Colorado Springs – Faced with the busiest recruiting summer in his tenure as Colorado men’s basketball coach, Ricardo Patton has begun reloading the program.
Patton recently hired Memphis (Tenn.) Hillcrest coach John Anderson to fill one of two open slots on the staff. Anderson, who headed Hillcrest High School’s program the past 15 years, had his first official day with the Buffaloes on Monday.
Patton has recruited players from the Memphis area for years, and he hopes Anderson’s presence will help CU get more top talent in that region.
“Memphis is loaded right now; there’s a great deal of talent,” Patton said. “We’ve always tried to have a Memphis flavor in our program.”
Anderson coached incoming CU recruit Calvin Williams last season. Anderson also coached two former CU players: Leroy Carter and Ernest Renfroe. Carter played at CU from 1994-96, Renfroe from 1997-2001.
The team’s other assistant position remains open, Patton said. One possibility is Boulder resident Mike Frink, who has coached locally and overseas in a nearly 30-year career. Patton said he has talked to Frink about the opening.
Patton never has faced a more pivotal summer. CU will have to replace eight players after the 2005-06 season, and Patton and assistant Paul Graham have worked to identify talent.
“This is as busy as it’s ever been,” Patton said. “Not just the summer, but once the season ended, it’s been nonstop. But it’s been fun.”
And there have been inroads, Patton said.
“Coach Graham has done a terrific job in getting us involved with quite a few juniors,” Patton said. “This year, because we had some many guys returning, we were able to focus primarily on underclassmen. Coach Graham has us involved with some really, really good juniors.”
Patton said he feels no pressure to “prove himself” to new CU athletic director Mike Bohn. Patton has two years remaining on his contract.
“I don’t know if I would term it I have to prove myself,” Patton said. “People have watched from a distance what we’ve done here, and I think all you have to do is look at the history books. Although we’ve not done all that we’ve wanted to do, we’ve done more than has been done. For me it’s a matter of continuing to get this program better and better.”
