Memphis Hires Coaches; Heath to Visit Famous; Thomas Hiring Angers Faculty; Weekend Visitors

Memphis head coach Josh Pastner has offered assistant coaching jobs to Willis Wilson, the former head coach at Rice University, and Glynn Cyprien, a longtime assistant at Kentucky, Arkansas, New Mexico State and Oklahoma State.

Their hirings are pending approval of the University and Tennessee State Board of Regents.

“Willis and Glynn are two great additions to our staff, and I’m looking forward to them coming on board,” said Pastner. “Both are energetic, hard workers, and they will give that extra effort to help this program be successful. That’s the kind of people I was looking for when I searched to find the right mix for this program.”

Former Memphis coach John Calipari had taken the entire staff, sans Pastner, with him to Kentucky.

**South Florida head coach Stan Heath will make one last go round at Jarrid Famous Sunday night, according to Westchester (N.Y.) Community College assistant Dave Vandiver. The 6-11 Famous will visit Arizona this weekend officially and Heath will come up Sunday following the visit. Famous is expected to announce next Wednesday between Arizona, Missouri, Seton Hall and South Florida. Famous was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association first team.

**Pete Thamel of the New York Times reports that Isiah Thomas‘ hiring at Florida International has angered some members of the faculty.

“Given that a federal district jury found he sexually harassed a colleague and created a hostile working environment, this hire sends the wrong message about FIU’s commitment to the success of all students, faculty and staff, regardless of their gender,” Laurie Shrage, the director of women’s studies and a philosophy professor at the university, wrote in an email to Thamel.

She also said she planned to hand deliver to Thomas a copy of the university’s sexual harassment policy.”

Thomas and AD Pete Garcia did not return calls seeking comment.

**Seton Hall and St. John’s are both slated to host a pair of recruits on officials this weekend. 6-10 Cliff Dixon of Hutchinson (Ks.) Community College and Ferrakohn Hall, a 6-7 PF from Memphis White Station, will both come to South Orange.

5-11 guard Malik Stith of Bridgton Academy (Maine) and 6-foot Malcolm Armstead of Chipola (Fl.) College will both take officials to the Queens campus this weekend. Bridgton coach Whit Lesure said Stith will then visit St. Mary’s of California on Monday and La Salle late next week. He added there was no timetable on a decision.

(Photos courtesy Memphis, Newsday)