Former NBA All-Star and erstwhile Tulsa coach Danny Manning will be calling the shots for Wake Forest starting next season.
Zagblogs.com is reporting that the former number one overall draft pick in 1998 has been hired as new head coach at Wake Forest to replace Jeff Bzdelik, who had an unimpressive 51-76 record in four seasons including a poor 17-51 slate in the ACC.
Manning was previously with Tulsa which he led to a 21-13 record this season and an NCAA tournament bid.
The same website quoted Wake Forest athletic director Ron Wellman as saying: " We are very pleased to welcome Danny Manning to Wake Forest. There have been very few players who have had as much success on the court as Danny. He has played for and worked under a number of legendary coaches and he has been successful in his coaching career. We fully expect that Danny's coaching career will reflect the excellence of his playing career."
Wake Forest University president Dr. Nathan Hatch also expressed his support to the hiring by saying in a statement: "A legendary player, Danny Manning has always been a great student of the game of basketball. Today, he is a great teacher of the game. I look forward to watching him mentor our players and build a championship basketball program at Wake Forest."
Manning was naturally excited to coach a reputable institution in Wake Forest. He said: "I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of the history and tradition of Wake Forest. I am extremely humbled by this honor and look forward to being the head coach and competing for championships both on and off the court."
Manning was a two-time All-Star while playing for the LA Clippers in the early '90s. Knee injuries robbed him of his All-Star form and he went on to have forgettable stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons. He is one of the greatest college players produced by his Alma Matter, the University of Kansas.
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