Friday, 22 May 2009
University of Tulsa Head Basketball Coach Doug Wojcik announced Thursday the promotion of Andy Kohut to assistant basketball coach for the Golden Hurricane. Kohut replaces Dave Wojcik, who is expected to take an assistant coaching position at Wake Forest University.
Kohut has served as Tulsa’s Director of Basketball Operations for the past four seasons, where he has implemented and coordinated the XOS Coaching, Recruiting and Scouting Technology for the Golden Hurricane basketball program.
The younger Wojcik has spent the past four years with the Golden Hurricane and was appointed as an associate head coach prior to last season.
“We thought we weathered the storm of losing Dave, but another offer came along that he just couldn’t refuse for himself, professionally, and for his family, financially. He has an opportunity to be an ACC assistant coach, which certainly helped promote my career when I was at the University of North Carolina,” said Wojcik. “We’re losing a very good and experienced coach. I’m losing a security blanket and on top of that I feel bad for our two children because their cousin is moving away.”
Before coming to Tulsa, Kohut was on the basketball staffs at Purdue and Michigan State while completing his undergraduate and graduate degree programs. He served as a team manager at Purdue under legendary Gene Keady while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
“In the spirit of coaching and developing young coaches, and being true to what I’ve told these guys, I know that we’re doing the right thing from promoting within,” said Wojcik. “Andy will do a great job, just like he has since he’s been here. He was the second guy I hired behind my brother.
“Andy has put together our entire video system and has worked countless hours. He has learned a great deal over the last four years while being a vital part of 81 wins and three straight 20-win seasons,” added Wojcik. “We now have David Cason as associate head coach and two good young coaches in Jeremy Ballard and Andy Kohut.”
At Purdue, Kohut was involved in video breakdown of the opposition, statistical work and assisted in drafting scouting reports and practice coordination. Following graduation, Kohut spent two years as a graduate manager at Michigan State under Tom Izzo. His responsibilities there included opponent scouting and digital video editing.
Kohut earned his bachelor’s degree from Purdue in 2003, and his master’s degree in sports administration from MSU in 2005.
“Andy’s background is phenomenal. He learned a lot from Gene Keady at Purdue. Then he came to Michigan State and helped us get to the Final Four in the spring of 2005. He’s been able to grasp a lot of information in terms of how teams play, zone offenses, zone defenses and things like that,” said Wojcik. “I see this as a smooth transition. We’ll put a little more emphasis on Associate Head Coach David Cason and lean a little more on Jeremy Ballard as well.”
Wojcik also announced the appointment of Joe Wallace as the Director of Basketball Operations.
Wallace has spent the past three years as a graduate manager, serving as director of player development and handling team travel. He came to Tulsa after spending four years as an assistant basketball coach at Bishop Donahue High School in West Virginia.
“Joe is a guy who has done what you have to do to get into the college basketball coaching profession. He’s paid his dues. Basically, he has volunteered for us the last three years and has handled our team travel and done everything that has been asked of him,” said Wojcik.
“I feel good about our program being in a position to graduate players, hopefully develop life skills and move them on to the next phase of life whether it’s as a player or in the job market. It’s the same thing with coaches. I don’t think many guys get chances around the country, and one thing I’d like to do here is to be able to promote and develop young coaches and that’s what we’re doing,” Wojcik added.
Wojcik likes the stability that the Tulsa basketball program has been able to develop during his four seasons as the Golden Hurricane head coach.
“I think part of our success has been our stability. We’ve had wonderful stability. Dave leaving is good for all of us. He’s going into the ACC, and I think it gives young coaches hope that they can move in the profession and it shows that we can move someone in the profession. I’m never one to hold anyone back, because I wasn’t held back,” said Wojcik.
“As a program I think it speaks volumes about the University and what we’ve done over the last four years to get that type of promotion from Conference USA to the ACC. I feel great that we can elevate Andy and Joe within our program and feel good about where we’re going.”
Last Updated ( Friday, 22 May 2009 )