This item originally appeared in the April 7, 2005 issue of The Tech Talk.

After three years as commander of the Lady Techsters, former Tech head coach Kurt Budke accepted the head-coaching job at Oklahoma State University on March 28 -- old news.

Sure. Tech fans appreciate the 80-16 mark during Budke's tenure, the three Western Athletic Conference championships, two WAC tournament titles and two NCAA Sweet 16 bids.

But that was yesterday.

Today, Lady Techster land is in limbo and searching for a head coach for the first time in history. With signing day coming up and recruiting at hand, Tech must act quickly.

After Tech was blessed with the legendary Leon Barmore -- the NCAA's all-time winningest coach -- Budke was brought in before the 2001-02 season to be groomed by Barmore as successor.

Stacey Johnson-Klein, who eventually left to coach at Fresno State, and Chris Long were assistant coaches on that team.

Now, Tech is again at a crossroads and has the chance to put a man worthy of the position at the helm of the Lady Techsters.

Chris Long has been an assistant coach of the Lady Techsters for six years and has proven himself creditable of this job.

Long's work ethic, commitment and loyalty to Tech, abilities and support from the Tech community have earned him this opportunity.

During his six years as an assistant for the Lady Techsters, Long has helped Tech to a 167-29 record, six regular season conference titles, six NCAA tournament appearances, four Sweet 16 trips and two Elite Eight berths.

He is widely considered one of women's basketball's finest assistant coaches because of his many uncanny abilities, such as recruiting, aiding in game plans and practice sessions, scouting other teams and teaching the game of basketball.

His knack for scouting opponents has earned him one of the highest X's and O's names in the nation.

When Long scouts an opponent, the Lady Techsters know the other team's slightest tendencies, offensive sets and individual abilities.

As a teacher of the game, Long's responsibility at Tech as been that of post players. Long has developed the raw talent of the likes of Ford, Frierson, Amisha Carter and Ayana Walker, all of whom play in the WNBA.

Ford was a two-time WAC Player of the Year, the WNBA's 2003 Rookie of the Year and helped the Detriot Shock win the championship.

Carter won WAC Player of the Year once, Frierson was a first team All-WAC player and Walker was named Kodak All-District .

But behind the mechanics and abilities of Long is his zeal for the game and passion for the program.

Like Barmore, Long has passed opportunities to make more money and coach on a higher, more competitive level, but his heart is for Tech.

Long loves Tech and wants nothing more than to have the opportunity to excel as head coach. And most importantly, Long is a players' coach.

The Lady Techsters believe in Long. His enthusiasm has won them over, they want to play for him and they believe in his ability and love for the game.

Long is deserving of the chance to coach the Lady Techsters, and Tech is blessed to have a man this loyal to the program.

Give him the chance. He's a diamond in the rough. Don't let another Kim Mulkey-Robertson get away, who won the 2005 national championship with Baylor on Tuesday.

The job will given to either Long or Kellie Harper from Western Carolina University, and the decision should be made by either the end of this week or early next week.

Tech, make the right decision and take a Long shot.

Josh Milton is a senior journalism major from Ruston and serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk.


http://www.latech.edu/techtalk/current/long.php