11 Purdue again in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament. Warning: The following article contains detailed allegations related to sexual assault, bullying and gun violence. He also was named the NABC District 7 Coach of the Year and Reggie Lynch was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. "This is the perfect time for a transition in Lobo Basketball," Weir said in a news release sent out the Albuquerque Journal. Heiar's first NCAA Division I coaching assignment sent the Iowan to Hattiesburg, Miss., for a spot on Larry Eustachy's staff. Richard Pitino is a proven winner with a track record of success on the court, including deep tournament runs and wins over nationally ranked programs, as well as proven success off the court by creating a tremendous student-athlete experience and supporting them as they earn their degrees. New Mexico State hired Heiar from Northwest Florida State, where in 2021-22 he led the Raiders to the junior college national championship, the third in the school's history. As we announced earlier this year, the university is working withGreenberg Traurig to look into these allegations. ", The chancellor added that the school will work to "ensure that support systems are in place to prevent this from happening again.". *includes games listed in all-time results with no head coach listed, Copyright 2023 The University of New Mexico. Heiar will become the 27th head men's basketball coach at NMSU. Between Louisville stops, Pitino spent two seasons at Florida coaching under Billy Donovan. Under Pitino, UNM brought nine new incoming recruits to Albuquerque in hopes to improve upon a 616 record left by the coaching regime the previous year. Pitino spent eight seasons as Minnesota's coach and led the program to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2017 and 2019 before posting losing records the past two seasons. Names tossed around to replace Paul Weir at New Mexico. Academically, 14 student-athletes under Pitino earned Academic All-Big Ten honors over his first seven seasons, including a school-record five in 2019-20. He has seen his players named Big Ten Player of the Week 16 times and Big Ten Freshman of the Week nine times. Regardless, the filing of the report prompted Arvizu to launch a university investigation into the basketball team; at the same time, NMSU placed Heiar and his staff on paid administrative leave and suspended team activities. Defendants NMSU and Heiar, Sexual Assault, Battery and False Imprisonment Plaintiffs Benjamin Jr. and Odunewu vs. Cimarron High Schools head coach is currently in his 44th season. 5 Michigan State and No. 13 Purdue, No. A Dec. 9, 2022 report by ESPN indicates Avery, Muhammad and Roy were seen on video in a yellow Camaro in the same parking lot Travis was shot and killed. Greg Heiar controversy, explained: Why NMSU fired coach, canceled season amid alleged hazing, shooting scandals, March Madness bracket predictions 3.0: Projecting the Field of 68 for 2023 NCAA Tournament, According to a police report filed by the accuser, Best conference ever? This was a rebuild that, on paper, looked like it would take time, with few . The Panthers took out top-seed Middle Tennessee State in the semifinals and just missed their first Sun Belt title, as well as their second trip to the big dance, losing 65-63 to Western Kentucky in the championship game. "On one occasion during the summer of 2022, Shak was taking a shower in the Aggie locker room, when Doctor Bradley, and Kim Aiken, Jr. ripped the shower curtain aside. The lawsuit alleged that Bradley filmed that incident. Additionally, five players were drafted into the NBA G League. Since doing so, Jans has ushered in an unprecedented run of success in Las Cruces by winning an . The 2017-18 season saw Minnesota ranked in the preseason at No. LAS CRUCES New Mexico State has hired Northwest Florida State College men's basketball head coach Greg Heiar to succeed Chris Jans. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves. Pitino, 38, brings with him to the Duke City a wealth of experience in the Division I coaching ranks, including plenty of postseason experience. New Mexico State, on Tuesday, announced the firing of first-year basketball coach Greg Heiar after he was hired to the position on March 27, 2022. 51 selection in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics earn first team All-SEC honors in 2019. At times, some were around when the attacks were going on and they did nothing to look into what was happening nor to stop it," the lawsuit alleged. Further released details, via ESPN, indicate once Peake arrived, the students Travis, two of his friends and a 17-year-old female attacked him with bats. , Photos: Sky News 13 flies over Good Friday pilgrimages, PHOTOS: Storm moves through New Mexico leaving snow, Snow causes difficult driving conditions across NM, Map: New Mexico Veterans Monuments and Memorials, BestReviews.com - Top gifts to make everyone happy this spring, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day, Mothers Day inspo: This foot massager has 20,000, Drew Barrymores Walmart collection is perfect for, Best Mothers Day gifts for the budding plant mom, 13 Broadcast Pl SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 19 Iowa. ABC News was not immediately able to reach Heiar for comment. Through his six years as an NCAA Division I men's basketball coach, Jans' record of 143-44 (.765) allowed him to boast the nation's fifth-best winning percentage among active DI head coaches. Last season in 2020-21, Minnesota climbed up to No. NMSU chancellor Dan Arvizu had previously suspended team operations amid an investigation into an alleged hazing incident involving members of the team. While attending Santa Fe College, he started thinking about coaching and minored in it. The Golden Gophers defeated Pitinos former school, Louisville, in the First Round before falling to No. Pitino was named Minnesotas head coach in March of 2013 after one season as the head coach at Florida International. While at Providence he served as a student manager under Tim Welsh before beginning his coaching career the following year. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. That squad was ranked the entire season, getting as high as No. E-Mail. "I am grateful to Chancellor Arvizu and Mario Moccia for entrusting me as the leader of one of the most respected college basketball programs in the nation," commented Heiar. 925-5750. Winners of the Big East regular season title, Louisville also won the Big East Tournament title, defeating Syracuse in the title match. position. The 2019-20 season was highlighted by the play of Daniel Oturu, who earned Third Team All-America honors from CBS and The Sporting News, becoming the first Golden Gopher named All-America since Kris Humphries was named Honorable Mention in 2004. For complete coverage of NM State men's basketball as the Aggies prepare for year one under Heiar, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Men's Basketball), Twitter (@NMStateMBB) and Instagram (@NMStateMBB). His first season at the helm of the Golden Gophers saw Minnesota go 25-13, setting a school record for wins as Minnesota won the second NIT Championship in school history. Aiken, Bradley and Washington would prey on Deuce, hold him down, pull his shorts down and expose his bare buttocks. The New Mexico State Board of Regents, former head coach Greg Heiar, former assistant coach Dominique Taylor and former players DeShawndre Washington, Doctor Bradley and Kim Aiken Jr., were named as defendants. The Shockers were one of the top winningest programs in the country during Heiar's six-year run as their 179 wins was tied for the third-most nationally only behind Gonzaga (187) and Kentucky (185). University of New Mexico men's basketball coach Richard Pitino will not be on the sideline for Saturday night's Lobo basketball game against Utah State after testing positive for COVID-19. Any further decisions regarding the remainder of the coaching staff will be made after additional investigations are concluded. That run allowed Heiar to be named the Coach of the Tournament - an award presented to the best NJCAA bench boss at the national tournament since 1959. 15, climbing to No. He has seen his players named Big Ten Player of the Week 16 times and Big Ten Freshman of the Week nine times. Pitino was fired Monday by Minnesota after eight seasons at the school. That prompted a shootout between Peake and Travis, with Peake fatally shooting the latter. 2022/2023 Tailgating Regulations. 7 Apr. Richard William Pitino (born September 16, 1982) is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos men's team. In 2020-21, Minnesota climbed up to No. Overall at Minnesota, Pitino picked up 19 wins over ranked opponents, including five top-10 opponents. Men's Basketball at Eastern New Mexico University February 20, 2023 7:30 PM MT. It humiliates and degrades someone and has the potential to cause physical and emotional harm, or even death. 0:49. The 24 wins marked the second time in his career that his team surpassed the previous school record for wins. 22 Wisconsin (on the road) and No. He lasted less than one year on the job. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Right now, Minnesota was the only Big Ten team to be winless on the road, going 010 in the regular season.[9]. Requests for comment to Heiar, Taylor and Bradley by the Sun-News were not immediately returned. 24 Nebraska before defeating No. The national title was Northwest Florida State College's third in the history of the program, giving the program the third-most national titles among all NJCAA Division I programs. [1] From 2013 to 2021, he was head coach of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team. My wife Jill, our children and I are very excited to join the Lobo Family, said Pitino. Aiken and Bradley pinned him down and pulled his pants and underwear down to his ankles. Twice Pitino had players named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and twice players were named to the All-Big Ten Defensive Team. LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) - After a scandal-plagued men's basketball season for New Mexico State University, new coach Jason Hooten is vowing a dramatic change in culture. Their work is underway and running in parallel to our own internal investigation into this matter.". That squad also turned in the highest GPA in Minnesota mens basketball program history. T18th in defensive 3-point field goal percentage (.320) Benjamin was a target of abuse by the same three teammates, according to the complaint, which began in the summer of 2022 and escalated until February 2023. All players' names were redacted. Now new head coach Jason Hooten is tasked with rebuilding the program to its former glory. PORTALES, N.M. . They would slap his buttocks and grab his scrotum and twist it, inflicting great pain. A+ Aggie Program. Brown will join Andy Hill and Isaac Chew and complete the new trio of assistant coaches . "I think we're right on track. NM State Collection. MORE:March Madness bracket predictions 3.0: Projecting the Field of 68 for 2023 NCAA Tournament. Special Assistant to the Head Coach. In 2005, he was hired by coach Ron Everhart to serve as assistant coach at Northeastern University and followed Everhart to Duquesne University the following year. April 28, 2023. On Monday, the school also announced the signing of Jacksonville State and Wichita State transfer Clarence 'Monzy' Jackson. Two days after that, the Aggies fired Heiar. Richard Pitino has been hired as the next head coach of the New Mexico men's basketball program less than 24 hours after Minnesota announced his firing, the program announced on Tuesday. Said chancellor Arvizu of Heiar's firing: As I've stated previously, hazing has no place on our campus, and those found responsible will be held accountable for their actions. 5 Michigan State and No. A two-year captain and eventual team MVP at Mount St. Clare College, Heiar helped lead his team to its first conference title in the history of the program before graduating from the institution in 2000. 925-5750. Minnesota was selected as an at-large into the 2019 NCAA Tournament, earning a 10-seed. 4 overall. The New Mexico State University Board of Regents said in a statement that it "supports the action taken by the university leaders and is confident a full and thorough investigation will be conducted." Another former New Mexico coach, Dave Bliss, won NCAA Tournament games with the Lobos in four straight seasons from 1996-99, and was then hired by Baylor in the Big 12 -- although his tenure with the Bears then ended in scandal. In his statement, Arvizu added, "hazing is a despicable act. in history in 2005. There, as the head coach at Northwest Florida State College, Heiar led his troops to the NJCAA Division I National Championship which concluded a 31-5 season for the Raiders. 19 Iowa. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. University of New Mexico Director of Athletics Eddie Nuez has announced that Richard Pitino, who has been a part of several championships and Power 5 programs, has been named as the 22nd head coach of the Lobo men's basketball team. The matter is still under investigation by law enforcement. From 2013 to 2021, he was head coach of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team. Academic Support Program & Services Center. Dr. Paul Weir coached his last game as the New Mexico basketball head coach this past week. Prior to LSU, Heiar spent six seasons as an assistant at Wichita State where the Shockers reached historic heights during his tenure. ABC News' Nick Kerr contributed to this report. The Raiders' NJCAA Division I National Championship was the culmination of a remarkable turnaround from the previous campaign. A 17-year-old was arrested and charged with aggravated battery and conspiracy in connection to the shooting, and no additional arrests have been announced. "NMSU policy strictly prohibits hazing, in all forms, and it's something we simply will not tolerate.". His first season at the helm of the Golden Gophers saw Minnesota go 25-13, setting a school record for wins as Minnesota won the second NIT Championship in school history. Another former New Mexico coach, Dave Bliss, won NCAA Tournament games with the Lobos in four straight seasons from 1996-99, and was then hired by Baylor in the Big 12 -- although his tenure with . According to an August report from the Las Cruces Sun News (N.M.), Heiar was guaranteed $300,000 a year for five years in salary by the school. The following season saw Louisville ascend to No. According to the complaint, Odunewu met with investigators and informed them of the abuse and the fact that he had reported the abuse to members of the coaching staff, including Heiar. I ask that all of our fans join me in welcoming Greg, his wife, Jessica, and his daughter, Alexis, to Las Cruces. Coach Brazil then went on to coach the Springer Red Devils, winning the state championship in 2002 and 2004. According to the lawsuit the three forced Odunewu "onto the floor in the back of the bus. He comes to UNM after an eight-year stint at the University of Minnesota, where he went 141-123 with two NCAA Tournament berths and an NIT Championship. Contests & Promotions, 2023, NPG of Texas, L.P. El Paso, TX USA, What El Paso city officials are saying over community concerns of how the disaster declaration will affect them, Car rolls over at the summit of Transmountain, Police identify man found with gunshot wounds, NMSU 2023-24 Mens Basketball Team Tracker. The men's basketball team competes in the NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference. The Benjamins and Odunewu are asking for compensation over damages,as well as punitive damages leveled against NMSU over allegations of negligence. Entertainment All Rights Reserved. Defendants NMSU and Heiar, Loss of Consortium Brought Pursuant to the Tort Claims Act Plaintiff William Benjamin vs. Zac Al-Khateeb is a content producer for The Sporting News. ABC-7 spoke 1-on-1 with coach Hooten roughly three weeks into his tenure. The following season in 2009-10, Florida won the SEC regular season championship and went 29-8 overall, advancing the Elite Eight, losing to a Cinderella Butler squad 74-71 in overtime. We are saddened and disappointed that hazing continues to be a part of our society at any level. I want to extend my sincere thanks to President Stokes, Eddie Nuez and David Williams for extending this opportunity. The Lobos beat National Runner Up San Diego St on the road and also defeated NCAA tournament team Boise St during conference play. New Mexico announced Tuesday the hiring of Pitino as its men's basketball coach. VanVleet, a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, signed with the Toronto Raptors where he won a 2019 NBA Championship, while Baker who was a top-10 all-time leading scorer at Wichita State signed with the New York Knicks and also spent a season with the Washington Wizards. Minnesota was selected as an at-large into the 2019 NCAA Tournament, earning a 10-seed. [8] This was just the second Big Ten coach of the year award in Minnesota school history, and Minnesota's first since 1982. New Mexico raced out to a 14-0 start with signature wins vs St. Mary's, Iona (coached by Pitino's father, legendary Rick Pitino), and Oral Roberts, all NCAA Tournament teams. That squad also turned in the highest GPA in Minnesota mens basketball program history. That press conference will take place on the floor of the Pan American Center and will be open to the public. 8 Wisconsin, No. Defendants Aiken, Bradley and Washington, Vicarious Liability Under Theory of Aiding in Agency Plaintiffs Benjamin Jr. and Odunewu vs. Defendent NMSU, Violation of New Mexico Civil Rights Act Plaintiffs Benjamin Jr. and Odunewu vs. Defendent NMSU. Along the way, the Golden Gophers knocked off three top-20 teams in No. Louisville was the No. The Lobos had three all league performers in Mashburn, House and Newcomer Morris Udeze (Wichita St Transfer). 1 in the national polls, eventually going 31-6 overall. in history in 2005. After a debut season in Albuquerque that saw the Lobos more than double their win total and climb over 140 spots in the NET, Pitino looks to continue to build on that foundation as he builds his vision for the future of UNM basketball. 15, climbing to No. LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KTSM) - After a lawsuit naming New Mexico State University, three former men's basketball players and two former coaches alleging sexual assault was filed by two former . Only Arizona's Tommy Lloyd (.914), Gonzaga's Few (.837), Kansas . He lasted less than one year on the job. The Albuquerque Journal reported the women were listed as . LAS CRUCES New Mexico State has hired Northwest Florida State College men's basketball head coach Greg Heiar to succeed Chris Jans. LAS CRUCES, N.M. Former New Mexico State basketball players Deuce Benjamin and Shakiru Odunewu, along with current Las Cruces High Basketball Coach William Benjamin, filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the university, two of its coaches and three players alleging hazing allegations against members of the men's basketball team made earlier this year were actually sexual assault. Pitino replaces Paul Weir, who was fired in February amid a 6-16 season for the Lobos. He left Florida on April 12, 2011, to become the associate head coach at Louisville. Phone. The most comprehensive coverage of New Mexico Lobos on the web with highlights, scores, game summaries, and rosters. The successful run led to Heiar coaching 40 all-conference players and sending 39 players to Division I programs. Albuquerque Journal/IMAGO. "When the behavior goes too far, and crosses the line into nonconsensual touching, it is not mere hazing; it is battery and sexual assault. Feb 23 Win. Academically, 14 student-athletes under Pitino earned Academic All-Big Ten honors over his first seven seasons, including a school-record five in 2019-20. Before becominga full-fledged member of a coaching staff, Heiar served as a graduate assistant at a pair of Hawkeye State institutions - Loras College (graduate assistant from 2001-03) and Mount St. Clare College (student assistant in 2000-01). 19 Iowa, No. The program canceled its season over the weekend as the . In 2011-12 as associate head coach, the Cardinals went 30-10, advancing all the way to the Final Four. Coach Brazil said that basketball has always been a part of his life.