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On the heels of our eighth straight win in the conference and a stretch where they are winning by wide margins it is easy to say that things are going well. It didn't start that way. I think the credit needs to go to Coach Nagy and his staff.
We've been really spoiled as Jacks fans for a while now. The last few years have been highlighted by some incredible teams and a once in a lifetime player in Nate Wolters. Success has followed.
I think it is important to take a look back as it gives historical perspective to where we've been, what we've gone through, and where we are headed. I've been a Jacks fan and in particular a basketball fan for more than 40 years. Heck, I remember when a young Scott Nagy was hear as an assistant to then Head Coach Jim Thorson. All those players on the historical intro videos before the games? Yep, watched them all.
We sometimes forget how successful the Nagy teams were at the D2 level. His teams won 5 NCC titles and went to the NCAA tournament 8 times. His teams went 210-59 (78% wins) at the D2 level. His teams not only performed on the court but were good students and good people.
Then SDSU transitioned to D1 which is harder in MBB than any other sport. Coach Nagy could have bailed out. He didn't. The several years following were predictably very difficult. Lots of losses, lots of time on the road, and nothing to really play for even if they were successful. It was natural for all of us to question if he was the right guy. Could he coach at the D1 level was a common discussion.
Scott stayed true to himself and his beliefs and the AD rewarded him for staying through the transition by being patient in the transition years. It was a painful process and one that probably helped him grow a lot as a coach.
SDSU's transition was ended and membership to the Summit League was gained which gave Nagy and his staff a better schedule and things to play for. Recruiting improved and the product on the court followed suit. The talent level on the teams improved every year.
Then Nate Wolters arrived. He was the perfect player to be coached by Scott Nagy. Together with a talented team they turned the Jacks into one of the best teams in the Summit and won the tournament twice advancing to the NCAA tournament. Nate went on to the NBA and is in his second year.
Last year a very talented team returned but without their leader in Wolters. They had a very good year but came up short in making the tournament.
That brings us to this year. An almost entirely new cast of players thrust into the limelight with the exception of Cody Larson. Not only new players to getting playing time in games but entirely new to the program. That's a challenge for any staff. Add in that Marshall wasn't eligible until semester break. The three seasons in one has been talked about a lot on here.
All that brings us back to the present. This team is playing their best ball and improving each game. That is the exciting thing is that they are headed the right way for the end of the year. My belief is that this has been Nagy's best year of coaching in his 20 years here. That credit also goes to the staff and obviously the players. Jacks fans are again being treated to a year of great basketball with the optimism of what the end of the year brings.
Through it all Scott Nagy has remained true to himself, true to his faith, and dedicated to the coaches and players that come to work with him. He has turned out quality men that go on to do good things after basketball. The wins keep piling up. We are fortunate to keep enjoying it. Players and assistants come and go. The one constant has been Coach Nagy
There's a long way to go yet this season but I can't wait to watch each and every game. It has been a pleasure to be a Jacks fan and to have a quality man like Scott Nagy at the helm. I'm like the rest of you. I admit to having times where I questioned the way things were done at times. What the hell do I know? Who am I to crititcize. I don't say that to admonish those that do. Not at all. I merely wanted to put a historical perspective on what has happened under Coach Nagy and how we need to appreciate how fortunate we have been to have such quality people as we do involved with SDSU Athletics.
The future couldn't be a whole lot brighter. I can't wait but I intend to enjoy every second of this season.
Keep it up men!
SUPERBUNNY
We've been really spoiled as Jacks fans for a while now. The last few years have been highlighted by some incredible teams and a once in a lifetime player in Nate Wolters. Success has followed.
I think it is important to take a look back as it gives historical perspective to where we've been, what we've gone through, and where we are headed. I've been a Jacks fan and in particular a basketball fan for more than 40 years. Heck, I remember when a young Scott Nagy was hear as an assistant to then Head Coach Jim Thorson. All those players on the historical intro videos before the games? Yep, watched them all.
We sometimes forget how successful the Nagy teams were at the D2 level. His teams won 5 NCC titles and went to the NCAA tournament 8 times. His teams went 210-59 (78% wins) at the D2 level. His teams not only performed on the court but were good students and good people.
Then SDSU transitioned to D1 which is harder in MBB than any other sport. Coach Nagy could have bailed out. He didn't. The several years following were predictably very difficult. Lots of losses, lots of time on the road, and nothing to really play for even if they were successful. It was natural for all of us to question if he was the right guy. Could he coach at the D1 level was a common discussion.
Scott stayed true to himself and his beliefs and the AD rewarded him for staying through the transition by being patient in the transition years. It was a painful process and one that probably helped him grow a lot as a coach.
SDSU's transition was ended and membership to the Summit League was gained which gave Nagy and his staff a better schedule and things to play for. Recruiting improved and the product on the court followed suit. The talent level on the teams improved every year.
Then Nate Wolters arrived. He was the perfect player to be coached by Scott Nagy. Together with a talented team they turned the Jacks into one of the best teams in the Summit and won the tournament twice advancing to the NCAA tournament. Nate went on to the NBA and is in his second year.
Last year a very talented team returned but without their leader in Wolters. They had a very good year but came up short in making the tournament.
That brings us to this year. An almost entirely new cast of players thrust into the limelight with the exception of Cody Larson. Not only new players to getting playing time in games but entirely new to the program. That's a challenge for any staff. Add in that Marshall wasn't eligible until semester break. The three seasons in one has been talked about a lot on here.
All that brings us back to the present. This team is playing their best ball and improving each game. That is the exciting thing is that they are headed the right way for the end of the year. My belief is that this has been Nagy's best year of coaching in his 20 years here. That credit also goes to the staff and obviously the players. Jacks fans are again being treated to a year of great basketball with the optimism of what the end of the year brings.
Through it all Scott Nagy has remained true to himself, true to his faith, and dedicated to the coaches and players that come to work with him. He has turned out quality men that go on to do good things after basketball. The wins keep piling up. We are fortunate to keep enjoying it. Players and assistants come and go. The one constant has been Coach Nagy
There's a long way to go yet this season but I can't wait to watch each and every game. It has been a pleasure to be a Jacks fan and to have a quality man like Scott Nagy at the helm. I'm like the rest of you. I admit to having times where I questioned the way things were done at times. What the hell do I know? Who am I to crititcize. I don't say that to admonish those that do. Not at all. I merely wanted to put a historical perspective on what has happened under Coach Nagy and how we need to appreciate how fortunate we have been to have such quality people as we do involved with SDSU Athletics.
The future couldn't be a whole lot brighter. I can't wait but I intend to enjoy every second of this season.
Keep it up men!
SUPERBUNNY
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