Isiah Thomas' unfortunate career with the NY Knicks is officially over, as he accepts a job to coach the FIU Panthers. FIU has done much better fundraising in recent years than University of Miami, and is slowly making a name for itself in Division 1 sports.
BY PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com
Not knowing where newly hired FIU basketball coach Isiah Thomas would arrive, several TV station cameramen and media waited at both the Miami and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood international airports.
Those stationed in Fort Lauderdale received Thomas just as he de-planed.
Thomas, wearing a dark navy blue jacket, gray slacks and sunglasses flashed a big smile and said: ``I guess you're waiting for me.''
Although his introductory news conference is scheduled for Wednesday morning, there was plenty of interest in meeting Thomas on Tuesday.
Fans at the airport offered congratulations to Thomas. Others asked to take their pictures with Thomas and received autographs from the former All-Star point guard who helped lead the Detroit Pistons to two NBA championships.
Another group of cameramen and media was perched outside FIU's U.S. Century Bank Arena throughout the day Tuesday waiting for Thomas to arrive on campus.
For the most part, the Basketball Hall of Famer declined to comment Tuesday on his new job as coach of the Golden Panthers, instead preferring to speak at length in Wednesday's news conference.
''I'm excited,'' Thomas said. ``I'm happy and I look forward to working with the FIU family and doing good things. I'm happy to be working with kids and be back in the gym again.''
FIU hired Thomas to be its men's head basketball coach Tuesday morning.
Thomas signed a five-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Thomas replaces Sergio Rouco, who was re-assigned within the athletic department Monday.
''This is bigger than basketball and bigger than athletics,'' FIU president Modesto ''Mitch'' Maidique said. ``Having a nationally recognized coach like Isiah at FIU will have a positive impact on our university as a whole, helping us achieve additional national exposure.''
Said FIU athletic director Pete Garcia: ``He's a workaholic and he's passionate about basketball and he knows the game. I am confident that Isiah Thomas can recruit quality players to FIU.''
At FIU, Thomas inherits a basketball program that last had a winning record in 1999-2000 at 16-14. The Golden Panthers, who went 13-20 this past season, have made one NCAA Tournament appearance -- in 1995 when they lost in the first round to UCLA.
But Thomas, who last coached in 2007-08 with the New York Knicks, will be welcomed by a group of players eager to learn from the former NBA great.
''Everybody is excited to learn from him,'' FIU senior forward Nikola Gacesa said. ``This is a man with great experience coaching at the highest level of basketball. He can help us win a lot of games. I called my teammates and everyone is real pumped to start playing basketball for him.''
Thomas would not comment on his coaching staff, but former Miami Heat great Tim Hardaway, who was candidate for the FIU head-coaching job, could be a possible assistant.
''Nothing yet,'' said Hardaway, when asked if Thomas had contacted him for a job at FIU. ``I'm just waiting. We have a great relationship. I'm happy he got the job and he's going to do great things at FIU.''
Besides getting a new team, Thomas will coach in a renovated home arena.
U.S. Century Bank Arena will undergo a $5 million renovation with the help of the capital improvements trust fund FIU received from the state.
The New York Knicks went 23-59 in Thomas' last season as coach. His overall record in New York, where he also served as team president, was 56-108.
Previously, Thomas coached the Indiana Pacers and led them to three straight playoff appearances.
Thomas compiled a 187-223 career record as an NBA head coach.
BY PETE PELEGRIN
ppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com
Not knowing where newly hired FIU basketball coach Isiah Thomas would arrive, several TV station cameramen and media waited at both the Miami and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood international airports.
Those stationed in Fort Lauderdale received Thomas just as he de-planed.
Thomas, wearing a dark navy blue jacket, gray slacks and sunglasses flashed a big smile and said: ``I guess you're waiting for me.''
Although his introductory news conference is scheduled for Wednesday morning, there was plenty of interest in meeting Thomas on Tuesday.
Fans at the airport offered congratulations to Thomas. Others asked to take their pictures with Thomas and received autographs from the former All-Star point guard who helped lead the Detroit Pistons to two NBA championships.
Another group of cameramen and media was perched outside FIU's U.S. Century Bank Arena throughout the day Tuesday waiting for Thomas to arrive on campus.
For the most part, the Basketball Hall of Famer declined to comment Tuesday on his new job as coach of the Golden Panthers, instead preferring to speak at length in Wednesday's news conference.
''I'm excited,'' Thomas said. ``I'm happy and I look forward to working with the FIU family and doing good things. I'm happy to be working with kids and be back in the gym again.''
FIU hired Thomas to be its men's head basketball coach Tuesday morning.
Thomas signed a five-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Thomas replaces Sergio Rouco, who was re-assigned within the athletic department Monday.
''This is bigger than basketball and bigger than athletics,'' FIU president Modesto ''Mitch'' Maidique said. ``Having a nationally recognized coach like Isiah at FIU will have a positive impact on our university as a whole, helping us achieve additional national exposure.''
Said FIU athletic director Pete Garcia: ``He's a workaholic and he's passionate about basketball and he knows the game. I am confident that Isiah Thomas can recruit quality players to FIU.''
At FIU, Thomas inherits a basketball program that last had a winning record in 1999-2000 at 16-14. The Golden Panthers, who went 13-20 this past season, have made one NCAA Tournament appearance -- in 1995 when they lost in the first round to UCLA.
But Thomas, who last coached in 2007-08 with the New York Knicks, will be welcomed by a group of players eager to learn from the former NBA great.
''Everybody is excited to learn from him,'' FIU senior forward Nikola Gacesa said. ``This is a man with great experience coaching at the highest level of basketball. He can help us win a lot of games. I called my teammates and everyone is real pumped to start playing basketball for him.''
Thomas would not comment on his coaching staff, but former Miami Heat great Tim Hardaway, who was candidate for the FIU head-coaching job, could be a possible assistant.
''Nothing yet,'' said Hardaway, when asked if Thomas had contacted him for a job at FIU. ``I'm just waiting. We have a great relationship. I'm happy he got the job and he's going to do great things at FIU.''
Besides getting a new team, Thomas will coach in a renovated home arena.
U.S. Century Bank Arena will undergo a $5 million renovation with the help of the capital improvements trust fund FIU received from the state.
The New York Knicks went 23-59 in Thomas' last season as coach. His overall record in New York, where he also served as team president, was 56-108.
Previously, Thomas coached the Indiana Pacers and led them to three straight playoff appearances.
Thomas compiled a 187-223 career record as an NBA head coach.
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