‘Nagy Way’ works at Wright State

Coach thriving here with wins aplenty after early adjustment.

Scott Nagy thought FAIRBORN —

Wright State looked ripe for success when he took over five years ago a good program with great

— facilities and a supportive administration and he figured he

— would flourish.

As long as he could get himself to jump in with both feet.

The Raiders won 20 regular-season games in his first season, their most victories going into the Horizon League tourney since 200708. But trying to coach players he didn’t recruit — and moving to a new locale after 21 fruitful years at South Dakota State — led to some second-guessing on his part and had him pining for what he left behind.

“It was hard,” he said. “The first year I spent looking back, wondering if I made the right decision. It was just so many years at one place.

“I wasn’t completely sold. We still won 20 games … but it was more the personal side of it, grieving over a place I loved and trying to figure out my way in a new place.”

Nagy certainly

has

found his

Wright State coach Scott Nagy moved here after 21 fruitful years at South Dakota State. He admits it led to some pining for what he left behind, but he’s gotten past it. way. He’s been named the league coach of the year the last three seasons, and he notched his 100th win with the Raiders on Saturday against Cleveland State, reaching the milestone in four seasons plus 13 games.

He’s had a remarkable 10-year run. He led the Jackrabbits in their transition to Division I and then turned them into a Summit League power, winning three regular-season titles and three conference tourney crowns (along with making three NCAA trips) in his last five years there.

“We’ve kind of done it the same way here. I have a good staff, and we have good players. They do what we tell them to do, for the most part. They trust us. And