under Pitino, Minnesota players were awarded All-Big Ten honors twelve times including Nate Mason, who was named First Team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media in 2016-17. His first season at the helm of the Golden Gophers saw Minnesota go 25-13, setting a school record for wins as Minnesota won the second NIT Championship in school history. NMSU Athletics/US Bank Hall of Fame. On Nov. 19, forward Mike Peake was allegedly involved in a pre-dawn shootout on the University of New Mexico's campus while in Albuquerque for a game against the school, New Mexico State University officials said. As the Lobos exited the Mountain West Conference Tournament early this year, in a 85-77 first round loss to Fresno State. Warning: The following article contains detailed allegations related to sexual assault, bullying and gun violence. He lasted less than one year on the job. The following season in 2009-10, Florida won the SEC regular season championship and went 29-8 overall, advancing the Elite Eight, losing to a Cinderella Butler squad 74-71 in overtime. Pitino has also had assistant coaching stops at Duquesne, Northeastern and the College of Charleston. Between Louisville stops, Pitino spent two seasons at Florida coaching under Billy Donovan. Overall at Minnesota, Pitino picked up 19 wins over ranked opponents, including five top-10 opponents. position. Heiar worked extensively with the Shocker backcourt, which saw Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet earn All-American honors, and both eventually signed NBA contracts following the 2016 season. A two-year captain and eventual team MVP at Mount St. Clare College, Heiar helped lead his team to its first conference title in the history of the program before graduating from the institution in 2000. ", Arvizu did not provide details of the incidents or say when they occurred. [1] From 2013 to 2021, he was head coach of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team. The Lobos had three all league performers in Mashburn, House and Newcomer Morris Udeze (Wichita St Transfer). The gun used in the shooting was found wrapped in a towel at the hotel, but only after assistant coach Dominique Taylor told police Heiar had told him the three players knew where the weapon was. His second NCAA Tournament berth came in 2018-19 when Minnesota went 22-14 despite one of the nations toughest schedules that saw the Golden Gophers play 14 nationally ranked squads during the season. A lot has happened in those three weeks. 24 Nebraska before defeating No. E-Mail. Just one year after a dismal 8-21 campaign, Pitino led FIU to an 18-14 record and a third-place finish in the Sun Belts East Division. After a debut season in Albuquerque that saw the Lobos more than double their win total and climb over 140 spots in the . 12 as the team started out 13-3. For complete coverage of NM State men's basketball as the Aggies prepare for year one under Heiar, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Men's Basketball), Twitter (@NMStateMBB) and Instagram (@NMStateMBB). KVIA. Oturu was also the first to be as high as third team since Quincy Lewis was a third team pick in 1999. Pitino was named Big Ten Coach of the Year on both the coaches and media teams as well as by the Associated Press. 24 ranking during the season. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. 9 Ohio State and No. Winners of the Big East regular season title, Louisville also won the Big East Tournament title, defeating Syracuse in the title match. Lobo Basketball holds a special place in the hearts of New Mexicans, and I cannot wait to get started.". Privacy Policy The 2017-18 season saw Minnesota ranked in the preseason at No. Named the 22nd head coach of the Lobos on March 16, 2021, Pitino came to New Mexico with a track record of turning around programs in year one. That team along the way scored a 59-56 win in Portland over New Mexico in the NCAA Tournament, paving the way for the Cardinals to make it to the Sweet 16. Pilipovich, who served in the same role for the Lobos in 2020-21, comes back to UNM after spending the past season as an assistant coach with the Austin Spurs of the NBA G-League. A state police officer later noticed the team boarding a bus at a hotel; with his calls to Heiar's phone going straight to voicemail, police ultimately had to track the bus down at a rest stop on a nearby highway. Academically, 14 student-athletes under Pitino earned Academic All-Big Ten honors over his first seven seasons, including a school-record five in 2019-20. Just one year after a dismal 8-21 campaign, Pitino led FIU to an 18-14 record and a third-place finish in the Sun Belts East Division. He said he immediately suspended the basketball program, canceled Saturday's game and placed the coaching staff on paid administrative leave. . Story Links. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The 24 wins marked the second time in his career that his team surpassed the previous school record for wins. Albuquerque Journal/IMAGO. The decision to terminate Heiar comes two days after the chancellor announced he had suspended the men's basketball program for the rest of the season. Heiar spent his days as a student-athlete at two institutions - Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Mount St. Clare College in Clinton, Iowa. Aiken, Bradley and Washington would prey on Deuce, hold him down, pull his shorts down and expose his bare buttocks. Furthermore, Wichita State was also among the national statistical leaders over that six-year stretch: T3rdin defensive field goal percentage (.390) ", "Sadly, hazing can become part of an organization's culture left unchecked," Arvizu said. Powerful Big 12 has chance to set records for March Madness bids. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. 15, climbing to No. The national title was Northwest Florida State College's third in the history of the program, giving the program the third-most national titles among all NJCAA Division I programs. Ive always committed to studying the game and learning and trying to make myself a better coach, explained Coach Brazil. In a statement issued Wednesday, New Mexico State University said, "While NMSU does not comment on pending litigation, we want to assure everyone that this issue is being taken seriously. / They slapped his bare buttocks and he felt fingers inserted into his anus while his scrotum was simultaneously squeezed.". The allegations are unrelated to a fatal shooting involving one of the men's basketball team players that occurred in Albuquerque late last year, the school said. The Golden Gophers defeated Pitinos former school, Louisville, in the First Round before falling to No. The 24 wins marked the second time in his career that his team surpassed the previous school record for wins. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines |, KVIA-TV FCC Public File | FCC Applications |, Breaking News Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves. Any further decisions regarding the remainder of the coaching staff will be made after additional investigations are concluded. Heiar will become the 27th head men's basketball . Special Assistant to the Head Coach. 73. The primary reason behind Heiar's firing is the alleged continual hazing incidents involving members of the New Mexico State basketball team. "Through investigation, agents later learned that Travis had conspired with a 17-year-old female and two of Travis's male friends, all UNM students, to lure the 21-year-old victim to UNM campus and assault him," the New Mexico State police statement said. 8 Wisconsin, No. My wife Jill, our children and I are very excited to join the Lobo Family, said Pitino. According to the court documents, "Taylor laughed in his face and said, 'What do you want me to do? 5 Michigan State. 10 in the polls. That squad was ranked the entire season, getting as high as No. 1 in both polls. The Official Website of New Mexico State University Athletics. There, the No. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. . Daniel Oturu in 2020 was selected in the second round of the NBA Draft by Minnesota, becoming the first Golden Gopher to be drafted into the NBA in 16 years. Daniel Oturu in 2020 was selected in the second round of the NBA Draft by Minnesota, becoming the first Golden Gopher to be drafted into the NBA in 16 years. The Official Athletic Site of the New Mexico Lobos, partner of WMT Digital. "NM State has a rich tradition of basketball success dating back over a century and I am humbled by the opportunity to continue that success. "I am committed to the safety and well-being of all members of our campus community, as well as to the integrity of our university. The New Mexico State University men's basketball coach has been fired days after the program was suspended for the rest of the season amid an investigation into alleged hazing incidents, the . In response to the assault taking place, one of the coaches turned around and yelled out, Stop playing around," the lawsuit alleged. Heiar's first NCAA Division I coaching assignment sent the Iowan to Hattiesburg, Miss., for a spot on Larry Eustachy's staff. April 28, 2023. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: collegebasketball | pageType: stories | Eloy Brazils family moved to Cimarron when he was a baby, and he has never left. In his first season with Florida, the Gators went 21-13 overall, making it to the NCAA Tournament as a 10-seed where they would lose 99-92 in double overtime to BYU. With the Panthers, he took over a program that had not turned in a winning season in 12 years and immediately turned them around. in history in 2005. The Panthers took out top-seed Middle Tennessee State in the semifinals and just missed their first Sun Belt title, as well as their second trip to the big dance, losing 65-63 to Western Kentucky in the championship game. Three former Eastern New Mexico University women's basketball players have filed a federal lawsuit against the school claiming their coach forced them to go to her home in . Heiar's return to the junior college ranks came directly after a one-year stay in Johnson City, Tenn., as an assistant coach at East Tennessee State. Greg Heiar controversy, explained: Why NMSU fired coach, canceled season amid alleged hazing, shooting scandals, March Madness bracket predictions 3.0: Projecting the Field of 68 for 2023 NCAA Tournament, According to a police report filed by the accuser, Best conference ever? As we announced earlier this year, the university is working withGreenberg Traurig to look into these allegations. LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- In the span of five months, the NMSU Men's basketball program was involved in a deadly shooting, three players on the team were accused of sexually assaulting at least two other players, the program was suspended, the head coach fired and a lawsuit filed. The women, who are referred to as Jane Doe 1, 2 and 3, sued then-women's basketball coach Meghan De Los Reyes; her husband, Glen De Los Reyes; his company, Glen's Fitness Lab; the Eastern New . In an announcement made Sunday by NM State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia, Greg Heiar (pronounced "higher") has been named the head coach of NM State's men's basketball program. "It is a great day for Lobo Basketball and for everyone who loves our program and our University," New Mexico athletic director Eddie Nuez said in a release. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. The team was ranked for five weeks over the course of the season and listed in the polls for nine consecutive weeks. LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Heiar's hired. His first stint at Louisville was from 2007-09, and both seasons ended in Elite Eight runs. [3] During his time at Florida, they advanced to two NCAA tournaments including one Elite Eight appearance in 2010. Through an expansive review and full investigation, we will work to ensure we fully understand what happened here, and that those found responsible are held accountable. That team climbed as high as No. In his entire coaching career, Brazil has earned 656 total wins. That 2016-17 team picked up two victories against ranked opponents topping No. At just 38, Pitino has the time to rebuild his brand in the profession and position himself for another shot at a high-profile job. [4] With only six players remaining from the previous season, and not all of them on scholarship, Pitino cobbled together a team and coached a high-pressure defense that finished eighth in the nation in steals. He left Florida on April 12, 2011, to become the associate head coach at Louisville. 1 Kentucky. New Mexico basketball coach is a living legend by: Jessica Barron. During his visit to Los Lunas High School, University of New Mexico men's basketball Pitino talked with the News-Bulletin about the state of the program as he enters his third season at UNM. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Head Coach Richard Pitino of The University of New Mexico men's basketball team announced a Lobo staff update Tuesday that included the addition of Eric Brown as assistant coach, Dan McHale as special assistant to the head coach and Nick Michael as strength and conditioning coach. In December, New Mexico State University announced it will launch an independent investigation into the events and university response involving the shooting. Only Arizona's Tommy Lloyd (.914), Gonzaga's Few (.837), Kansas . They will not play in the WAC Tournament, which they have won nine times since 2010. The Shockers were one of the top winningest programs in the country during Heiar's six-year run as their 179 wins was tied for the third-most nationally only behind Gonzaga (187) and Kentucky (185). In a statement on the university's website, the Board of Regents announced it will hold a closed-door meeting on Tuesday on matters that "may include discussion of personally identifiable information about individual NMSU students.". New Mexico State hired Heiar from Northwest Florida State, where in 2021-22 he led the Raiders to the junior college national championship, the third in the school's history. "This action is clearly needed, especially after receiving additional facts and reviewing investigation reports related to the hazing allegations involving student-athletes on the team," Arvizu said in a statement on Sunday, adding that it's "time for this program to reset.". That particular Kirkwood squad was coached by Chris Jans who was in his first season as a head coach at any level. University of New Mexico men's basketball coach Richard Pitino will not be on the sideline for Saturday night's Lobo basketball game against Utah State after testing positive for COVID-19. We can't wait for him to get started. I am excited that we have selected Greg Heiar to serve as our new head coach," New . The remainder of their schedule will be counted as forfeits. For two years, he also served as an assistant basketball coach for Saint Andrew's School in nearby Barrington, Rhode Island.
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