All Things Richard Pitino Assistants UPDATED 4/4: Kimani Young reportedly on staff

[Bob_Loblaw]

I'd be fine with it.

I'd be 100% fine with it. I think it's easy to build local connections if you do things the right way. You're seeing this with Jerry Kill who seems to do a pretty good job locally (or as good as you'd expect him to do with a local guy on staff).

I think if you're the U of MN coaching staff and you play an exciting brand of basketball, if you win games and do things the right way, you will suddenly have terrific ties within the state of MN.

 

[UofMdad]

Per Amelia Rayno: Confirmed that Asst. coach Mike Balado is in Minn. This would seem to indicate he will be on coach Pitino's staff, No?

 

[MadtownGopher]

Per Amelia Rayno: Confirmed that Asst. coach Mike Balado is in Minn. This would seem to indicate he will be on coach Pitino's staff, No?

Monter already reported that he is on the staff. I posted his bio on the previous page of this thread. He has big time connections in Florida and is fluent in Spanish.

 

[howieramone]

I don't care if any are linked to "local ties" or not. Hire the best, Coach, and everything else will take care of itself.

Besides, the most local of the locals are the High School Coaches, and that is who I want Coach to connect with.

+1

 

[Jon]

Rivals...
Mike Balado Bio
Balado comes to the Twin Cities after spending one season on Coach Pitino's staff at Florida International University (FIU). While at FIU, Baldo assisted with all aspects of the program, most notably recruiting, scheduling and academic monitoring, as well as practice and game preparation.
...
Kimani Young Bio
Young also comes to Gold Country after spending last season on Coach Pitino's staff at Florida International University (FIU). Young assisted with all aspects of the program including recruiting, scouting of opponents and practice and game preparation. He was also in charge of creating and running individual training sessions for the guards and coordinated community service activities for the program.
...
http://minnesota.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1493944

 

[diddy3191]

So are we just going to hire FIU guys? Were these the same ones on the supposed list Teague gave flip to choose from? Thoughts?

 

[GoldenHerbs]

Kimani busted with 96lbs of weed, my kind of guy: http://zagsblog.com/recruiting/kimani-young-to-st-johns/

 

[UofMdad]

Monter already reported that he is on the staff. I posted his bio on the previous page of this thread. He has big time connections in Florida and is fluent in Spanish.

Thanks MTG: All of us appreciate your information and insights!!

 

[UofMdad]

Kimani busted with 96lbs of weed, my kind of guy: http://zagsblog.com/recruiting/kimani-young-to-st-johns/

From the Strib & Amelia:
Young was convicted in 1999 of felony possession of mariuana, which was confirmed through a court document search and was written about here. In that story, from 2005, it says Young was arrested for possession of 96 pounds of marijuana.
“I spent one year in the federal prison in Allenwood, Pa.,” Jones was quoted as saying in that story. “It was a humbling experience.
Gophers AD Norwood Teague was up-front about Young's past in a statement separate from the news release:
"Kimani Young is an outstanding addition to the University of Minnesota and its men’s basketball program. President Eric Kaler and I each spoke at length with College Presidents and Athletic Directors at schools employing Coach Young and received assurances that Kimani was a positive influence and leader for their programs and student-athletes. Coach Young’s mistake, more than 14 years ago, was an aberration in an otherwise positive and stable life. He has been an upstanding leader in every university community he has worked and lived since that time.”

Hope there aren't too many GH'ers hopping on the 'Run the man out of town' bandwagon

 

[howieramone]

From the Strib & Amelia:
Young was convicted in 1999 of felony possession of mariuana, which was confirmed through a court document search and was written about here. In that story, from 2005, it says Young was arrested for possession of 96 pounds of marijuana.
“I spent one year in the federal prison in Allenwood, Pa.,” Jones was quoted as saying in that story. “It was a humbling experience.
Gophers AD Norwood Teague was up-front about Young's past in a statement separate from the news release:
"Kimani Young is an outstanding addition to the University of Minnesota and its men’s basketball program. President Eric Kaler and I each spoke at length with College Presidents and Athletic Directors at schools employing Coach Young and received assurances that Kimani was a positive influence and leader for their programs and student-athletes. Coach Young’s mistake, more than 14 years ago, was an aberration in an otherwise positive and stable life. He has been an upstanding leader in every university community he has worked and lived since that time.”

Hope there aren't too many GH'ers hopping on the 'Run the man out of town' bandwagon

I'm cool as long as it's not a DUI like Saul got.

 

[MadtownGopher]

I'm not too concerned with that arrest. It was a decade and a half ago and he has stayed out of trouble since. We all do dumb things (to a varying degree) when we are young and as long as you learn from your mistakes and straighten yourself out, there is no need to punish someone for the rest of their life. Other than this story it sounds like he is a really good human being and genuine family man.

 

[UofMdad]

I'm cool as long as it's not a DUI like Saul got.

Yep, Saul could have killed someone in that vehicle. Can't wait for the presser to address this IMO non-issue, that will be made into a issue by the media.

 

[Gold Vision]

nm

 

[GophersInIowa]

So are we just going to hire FIU guys? Were these the same ones on the supposed list Teague gave flip to choose from? Thoughts?

There are two openings not announced yet. I would assume that if they were FIU guys as well, they'd be announced already.

 

[GopherLady]

Super late, but here's the press release:

Mike Balado and Kimani Young Join Pitino’s Staff at Minnesota
University of Minnesota head men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino today announced the first members of his staff, assistant coaches Mike Balado and Kimani Young.



“I am excited about the additions of coach Balado and coach Young to our staff at the University of Minnesota,” said Pitino. “Both of these guys played a huge part in our turnaround at Florida International. They are well respected within the coaching community as terrific recruiters and leaders of student-athletes.”



Mike Balado Bio:

Balado comes to the Twin Cities after spending one season on Coach Pitino’s staff at Florida International University (FIU). While at FIU, Baldo assisted with all aspects of the program, most notably recruiting, scheduling and academic monitoring, as well as practice and game preparation.



Prior to his time in South Florida, Balado spent three seasons at High Point University as an assistant coach. His main role at High Point was as the program’s recruiting coordinator and played a key role in recruiting the program’s first two classes under head coach Scott Cherry. That class helped HPU to 17 wins overall this season, including 12 conference victories and the program’s first Big South Conference’s North Division title since moving to NCAA Division I prior to the 1999-2000 season.



Balado joined the HPU staff after spending the 2008-09 season on the University of Miami basketball staff in player development as a graduate assistant. That year the Hurricanes compiled a 19-13 record and a trip to the National Invitation Tournament.



Prior to coaching at Miami, Balado spent three years on the Florida Atlantic University basketball staff. In Balado’s first season at FAU in 2005-06, the team posted its second-consecutive winning season, the first time since the early 1990s that the Owls had consecutive winning seasons. In 2006-07, the Owls won 10 Sun Belt Conference games, the third-most for a first-year Sun Belt member. The team also set a program scoring record, averaging 74.9 points per game. The Owls went 15-18 and 8-10 in Sun Belt Conference play in 2007-08.



Balado spent two seasons at Miami Dade College before taking the post at FAU. While at Miami Dade, he helped lead the Sharks to back-to-back winning seasons, including a program-best 27-5 mark, en route to the conference championship. He recruited four of MDC’s 2004-05 All-Conference selections, including the Player of the Year.



Balado began his collegiate coaching career at Augusta (Ga.) State University where he served as a graduate assistant from 1998-2000.



Balado played collegiately for two seasons at St. Thomas University in Miami, where he was a two-year starter and team captain, and two seasons at Warner Southern College. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1998 from St. Thomas and added a master’s of education in exercise and sport science from Augusta State in 2000.



Balado and his wife Alicia are the proud parents of twins, Aiden and Adalina.



Experience

2012-13

Assistant Coach

Florida International

2009-12

Assistant Coach

High Point University

2008-09

Player Development/Graduate Assistant

University of Miami

2005-08

Assistant Coach

Florida Atlantic University

2003-05

Assistant Coach

Miami Dade College



Kimani Young Bio:

Young also comes to Gold Country after spending last season on Coach Pitino’s staff at Florida International University (FIU). Young assisted with all aspects of the program including recruiting, scouting of opponents and practice and game preparation. He was also in charge of creating and running individual training sessions for the guards and coordinated community service activities for the program.



Young arrived at FIU after two stints (2006-08 & 2009-12) at New Heights Youth, Inc. in New York City as the program’s athletic director. While at New Heights, Young managed all aspects of the basketball program, including the athletic budget, and built relationships within the basketball community.



In between stints at New Heights, Young spent one season at St. John’s University as the program’s head team manager and video coordinator. He coordinated film exchange with opponents and oversaw the taping of all games and practices for the 2008-09 season. Young was also heavily involved in coordinating the team’s community service activities in the New York City area.



Working with youth is a passion for Young. He has served as the center director for the Police Athletic League of NYC at the Wynn Center (2005-06), assistant center director for the Police Athletic League at Miccio Center (2001-05), a therapeutic recreation assistant at Jewish Board of Family Children Services Kaplan House (1999-2000 and 2001-06) and the program director at Aim High Foundation/S. Carter AAU program in Brooklyn (1998-2000 and 2001-06).



A graduate of Texas-El Paso in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Young starred on the hardwood for UTEP and legendary coach Don Haskins from 1993-97. He finished his tenure with the Miners as one of only 22 all-time players to reach the 1,000-career point plateau. Young enrolled at UTEP after starring as an all-city performer for Forest Hills High School in Queens, earning honorable mention McDonald's All-America honors as a senior in 1992.



Experience

2012-13

Assistant Coach

Florida International

2006-08/2009-12

Athletic Director

New Heights Youth, Inc.

2008-09

Head Manager/Video Coordinator

St. John’s University

2005-06

Center Director

PAL of NY – Wynn Center

2001-05

Assistant Center Director

PAL of NY – Miccio Center

1999-2000/2001-06

Therapeutic Recreation Assistant

JBFCS Kaplan House

1998-2000/2001-06

Program Director

Aim High Foundation

2001-06

Scout/Coach

Big Apple Basketball, Inc.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

So are we just going to hire FIU guys? Were these the same ones on the supposed list Teague gave flip to choose from? Thoughts?

I believe that you're assuming the rumor that grew out of the Cult of Flip. It's completely from left field to guess that Teague gave Flip a list of possible assistants. If that scenario even played out, Teague probably insisted upon a staff with collegiate recruiting experience as well as player development. Those SHOULD be pretty basic for most guys who you would consider for an assistant coaching gig in the Big 10.

We have no idea how any of that even played out, but if it played out the way that you're suggesting. . .yep. These are assistants with recruiting experience. Those would seem like the no-brainer type of candidates.

 

[freshtrout]

Yep, Saul could have killed someone in that vehicle. Can't wait for the presser to address this IMO non-issue, that will be made into a issue by the media.

Barreiro is already pounding on the 96lbs. Gives him something to blast the U about (again) .... He did say however that it seems Kimani has turned his life around - so that's something.

 

[lakesgopher]

Barreiro is already pounding on the 96lbs. Gives him something to blast the U about (again) .... He did say however that it seems Kimani has turned his life around - so that's something.

Barreiro was pretty funny. Didnt think he said anything crazy. Don't be so thin skinned.

 

[freshtrout]

Not thin skinned lakes - just saying what I heard on KFAN. Their take was funny (how much can a pound of pot be compressed etc) but still they were jumping all over the story - or lack of a story ....

 

[scher215]

So are we just going to hire FIU guys? Were these the same ones on the supposed list Teague gave flip to choose from? Thoughts?

Difference was that Flip was never a college guy. He had no basis of college assistants.

Pitino has been around college basketball his entire life.

For example, a guy like Jerry Kill can pick whoever he please as his assistants. Marc Trestman may not have been given the same treatment.

 

[Parski1]

Not thin skinned lakes - just saying what I heard on KFAN. Their take was funny (how much can a pound of pot be compressed etc) but still they were jumping all over the story - or lack of a story ....

96 pounds of Ganja and a year in federal prison is still a story....even if it happened 15 users ago.

 

[freshtrout]

Yes a story, and how his life has changed away from his past - is also a major part of the story.

 

[raindog]

Yes a story, and how his life has changed away from his past - is also a major part of the story.

I would go a step further and say how he handles it now is the most relevant part of the story. I think it is great to have someone on the staff who has had self inflicted adversity, knows full well it was self inflicted, and has not allowed what could have been a huge stain to define him.

 

[Dr.Don]

Well, if he spent a year in the slammer for a major weed conviction, he certainly can share the experience with young kids relating to decisions/penalties and the resultant effect of being responsible for one's own behavior. Of course, if it violates parski's perfect expectations of everyone, then he should be dumped off at the homeless shelter and left to fend for himself on the street.

 

[KyGopherfan]

Pitino has already done some very shady things in the past, not illegal, but definitely pushing the envelope. Now we learn that his right hand man is a former felon. I hope Norwood has a top rated compliance director in the athletics department. We could be in for a rocky ride in a few seasons. For all the pub and articles about Pitino, I don't think I've ever heard a single person say he's a stand up guy that does things the right way. I have little confidence that he can keep the U out of hot water with the NCAA. There is such a thing as being 'too' hungry.

 

[RoyalGopher]

Pitino has already done some very shady things in the past, not illegal, but definitely pushing the envelope. Now we learn that his right hand man is a former felon. I hope Norwood has a top rated compliance director in the athletics department. We could be in for a rocky ride in a few seasons. For all the pub and articles about Pitino, I don't think I've ever heard a single person say he's a stand up guy that does things the right way. I have little confidence that he can keep the U out of hot water with the NCAA. There is such a thing as being 'too' hungry.

What has he done that's so sketchy?

 

[It's a Pig Man!]

Pitino has already done some very shady things in the past, not illegal, but definitely pushing the envelope. Now we learn that his right hand man is a former felon. I hope Norwood has a top rated compliance director in the athletics department. We could be in for a rocky ride in a few seasons. For all the pub and articles about Pitino, I don't think I've ever heard a single person say he's a stand up guy that does things the right way. I have little confidence that he can keep the U out of hot water with the NCAA. There is such a thing as being 'too' hungry.

Could you elaborate on these shady things he's done in the past?

 

[Parski1]

Well, if he spent a year in the slammer for a major weed conviction, he certainly can share the experience with young kids relating to decisions/penalties and the resultant effect of being responsible for one's own behavior. Of course, if it violates parski's perfect expectations of everyone, then he should be dumped off at the homeless shelter and left to fend for himself on the street.

I said it's still a story....I didn't say the guy didn't deserve to be a coach or he's a bad person. Pay attention to what you read.

 

[Cobra]

Pitino has already done some very shady things in the past.

Like what?

 

[KyGopherfan]

Pitino is the guy who gave Pete Thamel of the NY Times the transcripts of Eric Bledsoe's grades for his expose cause Eric decided to go to Kentucky instead of Florida, where Pitino was an assistant. It's known that he was the culprit as he had access to his grades and he was the main recruiter of Bledsoe at Florida. Thamel even admitted it came from an assistant coach. I'm sure if Eric wanted to make a case out of it, he could have. There had been some sorta law or ethics rules broken. That's the biggest known story with Pitino, but there are some little smaller things that makes you question whether he is totally on the up and up. Like I said, the U better have a great compliance office cause they could definitely get a work out.