Charles LeClaire-USA Today Sports[/caption]The University of Buffalo has hired Bobby Hurley to lead the basketball team in a new direction, according to the New York Daily News.
Hurley was introduced as the new coach on Tuesday after cutting his teeth with his brother, Danny, at Wagner and Rhode Island where he was the head coach and Bobby was an assistant.
He'll be taking over for the recently-ousted Reggie Witherspoon, who had a small bit of success but was never able to get the team to the NCAA Tournament in a pretty wide open MAC conference.
"The appointment of coach Hurley sends a clear statement that the University at Buffalo is committed to bringing big-time college athletics to the western New York community and the state at large," athletic director Danny White said. "I'm confident after our discussions that he is the right leader to take our program to the next level."
Most know Hurley from his days as a National Championship-winning point guard at Duke, which should get Buffalo some name-recognition.
Before anyone thinks this is a Clyde Drexler (Houston) or Isiah Thomas (Florida International) gimmick hiring, you must remember that basketball runs in the Hurley family blood.
Bob Hurley Sr. coaches the famed St. Anthony's high school program in New Jersey and has compiled more than 1,000 wins. Dan played at Seton Hall and Bobby played in the NBA after his Duke career.
I don't know what this will do for recruiting and getting fans in the seats, but knowing the leader that Hurley was at Duke, I believe the Bulls made a good hire. Hopefully for the fans there, it will translate into a winning program.
