Local News on Zach Spiker Departure

Cornell Basketball's local media finally published some coverage of the weekend's news that Zach Spiker left his assistant coaching position at Cornell to take the head coaching position at Army. Cornell Coach Steve Donahue told the Ithaca Journal that he would like to promote current assistants Nat Graham and Woody Kampmann, leaving the third assistant's position to be filled by a new hire.

Here is the full article from the Ithaca Journal:

Army tabs Spiker as new head coach
Spiker has 6-year deal to turn program around

Zach Spiker, a 2000 Ithaca College graduate and five-year assistant coach at Cornell under Steve Donahue, has been hired as Army's men's basketball coach.

The hiring was announced Saturday by United States Military Academy director of athletics Kevin Anderson. Spiker replaces Jim Crews, who was fired on Sept. 21 after seven seasons and a 60-139 record.

"Obviously you want all your assistants to get a head coaching job, a Division I head coaching job," Donahue said. "And to get one at such a prestigious institution like the United States Military Academy, it's just incredible. I'm so happy for him. He deserves it."

Spiker did not immediately respond to messages left on his cell phone. He released a statement through Army's athletic communications department.

"I am extremely humbled and excited by the opportunity that Mr. Anderson has given me to coach at West Point," he said. "I can't wait to get to work, and I am looking forward to serving this senior class to make this season the best it can be. I am confident we will all work together and make this a great experience for everybody."

"We conducted a national search and spoke to a tremendous school of candidates," Anderson said. "Throughout the process, one individual clearly rose to the top."

Anderson confirmed to the Times Herald-Record, in Middletown, that Spiker was signed to a six-year deal. He'll be introduced officially at a 3 p.m. news conference Tuesday at West Point.

Spiker had a strong role in recruiting Cornell's current players, who have helped to win two straight Ivy League championships. Cornell will be a heavy favorite to win the 2009-10 title.

Donahue said Spiker evolved into an outstanding recruiter.

"Zach has an incredible work ethic," Donahue said. "He's willing to put in the time. I think a lot of guys in this business think recruiting is making a big splash and being dynamic in a setting. ... In reality it's the guy that's going to develop relationships over time through hard work, and really fulfilling all the things he talks about with the coaches and the families, and Zach does a great job of staying on top of kids and making them realize he's there for them. He did that for us time and again."

Army's long list of distinguished head coaches includes former Indiana and Texas Tech coach Bob Knight, and current Duke and U.S. Olympic Team head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Army finished the 2008-09 season with an 11-18 record, and a 6-8 mark in the Patriot League. The Black Knights' schedule this season includes games against Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth and Brown. Army last had a winning season in 1984-85.

Donahue said he hopes to have a replacement as quickly as Cornell can expedite the process. He said ideally, he would like to promote current assistants Nat Graham and Woody Kampmann, leaving the third assistant's position to be vacated.

Winter teams can begin practicing officially in two weeks.

Spiker celebrated his 33rd birthday last week. He and his wife, Jennifer, have a 1-year old son, Charlie.

Below is the full article from the Cornell Daily Sun:

Longtime Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach Zach Spiker To Be New Head Coach at Army

Zach Spiker, a five-year assistant coach for the men’s basketball team, was hired to the head coach position at Army, the school announced on Saturday. Spiker replaces Jeff Crews, who was fired on Sept. 24 following a confrontation with a player, according to ESPN's Andy Katz. Crews signed a three-year contract with a two-year option over the summer, but Army athletic director Kevin Anderson said there was an issue involving Crews that he “couldn't ignore.”

Spiker has been a big part of Cornell’s success on the basketball court in recent years. The team won back-to-back Ivy titles in 2007-08 and 2008-09, the first time in school history and the first time in Ivy League history that a school other than Penn or Princeton has repeated.

According to Katz, head coach Steve Donahue called to recommend his top assistant to the Black Knights. Nat Graham and Woody Kampmann are the remaining assistant coaches on Cornell's roster.