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The real reason Reggie was hired


Pssst. Yeah, you over there. Want to know the real reason, the inside, inside scoop, on why Reggie Kohn, USF’s former point guard, was hired Wednesday as the Bulls’ director of basketball operations? “I guess,’’ Kohn said, “because I’m their good luck charm.’’ That’s right, the Bulls are unbeatable in Big East play with Kohn in the house. Last season, Kohn attended one USF game - the finale against Georgetown, a 63-56 victory - so the Bulls have never lost a Big East game with Kohn in attendance. So don’t be surprised when the Bulls finish league play 16-0 next season with Kohn on the bench.

Seriously, Kohn was excited to get a chance to return to his alma mater. He spent the past three years coaching Winter Park Lake Howell, reaching the state tournament each season. At USF he finished as the all-time leader in assists and 3-pointers and was one of the classiest and, without question, one of the toughest athletes I’ve covered since I took over the Tribune’s USF beat in 1999.

Six weeks ago when I spoke to Kohn from the Final Four in Indianapolis, there was some rumblings that Kohn would be offered a graduate assistant position with Florida. However, that never materialized. So when Scott Thompson resigned his position at USF, it opened up a slot for Kohn to come back to Tampa.

Kohn said he had a chance to visit the new athletic facility before the Georgetown game and was stunned. “It was 15, no 20 times, better than anything we had when I was here,’’ said Kohn, who started from 2000-03. “The study hall, the weight room, I remember having to go to the Village to study. They’ve taken athletics to a whole new level - and that was just four years ago [since he left]. It could do nothing but help recruiting.’’

USF coach Robert McCullum said he was impressed with Kohn. “I watched him [as Lake Howell’s coach] the three years he’s been away from here,’’ McCullum said. “I like the way he handled himself. I’m really impressed with his loyalty to South Florida. Each year he had his team at our team camp, when they’ve had other choices to go elsewhere.”

I told McCullum and Kohn if they have a 3-point shooting contest between the coaching staff and USF’s current players, I’m taking the staff because of their newest addition. Kohn said I was on the right side. “Oh yeah, I can still shoot it,’’ Kohn said. “I can’t get up and down the court as well, but I can still shoot.”

Send Us Your Comments

Posted by  paul, lutz on 06/01  at  02:45 PM

I for one am very happy to see Reggie back at his alma mater! This kid was a floor general while here, and if any of you doubt this as a coaching hire check your hearing aids! This kid will be a great college coach someday all he needs to do is learn the other tricks of the trade such as recruiting. But 5 to 10 years down the line I truly believe this kid will be a head coach or prominent assistant in college hoops hopefully right here in tampa!


Posted by  chris, valrico on 05/22  at  07:27 PM

now with Frane leaving, how will McCullum ‘s graduation rating be. how many players will usf have for 4-yrs?


Posted by  Brett McMurphy,  on 05/20  at  10:08 PM

Mike, all the new Bulls should be good to go this fall. A starting lineup? Well, now that Frane has left the program ... hmmm, let’s see. This, of course, includes the transfers after they will be eligible in December: Chris Howard, Jesus Verdejo, Melvin Buckley, McHugh Mattis and Kentrell Gransberry. As far as if you can you dream of an NIT bid next year? Sure, why not. Dream away. But, sorry, I honestly don’t see USF in the NIT or NCAA next season.


Posted by  Mike Grandezzi, Orlando on 05/18  at  04:24 PM

Brett, Good hire!
Are all the new recruits and transfers going to be eligible and healthy?  Can you project a starting lineup? Can we dream of an NIT bid next year?


Posted by  Doug Currier II, Columbia, SC on 05/18  at  02:22 PM

High quality staff is the first step to recruting high quality student-athletes and building a consistently high quality athletic program. Reggie’s a great addition. Now can we get Rob Higgins back?


Posted by  Brett McMurphy,  on 05/18  at  10:53 AM

Jay, I’m well aware of Parsons. However, USF was recruiting him long before Kohn was offered this job. Will it help USF’s chances to get Parsons here with Kohn at USF? Absolutely. But it’s not like USF wasn’t already recruiting him.


Posted by  Jay Paules, Brandon on 05/18  at  10:15 AM

The real reason Kohn was hired....to help us sign one of his players.  Chandler Parsons will be a senior next year and we are recruiting him (so are a lot of other people).  He’s a 6-8 small forward who can stroke it from three point land.  Don’t get me wrong, I think Reggie will be an excellent college coach in the future, but this position doesn’t seem to include coaching.  Maybe that will change or there is the promise that he will get a coaching position in a year or two.


Posted by  Hector, Weston on 05/18  at  08:20 AM

I for one am extremely glad that Reggie Kohn is back courtside for USF. 

Ten years removed from my graduation I have to say that he is one of a handfull of players that have elevated USF athletics and personify everything that is USF. 

Good luck to Reggie Kohn, Coach McCullum and the rest of the basketball program in the future.


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