Sendek’s Coaching Tree Spreads Wide

Posted: Jun 22, 2016

VIDEO: Sendek Talks Santa Clara Assistant Coaches

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Whether it's players or coaches, Herb Sendek has a knack for preparing individuals for success.

Sendek, who was a head coach at three Division I schools before landing at Santa Clara in March, has mentored countless all-league players, including three first-round NBA draft choices, but what may be even more impressive is the number of former staffers who are now head coaches.

Currently, there are 12 former Sendek assistant coaches, administrative assistants or graduate assistants serving as Division I head coaches, including Sean Miller (Arizona), his brother, Archie, (Dayton), and Thad Matta (Ohio State).

"We've been blessed to have tremendous coaching staffs," Sendek said. "We've had guys that have gone on to become head coaches and they've been wildly successful and are some of the giants in our game. We look for coaches who can do everything. Among all the different attributes that are important, we look for coaches that can teach."

In addition to teaching technical aspects of basketball, Sendek values assistants who have a passion for the game.

"The guys we're talking about, whether past or present, have the total package of attributes and values that it takes to be successful in our profession," Sendek said.

He has once again surrounded himself with a talented group led by associate head coach Barret Peery, who spent the 2014-15 season with Sendek at Arizona State and served as head coach at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa for three years.

"He's the kind of person you want your son to be coached by," Sendek said. "He's a tremendous family man. He's coached Division I. He's taken his junior college team to the national championship. He's an excellent tactician and strategist on the floor."

Sendek rounded out his staff with a pair of talented up-and-comers in Jason Ludwig and Julius Hodge, one of his former first-round NBA draft picks.

Ludwig spent last season as the director of basketball operations at Mississippi State and a number of years on the UCLA staff. But was the director of operations for Sendek dutrng the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons at Arizona State.

"Jason has a familiarity to what we do and how we do it," Sendek said. "He's extremely meticulous and organized. He's a tremendous administrator on our staff. At the same time, he's worked diligently to continue to study the game of basketball and he has really hit the floor running with recruiting."

After a 10-year professional playing career, Hodge spent last season as the director of player development with the University at Buffalo. He made four NCAA Tournament appearances with NC State from 2002-05 under Sendek.

"Julius has a platform unlike anybody else because he not only played for us and brings to the table all those insights for our players, but he also played in the NBA," Sendek said. "He was also a first-round draft pick. That gives him a platform and a level of credibility to speak to our players, our recruits in a unique way."

Sendek certainly has a track record of blending coaching staffs and the early indication is this may be another special group.

"When you look at this staff in composite, it's a group of men who really complement each other really well," Sendek said. "Our staff chemistry is excellent. You're not necessarily trying to get the best people but you want the best staff. We have that now."

SENDEK'S COACHING TREE
Coach	Current School	With Sendek as Asst. Coach
Jim Christian	Boston College	Miami (Ohio), 1995-96
John Groce	Illinois	NC State, 1996-2000
Larry Hunter	Western Carolina	NC State, 2001-05
Ron Hunter	Georgia State	Miami (Ohio), 1993-94
Thad Matta	Ohio State	Miami (Ohio), 1994-95
Archie Miller	Dayton	NC State, 2005-06
		Arizona State, 2006-07
Sean Miller	Arizona	Miami (Ohio), 1993-95
		NC State, 1996-2001
Eric Musselman	Nevada	Arizona State, 2012-14
Rob Senderoff^	Kent State	Miami (Ohio), 1994-96
Lamont Smith	San Diego	Arizona State, 2008-12
Dedrique Taylor	Cal State Fullerton	Arizona State, 2006-13
James Whitford#	Ball State	Miami (Ohio), 1994-96