Neil McCarthy (basketball): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|American basketball coach (1939–2021)}} |
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'''Neil McCarthy''' (born May 18, 1940) is a retired [[college basketball]] coach. He was head coach of the [[Weber State University|Weber State]] [[Weber State Wildcats men's basketball|Wildcats]] team from 1974 to 1985 and at the [[New Mexico State University|New Mexico State]] [[New Mexico State Aggies|Aggies]] from 1985 to 1997. |
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{{Infobox college coach |
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| name = Neil McCarthy |
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| image = Neil McCarthy 1972.jpeg |
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| alt = |
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| caption = |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1939|5|18}} |
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| birth_place = [[San Francisco|San Francisco, California]], U.S. |
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| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|09|18|1939|05|18}} |
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| death_place = [[Salt Lake City|Salt Lake City, Utah]], U.S. |
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| alma_mater = |
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| player_years1 = 1963–1964 |
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| player_team1 = [[Sacramento State Hornets men's basketball|Sacramento State]] |
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| coach_years1 = 1974–1985 |
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| coach_team1 = [[Weber State Wildcats men's basketball|Weber State]] |
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| coach_years2 = 1985–1997 |
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| coach_team2 = [[New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball|New Mexico State]] |
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| overall_record = 419–209 |
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| bowl_record = |
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| tournament_record = |
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| championships = 5 [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]] regular season (1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984)<br>4 [[Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament|Big Sky tournament]] ([[1978 Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament|1978]]–[[1980 Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament|1980]], [[1983 Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament|1983]]<br>2 [[Big West Conference|Big West]] regular season (1990, 1994)<br>[[Big West Conference|Big West]] East Division (1997)<br>2 [[Big West Conference men's basketball tournament|Big West tournament]] ([[1992 Big West Conference men's basketball tournament|1992]], [[1994 Big West Conference men's basketball tournament|1994]]) |
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| awards = 3× [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]] Coach of the Year (1978, 1980, 1983)<br>2× Big West Coach of the Year (1989, 1990) |
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| coaching_records = |
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}} |
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'''Neil McCarthy''' (May 18, 1939 – September 18, 2021) was an American [[college basketball]] coach. He was head coach of the [[Weber State Wildcats men's basketball|Weber State Wildcats]] team from 1974 to 1985 and at the [[New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball|New Mexico State Aggies]] from 1985 to 1997. |
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At Weber State, McCarthy led the Wildcats to four [[NCAA Division I |
At Weber State, McCarthy led the Wildcats to four [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA tournament]]s, including the school's first NCAA Tournament win since reaching the Sweet 16 in 1972. He remained Weber State's winningest coach until [[Randy Rahe]] broke his wins record in 2016. |
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During most of McCarthy's tenure at New Mexico State, the Aggies were the second-best team in what became the [[Big West Conference]] |
During most of McCarthy's tenure at New Mexico State, the Aggies were the second-best team in what became the [[Big West Conference]], behind [[UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball|UNLV]]. After UNLV hit the skids, McCarthy took advantage and led the Aggies to four straight Big West tournament titles and four straight NCAA Tournaments from 1990 to 1994. His best team was the 1991–92 unit, which advanced all the way to the Sweet 16—the Aggies' deepest run in the tournament since the 1970 Final Four unit. |
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McCarthy was abruptly fired just weeks before the start of practice for the |
McCarthy was abruptly fired just weeks before the start of practice for the 1997–98 season. Athletic director Jim Paul cited a number of factors, principally the basketball team's poor performance in the classroom. McCarthy only graduated nine players in his 12 years at the school (an 11 percent graduation rate), including only one in his last four years. In Paul's view, this meant that McCarthy emphasized winning over academics.<ref name="Lubbock">{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/101797/LQ2663.htm |title=McCarthy out as coach; NMSU turns to Henson|work=[[Associated Press]]|date=October 17, 1997|accessdate=September 20, 2021}}</ref> He left New Mexico State as the school's winningest coach, but has since been passed by [[Lou Henson]]. |
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Officially, McCarthy was reassigned as an assistant athletic director for the balance of his contract. However, he resigned rather than assume that post. |
Officially, McCarthy was reassigned as an assistant athletic director for the balance of his contract. However, he resigned rather than assume that post. |
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Despite McCarthy's success in building two regional powers, two major academic scandals forced his departure from the coaching profession. |
Despite McCarthy's success in building two regional powers, two major academic scandals forced his departure from the coaching profession. |
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In early |
In early 1995, it emerged that six players had received help from one of McCarthy's assistants on their work at correspondence courses, including answers on their exams. After this came to light, New Mexico State withdrew from postseason consideration for the 1995-96 season. In July 1996, the NCAA placed New Mexico State on three years' probation and stripped the Aggies of their NCAA tournament appearances in 1992, 1993 and 1994. Although McCarthy was not involved in the violations, the NCAA severely criticized him for not properly controlling the program. It slapped him with a two-year "[[Show-cause penalty|show-cause]]" order, meaning that if he ever left New Mexico State, any penalties imposed on him would have followed him to his new employer unless that school demonstrated that he had served his punishment.<ref>[https://web1.ncaa.org/LSDBi/exec/miSearch?miSearchSubmit=publicReport&key=26&publicTerms=THIS%20PHRASE%20WILL%20NOT%20BE%20REPEATED 1996 NCAA infraction report]</ref> |
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After his ouster, McCarthy sued New Mexico State for wrongful termination. During a deposition related to that suit, McCarthy admitted under oath that he |
After his ouster, McCarthy sued New Mexico State for wrongful termination. During a deposition related to that suit, McCarthy admitted under oath that he had entered into a verbal agreement to hire Fletcher Cockrell, then the head coach at [[Jones County Junior College|Jones County Community College]] in Mississippi, as an assistant coach if two of his star players signed with New Mexico State. Cockrell helped the players with their coursework and exams.<ref name="UT">Herrerra, Pete. [http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/college_basketball/20010620-1512-bkc-ncaa-new.html NCAA places New Mexico St. on four years' probation]. [[Associated Press]] via [[San Diego Union-Tribune]], June 20, 2001.</ref> |
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After the violations came to light, New Mexico State withdrew from postseason consideration for the |
After the violations came to light, New Mexico State withdrew from postseason consideration for the 2000–01 season, and placed the basketball team on two years' probation. The NCAA accepted New Mexico State's penalties, but imposed an additional four years' probation and forced the Aggies to vacate every game they played in 1996–97 and 1997–98. It also slapped McCarthy with a five-year show-cause order. Cockrell, who had been involved in violations at another school, received a 10-year show-cause order. The final report noted the similarities with the 1996 case. It also strongly hinted that had the Aggies not taken swift corrective action, the penalties might have been even harsher, and possibly included the [[death penalty (NCAA)|"death penalty"]]. However, it praised New Mexico State for forcing out McCarthy, the school president and Paul's predecessor as athletic director.<ref name="UT"/><ref>[https://web1.ncaa.org/LSDBi/exec/miSearch?miSearchSubmit=publicReport&key=516&publicTerms=THIS%20PHRASE%20WILL%20NOT%20BE%20REPEATED 2001 NCAA infraction report]</ref> |
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==Death== |
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==Head coaching record== |
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McCarthy died at his home in Utah on September 18, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu.lcsun-news.com/story/sports/college/nmsu/2021/09/19/neil-mccarthy-former-new-mexico-state-basketball-coach-dies-81/8413688002/|title=Former NM State hoops coach Neil McCarthy passes away at 81|work=[[Las Cruces Sun-News]]|first=Jason|last=Groves|date=September 20, 2021|access-date=September 20, 2021}}</ref> |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Start| |
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|type=coach |
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==Head coaching record== |
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|conference= |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Start | type = | conference = | postseason = | poll = }} |
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|postseason= |
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|poll=no |
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}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead |
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead |
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|name=Weber State Wildcats |
| name = [[Weber State Wildcats men's basketball|Weber State Wildcats]] |
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| conference = [[Big Sky Conference]] |
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|startyear=1975 |
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| startyear = 1975 |
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|conference=[[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]] |
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|endyear=1985 |
| endyear = 1985 |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1974–75 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1974–75]] |
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| name =Weber |
| name = [[1974–75 Weber State Wildcats men's basketball team|Weber State]] |
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| overall = |
| overall = 5–7* |
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| conference = |
| conference = |
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| confstanding = |
| confstanding = |
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| |
| postseason = |
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| postseason =N/A |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| championship = conference |
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| season =1975-1976 |
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| season = [[1975–76 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1975–76]] |
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| name =Weber St. |
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| name = [[1975–76 Weber State Wildcats men's basketball team|Weber State]] |
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| overall =21-11 |
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| |
| overall = 21–11 |
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| |
| conference = 9–5 |
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| confstanding = T–1st |
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| championship =conference |
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| postseason = |
| postseason = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1976–77 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1976–77]] |
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| name =Weber |
| name = [[1976–77 Weber State Wildcats men's basketball team|Weber State]] |
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| overall = |
| overall = 20–8 |
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| conference = |
| conference = 11–3 |
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| confstanding =2nd |
| confstanding = 2nd |
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| |
| postseason = |
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| postseason = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| championship = conference tournament |
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| season =1977-1978 |
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| season = [[1977–78 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1977–78]] |
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| name =Weber St. |
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| name = [[1977–78 Weber State Wildcats men's basketball team|Weber State]] |
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| overall =19-10 |
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| |
| overall = 19–10 |
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| |
| conference = 9–5 |
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| confstanding = 3rd |
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| postseason =NCAA 1st Round |
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| postseason = [[1978 NCAA Division I basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]] |
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| championship =conference touranment |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| championship = confboth |
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| season =1978-1979 |
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| season = [[1978–79 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1978–79]] |
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| name =Weber St. |
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| name = [[1978–79 Weber State Wildcats men's basketball team|Weber State]] |
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| overall =25-9 |
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| |
| overall = 25–9 |
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| |
| conference = 10–4 |
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| confstanding = 1st |
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| postseason =NCAA 2nd Round |
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| postseason = [[1979 NCAA Division I basketball tournament|NCAA Division I second round]] |
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| championship =confboth |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| championship = confboth |
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| season =1979-1980 |
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| season = [[1979–80 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1979–80]] |
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| name =Weber St. |
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| name = [[1979–80 Weber State Wildcats men's basketball team|Weber State]] |
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| overall =26-3 |
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| |
| overall = 26–3 |
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| |
| conference = 13–1 |
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| confstanding = 1st |
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| championship =confboth |
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| postseason =NCAA |
| postseason = [[1980 NCAA Division I basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]] |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1980–81 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1980–81]] |
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| name =Weber |
| name = [[1980–81 Weber State Wildcats men's basketball team|Weber State]] |
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| overall = |
| overall = 8–19 |
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| conference = |
| conference = 5–9 |
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| confstanding = |
| confstanding = T–5th |
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| |
| postseason = |
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| postseason = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1981–82 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1981–82]] |
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| name =Weber |
| name = [[1981–82 Weber State Wildcats men's basketball team|Weber State]] |
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| overall = |
| overall = 15–13 |
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| conference = |
| conference = 6–8 |
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| confstanding = |
| confstanding = T–4th |
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| postseason = |
| postseason = |
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| championship = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| championship = confboth |
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| season =1982-1983 |
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| season = [[1982–83 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1982–83]] |
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| name =Weber St. |
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| name = [[1982–83 Weber State Wildcats men's basketball team|Weber State]] |
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| overall =23-8 |
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| |
| overall = 23–8 |
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| |
| conference = 10–4 |
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| confstanding = T–1st |
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| championship =confboth |
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| postseason =NCAA |
| postseason = [[1983 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]] |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| championship = conference |
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| season =1983-1984 |
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| season = [[1983–84 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1983–84]] |
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| name =Weber St. |
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| |
| name = Weber State |
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| |
| overall = 23–8 |
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| |
| conference = 12–2 |
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| confstanding = 1st |
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| postseason =NIT 2nd Round |
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| postseason = [[1984 National Invitation Tournament|NIT second round]] |
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| championship =conference |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1984–85 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1984–85]] |
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| name =Weber |
| name = Weber State |
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| overall = |
| overall = 20–9 |
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| conference = |
| conference = 9–5 |
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| confstanding =3rd |
| confstanding = 3rd |
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| postseason = |
| postseason = |
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| championship = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal |
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal |
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| name =Weber |
| name = Weber State |
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| overall =205 |
| overall = 205–98 ({{Winning percentage|205|98}}) |
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| confrecord =94 |
| confrecord = 94–46 ({{Winning percentage|94|46}}) |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead |
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead |
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|name=New Mexico State Aggies |
| name = [[New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball|New Mexico State Aggies]] |
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| conference = [[Big West Conference|Pacific Coast Athletic Association / Big West Conference]] |
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|startyear=1985 |
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| startyear = 1985 |
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|conference=[[Big West Conference|PCAA]] |
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|endyear= |
| endyear = 1997 |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1985–86 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1985–86]] |
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| name =New Mexico |
| name = New Mexico State |
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| overall = |
| overall = 18–12 |
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| conference = |
| conference = 10–8 |
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| confstanding =3rd |
| confstanding = 3rd |
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| postseason = |
| postseason = |
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| championship = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1986–87 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1986–87]] |
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| name =New Mexico |
| name = New Mexico State |
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| overall = |
| overall = 15–15 |
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| conference = |
| conference = 9–9 |
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| confstanding = |
| confstanding = T–4th |
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| |
| postseason = |
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| postseason = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1987–88 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1987–88]] |
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| name =New Mexico |
| name = New Mexico State |
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| overall = |
| overall = 16–16 |
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| conference = |
| conference = 8–10 |
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| confstanding = |
| confstanding = T–6th |
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| postseason = |
| postseason = |
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| championship = |
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}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal |
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| name =New Mexico St. |
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| overall =49-43 |
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| confrecord =27-27 |
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}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead |
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|name=New Mexico St. |
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|startyear=1988 |
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|conference=[[Big West Conference|Big West]] |
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|endyear=1997 |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1988–89 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1988–89]] |
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| name =New Mexico |
| name = New Mexico State |
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| overall = |
| overall = 21–11 |
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| conference = |
| conference = 12–6 |
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| confstanding =2nd |
| confstanding = 2nd |
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| postseason =NIT |
| postseason = [[1989 National Invitation Tournament|NIT first round]] |
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| championship = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| championship = conference |
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| season =1989-1990 |
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| season = [[1989–90 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1989–90]] |
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| name =New Mexico St. |
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| name = [[1989–90 New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball team|New Mexico State]] |
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| overall =26-5 |
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| |
| overall = 26–5 |
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| |
| conference = 16–2 |
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| confstanding = T–1st |
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| championship =conference |
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| postseason =NCAA |
| postseason = [[1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]] |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1990–91 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1990–91]] |
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| name =New Mexico |
| name = [[1990–91 New Mexico State Aggies basketball team|New Mexico State]] |
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| overall = |
| overall = 23–6 |
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| conference = |
| conference = 15–3 |
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| confstanding =2nd |
| confstanding = 2nd |
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| postseason =NCAA |
| postseason = [[1991 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]] |
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| championship = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| championship = conference touranment |
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| season =1991-1992 |
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| season = [[1991–92 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1991–92]] |
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| name =New Mexico St. |
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| name = [[1991–92 New Mexico State Aggies basketball team|New Mexico State]] |
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| overall =25-8* |
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| |
| overall = 25–8* |
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| |
| conference = 12–6 |
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| confstanding = 3rd |
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| postseason =NCAA Sweet 16* |
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| postseason = [[1992 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Sweet 16]]* |
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| championship =conference touranment |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| championship = conference |
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| season =1992-1993 |
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| season = [[1992–93 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1992–93]] |
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| name =New Mexico St. |
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| name = [[1992–93 New Mexico State Aggies basketball team|New Mexico State]] |
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| overall =26-8* |
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| |
| overall = 26–8* |
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| |
| conference = 15–3 |
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| confstanding = 1st |
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| championship =conference |
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| postseason =NCAA |
| postseason = [[1993 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I second round]]* |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| championship = confboth |
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| season =1993-1994 |
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| season = [[1993–94 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1993–94]] |
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| name =New Mexico St. |
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| |
| name = New Mexico State |
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| |
| overall = 23–8* |
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| |
| conference = 12–6 |
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| |
| confstanding = 1st |
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| postseason = [[1994 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I first round]]* |
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| championship =confboth |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1994–95 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1994–95]] |
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| name =New Mexico |
| name = New Mexico State |
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| overall = |
| overall = 25–10 |
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| conference = |
| conference = 13–5 |
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| confstanding =2nd |
| confstanding = 2nd |
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| postseason =NIT |
| postseason = [[1995 National Invitation Tournament|NIT second round]] |
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| championship = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| season = |
| season = [[1995–96 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1995–96]] |
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| name =New Mexico |
| name = New Mexico State |
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| overall = |
| overall = 11–15 |
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| conference = |
| conference = 8–10 |
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| confstanding = |
| confstanding = T–7th |
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| |
| postseason = |
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| postseason = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry |
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| championship = division |
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| season =1996-1997 |
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| season = [[1996-97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1996-97]] |
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| name =New Mexico St. |
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| |
| name = New Mexico State |
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| |
| overall = 19–9** |
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| conference = 12–4** |
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| confstanding =T-1st& |
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| confstanding = T–1st <small>(East)</small>** |
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| championship =division |
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| postseason = |
| postseason = |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal |
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal |
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| name = |
| name = New Mexico State |
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| overall = |
| overall = 248–123 ({{Winning percentage|248|123}}) |
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| confrecord = |
| confrecord = 142–72 ({{Winning percentage|142|72}}) |
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}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal |
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| name =New Mexico St. |
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| overall =223-111% |
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| confrecord =130-68 |
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}} |
}} |
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{{CBB Yearly Record End |
{{CBB Yearly Record End |
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|overall=419 |
| overall = 419–209 ({{Winning percentage|419|209}}) |
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}} |
}} |
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<small><nowiki>*</nowiki> New Mexico State was forced to vacate its 1992, 1993 and 1994 NCAA appearances due to academic fraud. Official records for those seasons are |
<small><nowiki>*</nowiki> New Mexico State was forced to vacate its 1992, 1993 and 1994 NCAA appearances due to academic fraud. Official records for those seasons are 23–7, 25–7 and 23–7, respectively.</small> |
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<br> |
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& Entire 1996-97 season, as well as share of Big West title, vacated due to academic fraud.<br> |
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<small><nowiki>**</nowiki> Entire 1996–97 season, as well as share of Big West title, vacated due to academic fraud.<br> |
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% Official record at New Mexico State is 226–111 (130–68 Big West) without vacated games. |
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</small> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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<references/> |
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==External links== |
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*[http://statsheet.com/mcb/coaches/neil-mccarthy/career_record McCarthy's coaching stats] |
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{{Weber State Wildcats men's basketball coach navbox}} |
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{{NewMexicoStateBasketballCoach}} |
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[[Category:Weber State Wildcats men's basketball coaches]] |
Latest revision as of 23:19, 10 March 2023
Biographical details | |
---|---|
Born | San Francisco, California, U.S. | May 18, 1939
Died | September 18, 2021 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. | (aged 82)
Playing career | |
1963–1964 | Sacramento State |
Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
1974–1985 | Weber State |
1985–1997 | New Mexico State |
Head coaching record | |
Overall | 419–209 |
Accomplishments and honors | |
Championships | |
5 Big Sky regular season (1976, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984) 4 Big Sky tournament (1978–1980, 1983 2 Big West regular season (1990, 1994) Big West East Division (1997) 2 Big West tournament (1992, 1994) | |
Awards | |
3× Big Sky Coach of the Year (1978, 1980, 1983) 2× Big West Coach of the Year (1989, 1990) | |
Neil McCarthy (May 18, 1939 – September 18, 2021) was an American college basketball coach. He was head coach of the Weber State Wildcats team from 1974 to 1985 and at the New Mexico State Aggies from 1985 to 1997.
At Weber State, McCarthy led the Wildcats to four NCAA tournaments, including the school's first NCAA Tournament win since reaching the Sweet 16 in 1972. He remained Weber State's winningest coach until Randy Rahe broke his wins record in 2016.
During most of McCarthy's tenure at New Mexico State, the Aggies were the second-best team in what became the Big West Conference, behind UNLV. After UNLV hit the skids, McCarthy took advantage and led the Aggies to four straight Big West tournament titles and four straight NCAA Tournaments from 1990 to 1994. His best team was the 1991–92 unit, which advanced all the way to the Sweet 16—the Aggies' deepest run in the tournament since the 1970 Final Four unit.
McCarthy was abruptly fired just weeks before the start of practice for the 1997–98 season. Athletic director Jim Paul cited a number of factors, principally the basketball team's poor performance in the classroom. McCarthy only graduated nine players in his 12 years at the school (an 11 percent graduation rate), including only one in his last four years. In Paul's view, this meant that McCarthy emphasized winning over academics.[1] He left New Mexico State as the school's winningest coach, but has since been passed by Lou Henson.
Officially, McCarthy was reassigned as an assistant athletic director for the balance of his contract. However, he resigned rather than assume that post.
Academic scandals
[edit]Despite McCarthy's success in building two regional powers, two major academic scandals forced his departure from the coaching profession.
In early 1995, it emerged that six players had received help from one of McCarthy's assistants on their work at correspondence courses, including answers on their exams. After this came to light, New Mexico State withdrew from postseason consideration for the 1995-96 season. In July 1996, the NCAA placed New Mexico State on three years' probation and stripped the Aggies of their NCAA tournament appearances in 1992, 1993 and 1994. Although McCarthy was not involved in the violations, the NCAA severely criticized him for not properly controlling the program. It slapped him with a two-year "show-cause" order, meaning that if he ever left New Mexico State, any penalties imposed on him would have followed him to his new employer unless that school demonstrated that he had served his punishment.[2]
After his ouster, McCarthy sued New Mexico State for wrongful termination. During a deposition related to that suit, McCarthy admitted under oath that he had entered into a verbal agreement to hire Fletcher Cockrell, then the head coach at Jones County Community College in Mississippi, as an assistant coach if two of his star players signed with New Mexico State. Cockrell helped the players with their coursework and exams.[3]
After the violations came to light, New Mexico State withdrew from postseason consideration for the 2000–01 season, and placed the basketball team on two years' probation. The NCAA accepted New Mexico State's penalties, but imposed an additional four years' probation and forced the Aggies to vacate every game they played in 1996–97 and 1997–98. It also slapped McCarthy with a five-year show-cause order. Cockrell, who had been involved in violations at another school, received a 10-year show-cause order. The final report noted the similarities with the 1996 case. It also strongly hinted that had the Aggies not taken swift corrective action, the penalties might have been even harsher, and possibly included the "death penalty". However, it praised New Mexico State for forcing out McCarthy, the school president and Paul's predecessor as athletic director.[3][4]
Death
[edit]McCarthy died at his home in Utah on September 18, 2021.[5]
Head coaching record
[edit]Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weber State Wildcats (Big Sky Conference) (1975–1985) | |||||||||
1974–75 | Weber State | 5–7* | |||||||
1975–76 | Weber State | 21–11 | 9–5 | T–1st | |||||
1976–77 | Weber State | 20–8 | 11–3 | 2nd | |||||
1977–78 | Weber State | 19–10 | 9–5 | 3rd | NCAA Division I first round | ||||
1978–79 | Weber State | 25–9 | 10–4 | 1st | NCAA Division I second round | ||||
1979–80 | Weber State | 26–3 | 13–1 | 1st | NCAA Division I first round | ||||
1980–81 | Weber State | 8–19 | 5–9 | T–5th | |||||
1981–82 | Weber State | 15–13 | 6–8 | T–4th | |||||
1982–83 | Weber State | 23–8 | 10–4 | T–1st | NCAA Division I first round | ||||
1983–84 | Weber State | 23–8 | 12–2 | 1st | NIT second round | ||||
1984–85 | Weber State | 20–9 | 9–5 | 3rd | |||||
Weber State: | 205–98 (.677) | 94–46 (.671) | |||||||
New Mexico State Aggies (Pacific Coast Athletic Association / Big West Conference) (1985–1997) | |||||||||
1985–86 | New Mexico State | 18–12 | 10–8 | 3rd | |||||
1986–87 | New Mexico State | 15–15 | 9–9 | T–4th | |||||
1987–88 | New Mexico State | 16–16 | 8–10 | T–6th | |||||
1988–89 | New Mexico State | 21–11 | 12–6 | 2nd | NIT first round | ||||
1989–90 | New Mexico State | 26–5 | 16–2 | T–1st | NCAA Division I first round | ||||
1990–91 | New Mexico State | 23–6 | 15–3 | 2nd | NCAA Division I first round | ||||
1991–92 | New Mexico State | 25–8* | 12–6 | 3rd | NCAA Division I Sweet 16* | ||||
1992–93 | New Mexico State | 26–8* | 15–3 | 1st | NCAA Division I second round* | ||||
1993–94 | New Mexico State | 23–8* | 12–6 | 1st | NCAA Division I first round* | ||||
1994–95 | New Mexico State | 25–10 | 13–5 | 2nd | NIT second round | ||||
1995–96 | New Mexico State | 11–15 | 8–10 | T–7th | |||||
1996-97 | New Mexico State | 19–9** | 12–4** | T–1st (East)** | |||||
New Mexico State: | 248–123 (.668) | 142–72 (.664) | |||||||
Total: | 419–209 (.667) | ||||||||
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
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* New Mexico State was forced to vacate its 1992, 1993 and 1994 NCAA appearances due to academic fraud. Official records for those seasons are 23–7, 25–7 and 23–7, respectively.
** Entire 1996–97 season, as well as share of Big West title, vacated due to academic fraud.
% Official record at New Mexico State is 226–111 (130–68 Big West) without vacated games.
References
[edit]- ^ "McCarthy out as coach; NMSU turns to Henson". Associated Press. October 17, 1997. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
- ^ 1996 NCAA infraction report
- ^ a b Herrerra, Pete. NCAA places New Mexico St. on four years' probation. Associated Press via San Diego Union-Tribune, June 20, 2001.
- ^ 2001 NCAA infraction report
- ^ Groves, Jason (September 20, 2021). "Former NM State hoops coach Neil McCarthy passes away at 81". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
- 1939 births
- 2021 deaths
- American men's basketball coaches
- American men's basketball players
- Basketball coaches from California
- College basketball controversies in the United States
- College men's basketball head coaches in the United States
- NCAA sanctions
- New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball coaches
- Sacramento State Hornets men's basketball players
- Weber State Wildcats men's basketball coaches