Dartmouth Hires New Coach

[mvlsports]

Hanover Times Newspaper

Dartmouth Names New Coach
Athletic Director's Days are Numbered
By: Times Staff Writer, J.B. Smith

http://www.ohioexpressbasketball.com/Mark/images/dartmouth.png
Hanover, NH - Desperate times call for desperate measures. After having the mens basketball program at the bottom of the Ivy League for the past couple of seasons, Dartmouth's athletic director decided a change was needed. Unfortunately, he didn't know that only a handful of people would apply for the position and none with previous coaching experience at the college level.

With a small amount of candidates to choose from, only one of the candidates met the school's requirements for coaching candidates and was hired. The requirements state that a minimum education of a bachelor's degree would be acceptable.

The athletic director named 25 year-old Mark Lane as the schools new head coach on Tuesday. He stated that although Lane was the only candidate with the appropriate education for the position that he was also the most experienced candidate and would have probably edged out the other candidates anyhow.

Just how much experience can a 25 year-old candidate have? Lane, who is from east-central Ohio is best known for his success on the GBA and AAU girls basketball circuit and was previous a varsity assistant and freshman boys basketball coach at Philo High School. Not exactly the type of experience you want a DI college coach to have.

Has the university became so bad that it can no longer attract experienced coaches to guide its athletic program? With the announcement of this hiring, one has to think that the athletic director's days at Dartmouth are numbered.

Lane is expected to hold a press conference on Thursday to announce that he has been hired as the new basketball coach and to answer questions from the media.

[mvlsports]

Hanover Times Newspaper

Lane Leaves Press Conference
By: Times Staff Writer, J.B. Smith

Two days after being named the new mens basketball head coach at Dartmouth, coach Mark Lane stormed out of a press conference on Thursday.

Several members of the media were on hand for the press conference that was held by the Dartmouth athletic director and Lane.

Lane gave a speech before opening the floor to questions from the media. In the speech he mentioned that although he is inexperienced that he has helped build programs from the ground up and that he understands the work involved. "I may not have the desired experience, but I have desire and work ethic to make up for it. This program will see dramatic improvements THIS YEAR." Lane also mentioned that he understands the importance of recruiting and with New Hampshire being such a small state that the focus will likely be on recruiting outside of the state.

When the press conference was opened to the media for questions, several reporters began to question the decision to hire Lane. One reporter asked, "how do you plan on not being the worst hiring in the history of the school's athletic program?" An irrate Lane said, "just be in attendance during the season," and left the room.

One has to wonder, will Lane be the worst hiring the school has seen or will he somehow turn the program around? As of now, things aren't looking good, the inexperienced Lane has already shown that he can't handle the pressures of coaching at the college level. How will Lane handle himself at a press conference after a loss?

Things are definitely changing in Hanover, but it looks like it's not for the best.

[mvlsports]

Dartmouth has announced the hiring of assistant mens basketball coaches Martynas Gruber and Erroll Oliphant. Both coaches were chosen by head coach Mark Lane to assist in the development of the program.

[mvlsports]

Roster and schedule to come later tonight.

[Fry Pujols]

Keep this up

[CincyFan]

i am always up on following a new legacy

[skarface2k1]

lets get it started.Coach Sanders of Indiana is following.

[mvlsports]

Dartmouth Big Green
2006-2007 Mens Basketball Roster

Head Coach: Mark Lane
Assistant Coach: Martynas Gruber
Assistant Coach: Erroll Oliphant

No. Name Pos. Overall Class Height
#23 Melvin Cottrill SG 67 Jr. 6-2
#30 Shaun Ames SG 60 So. 6-1
#2 V.J. Sheridan PF 59 So. 6-8
#32 Marqus Head C 59 Fr. 6-9
#25 Longar Hancock SG 59 Jr. 5-11
#15 Dez Gai SG 57 Jr. 6-4
#1 Tron Reed SF 57 So. 6-5
#31 Gilson Howard SF 57 Sr. 6-5
#22 Dustin Myers PG 55 So. 6-1
#5 Blake Tigert PG 54 Fr. 5-11
#41 D'Jamal Owensworth C 54 So. 6-9
#3 Vytas Sokolov SG 53 So. 6-4
#34 Darius Volpenhein PF 52 Jr. 6-9
#4 Fernandez McCullough PG 52 Fr. 6-0
#14 Robbie Bonfim PF 52 So. 6-8

[mvlsports]

Sorry I couldn't get all of the columns to line up, I tried messing around with the table but wasn't very successful.

[mvlsports]

Dartmouth Big Green
2006-2007 Mens Basketball Schedule

Head Coach: Mark Lane
Assistant Coach: Martynas Gruber
Assistant Coach: Erroll Oliphant

Date Opponent
November 18, 2006 Colgate
November 22, 2006 Siena
November 25, 2006 at Hartford
December 1, 2006 vs. ND State
December 10, 2006 at James Madison
December 14, 2006 Stony Brook
December 18, 2006 Quinnipiac
December 21, 2006 at Vermont
December 30, 2006 at MD-Eastern Shore
January 2, 2007 Army
January 6, 2007 vs. Harvard
January 12, 2007 at Harvard
January 16, 2007 New Hampshire
January 26, 2007 Brown
January 27, 2007 Yale
February 2, 2007 Cornell
February 3, 2007 Columbia
February 9, 2007 at Penn
February 10, 2007 at Princeton
February 16, 2007 at Yale
February 17, 2007 at Brown
February 23, 2007 Princeton
February 24, 2007 Penn
March 2, 2007 at Columbia
March 3, 2007 at Cornell

[mvlsports]

Coach Lane's Daily Journal
Entry #3
Recruiting Needs

As I glance at our roster, I can't help to notice that we don't have any big men over 6'9" and our best point guard just isn't going to get the job done. My first priority will be to sign a guard that can run the show for us. Secondly, I will look for a dominate big man with better size then what we currently have.

I'm happy with our current situation at the two guard position and won't look to sign a two guard immediately, unless there is a stud that I just can't pass up on. I may also convert a two guard to the one guard slot if I sign one.

I may look to add to the three guard slot, we're deep in the position, but not very skilled.

I always said give me a guard to handle the ball and a big man inside and I'm a happy coach. It's time to hit the recruiting trail for that ball handler and big man.

[mvlsports]

Coach Lane's Daily Journal
Entry #4
Recruiting Efforts

Only have one scholarship to offer is making my job difficult, I have three recruits that I would like to bring in and each of them could contribute immediately next year.

Target List
#1 Jerod Sinville (JC SO) - 3* PG from Nashua, NH. Local kid who currently has an interest level of 60% in the program. Jerod would start at the PG spot for us next year if he signs.

#2. Uka Nicholson (HS SR) - 3* C from Chicopee, MA. Another local kid who is slightly more interested in our program than Sinville (61%). Nicholson stands at 7'0" and would dominate our conference for four years, where Sinville would only have two years of eligibility. The thought of a 7'0" center for four years has me pumped.

#3 Jackie Holland (JC FR) - 3* PG from Chesapeake, VA. Jackie is a solid ball handler and like Sinville would immediately start at PG for us.

As for our current PG situation, Melvin Cottrill has been moved from the SG slot (67 ovr.) to the PG slot (64 ovr.). Although we're moving our best player from his comfort zone, we want the ball in Melvin's hands as much as possible. Melvin is also much better at the point guard slot than Dustin Myers and this will allow us to focus on signing the 7-foot Nicholson.

[mvlsports]

Hanover Times Newspaper
November 19, 2006

Dartmouth Wins Thiller!
Howard Hits Game Winner

In a low scoring affair the Dartmouth Big Green came out victorious against the Colgate Raiders last night. The game was much more exciting than the 17-16 score would indicate. Gilson Howard, the team's lone senior hit the game winner with 35.6 seconds on the clock to lift the Big Green to 1-0 on the season.

The Big Green benefited from several adjustments that new coach Mark Lane made at halftime. "I noticed we were capable of running on these guys and I turned the horses loose in the second half. They're 1-1-3 zone and stalled offensive attacked really slowed things down and I think that hurt us. We also changed from our diamond press to a full-court trapping press and was able to force a few turnovers in the second half."

Melvin Cottrill was brilliant for the Big Green and led all scorers with eight points, all coming in the second half. An estatic Cottrill said, "Coach Lane did an excellent job of making adjustments at the half, he believes in us and places his trust in us. I told him we could run on these guys and he allowed us to do so, we won this game tonight because of the wide open lay-ups we received in the second half in transistion."

Starting center, Marqus Head didn't get in on the scoring but led the team with six rebounds. "I thought our rebounding as a team was excellent tonight, there was one rebound where any one of us could have grabbed the ball, we were in position to rebound all night tonight." said Head.

Shooting guard, Shaun Ames chipped in with seven points, including a big three-point field goal in the first half. "We started slow, their zone hurt us all night, we need to work on our shooting. The ball went to the high post and Marqus (Head) did an excellent job of finding me on the opposite wing."

The Big Green trailed 8-7 at the half, but after pushing the ball on the fast break, the team enjoyed a 15-10 lead with just a little over two minutes remaining. Then the Raiders went on a 6-0 run in the next 90-seconds to take a one point. The Raiders shot a three on the next possession, the rebound was long and Cottrill found a streaking Howard for an uncontested lay-up to take the lead. The Big Green's defense forced the Raiders to shoot an undesirable shot from outside, rebounded the ball and held on for the win.

The Big Green (1-0) host Siena (1-0) next Wednesday.

[mvlsports]

BTW, I'm only playing 7 minute halves and left the rest of the settings at the default. I'm not playing any games, I'm just coaching.

[mvlsports]

Complete Stats from the Colgate Game

Cottrill- 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 3-7 shooting, 0-1 3pt. shooting, 2-2 FT shooting.

Ames- 7 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3-5 shooting, 1-3 3pt. shooting.

Reed- 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 0-2 shooting, 0-2 3pt. shooting.

Sheridan- 3 rebounds (1 offensive), 1 turnover, 0-3 shooting, 0-1 3 pt. shooting.

Head- 6 rebounds (1 offensive), 1 assist.

Howard- 2 points, 1 rebound, 1-1 shooting.

Tigert- 0-1 shooting, 0-1 3 pt. shooting.

Volpenhein- 1 turnover.

Owensworth, Hancock, and Gai all played in the game and contributed defensively.

Myers did not play.

[mvlsports]

Hanover Times Newspaper
November 23, 2006

Big Green Downed By Siena
Three ball hurts Dartmouth

The Big Green started another game slow in the first half; this time they paid the consequences. Trailing 10-4 at the half, the Big Green (1-1) made yet another run but never led as they fell victim to Siena (2-1).

Trailing just 17-16 with just under a minute left, Shaun Ames was plowed over on a screen that freed his man for an uncontested three pointer. Siena took advantage and knocked down the three, one of two made in the second half, and that was all she wrote. The Big Green trimmed the lead to one point twice in the second half, only to watch Siena knock down triples both times.

"Siena shot the ball well, their bigs attack the basket, and their balance keeps you honest defensively." stated Coach Mark Lane. "Our kids played well in the second half again, we have to show up for both halves, and when we do we're capable of playing with anybody on our schedule. I'm proud of the effort these kids gave tonight, it would have been easy to give up and lay down, but they fought back and almost pulled out the win."

Melvin Cottrill led the team in scoring again, he was joined by Ames and Dez Gai with four points apiece. V.J. Sheridan and Longar Hancock each added two points in the loss. The Big Green shot just 8 of 22 from the field for just over 36% and had seven turnovers.

A depleted Ames said, "We just can't shoot the ball very well right now, we've been working in practice at knocking down the open shot, and we're getting better, but it seems like we're all in a funk right now. When we starting shooting well, nobody will be able to stop us."

Siena used a 2-3 zone for a majority of the game and executed well in the first half offensively to take a 10-4 lead into halftime. They knocked down shots when they needed them and kept the Big Green from leading. Chase Falls led Siena with seven points.

The Big Green (1-1) are scheduled to play at Hartford (3-0) on Saturday.

[mvlsports]

Coach Lane's Daily Journal
Entry #5

Player Evaluations

We have some kids that can play here, but nobody wants to lead.

Melvin Cottrill is a solid play with all the ability in the world, he was willing to sacrifice moving to the point guard slot, but doesn't attack the basket and doesn't create shots for others very well.

Marqus Head is the hardest working kid we have on the team, but he doesn't look to score and hasn't shot once this season. He leads the team in rebounding and does what he's asked to do, but it'd be nice to see him attack the basket.

Shaun Ames works hard too and looks like an All-Conference calibur player in practice but looks completely different in game situations.

The rest of our players work hard but lack the skills that we need to be Ivy League contenders year-after-year. I hope to land Uka Nicholson this week, he's highly interested in our program but has another listed one higher than us. If we had the inside presence this kid brings, we'd be a lot tougher to defend.

[mvlsports]

In game update courtesy of DartmouthAthleticWebsite.com.

Hartford 13
Dartmouth 11

Hartford was up 10-3, coach Lane moved Ames to the point and Cottrill to the two guard, the moved has paid dividends. Cottrill hit a turn-around jumper to make it 10-5, the team was able to set up into a 2-2-1 zone press, forced two consecutive turnovers that led to four points making the score 10-9. Hartford hit a three and Dartmouth got a lay-up off of an offensive put back to end the half at 13-11.

Check back for more updates throughout the course of the game.

[mvlsports]

Big Green loses again!

From DartmouthAthleticWebsite.com

Dustin Myers provided eight points and a spark off of the bench, but it wasn't enough as Hartford downed Dartmouth 25-21 tonight.

Down 15-11, Myers nailed a three and stole the ensuing inbounds pass, got to the basket and finished and was fouled. Myers hit the free throw and put the Big Green up 17-15. Hartford went on a 10-4 run and stole a game from the Big Green.

[mvlsports]

Hanover Times Newspaper

Dartmouth WINS!

Dartmouth cameback in the second half to defeat North Dakota State 31-23 in the opening round of the Pepsi Blue and Gold Classic.

Coach Lane was pleased with the effort in the second half, "we played well defensively in the second, the important thing was that we got back in transistion, we didn't do very well getting back defensively in the first half and gave up a ton of points early."

Shaun Ames was huge with 12 points including 4-4 from the free throw line in the final minute to seal the deal. Melvin Cottrill added seven points in the win. Several other players chipped in with a basket or two and helped balance the teams scoring attack.

Prior to the game, Lane changed the starting line-up. "We moved Justin Myers into the starting PG slot, put Cottrill in his natural position at the two-guard, and moved Ames to the 3-slot. We also started Owensworth in the post for Head, I think Head got the picture as he started to look for the basket offensively."

Dartmouth (2-2) will face the Big Ten's Northwestern (2-5) in the finals of the tournament.

[mvlsports]

We lost to Northwestern by 1 point, had a look from 10 feet but Head missed the shot.

I've never seen a team that misses so many lay-ups, if I had any kind of presence in the post, we'd be unbeaten right now.

[mvlsports]

Coach Lane's Daily Journal
Entry #6

As if losing the championship game of the Pepsi Blue and Gold Classic isn't bad enough, I just found out that Uka Nicholson has signed a letter of intent to play at SPC. We really need a big man inside and we'd have a tough time bringing in any of the bigs from this year's recruiting class.

The plan now is to sign Jerod Sinville, a 3* junior-college sophomore point-guard, and then fill the big man slot with high school junior Cartier McElroy next year. I hope McElroy grows an inch or two in the summer, he's 6'9". Even if he doesn't grow, skill-wise he will be an upgrade from the post players we have now.

We were set on having Nicholson in our starting line-up next year. Looks like we better plan on the possibility of starting four guards!

[mvlsports]

I decided to simulate the remainder of year one.

Melvin Cottrill was injured and missed 25 days in December and January.

We ended the season at 8-6 (3rd in Conference, only one game out of first) and 13-13 overall.

Duke won the National Championship.
The Player of the Year was from Rice.
2kSports Player of the Year was from LSU.
The Coach of teh Year was from Louisville.

Gilson Howard graduated from the university.
Owensworth and Bonfim left the team. (MORE SCHOLARSHIPS!)

Jerod Sinville signed with us. With the extra scholarship I gained with the two players above left, I was able to pursue Jackie Hollard, who I was still after in case Sinville didn't work out. Holland signed with LW. I did sign Jean-Baptiste Lagana, a 2* SF from Boston, MA. Sinville is rated 68 overall (much better than the 55 overall Myers) and Lagana is a 55 overall.

Florida had the top recruiting class.

[mvlsports]

From here on out I'll simulate all games with occasional updates, recaps, etc.

[mvlsports]

Dartmouth head coach Mark Lane was fired Friday for NCAA recruiting violations. Cartier McElroy stated that Lane had given him an automobile and cash for signing his letter of intent with Dartmouth. An investigation was requested but once Lane heard of the allegations against the program, he admitted to giving McElroy a sports-utility vehicle and $5,000 for signing his letter of intent.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Basically, I just wanted to end the online posting. I'll continue to coach Dartmouth and signed four, 3* players this past season, so the future is looking bright.

[chestnutz6]

uhhhhh ok?

[knox33]

mlv, enjoyed it while it lasted. Wish you would have gone on with it, but I can understand.

[guckin1989]

You could do a sim/play legacy..

I know what it feels like to start playing then get bored and then continue to sim non stop.

But anyways i guess you will be missed =/

[CincyFan]

i too am sad. whats with the simulating anyways especially every year. i can understand if you get angry for how bad your team is when you play against great teams. but with simming you don't connect to players or watch them grow. all in all good luck though