Casper Star-Tribune Online

Advanced Search

Casper College names three finalists

UW assistant Shaun Vandiver, shown here during a game on Dec. 29, 2007, is one of three finalists in Casper College's search for a new men's basketball coach. File, Star-Tribune.

Story Tools

Print this story

E-mail this story

Rate this story

Text Size

Share This Story:

trib.popular

By ERIC SCHMOLDT
Star-Tribune staff writer

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 7:07 AM MDT

This time, Casper College will look closer to home.

The school named three finalists for its vacant men's basketball coaching position on Monday, and all of them have called Wyoming home.

The finalists -- who will interview over the next three days -- include: Andy Jensen, former coach at Northwest College; Joel Davidson, current head coach at Sheridan College; and Shaun Vandiver, assistant men's coach at the University of Wyoming.

"(The in-state interest) makes you feel awfully good for the program," said Bill Landen, associate vice president of student services and athletic director at CC. "Casper College still has a great reputation.

"I think there's a lot of coaches out there that would love to come here and unfortunately we have just one position open."

The position is open because Gary Becker resigned earlier this month to take a teaching position in the college's business department.

The Thunderbirds hired Dwight Gunnare as their new women's coach on May 16, ending a search that included four finalists who all lived outside of Wyoming.

Two of the three finalists this week live in Wyoming and the third, Jensen, now lives in Salt Lake City.

"It was difficult to get it down to three, but the three we have are all outstanding coaches," Landen said. "Joel and Andy have both brought teams in here and have been very impressive and Coach Vandiver -- people are aware of him down at the University of Wyoming.

"So, three pretty strong candidates and three that come in at different angles to the interview."

Jensen, who coached Northwest for just the 2006-07 season, is currently a high school coach in Salt Lake City.

He spent five years as an assistant at Weber State -- where he was a two-year starter in college -- before taking over in Powell. He chose not to renew his one-year contract after leading Northwest to a 22-11 record.

"Andy is kind of an up-and-comer," Landen said. "He wasn't at Northwest College for very long, and his interest to get back into Region IX peaked the interest of the committee, simply because he was so successful when he was at Powell."

Jensen will interview on campus today, a process which includes a question-and-answer session with boosters and fans at noon in the T-Bird Gymnasium lobby.

Davidson will interview on Wednesday.

The Region IX veteran has led the Generals to one region championship and was part of a 60-game home winning streak.

"Joel is a very established coach in Region IX and has won a championship," Landen said. "He's been there quite a while so he knows what it takes to get to the big show."

Vandiver, who will round out the interview process on Thursday, just finished his third season as a full-time assistant at Wyoming and will be in search of his first head-coaching position.

He was also a graduate assistant at UW before stints as an assistant at Bowling Green and Northern Colorado.

"Coach Vandiver is so well-liked down at the University of Wyoming," Landen said. "He's a Division I assistant coach that happened to play at Hutchinson (Kan.) Junior College, so that's a different angle."

The NJCAA tournament takes place in Hutchinson every year.

"The three do represent different backgrounds and are at different positions in their careers," Landen said. "We're going to meet with all the groups on campus and just try to get the best selection made that we can for the future of the program."

Contact sports reporter Eric Schmoldt at (307) 266-0578 or eric.schmoldt@trib.com.

COACHING TRACKER

MONDAY: Casper College announced Andy Jensen, Joel Davidson and Shaun Vandiver as the three finalists in its search for a new men's basketball coach.

WYOMING TIES: Jensen coached Northwest College during the 2006-07 season, Davidson is currently the head coach at Sheridan College and Vandiver is a men's assistant coach at the University of Wyoming.

QUICK WORK: The three candidates will come to Casper to interview over the next three days. Jensen will interview today, Davidson on Wednesday and Vandiver on Thursday. The process includes a meet-and-greet for boosters and fans each day at noon in the T-Bird Gymnasium lobby.

HE SAID IT: "We're going to meet with all the groups on campus and just try to get the best selection made that we can for the future of the program." -- Bill Landen, CC vice president of student services and athletic director.


Jensen: Past won't effect future

Article Rating

Reader Comments

There are 10 comment(s)

Comments to this story.

LR wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:52 AM:

" Casper College fails to see the big picture. The "selection committee" was not going to be swayed by public pressure during this process. Casper College administration does not want to listen to the public on the small issues however they want our support on a 42 million dollar bond issue. To further the issue they solicit businesses in town evey year to "support" their atheletics but when the "supporters" would like input into a process they totally ignore the request. As a citizen, business owner and supporter of Casper College I will be asked to pay higher property taxes as a citizen and a business owner then come September I will be asked to renew my support of $1000 to support the atheletic teams. So when I want input into a process I am told sorry. Casper College just doesnt get it.

Casper College is in the process of hiring thier 4th coach in five years. Something is not working. The committee has continued to ignore quality canidates that want to be in Casper. Instead we are interviewing a canidate whose program (UW) hasnt graduated a player in five years (NCAA trouble) and has asked a prominent Wyoming raised athlete to leave the program. Another canidate who left after one year of coaching a JC program to become a high school coach and now wants back into the JC ranks. Once again, a short sighted view.

I am sad to see a program that once had such high expectations come to this, just a typical JC program. My support of CC will go away until their is an effort to make any program they have a top notch program. As for the 42 million dollar request, forget about it. Not a chance. "

Bob wrote on Jul 1, 2008 1:21 PM:

" I guess if you write a response that is so factual you might want to actually know your facts first of all. Just by reading this response, anyone could realize that you are an idiot and don't have a clue. This Prominent Wyoming raised athlete who departed ways with the Wyoming program was not asked to leave and transfered on his own behalf and anyone who watches basketball so closely such as yourself could realize the Mountain West was to talented of a conference for this kid to play in. Second of all, Vandiver was never the head coach at Wyoming so therefore he has no pull on how graduation rate goes and McClain was fired after his NCAA Trouble. Jensen may be a joke of a applicant but as far as Davidson and Vandiver, out of the field of applicants that Casper College received, I think two of the 3 are pretty descent but I'm not a basketball guru such as yourself. "

LR wrote on Jul 1, 2008 2:42 PM:

" No you are not! Nor are you a supporter of TBird basketball. "

Bud wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:24 PM:

" Bob: Is Bob your real name or do you go by Heath? I agree with LR. The Casper athlete from Casper was basically forced out. Wyoming basketball has had no success academically for years. No he wasnt the head coach but he was part of the program. Therefore he is somewhat responsible. I do hope you, I mean Heath, will have success. Wyoming deserves it. As for Casper, I am concerned about athletic programs. Frustrated and disappointed. "

Larry wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:25 PM:

" LR is has no idea what he is talking about I agree with Bob and LR's $1000 contribution is great I guess if we are donating money to a 7th grade junior high program. I don't think $ 1000 is going to bring in a Division 1 head coach and turn the Casper College program around. I agree the board has made some poor decisions in the past but these three candidates are well above average at the junior college level. Davidson is one of the top coaches at the juco level and Vandiver is one of the most well respected coaches around. A 1000 dollar donation...? I don't know maybe CC could get Coach K in with that? "

WyoStateFan wrote on Jul 2, 2008 10:01 AM:

" I'm writing in response to the July 1st comments from RW and Bring Back Stewart. Its disheartening to read comments defaming Coach Davidson and praising Doug Stewart when obviously you know nothing of the facts and just want to get your misinformed opinions on the message board. Doug Stewart was fired because of his disability to manage a college program. He was amazingly disorganized (especially in practice), demanded nothing of his players, had zero presense on and off the court, and in turn received nothing but disrespect from his disgruntled and angry players. I'd describe his program as "Chaotic" and nothing less. He could recruit however, but that didn't get him any wins. Joel Davidson on the other hand has had a wonderful coaching career at Sheridan College, winning 80 games in the last three years and capturing a Region IX Championship in the process. Watch one game he coaches and it is very evident that his players play 'for' him and show nothing but the utmost respect for Coach Davidson and Sheridan College. Casper College is the pinnacle of Junior College Programs when compared to any other Region IX Programs. Every college coach in America knows Sheridan College is a wonderful institution, but does not have the resources to build a nationally competitive team that Casper College can provide. There's no question Coach Davidson would do an absolutely fantastic job at Casper College. Shawn Vandiver would also be a great choice...he's a wonderful human being and has all the basketball knowledge in the world. "

WyoStateFan wrote on Jul 2, 2008 10:20 AM:

" P.S. Rottinghaus left Casper College for one reason only...Doug Stewart's incompetence. "

Joe wrote on Jul 4, 2008 10:13 AM:

" Rottinghaus is now out of coaching and Stewart is a lead assistant in the PAC-10, you decide... "

Bring Back Stewart wrote on Jul 4, 2008 11:16 AM:

" WYO State Fan- I agree Davidson or Ratcliff should get the job, but dont even try to understand the Stewart era. Stewart brought your program two amazing attributes he defeated Westren Nebraka #1 in the nation before your eyes, and he brought you a soon to be professional player Kevin Kloostra, and 4 division 1 players, in two short years, how many did landens boyfriend bring, 0. I think it is your incompetence that neglects the fact of a honest work ethic, Stewart was ridiculed from day one because of Landen, who felt that the opinion of Cornell Littlejohn, and Nate Wyrick were more important then that of the true players. Your school fired a good man because Becker needed a job, not because of incompetence. So hire Davidson who will be there for 1 year just like Johnson and split for his divison 1 job. "

Excuse me wrote on Jul 6, 2008 11:50 AM:

" Kevin Kloostra a professional player? Where might that be? In Candada? He didnt even want to attend a Division I school in America, Cal St. North.
Many of Dougs player's were recruited by Bill Johnson. i.e. Kenny Love. If you recall Doug was given the job after Bill left. There was no interview process. Doug would have never been here if it wasnt for Johnson.

I agree Doug S. got the hook to quickly but I dont believe he was the second comming. Sorry. "

Submit a Comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.

Please note: We provide our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.