Following the resignation of men's head basketball coach Terry Dunne partway through the Winter season, the men's basketball team has narrowed their nationwide search for a new full-time head coach to five candidates, according to interim Athletic Director Bob Ceplikas .
Ceplikas said he "decided not to use a traditional search committee for this challenge," in an e-mail to The Dartmouth.
Ceplikas and Executive Associate Athletic Director Brian Austin have compiled an Alumni Advisory Committee chaired by Dave Gavitt '59 that consists of former Dartmouth basketball captains from various eras. College President Jim Yong Kim and acting Dean of the College Sylvia Spears are also being included in the search process, according to Ceplikas.
The search began with a review of approximately 60 applications before Ceplikas and Austin narrowed the list down to 24 names. The pool included experienced college head coaches from all three divisions, a few Division-I assistants and some candidates with NBA coaching experience, according to Ceplikas. Five finalists have been invited to campus, all of whom have seen success on the hardwood.
Assistant coach Mark Graupe stepped in as the team's interim coach following Dunne's resignation, but Dartmouth still finished its season 1-13 in Ivy League play and 5-23 overall, with no wins coming at home.
Dunne submitted his resignation on January 8 with 15 games to go citing family reasons, although various media reports cited issues between Dunne and the team members as factors. Ceplikas and team captain Robby Pride '10 both stated that the reasons for the decision would be kept private, The Dartmouth previously reported.
On Monday, a Valley News article noted that Middlebury College head basketball coach Jeff Brown has interviewed for the job, while former Big Green assistant Paul Cormier, St. Anselm College's Keith Dickson and Stonehill College's David McLaughlin are rumored to be part of the five. Interim head coach Mark Graupe is not believed to be a finalist, according to the Valley News.
According to Ceplikas, the candidates will speak with a number of faculty administrators, including Kim, Spears, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Maria Laskaris, and Director of Admissions Dan Parish.
Ceplikas added that the finalists will meet with current student-athletes, Alumni Committee representatives, a Coaches' Committee chaired by women's basketball coach Chris Wielgus, a Campus Committee composed of faculty and key administrators across campus to be chaired by Senior Associate Athletic Director Drew Galbraith and a Departmental Committee chaired by Associate Athletic Director Rich Whitmore, a former basketball coach.
Ceplikas said he plans to make the decision based on recommendations from Brian Austin and the various committees following the meetings.
The athletic department is thrilled by the depth and quality of the pool, he added.
Ceplikas said he firmly believes that "word is getting out there that Dartmouth is committed to building a winning program, and that we are better positioned to do that than we have been in a very long time."
Upgraded facilities has made Dartmouth a much more appealing basketball stop in the last three years, according to Ceplikas. The Big Green now boasts a state-of-the-art strength training center, expanded office space and a video lounge. Leede Arena also has a much improved floor and a new sound system, and it is set to receive more improvements this summer.
Basketball is a crucial hire for the athletic department, as, according to Ceplikas, it is a "front porch" sport.
Although there is no set deadline to name the new coach, a decision is expected within the next two weeks, according to Ceplikas.
