Courtney Eldridge?

[Ballhawk1221]

From the way Tom was talking on the podcast, it sounds like video coordinator Courtney Eldridge is a serious contender to replace Andrew Francis as Iowa's 3rd assistant. Anyone else pick up on that? He's in his late 30s, African-American, played guard under Fran at UNCG. But he's never been a coach anywhere, assistant or otherwise. No idea if he can coach defense, or how successful he would be recruiting on a full-time basis, as opposed to filling in like he is right now.

Would this be a good move? I was hoping for someone with coaching experience who could be a dynamite recruiter and/or defensive expert. Eldridge could be good, he's just very unproven as a coach. Promoting him would not excite me very much.

The job closes tomorrow, so we'll probably know a lot more then.

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

Fran hasnt been good enough to only promote from within

 

[perryhawk]

Fred H had never coached before taking over in Ames right?

I would guess that Courtney has done some coaching with players even if he’s not listed as a coach?

 

[hawk-i bob]

Fred H had never coached before taking over in Ames right?

I would guess that Courtney has done some coaching with players even if he’s not listed as a coach?

He has Perry & he is respected for his hard work (including by & with our current players). Because of that, he deserves the opportunity of career growth. I hope the gets the job.

 

[Ballhawk1221]

He has Perry & he is respected for his hard work (including by & with our current players). Because of that, he deserves the opportunity of career growth. I hope the gets the job.

I don't question his work ethic or standing with our players, I'm sure he's a high quality person. If Eldridge gets the job he'll do fine. But, I doubt I'm the only Hawkeye fan who saw this opening as an opportunity to address some clear shortcomings in the program. An internal promotion, however well deserved, doesn't seem like a way to do that. It seems like maintaining the status quo. And a lot of fans will probably be very unhappy with that decision.

But, obviously its Fran's choice to make.

 

[NevadaHawk]

I'm sure Courtney is a great individual but I would like to see someone with a strong coaching resume fill the position.

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

Fred H had never coached before taking over in Ames right?

I would guess that Courtney has done some coaching with players even if he’s not listed as a coach?

He played 10 years in the league and worked 4 years in an NBA front office. That typically, puts you ahead in the coaching carousel

 

[Legend12]

Fred H had never coached before taking over in Ames right?

I would guess that Courtney has done some coaching with players even if he’s not listed as a coach?

I am pretty sure that would be a violation of NCAA rules for him to do so.

 

[anon_gjzkhykcp9iuj]

In other words, no real change at all. I don't like it.

 

[walleye hunter16]

In other words, no real change at all. I don't like it.

In other words no real change.

 

[win1forthe]

I think that would be a good move. From what I hear, he knows the game, is very organized and is ready to take the next step. I think he would do well.

 

[CanadaHawk]

A guy with a long NBA career and NBA front-office experience could be a boon in recruiting, maybe even as early as next week with DJ Harvey deciding between Iowa and Jerry Stackhouse’s Vanderbilt.

 

[Ballhawk1221]

A guy with a long NBA career and NBA front-office experience could be a boon in recruiting, maybe even as early as next week with DJ Harvey deciding between Iowa and Jerry Stackhouse’s Vanderbilt.

Post #7 was describing Fred Hoiberg and why he was hired at Iowa State. Courtney Eldridge never played in the NBA. Had an overseas pro career though.

 

[iabcuda]

If I am young coach Up N. Cumming, with some strong background, I don’t see the Iowa asst job as that appealing. Fran doesn’t have a record of hiring future head coaches, just former ones. It was Sienna on here that used tell us that Fran was the CEO of his team. I think you have to swallow some ego to work for Fran.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I know nothing about Courtney other than what was in this thread, but I was hoping for a real change. Does he bring an enthusiasm that we haven't seen with the other assistants?

 

[TJHawkeye]

Saying he played 12 years in the league sounds like an inference to the NBA. He never played in the NBA, only in European and South American leagues.

 

[perryhawk]

He played 10 years in the league and worked 4 years in an NBA front office. That typically, puts you ahead in the coaching carousel

So he did coach before being hired as a head coach?

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

So he did coach before being hired as a head coach?

No, like I said, playing in the NBA > being an assistant college coach. Steve Kerr didnt either.

 

[perryhawk]

No, like I said, playing in the NBA > being an assistant college coach. Steve Kerr didnt either.

My basic point stands.....having "no coaching experience" does not disqualify someone to be a coach. Everyone starts somewhere....John B at Michigan was reportedly NEVER an assistant coach....hmm...did he play in the NBA? Honest question, because I don't know.

I have to also add that Fred was hired as a HEAD COACH with NO PRIOR COACHING experience.....and Courtney (might) is maybe in a position to get an assistant position.

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

My basic point stands.....having "no coaching experience" does not disqualify someone to be a coach. Everyone starts somewhere....John B at Michigan was reportedly NEVER an assistant coach....hmm...did he play in the NBA? Honest question, because I don't know.

I have to also add that Fred was hired as a HEAD COACH with NO PRIOR COACHING experience.....and Courtney (might) is maybe in a position to get an assistant position.

My basic point remains. NBA playing experience puts you ahead on the coaching carousel.

 

[chuck285]

I know nothing about Courtney other than what was in this thread, but I was hoping for a real change. Does he bring an enthusiasm that we haven't seen with the other assistants?

I was hoping we would hire someone in their mid 40's, African American and has a couple of sons who are 5 star recruits. Oh, Missouri beat us to that..

 

[perryhawk]

Courtney's resume from the UofI site:

Courtney Eldridge is in his fourth season as the University of Iowa's video coordinator.

Eldridge assists with film breakdown and compiling player development edits. Eldridge also organizes in-depth statistical data and various analytic measures for the coaching staff.

Eldridge helped the Hawkeyes register 23 victories, the second most total in 13 seasons at Iowa, win an NCAA Tournament game for the third time is five years, and place in the upper half of the Big Ten standings for the sixth time in season years.

Eldridge played basketball at UNC-Greensboro (UNCG) from 1998-2002, followed by a 12-year professional career in Brazil, Poland, Italy, Belarus, Turkey, and the Dominican Republic. In addition to working men's basketball youth camps, he was a high school boys basketball coach at East Boston High School and Saint Joseph Prep School in Brighton, Massachusetts.

“Courtney is a perfect fit for our staff and the University of Iowa,” said McCaffery. “Courtney was a great player and leader when he played for me at UNCG. He is an extremely hard working individual, who has tremendous character and basketball experience that benefits our players and coaches.”

Eldridge helped the Spartans post three winning seasons during his career, including a 20-win campaign in 2001-02. He was part of the Spartans’ 2001 NCAA Tournament team that won the Southern Conference Tournament title and finished with a 19-12 record. As a senior, he led the Spartans to the SoCon North Division co-championship and an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) with a 20-11 record.

Eldridge was a two-time SoCon First Team selection (2001, 2002), as well as a two-time SoCon All-Tournament recipient (2001, 2002). He is the Spartans’ all-time leader in assists (584) and is second in program history in steals (226). Eldridge holds the UNCG single-season records for assists (182 in 2002), and also owns the second (179) and eighth (142) highest marks in school history. He is the school record holder for steals in a season (82 in 2001) and also owns the third highest total (78 in 2002). Eldridge is 10th all-time in UNCG scoring history with 1,329 career points and third all-time with 395 career free throws made. Eldridge is one of three UNCG greats to have their jersey retired; his No. 23 jersey was retired on April 24, 2002.

Eldridge earned his college degree in business administration from UNCG in 2015.

 

[hawk-i bob]

My basic point stands.....having "no coaching experience" does not disqualify someone to be a coach. Everyone starts somewhere....John B at Michigan was reportedly NEVER an assistant coach....hmm...did he play in the NBA? Honest question, because I don't know.

I have to also add that Fred was hired as a HEAD COACH with NO PRIOR COACHING experience.....and Courtney (might) is maybe in a position to get an assistant position.

and sometimes 'new' blood is a good thing.

 

[CanadaHawk]

Courtney's resume from the UofI site:

Courtney Eldridge is in his fourth season as the University of Iowa's video coordinator.

Eldridge assists with film breakdown and compiling player development edits. Eldridge also organizes in-depth statistical data and various analytic measures for the coaching staff.

Eldridge helped the Hawkeyes register 23 victories, the second most total in 13 seasons at Iowa, win an NCAA Tournament game for the third time is five years, and place in the upper half of the Big Ten standings for the sixth time in season years.

Eldridge played basketball at UNC-Greensboro (UNCG) from 1998-2002, followed by a 12-year professional career in Brazil, Poland, Italy, Belarus, Turkey, and the Dominican Republic. In addition to working men's basketball youth camps, he was a high school boys basketball coach at East Boston High School and Saint Joseph Prep School in Brighton, Massachusetts.

“Courtney is a perfect fit for our staff and the University of Iowa,” said McCaffery. “Courtney was a great player and leader when he played for me at UNCG. He is an extremely hard working individual, who has tremendous character and basketball experience that benefits our players and coaches.”

Eldridge helped the Spartans post three winning seasons during his career, including a 20-win campaign in 2001-02. He was part of the Spartans’ 2001 NCAA Tournament team that won the Southern Conference Tournament title and finished with a 19-12 record. As a senior, he led the Spartans to the SoCon North Division co-championship and an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) with a 20-11 record.

Eldridge was a two-time SoCon First Team selection (2001, 2002), as well as a two-time SoCon All-Tournament recipient (2001, 2002). He is the Spartans’ all-time leader in assists (584) and is second in program history in steals (226). Eldridge holds the UNCG single-season records for assists (182 in 2002), and also owns the second (179) and eighth (142) highest marks in school history. He is the school record holder for steals in a season (82 in 2001) and also owns the third highest total (78 in 2002). Eldridge is 10th all-time in UNCG scoring history with 1,329 career points and third all-time with 395 career free throws made. Eldridge is one of three UNCG greats to have their jersey retired; his No. 23 jersey was retired on April 24, 2002.

Eldridge earned his college degree in business administration from UNCG in 2015.

So Eldridge coached in Massachusetts- home of 2020 PF recruit Matt Cross and 2021 PG recruit Bensley Joseph.

 

[HawkRugged17]