For nine seasons, Barry Hinson coached one of the most successful basketball programs in the Missouri Valley Conference. But despite his success (which included consecutive 22-win seasons in 2005/06 and 2006/07, top-40 RPI ratings both seasons and four consecutive trips to the N.I.T.), Hinson's Missouri State teams never got invited to the NCAA Tournament. And that ultimately cost Hinson his job.
In March, Missouri State fired Barry Hinson. Shortly thereafter, Cuonzo Martin was hired to replace Hinson.
But despite no longer being employed by Missouri State, Barry Hinson has stayed in Springfield, MO. And remarkably, he's been helping Martin -- his replacement -- as Martin transitions into his first head coaching job.
What's more, Hinson recently attended -- and spoke at -- Missouri State's basketball banquet, despite no longer being Missouri State's basketball coach.
Barry Hinson is a very good basketball coach. A former Junior College coach, he's paid his dues and then some: he rose from the bottom of the profession to prominence at Oral Roberts and then at Missouri State.
But coaching prowess aside, Coach Hinson is a class act. And that's a rarity in the business of college basketball.
Here's to hoping that Hinson lands on his feet.
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4 comments:
This reminds me of all the happy and sad faces I see at Missouri State
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70ujyliDMzI
can't argue with that. Compare this to the Rich Rodriguez saga (football I know) and you can really see that this guy is gracious.
Toki,
Your Rich Rodriguez reference is good. And you could site any number of other coaches who have also basically turned their backs on their teams as they've left for "greener pastures."
Barry Hinson has exhibited an extraordinary amount of grace since being dumped by Missouri State ... especially considering the circumstances under which he was fired.
The guy is a really solid basketball coach. And recently, he's shown that he's an equally solid person.
If I were a Division I head coach, I'd move heaven and earth to get Barry Hinson on my staff.
On a side note, I've got nothing against talking about football, or any other sport for that matter. Hell, I even wrote about boxing a couple weeks ago.
Good old Toki. How you be them days. I be beein busy with them gardenin and walkin Buster around them Town. I be helpin them good folks findin them steep el in them town. I been warmin up for them Jacks tournament they be havin in Flint.
Next year we be havin scargo and be talkin about them Butler havin been cuttin down them nets.
Booooooooo Diggggggeettty
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