BleedGopher
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per Pat:
There are 350 Division I men’s basketball programs in the NCAA. There remains one unbeaten: San Diego State, 18-0 overall and 7-0 in the Mountain West.
This is Brian Dutcher’s third season as Aztecs coach. Before that, he served as the lead assistant and then head-coach-in-waiting to Steve Fisher for 18 seasons (1999-2017).
There was plenty of success in that time, including a pair of Sweet 16 seasons: 34-3 in 2010-11, with Kawhi Leonard as a sophomore, and 31-5 in 2013-14.
There had to be offers across the spectrum of midmajor conferences for Dutcher to become a head coach much earlier than 2017, at age 57.
“I knew for certain we had the commitment from our administration to have the best possible program,” Dutcher said. “We’re in a great city now, with only one major league team. We’re the ‘pro’ basketball team in the eighth-largest city in America.
“This is the best job in our conference. As a coach, that’s what you want … the best job in your conference.”
Jim Dutcher, Brian’s father and the Gophers coach from 1975 to 1986, said: “Brian and Jan, and their daughters, Erin and Liza … they love San Diego. I don’t think Brian would have had the same patience in waiting to be a head coach in any other city.”
Or with any other mentor.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
There are 350 Division I men’s basketball programs in the NCAA. There remains one unbeaten: San Diego State, 18-0 overall and 7-0 in the Mountain West.
This is Brian Dutcher’s third season as Aztecs coach. Before that, he served as the lead assistant and then head-coach-in-waiting to Steve Fisher for 18 seasons (1999-2017).
There was plenty of success in that time, including a pair of Sweet 16 seasons: 34-3 in 2010-11, with Kawhi Leonard as a sophomore, and 31-5 in 2013-14.
There had to be offers across the spectrum of midmajor conferences for Dutcher to become a head coach much earlier than 2017, at age 57.
“I knew for certain we had the commitment from our administration to have the best possible program,” Dutcher said. “We’re in a great city now, with only one major league team. We’re the ‘pro’ basketball team in the eighth-largest city in America.
“This is the best job in our conference. As a coach, that’s what you want … the best job in your conference.”
Jim Dutcher, Brian’s father and the Gophers coach from 1975 to 1986, said: “Brian and Jan, and their daughters, Erin and Liza … they love San Diego. I don’t think Brian would have had the same patience in waiting to be a head coach in any other city.”
Or with any other mentor.
Finally given his chance to lead, Brian Dutcher rides the wave at San Diego State
Brian Dutcher had to wait until age 57 to become a head coach, but he is running with the opportunity. San Diego State, 18-0 overall and 7-0 in the Mountain West, is the last remaining undefeated team.
www.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
