SIENA SHOULD SHOP LOCAL AND HIRE SKIDMORE’S BURKE
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Much was made nationally when speculation arose that Rick Pitino may be interested in the Siena men’s basketball coaching position, vacated by Jimmy Patsos just a week ago.
A friend of Pitino’s says ‘Yes, he would be interested,’ according to a story published in the Times Union. A tweet from Pitino to the Courier-Journal reportedly said ‘Nope.’
Siena has stated that it will undergo a nationwide search for its next coach.
Why waste the time and energy and simply ‘Shop Local.’
Thousands of dollars being paid to a search firm, plane tickets, hotels, luxury vehicle pickups, tours of Albany (whatever that may be), could all be a waste of money.
Just as Rick Pitno appeared to be a fit for Siena because of his love of Saratoga (namely the race course), why not travel up I-87, turn off Exit 15 and head over to Skidmore College and hire men’s basketball coach Joe Burke.
Is there anything that the 7-year Division III multi-Liberty League and NCAA appearances doesn’t have on his resume to make him a perfect fit for Siena College?
He has coached All-Americans in Edvinas Rupkus and Aldin Medujanin, 21-All-Liberty League players, eligibility is not an issue with multi-president list players on his roster each year.
No DI experience? Don’t discount his four years at Cornell University and six years at the United States Naval Academy as an assistant before coming to Skidmore College.
Recruiting experience? Have you ever tried to recruit a toptalent athlete to attend a Division III “liberal arts” college in
sleepy Saratoga Springs, in upstate New York?
Those who have been around the program know Burke’s no-nonsense coaching style which is only equaled by his commitment to his own players and the program itself.
Why Siena? The question is more why not?
With each wave of coaching changes in April Burke’s name does come up, but with a son and three daughters and his wife, Victoria, that call Saratoga Springs home the move would have to be perfect.
Siena is the perfect move.
The Loudonville campus has everything that a coaching looking for a move into Division I, whether it be moving up or returning to the ranks, four-year commitments, season ticket holders, the ability to draw and hire a strong, committed staff and the chance to get someone there for potentially the long haul. Meet Joe Burke. When contacted, this time of year once again as the coaching carousel gets going, both locally and around the country, I wasn’t surprised at Coach Burke’s response, “When your name is considered for any other opportunity, it’s a credit to my family and the players, staff that helped me get to this point in my career.”
Joe Burke may not be the next coach at Siena College and the world will remain on its axis and the Skidmore College program will again be the team to beat in the Liberty League for yet another season.
Wouldn’t fans love to be able to say the same thing about Siena and the MAAC.
If the designated search firm and Siena athletic director John D’Argenio hasn’t reached out to Joe Burke, he’s just a few miles away.