Mark Campbell is the new HC at Sacramento State

[Streak One]

Hard to say with certainty on coaching hires, but this seems like a great get for Sacramento State.

MARK CAMPBELL NAMED SACRAMENTO STATE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After a nationwide search, Sacramento State has named Mark Campbell the head coach of the women’s basketball program. Sacramento State Director of Athletics Mark Orr made the announcement on Friday.

www.hornetsports.com

 

[ClayK]

Campbell was expected to be in line for a P5 job, or at the least a strong mid-major, but almost all the new hires at those levels this year were female. It's interesting that he took Sac State, which has little tradition and would seem to be a very difficult place to win -- but clearly it was one of his best options.

It would be great if he succeeds in building up Sac State. The more strong programs, the better ...

 

[Streak One]

Why do you think Sacramento State has struggled? Their gym is a big issue, but the baseball and football programs have created a blueprint for success there. I know there are differences between those sports, but the right coach can get things going there IMO.

 

[ClayK]

Momentum is difficult to sustain at smaller schools, for one thing, and because depth is lacking, injuries can change everything.

That said, it's hard to know the budget/facilities situation. It's possible Campbell got some financial commitments in regards to staff and recruiting budgets, and I know nothing about practice facilities, etc.

Being able to hire quality staff and get out on the road a lot is really crucial to success at any college, but especially at a place like Sac State. If the administration wants to commit the funds and other support, Campbell could do very well.

 

[ankleassassin]

Why do you think Sacramento State has struggled? Their gym is a big issue, but the baseball and football programs have created a blueprint for success there. I know there are differences between those sports, but the right coach can get things going there IMO.

all comes down to talent. especially to compete at the D1 level. Fresno, San Jose, Long Beach and Bakersfield all fight for the same caliber player. not enough of them to go around.

 

[Streak One]

all comes down to talent. especially to compete at the D1 level. Fresno, San Jose, Long Beach and Bakersfield all fight for the same caliber player. not enough of them to go around.

Totaly agree. At Sacramento State, the baseball program and football program have made it cool for Sacramento area players especially and reaching out into NorCal to come to Sac State. It wasn't the case before the current staffs got there. If Mark Campbell and whoever is on his staff can do that, they have a chance to break through in women's basketball from where they have been

 

[OnBall8]

Interested to see who he gets on staff. Any guesses of assistants with local ties? You have to have a norcal pipeline going right?

 

[Norcal_Fan]

Interested to see who he gets on staff. Any guesses of assistants with local ties? You have to have a norcal pipeline going right?

It's interesting that you say that. Most, if not a majority of coaches that go to low-mid major schools usually find people who they are familiar with, not necessarily who they have ties with. I remember a coach that was hired at SJSU and she hired 3 assistants from the east coast and south and not one coach from the west coast. Needless to say she was gone in 2 years.

You have to be able to recruit the local kids or kids in your geographical area. Sac State isn't a large draw, so you better hire some people with good connections.

 

[ClayK]

It's always interesting ... St. Mary's, for example, has used an Australian pipeline to success, as has Portland, and USF is almost all international. Given Campbell's connections, I wouldn't expect those kinds of teams, but he might decide to try to attract girls from Idaho and Montana to California, rather than compete with everyone else for the locals.

Again, I think a lot of it will come down to commitment from the administration, in the form of dollars, if he has a chance to be successful.

 

[Norcal_Fan]

Clay,

why do you think coaches are looking more at International players than those in their back yard or region?

 

[OnBall8]

And st marys had 5 bay area kids on their roster this past year... 5 on a roster of 14. So sure they had 5 international kids as you said, but having 5 from the bay area is legit connections and more than probably every other local team. You can reach out as far as you want, its always great if you can get the kid down the street as well.

 

[ClayK]

Good point about SMC's roster ...

I think in some ways it's easier to recruit internationally if you have some connections. Battling every other college in the western U.S. for California talent is a tough task.

 

[ankleassassin]

aquira decosta has landed at sac st.

 

[Valleycat209]

Campbell was expected to be in line for a P5 job, or at the least a strong mid-major, but almost all the new hires at those levels this year were female. It's interesting that he took Sac State, which has little tradition and would seem to be a very difficult place to win -- but clearly it was one of his best options.

It would be great if he succeeds in building up Sac State. The more strong programs, the better ...

Adding Aquira DeCosta is a nice addition

 

[ClayK]

And there may be more familiar names ...

 

[Streak One]

Early returns with the staff and transfers coming in are positive signs.