UTPA to begin bringing in coaching finalists

EDINBURG -- The University of Texas Pan-American will invite the four finalists for the men's basketball head coaching position for on-campus interviews starting next week, interim athletic director Ricky Vaughn said.

Vaughn confirmed the name of the finalists in the more-than-two-month search to replace former coach Tom Schuberth, whose contract was not renewed March 6.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte assistant Bobby Kummer will arrive Monday. North Texas University coach Bill Foy will be at UTPA Tuesday.

Former UTPA player and Nicholls State assistant Kevin Johnson will be on campus next Friday. Division II St. Edwards coach Ryan Marks will not be in Edinburg until May 19.

Vaughn said the order in which the finalists arrive does not indicate the favorite.

"I'll have to say they are going in pretty equal," Vaughn said. "I think the on-campus interviews will separate who is going to be the top candidate. Everyone looks good on paper and does well over phone interviews. Once you get them on campus that is when a candidate can separate themselves from the others."

Foy and Kummer declined to comment. Johnson confirmed last week he was a candidate.

Whoever the next coach is will face a tough recruiting situation. The Broncs' roster dwindled to eight and lacks a true point guard.

Leading scorer Emmanuel Jones and Julius Allgood graduate this season. Point guard P.J. Turner left for personal reasons, Reggie Cooke could not become academically eligible, Steve Silva's class schedule doesn't allow time for basketball and Matt Zaney transferred to continue his education at Texas Tech.

Making the situation tougher is that the final finalist will not be interviewed until May 19, one day before the May 20 deadline programs have to sign players to national letters of intent.

"I think everyone of the candidates has probably one or two players sitting and waiting," Vaughn said. "If you look at the three previous coaches, they usually brought in one or two guys late in the summer. There is always somebody. Is it a little more difficult to find those? Sure."

Teams can continue to recruit players up until the start of school but the recruits are not obligated to honor their signing. Vaughn is not overly concerned with the recruiting process, adding the lengthy process will allow UTPA to pick the right fit.

"It's not the ideal situation but at the same time, you don't want to be too near-sighted," Marks said. "It makes it difficult for the upcoming year. ... Because guys are waiting for Division I, a lot of times you don't sign guys until after May 20."

There is also an investigation into possible NCAA violations by the men's basketball program UTPA launched itself that looms over the program.

"History has shown when an institution has taken the bull by its horn and has gone through great detail to conduct and investigation and submit their finding to the NCAA, in most cases the outcome is usually milder in those types of cases," Marks said. "My gut will tell me those are not going to be things that are going to be insurmountable."

Peter Rasmussen covers UTPA athletics for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.