Who says you can’t go home? Sidney Lowe is doing just that, 
and for the most part, the NC State Wolfpack are excited. They are hoping that a significant part of history plays a part in an even more exciting future.
After several weeks of being trounced in the media for it’s failed attempts to lure high-profile coaches such as Rick Barnes and John Calipari, the Wolfpack turned their attention to one of their own. For a couple of weeks, if I had told you a former Wolfpacker would be the guy who got the job, you would have thought Derrick Whittenburg. But in the last few days, Sidney Lowe’s name was tossed around more and more. Finally, it was announced that a press conference had been set for Sat. May 6th to announce his hiring.
Lowe holds a special place in the hearts of NC State fans. He was the starting point guard the year that Jimmy V led the Wolfpack on an improbable run to the National Championship. After that, Lowe was drafted by the Bulls with the 1st pick in the 2nd round (the same draft that Ralph Sampson went #1 overall). He played a total of about 4 years in the NBA.
He moved into the coaching ranks where he has been head coach for the Minnesota Timerbwolves in the early 90’s and the Memphis Grizzlies in the early 00’s. But this will be his first college coaching job. This could prove to be a difficult transition, as college coaching is a different animal altogether than the NBA. And one of the biggest parts of coaching college is recruiting, which Lowe has never had to do before. Surrounding himself with good coaches who CAN recruit should be job #1.
There are only a few candidates for the job that could have solidified and healed the growing rift in the fanbase in Raleigh, and Lowe is one of them. Wolfpack nation had become severely divided over Herb Sendek and the direction of the basketball program. There were fears that with a new coach, the program would take a step back, the fanbase would grow impatient with the lack of improvement, and force the new guy out before he had a chance to get going. This hire avoids that problem as it is expected the fans will cut Lowe a little more slack as “one of their own.â€
As a Wolfpacker, which I have mentioned more than a few times around here, I hope Lowe succeeds with flying colors. Given his reputation as one of the better assistant coaches in the NBA, he shouldn’t have any problems recruiting, even if it is a new experience for him. Excitement will be returning to Raleigh soon, and I can’t wait to hear the roar when one of State’s favorite sons returns home to roam the sidelines come this fall. I just can’t wait.