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LIU Brooklyn's Ferry named new Dukes coach
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Jim Ferry will now take a crack at leading Duquesne basketball to the next level.
Ferry was named the men's basketball coach at Duquesne Tuesday night, after bringing Long Island University Brooklyn to the NCAA tournament twice in the past two years.
Ferry replaces Ron Everhart, fired March 23, who returned respectability to the program in six years as head coach.
Ferry is scheduled to be introduced at a 2 p.m. news conference Thursday in the Palumbo Center.
Athletic director Greg Amodio said Ferry's ability to turn around a Long Island program that was 5-22 when he arrived in 2002 caught his eye early in the process.
"That's what we were really looking for, someone to come in, see the challenge we have and work hard to build it," Amodio said. "He was on our radar that first weekend.
"When you look at his history, he went into a very difficult situation at LIU. Frankly, it needed to be cleaned up from a mindset [sense] early on. He just continued to build the thing the right way. And you've seen that the last two years they've made the NCAA tournament."
Ferry interviewed in Pittsburgh last week, then returned on Monday with his wife before agreeing to a deal Tuesday afternoon, Amodio confirmed.
The Associated Press reported the deal was for seven years with an annual base of $600,000. Amodio said he would not discuss terms of the deal.
"I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to coach at Duquesne University," Ferry said. "I look forward to the challenge of taking this program to the next level."
During the coaching search, reports surfaced that Keith Dambrot, head coach at the University of Akron, was offered the position twice by Duquesne but turned it down.
Other candidates expressed interest, but Amodio said Ferry became his guy as the search unfolded.
"We stayed right within the time frame we had said," Amodio said. "I don't feel like we rushed the process. I felt we were thorough. We talked to some really good people. Ultimately Jim came to the forefront as a great hire for us."
The Blackbirds beat Robert Morris in the Northeast Conference title game this year to make a second consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Andy Toole, head coach at Robert Morris, said he has suspected Ferry would be moving up in the coaching ranks.
"From what he's done from a recruiting standpoint at LIU to implementing his system, their team has been absolutely terrific over the last two years," Toole said. "You could see he had a great way with his guys. ... What he's accomplished in the last two years is something that's extremely difficult to do."
Amodio said in a statement that Ferry has been a winner because of a combination of "hard work, strong character and outstanding leadership."
"I look forward to him using those same qualities to make his mark on the Duquesne basketball program," Amodio said in the statement. "He is an aggressive recruiter whose teams are known for tough, physical play. Jim is the right fit for Duquesne right now."
First Published April 11, 2012 12:00 am
