Tigers push on without head coach

Players, Levy react to Scott’s exit

By: Justin Feil
   Joe Scott’s departure from the Princeton University men’s basketball team leaves unfinished business or makes for a fresh start, depending on the source.
   One thing is certain, however, and that is that the Tigers want to go forward to erase an 11-17 campaign in 2006-07. They will do so without Scott taking the lead.
   "It was a shock," said Princeton junior forward Kyle Koncz, who is a leading candidate to captain next season’s team. "I was kind of disappointed. I was looking forward to next year. I was looking forward to the chance to show we are a good team and he is a good coach. There was a lot of negativity around the team this year."
   The Tigers players are trying to push beyond the shock and surprise of Scott’s announcement to prepare for next season. Offseason workouts begin when the team returns Monday after spring break. Scott will not be there to guide them.
   "I don’t think it does change anything," Koncz said. "I love playing for Coach Scott. It doesn’t change anything. We still have to get better. As much as we’re going to improve, it’s going to depend on the players. I don’t think it changes a thing. We’d work hard with Coach Scott being our coach and just as hard without Coach Scott being our coach."
   Koncz was like many of his teammates, who found out about Scott’s exit via a report on ESPN.com. That discovery elicited an emotional response from some.
   "I’m very surprised to read on the Internet that Coach Scott is gone," said Princeton forward Noah Savage on Tuesday night. "Nobody called me. You figure you’d tell your team before you tell ESPN.com."
   Added senior Luke Owings: "I was definitely surprised. I didn’t see it coming."
   Scott regrets that his players discovered the news that way, and has tried to contact each of them to discuss his departure. Slowly, the players are deciphering what the move means.
   "Unfortunately, I heard from the Internet," Koncz said. "I talked to Coach Scott (Tuesday) night about midnight. It was a short conversation. He told me why he left and he wished me luck.
   "That’s bad thing about the Internet. I’m glad he called me (Tuesday) night. I wished him the best of luck. He wished me the best of luck. I hope he does well in Denver."
   Those that work closest with Scott, his staff, were disappointed to see him move on after just three years at Princeton. Howard Levy, an assistant the last 11 seasons, coached and played with Scott at Princeton.
   "I’m happy for him and Leah," Levy said of Scott and Scott’s wife. "It’s a good opportunity for them. It’s been a hard couple years here. I’m sad that we didn’t get a chance to get it done together. We are on the right track. It definitely takes time."
   Levy has been through the last three coaching changes while serving as an assistant to Bill Carmody, John Thompson III and Scott. Both Carmody and Thompson have since moved on to major conference programs. Scott will go to a familiar rebuilding situation akin to the one he was in at Air Force seven years ago.
   "There’s an element of they haven’t been happy here," Levy said. "Joe and Leah, for a lot of reasons probably related to stuff that happens outside when you coach your team, they weren’t happy. They weren’t treated very well by the media and on the Internet. And as much as you’d like to keep your head down to the grindstone, it’s a hard way to live.
   "I look at the program and think it’s on the right track. I think we’re developing the right qualities that allow it to be competitive. It takes time to build a program and put your stamp on a program. There can be some down periods before other periods."
   Now it will be someone else’s turn to put a stamp on the Princeton program and try to build up the proud Tigers. Princeton will begin an immediate search for Scott’s successor, and logically after a sudden move like Scott’s, the first place they would look is on the current staff that includes Mike Brennan, Tony Newsom and Levy.
   "When I started," Levy said, "it started with Bill, Joe and John and me. I worked for all three. I’m hopeful they’ll give Mike serious consideration for the job. I think we have a good working relationship and I’d be happy with him. Other than that, I don’t know."
   Said Owings: "I’m very excited for the chance for the guys to build the program back up and have a new start and put this year behind them. I’m happy they have that ability. I’m excited they have the chance to start over."
   The Tigers have not won an Ivy League title since 2004 when Owings was a freshman and Thompson was head coach. Princeton is looking for the chance to regain that championship form after a difficult year. There are those that feel Princeton was heading that way under Scott.
   "I love playing for the guy," Koncz said. "He demands more out of us than we demand out of ourselves. That pushed us to become the players we are. I don’t think I would have got to the point I was as a junior before I got hurt without him as my coach."
   For some, Scott’s departure is a chance at a fresh start. Savage went from starting every game in his first two seasons under Scott, including last season as Princeton finished second in the Ivy League, to playing under 14 minutes per game this year.
   "I think I did get better every year," Savage said. "I don’t think that the improvement showed enough on the court this year. This year was the definition of frustration and also confusing. I’m definitely looking forward to next season."
   And until a new coach is in place, the Tigers will operate under the guidance of Brennan, Newsom and Levy as they prepare for next year.
   "We’re proceeding as if we’re coaching the program now," Levy said. "We’re going to work guys out. We know it’s tough for the guys with the transition. The key to improvement regardless of who the coach is, is how much the players improve."