Schneider leaving for Stephen F. Austin
By C.J. Moore
Originally published 12:56 p.m., April 19, 2010
Updated 03:24 p.m., April 19, 2010
Brandon Schneider is leaving Emporia State to take the head coaching position at Stephen F. Austin, a source close to the situation confirmed this afternoon.
Schneider, who could not be reached to comment on this story, is expected to be named the program’s new coach at a press conference on Tuesday. Schneider is in Nacogdoches, Texas, today and meeting with the school’s board of regents.
ESU athletic director Kent Weiser confirmed earlier on Monday that Schneider had interviewed last week and was a finalist for the job.
According to the The Daily Sentinel in Nacogdoches, Texas, the other two finalists were Delta State’s Sandra Rushing and Arkansas Tech’s Dave Wilbers. In a letter to the Russellville Courier, the hometown paper of Arkansas Tech, Wilbers said that he turned down an offer and would remain at Arkansas Tech.
Although Weiser would not confirm that Schneider is leaving, he did say he is preparing himself for a coaching search if that is the case.
“That’s certainly in the back of my mind, as it always is when you hear of a coach that is getting interest from other schools,” he said. “We sit back and ask what would be our next step. I’m thinking along those lines, but until there’s a final announcement, all that is kind of preliminary.”
If Schneider leaves, Weiser said that Schneider’s assistant Jory Collins would be considered for the job.
“Certainly when you have a program that is stable and doing outstanding things, one of the first things you do is look on staff to see if there’s someone to continue that kind of consistent level of excellence, when you have a program that is in good shape,” Weiser said.
“That’s one of the first things you want to do, to see if there’s someone on staff that’s interested and you could see moving up into that responsibility. When that time comes, we will look at all options.”
Schneider has had great success in the past 12 seasons as head coach at ESU and is fresh off winning his first National Championship this past season. He has a record of 306-72, has won six MIAA regular season titles, three MIAA tournaments and four Regional titles.
The Lady Hornets could already be in rebuilding mode next season, losing four senior guards to graduation, including All-American Cassondra Boston. They do return seven players off the National title team, including center Alli Volkens, the Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player.
Schneider will replace Lee Ann Riley, who resigned after the season. Riley went 149-116 in nine years at the school and the team went 18-11 this past season, winning a share of the Southland Conference regular season title with Lamar and a WNIT berth.
bobhornet (anonymous) says...
Hey Brandon--Please take Kent Weiser with you.
April 19, 2010 at 8:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cars (anonymous) says...
could we be that lucky I looked pay up on the state web site it pays better to be a football coach $84k with a losing record and a womens basket ball coach at 74K
April 19, 2010 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
There is a guy at my job that went to work at a different company. It wasn't written about in the paper though. I'm not sure why since this guy that is switching jobs gets a write up in the paper.
April 19, 2010 at 9:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jmcmannis (anonymous) says...
seriouslyfolks he probably got a write up because he brought ESU their first ever championship and than he decided to move on.
April 19, 2010 at 9:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
That guy that used to work at my job brought us doughnuts occasionally on Fridays. That ain't no kick in the shin let me tell ya. He will be missed ............. well ....... the doughnuts will be missed anyway, especially the maple iced ones mmmmmmmmmm those are good!
April 19, 2010 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Free4all (anonymous) says...
LOL, Well I hope him the best. He gave us some great memories that will be the talk for a long time.
GOOD LUCK!
April 19, 2010 at 11:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
UsayULoveGod (anonymous) says...
Say it an't so ! We will miss u !
April 20, 2010 at 12:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
I also have great memories of those doughnuts. OK before I get misty eyed and hungry I better stop thinking about it.
April 20, 2010 at 7:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hornets (anonymous) says...
bob,
I would love to see him take Weiser with him. Weiser has needed to go for a long time. I just hope they go find a good coach to bring in here. Maybe they can look for a new mens coach as well. :)
April 20, 2010 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
You know what really motivates players before the big match? Doughnuts, that's what. The sugar gives 'em a quick pick 'em up and the carbs gives them enough umph to to keep going the whole game. Not to mention the sticky on their hands help them grip the ball or puck or whatever better and when they smack an opponent in the face with a sticky hand it's like a slap .... in ..... the face .......but stickier. Wooo Hooo, that'll show them for messin' with "our" team. By gum it will.
April 20, 2010 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
Thanks for all you have done Brandon. Good luck at Stephen F. Austin. Emporia will miss you!
April 20, 2010 at 10:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ESUGrad77 (anonymous) says...
I heard that the guy who has been Corky is also leaving for a Division I school too.
What a shame, we will miss him, he was the best Corky we ever had!
April 20, 2010 at 1:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
SFA had an RPI in the #160s our of 346 D-I WBB teams. Good team now not a rebuilding job
Edward McKernan
April 20, 2010 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
SFA had an RPI in the #160s out of 346 D-I WBB teams. Good team now not a rebuilding job
Edward McKernan
April 20, 2010 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sloan (anonymous) says...
Good luck, Brandon! You were a great coach for ESU and will be missed.
April 20, 2010 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CCHornet (anonymous) says...
Bob & Hornets--- Am I missing something? I guess because possibly the two worst teams are Men's Basketball and Football, that Weiser needs to go? What about all the success that V-ball, Women's basketball, Track & Field, Softball, and Baseball have had? Weiser did an outstanding job of keeping Brandon here as long as he did! We very rarely hear of any athletes that are in trouble or coaches that violated NCAA regulations. Weiser runs the athletic department in a very professional and competitive manner.
I guess I'm missing where his firing should come into play?
April 21, 2010 at 6:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )