New Assistant Jason Shay - formerly on Bruce Pearl's staff

[SiouxVolley]

Jason Shay was formerly lead scout for Bruce Pearl and "one of the best X's and O's minds in the business", but made untouchable by others in DI because of his association with Bruce Pearl.

http://masseybasketb...in-florida.html

While Forbes was quick to move on and accept the coaching position at Northwest Florida, Shay was not ready to give up coaching at the Division I level as readily. Shay had been with Pearl for the past 10 years and even played one year for Coach Pearl, when he was an assistant at Iowa. He had risen pretty quickly through the coaching ranks, and had a reputation for being one of the best X’s and O’s minds in the business, serving as Pearl’s lead scout at Tennessee. Parting with all that, particularly leaving UT was not easy for Shay. It was clear from talking to him that the wounds from this past year had still not fully healed, and understandably so.

“It was disappointing, frustrating, and it was sad,” says Shay. “We had just taken Tennessee to new heights as far as consecutive Tournament appearances, a deep run in 2010 to make it to the first Elite Eight in school history, three Sweet Sixteens, and the first outright SEC Championship in 41 years. So to leave that, and be fired from that potential of where the program was heading was really tough.”

Despite wanting to remain at the Division I level, Shay did receive heavy interest. He put out a few feelers with friends and colleagues, but never got into serious discussions for a job. Most programs were not willing to go out on a limb and hire Shay after everything that had happened in the past year at Tennessee. In June, Forbes offered Shay a position on his staff. After mulling the decision over with his family, he accepted the job in mid-June, reuniting with his former colleague.

http://www.cbssports.../story/15650956

Shay made around $150,000 a year at Tennessee.

Now he makes $20,000.

So not only have their careers been damaged, their lives have been turned upside down -- all because they A) didn't stop Pearl from having an improper cookout at his home, B) didn't after the fact inform the Tennessee compliance department of what would've almost certainly been a secondary violation, and C) weren't "forthcoming" with information about the cookout when the NCAA initially asked about the picture of Pearl and Craft.

That's what got the UT assistants one-year show-cause penalties.

The NCAA said they weren't "forthcoming."

But here's the question: How could they have been?

When an NCAA investigator pulled the picture from a file and laid it in front of Forbes, he couldn't sacrifice himself for the greater good because it wasn't him, his recruit or his home in the picture. It was Pearl, Pearl's recruit and Pearl's home. So Forbes had two options -- one of which was to identify the people in the picture and mention the cookout at Pearl's home. But everybody knows what happens to men who roll on their bosses like that.

"You do that in this business and you're done," Forbes said. "Blackballed. You're not loyal."

"You're selling cars," Shay added.

http://www.utsports....ay_jason00.html

Didn't realize there was already a thread on this. Please merge if possible.

[UNDsportsFANATIC]

Great! Another assistant who will leave for a division 2 head coaching job, after one year at UND. Our school seems to be a "get on your feet" school.

[IrishSiouxFan]

Sorry to show my ignorance, did UND pick him up already?

[siouxfan68]

I think that we have to realize that all coaches, heads and assistants, are looking for what they think might be career advancements. Hopefully, we find the best that we can and that they help move the program forward in the time that they are here, however long that is.

This looks like a good addition to the staff with quite a bit of D1 on court and recruiting experience. Good luck to Coach Shay and UND basketball.

[SiouxVolley]

I think that we have to realize that all coaches, heads and assistants, are looking for what they think might be career advancements. Hopefully, we find the best that we can and that they help move the program forward in the time that they are here, however long that is.

Exactly. If anyone gets offered a job for $150 k if you're in a $50 k job, seriously, are you going to turn it down?

If Shay's input into a game plan and recruiting could be the difference that beats Weber St and then Montana, sending us to the dance. If we have our coaches in demand elsewhere, that will attract other good assistants and build the program.

This looks like a good addition to the staff with quite a bit of D1 on court and recruiting experience. Good luck to Coach Shay and UND basketball.

NW Florida JC has been reloading every year with high level DI recruits, and Shay and Forbes have had that JC in the national championship games since they have been there. No easy feat. Think Shay could bring in recruits from that JC league and elsewhere that we would never been able to touch.

http://www.nwfdailyn...etball-1.169925

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/steve-forbes-become-first-assistant-bruce-pearl-final-184849967.html

[NODAK13]

It appears to be a great move with his experience coaching at a very high level D1 school and also a player at a Big Ten school. If he is as good at the X's and O's on offense as mentioned then our offense may have just got a big boost cause we have the talent. We may actually run some screens for our shooters.

[sioux24/7]

Glad people finally noticed this. I absolutely love this! Seems like a great get for us.

[UND-FB-FAN]

Great pick-up. The man has experience at an SEC school that had success - what more could you want? Even if he only stays one season, this is THE SEASON anyway, right? We have all five starters (Webb, Anderson, Huff, Brekke, and Schuler) returning, plus key role players in Jaron Nash (who has the potential to be a star along with Huff) Antwi, Traylor, Benton, Salmonson, 2013 Minnesota Mr. Basketball Quinton Hooker, and the transfer Calcaterra. This is the year we have a shot to go to the big dance, so why not hire a guy who has big time experience; he could help the team get over that hill they have to climb which is the Big Sky Conference and the conference tournament.

[homer]

This is a great addition by Jones. This guy has legit D1 experience and more importantly knows how to recruit/coach at this level. Even if he stays for two or three years, he is going to open some connections we didn't have before. Nice job Coach Jones and welcome Coach Shay.

[SWSiouxMN]

If he can help us get to the Big Dance, and be a big part of getting recruits that can help us get right back into contention in the Big Sky the next year after Huff and company leave, its a major coup.

[UND Fan]

Has it been confirmed that Shay is actually coming to UND? It has been 2+ weeks and there has not been an official announcement.

[sioux24/7]

http://www.cbssports...sion-i-coaching

He has also been tweeting about North Dakota.

[GeauxSioux]

Official.... http://www.undsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&ATCLID=208859960

University of North Dakota men’s basketball head coach Brian Jones announced the addition of Jason Shay to round out his coaching staff for the 2013-14 season. Shay replaces Brent Wilson, who was recently named head coach at Sullivan County (N.Y.) Community College.

“We are extremely excited to have Jason and his family join ours here at UND,” Jones said. “He is a tireless worker and brings great credentials to our program. We are blessed to have a great staff for the upcoming season that will continue to develop and mentor our players.”

[UNDBIZ]

http://www.grandfork...icle/id/269615/

“The potential to make a push for a conference championship was appealing,” said Shay, who replaces Brent Wilson, who recently was named head coach at Sullivan County (N.Y.) Community College. “To coach alongside (Jones) in his program on the rise is a great opportunity.”

Sounds like he may be a 1-year guy to me, but if he helps us reach the big show then it'll all be worth it.

[UND Fan]

http://www.grandfork...icle/id/269615/

Sounds like he may be a 1-year guy to me, but if he helps us reach the big show then it'll all be worth it.

And... help us find some good talent to replace all of our seniors!

[dmksioux]

http://www.grandfork...icle/id/269615/

Sounds like he may be a 1-year guy to me, but if he helps us reach the big show then it'll all be worth it.

He didn't say the conference championship would be next year . Although I agree, that he is most likely a one and done. Sounds like a solid hire with lots of potential upside for the program....welcome to UND Mr. Shay!