Scott departs alma mater to coach Pioneers
By: Justin Feil
Joe Scott came back to Princeton University from a Colorado school, Air Force, and he will leave Princeton for another Colorado school, the University of Denver.
According to an ESPN.com report, Scott has confirmed that he will be named new men’s basketball coach at a 5 p.m. press conference in Denver on Wednesday.
Scott leaves Princeton after replacing current Georgetown head coach John Thompson III just three seasons ago. It is a move that is surprising and sudden, even given the Tigers’ 11-17 overall, 2-12 Ivy League finish this season. It was the first time that Princeton has finished in last place in the Ivy League.
"I’m very surprised to read on the internet that Coach Scott is gone," said Princeton forward Noah Savage who will be a senior next fall. "Nobody called me. You figure you’d tell your team before you tell ESPN.com."
Scott, a Princeton alum, told ESPN.com that the decision was not an easy one. But after three seasons at Princeton in which he compiled a 38-45 record overall, he was ready for a change.
"It’s me feeling professionally and personally that this is a good opportunity," Scott told ESPN.com. "It’s about me feeling this is a good situation. This was an unbelievable emotionally decision. My wife went and played and coached at Princeton, too. I love Princeton basketball. When I looked at everything, it was the right thing. It’s more about that than leaving my alma mater."
Scott was Mountain West Coach of the Year when he took Air Force to the 2004 NCAA Tournament and a 22-7 record. He will take over for Terry Carroll, who coached the Pioneers for six seasons. He was fired after Denver finished 4-25 overall, 3-15 in the Sun Belt West Division.
"It’s a great opportunity here," Scott told ESPN.com. "It’s a really good opportunity professionally. There’s a commitment here. I think it’s a good place and a good fit. The school and myself are a good fit. Obviously they feel the same way."
Tiger players were still trying to digest the sudden move Tuesday night. After a season in which they struggled, however, Princeton is looking to return to the form that claimed 25 Ivy titles in its history but none since Thompson left in 2004. The returning Tigers will get a new start as Princeton begins an immediate search for a successor.
"I think I did get better until this year," said Savage, who saw his playing time dip this season after leading the team in scoring in 2005-06. "I don’t know if I got better this year. This year was the definition of frustration and also confusing. I’m definitely looking forward to next season."
Scott did not answer phone calls for a comment to the Packet.

