Toney, 48, would like a job on new coach Archie Miller’s staff. And while he has no coaching experience to speak of, Toney does have an extensive hoop background.
He was an NBA player for five years, then became the New York Knicks’ director of player personnel. He also had a stint in the NBA front office, worked part-time as an ESPN college basketball broadcaster and, most recently, has been a personnel trainer for future pros.
“I’d just like the opportunity to give back to the university, and I definitely think I have a lot to offer,” Toney said.
The last alum to coach for UD was Josh Postorino from 2001-03. Before that, it was Ray Springer (1991-94).
But several Flyers from the 1950s and ’60s came back to coach, including George Janky, Bobby Joe Hooper, Steve Hess, Chuck Grigbsy and Razor Campell. Don Donoher, who had a successful 25-year run as head coach, also is an ex-Flyer.
“Dayton has not had a former player there in so long, someone to represent the university who played there and has ties there,” said Toney, who currently resides in Cleveland. “I think I can help tremendously with recruiting around Dayton and around Ohio.”
GREGORY MISSED: After freshmen Juwan Staten and Brandon Spearman transferred, there were rumblings that players had soured on coach Brian Gregory and would have preferred playing for someone else.
Not true, said junior forward Luke Fabrizius.
“Everybody on this team would say they loved playing for BG,” Fabrizius said. “People use the term ‘player’s coach.’ He was definitely a player’s coach. Everybody gets along with him. He would do anything for us, and I think we can say we’d do the same thing for him.”
At least one former Flyer shared that sentiment. When Gregory left to take the Georgia Tech job, Charles Little, who graduated in 2009 and is playing professionally in Portugal, put this post on his Facebook page: “Dayton, Ohio, the place that changed my life. Brian Gregory the man who saved my life!!”
UD PRAISED: Sean Miller, the former Xavier coach who is now at Arizona, shared one of the reasons his younger brother was so eager to take the UD job.
“You can learn a lot about a college basketball program by the way they conduct a search,” he said. “I was involved in one a few years ago where the guy told me his phone fell through the elevator, and that’s why I couldn’t get a hold of him. Some (searches) go on for two weeks, and two weeks stretch into four weeks.
“But Dayton was very detailed and sharp, and presented how the program was run. Archie really respected that. Anyone would. He knew he was signing on to something that wants to be special and wants to be great.”
C
ontact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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