Kevin McEwen...Coaching Chronicles

[WarEagle13]

The Beginning

April 3, 2017

The Florence TimesDaily

UNA Loses Coach as it enters uncharted territories

Florence, AL – Just months after coming off the announcement of accepting an invitation to join the Atlantic Sun Conference in NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball, UNA leaders have learned it will have to do so with a new head coach at the helm. At what appears to be a surprisingly abrupt decision, Coach Bobby Champagne has announced his decision to retire.

Mick Landers, the UNA athletic director, will begin his search for Coach Champagne’s replacement. Albeit, having a late start into the season to find such replacement, there is a short list of candidates. Sources close to the program speculate the front runner to be Kevin McEwen, the young up and coming assistant at the Troy University program under Phil Cunningham. The same sources have also expressed Coach Champagne’s involvement in picking his successor.

McEwen is making his impression felt through the coaching community and being an Alabama native from Minor High School in Adamsville and Auburn University, sources close to the program feel like he would be a natural fit.

Time will tell and should tell quickly as the UNA Lions are hoping to make their selection and announcement very soon. AD Landers feels it is very important for the new coach coming in to attempt to settle what is a large and hopefully talent laden freshman class.
The UNA athletic department has called for an 11am press conference tomorrow morning in what is thought to be the announcement of the hiring of the first men’s head basketball coach for the North Alabama Lions in division 1 NCAA basketball.

[WarEagle13]

April 4, 2017

The Florence TimesDaily

North Alabama announces the hiring of new head coach Kevin McEwen

Florence, AL – As previous reports have speculated, the UNA Lions have introduced their new men’s head basketball coach. Kevin McEwen was introduced today at a press conference held in Flowers Hall in front of the men’s basketball team and the press.
McEwen, a former player and graduate assistant at Auburn University, and assistant at Troy University becomes the youngest division 1 men’s basketball coach at the age of 30.

McEwen recognized Coach Champagne, AD Landers, and the University of North Alabama expressing gratitude stating “I want to thank everyone involved in having the faith in me to lead the program into the new depths of division 1 NCAA Basketball. I believe in this university and program and am very excited to jump on board with this athletic department. I can't wait to get in the gym and start working with our team. We are going to play with fierce determination and heart, making all of our fans proud."

Coach McEwen met privately with the UNA team prior to the press conference. We expect to learn more about plans upcoming for the program. Many sources state he will be giving extra attention to the incoming class to attempt to maintain what Coach Champagne worked feverishly in the last year of his tenure to help carry them into the future.

More news is expected to be coming shortly as it is not clear who Coach McEwen will either hire or decide to keep on board to shore up his coaching staff.

[Magic Bird]

Good luck, Coach McEwen!

[WarEagle13]

April 11, 2017

The Florence TimesDaily

UNA’s Coach McEwen announces 2017-18 Staff

Florence, AL – It has been a week since the announcement of Kevin McEwen as the UNA men’s head basketball coach and today he has announced who will be heading up his staff for the upcoming 2017-18 season.

It comes as no surprise to many that the second and third assistants will remain on from the previous staff for the upcoming year. Coach McEwen has elevated Chris Lamphier from graduate assistant to the third assistant role. Lamphier is a graduate/player from the UNA program having graduated in 2011. Lamphier will be responsible for player development/training. Kyle Munchak will remain as the second assistant and will filling the role as Director of Scouting. Munchak has been on the Coach Champagne staff at UNA for the past 5 seasons and Coach McEwen has stated his value to know the conference, teams, and other coaching staffs will be invaluable in assisting him. The first assistant will be Damien Broderick who will be coming to UNA with Coach McEwen from Troy University where he served as second assistant on the Troy staff alongside McEwen for the past three seasons. While Coach McEwen has strong ties within the state of Alabama and the southeast region, he will be relying on Broderick to head up the recruiting department and work closely alongside him on the recruiting trail.

The UNA staff is expected to report to campus on Friday April 14, 2017 where Coach McEwen has called for a press conference to announce them and follow with discussions on the programs immediate plans for the upcoming summer heading into the 2017-18 season.

[WarEagle13]

April 14, 2017

The Florence TimesDaily

UNA Coach announces the primary focus to start will be recruiting

FLORENCE, AL - In a press conference today held at the University of North Alabama's Flowers Hall, Coach Kevin McEwen introduced his coaching staff and outlined his plans for the summer leading into the university's first campaign in division 1 basketball. It was clear early on that the primary focus for him and his staff was to hit the ground recruiting. "It is imperative that we begin recruiting hard, but more so in that we know what we are recruiting and where we are starting. We want to begin to develop a positive outlook to the local schools around the state of Alabama and the Southeast region," said McEwen. "With that said, we will not hesitate to uncover any stone to find the right athlete for our program and one that fills the academic needs for the student.'

With the entire team and staff in attendance, Coach McEwen also emphasized that everyone will be starting from a clean slate. "Starting today everyone on this team is equal. No upper classmen is above an under classman and there will be no senior preferential treatment. If you are a Freshman, it will not be assumed that you will be at the back of the line and at the end of the bench. We will implement a vigorous training program and we will tirelessly evaluate every individual to make sure we position them and the team in the best manner to move forward and grow academically and athletically. Every aspect of our daily lives as it pertains to basketball will be about team and only team" stated McEwen.

While the UNA previous staff brought in a large signing class of five freshman, four on scholarship and one walk-on, it is not clear how this young group is receiving the new changes. Sources close to the program state that Coach McEwen is planning to not only meet one-on-one with every member of the team, but specifically spend extra attention on the incoming class to validate what they feel is best for them and their futures. With the depth at some of the key positions, this class could see ample playing time immediately and it is not unrealistic to think none of the five will be redshirted. Front lining this class looks to be PG Jericho Gaskins from Huntsville, AL as the highest rated of the group incoming and projected to make the earliest impact. Also to note, both PG Jarvis Moulton from Decatur, AL and SG Tarik Hollander from Mobile, AL are expected to see ample minutes on the court this fall.

UNA has had recent success within the division II ranks, but are not expected to initially compete strongly in a currently weak mid-major Atlantic Sun Conference. The expectation for now has them projected to finish last and not make double digits in the win column. With the young talent and fresh minds on the staff, many in the Tri-Cities area hope and expect a different outcome.

[WarEagle13]

May 1, 2018

Coaches Journal

Current Player Evaluations

PG
SR – Wesley Hines (Haleyville, AL) - 6'1" / 185 lbs – 2.3 GPA Walk-On
Tends to over focus on offense
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, Triangle, 5 Out
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 1-2-2 Zone, 1-2-1-1 Press
Strengths – Solid free throw shooter and has a scorer’s mentality. Great fake and hesitations package
Weaknesses - Aggressiveness defensively can lead to foul problems and limited minutes

SO – Roberto Driscoll (Vicksburg, MS) - 6' 5" / 211 lbs - 2.7 GPA Scholarship
Athletic with good basketball IQ and court vision...needs better work ethic
[u]OFF Proficiencies - Motion, 5 Out, Triangle
DEF Proficiencies -[/u] M2M, 1-2-2 Zone, 1-2-1-1 Press
Strengths – Good touch, solid free throw shooter. Good Passing skills. Good steals
Weaknesses – Tendency to force shots and make poor decisions

FR – Jericho Gaskins (Huntsville, AL) - 6' 2" / 187 lbs - 2.6 GPA Scholarship
Athletic with good court vision...easy personality
OFF Proficiencies - Motion, 5 Out
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 2-3 Zone, M2M Press
Strengths – Good touch, solid free throw shooter. Great outside shooter. Good ball control
Weaknesses – Can be too aggressive offensively forcing bad shots

FR – Jarvis Moulton (Decatur, AL) - 6' 0" / 169 lbs - 2.2 GPA Scholarship
Athletic with good court vision...great work ethic
OFF Proficiencies - Motion, High Post
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 2-3 Zone, M2M Press
Strengths – Good vision and passing ability. Great ball handling skills. Adept at making steals
Weaknesses – Fairly one dimensional as a spot up shooter

SG
SR – Marcus Herringbone (Mobile, AL) - 6'5" / 204 lbs – 2.8 GPA Scholarship
Unselfish player with good court vision
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, 5 Out, Triangle
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 1-2-2 Zone, 1-2-1-1 Press
Strengths – Both fast and quick with good steal ability. Pushes the ball up the floor extremely fast
Weaknesses – Needs to improve his shooting

FR – Tarik Hollander (Mobile, AL) - 6'2" / 193 lbs – 2.3 GPA Scholarship
Unselfish player with good court vision
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, 5 Out
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 1-2-2 Zone, M2M Press
Strengths – Excels handling the ball, reads passing lanes
Weaknesses – Needs to improve his defensive skills

SF
SO – Ricardo Buckner (Huntsville, AL) - 6'6" / 218 lbs – 2.1 GPA Scholarship
Good shooter with good discipline
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, 5 Out, Triangle
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 1-2-2 Zone, 1-2-1-1 Press
Strengths – Strong rebounder
Weaknesses – Needs to improve his shooting

SO – Josh Perry (Corinth, MS) - 6'7" / 219 lbs – 2.8 GPA Scholarship
Good team player, good attitude
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, Triangle, 5 Out
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 1-2-2 Zone, 1-2-1-1 Press
[u]Strengths – Fights hard for rebounds, forces steals with defensive pressure
Weaknesses –[/u] Tends to over focus on offense, Free throw shooting needs to improve

PF
SR – Chris Morris (Florence, AL) - 6'7" / 235 lbs – 2.5 GPA Scholarship
Talented player, but needs to improve work ethic
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, 5 Out, Triangle
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 1-2-2 Zone, 1-2-1-1 Press
Strengths – Good free throw shooter, anticipates passes well forcing turnovers
Weaknesses – Streaky scorer

SO – Flanagan Dean (Chattanooga, TN) - 6'8" / 218 lbs – 2.9 GPA Scholarship
Well rounded and athletic with good work ethic
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, 5 Out, Triangle
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 1-2-2 Zone, 1-2-1-1 Press
Strengths – Good at drawing fouls and excellent free throw shooter, crashes boards hard, good defender
Weaknesses – Streaky Scorer

FR – Kevin Little (Cullman, AL) - 6'7" / 213 lbs – 2.9 GPA Walk-On
Very disciplined and durable, needs to apply himself more
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, Princeton
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 2-3 Zone, M2M Press
Strengths – Durability, improving free throw shooter
Weaknesses – A defensive liability on the court, weak rebounder

FR – DeShawn Riley (Jackson, TN) - 6'6" / 210 lbs – 2.2 GPA Scholarship
Good work ethic, can be very outspoken to the point of being disruptive
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, 5 Out
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 3-2 Zone, M2M Press
Strengths – Tough on the boards, good defender and shot blocker, good at drawing fouls
Weaknesses – Needs to improve his shot of the dribble, poor free throw shooter

C
JR – Adam Christian (Columbiana, AL) - 6'9" / 230 lbs – 2.4 GPA Scholarship
Personable, good inside the paint
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, 5 Out, Triangle
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 1-2-2 Zone, 1-2-1-1 Press
Strengths – Good jumper, good positioning on rebounds, solid defender and shot blocker
Weaknesses – Streaky scorer

JR – David Johnston (Jacksonville, AL) - 6'9" / 273 lbs – 2.4 GPA Scholarship
Good basketball IQ, good quickness for his size
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, 5 Out, Triangle
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 1-2-2 Zone, 1-2-1-1 Press
Strengths – Great at drawing fouls, explosive leaper with good timing
Weaknesses – Prone to shooting slumps

SO – Roland Resperleau (Lafayette, LA) - 6'10" / 263 lbs – 2.2 GPA Scholarship
Mind tends to wonder, needs focus
OFF Proficiencies – Motion, 5 Out, Triangle
DEF Proficiencies - M2M, 1-2-2 Zone, 1-2-1-1 Press
Strengths – Solid inside shooter, long arms and excellent hands
Weaknesses – Must develop better fundamentals