Articles

Jon Teitel's "Coaching Greats": Missouri State/Saint Louis/UNLV's Charlie Spoonhour

February 6th, 2012
Charlie Spoonhour led Missouri State to 5 NCAA appearances

In the latest installment of his "Coaching Greats" series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Jay Spoonhour, the son of the late Charlie Spoonhour. Spoonhour is widely regarded as the greatest coach in the history of Missouri State basketball, where he led the Bears to four conference titles and five NCAA tournament appearances. Spoonhour moved on to Saint Louis and UNLV, and he was an outstanding coach at the junior college level as well. Spoonhour passed away on February 1st at the age of 72. 

Jon Teitel's "Forgotten Legends": Western Michigan's Paul Griffin

February 6th, 2012
Paul Griffin (#24) and the 1976 WMU BroncosIn the latest installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Paul Griffin, one of the greatest players in the history of Western Michigan basketball. During his time in Kalamazoo, Griffin helped lead the Broncos to the 1976 NCAA tournament and left the school having scored more than 1,000 points and grabbed more than 1,000 rebounds. From there Griffin went on to play seven seasons in the NBA for the New Orleans Jazz and the San Antonio Spurs.

Jon Teitel's "Coaching Greats" Series: Buffalo's Reggie Witherspoon

January 22nd, 2012
Reggie Witherspoon has led Buffalo to a MAC title

In the latest installment in his "Coaching Greats" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel caught up with current University at Buffalo head coach Reggie Witherspoon, who has won 174 games in more than a decade at his hometown school. Witherspoon also played two season at Erie Community College under current Michigan head coach John Beilein, and this season's UB squad features one of the best players in the MAC in forward Javon McCrea. 

Jon Teitel's "Forgotten Legends": Iona's Jeff Ruland

January 22nd, 2012
Jeff Ruland was also a two-time NBA All-Star

In the latest installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Iona great Jeff Ruland, who remains to this day one of the school's greatest players. Ruland still ranks in the Top 5 all-time in points, rebounds and field goal percentage, and he's now the head coach at the University of the District of Columbia. 

Jon Teitel: You were nicknamed "McNasty". Who gave you the nickname, and how did you like it?

"Coaching Greats" Series: Pat Kennedy (Iona, FSU, DePaul, Montana, Towson)

January 15th, 2012
Pat Kennedy led Iona to three MAAC titlesIn the latest installment in his "Coaching Greats" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Pat Kennedy, who spent more than thirty years as a Division I head coach. During his time at Iona, Kennedy led the Gaels to three MAAC titles and two NCAA appearance, taking over for the late Jim Valvano after he moved on to NC State. After his time in New Rochelle, Kennedy went on to coach at Florida State, DePaul and Towson.

Jon Teitel: After three years as an assistant at Iona you replaced your mentor Jim Valvano as head coach at age 28.

Jon Teitel's "Forgotten Legends" Series: Dartmouth's Rudy LaRusso

January 15th, 2012
Dartmouth great Rudy La RussoIn the latest installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel caught up with Corey LaRusso, the son of Dartmouth great Rudy LaRusso. LaRusso is widely regarded as the greatest player in Dartmouth history, where one of his teammates was the late Dave Gavitt and his head coach Alvin "Doggie" Julian. After helping lead the Big Green to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances (they haven't been back since) LaRusso played ten seasons in the NBA for the Lakers and Warriors before retiring. LaRusso passed away in 2004.

Jon Teitel's "Coaching Greats" Series: Milwaukee's Rob Jeter

December 23rd, 2011
Rob Jeter's led Milwaukee to 110 wins in seven seasons

In the latest installment in his "Coaching Greats" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with current Milwaukee head coach Rob Jeter. In his seventh season at the school, Jeter has led the Panthers to a pair of Horizon League titles and an NCAA Tournament in 2005. The Panthers are currently 9-4 on the season with a 2-0 record in conference play.  

Jon Teitel's "Forgotten Legends" Series: Utah Valley's Ryan Toolson

December 23rd, 2011
Utah Valley great Ryan ToolsonIn the latest installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Ryan Toolson, the greatest player in Utah Valley history. After his time at Utah Valley, Toolson left as the school's all-time leader in points, assists, three-pointers made and free throw percentage just to name a few categories. Toolson is now playing professionally in Turkey.

Jon Teitel: In 2003 at Gilbert (AZ) High you were named Arizona Player of the Year. Why did you choose to go to Utah Valley?

Jon Teitel's "Coaching Greats" Series: Marshall's Cam Henderson

December 15th, 2011
Marshall coaching great Cam HendersonIn the most recent installment in his "Coaching Greats" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel discussed the coaching career of the late Cam Henderson with two of his former players at Marshall, Donnie Gibson and Dr. Sam Clagg. During his time as head coach of the Thundering Herd, Henderson won 362 games, three conference titles and one NAIB title. Dr. Clagg also wrote a book on his coach titled "The Cam Henderson Story: His Life and Times".

Jon Teitel's "Forgotten Legends" Series: Cleveland State's Franklin Edwards

December 15th, 2011
CSU great Franklin EdwardsIn the most recent installment in his "Forgotten Legends" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Cleveland State great Franklin Edwards. Edwards' career scoring average of 21.9 points per game is the best in school history, and after an NBA career that included a championship in 1983 he's worked for both the NBA and Fox Sports Midwest (broadcasting). Edwards' son James currently plays at Lewis & Clark College.

Jon Teitel: Your middle name is Delano. Is that a family name, or were your parents just big fans of FDR?