It’s a bonus, friends. A “Five” today and yes, another “Five” tomorrow. If you missed today’s story on K-State associate coach Dalonte Hill, it’s right here.
1. Talk about that fateful 24 hours with Bob Huggins and then Frank Martin.
We had known there was an offer on the table. We talked briefly. He said there were a couple of schools that were interested, but he told us he wouldn’t consider those but this one, this one was home. … I just sat back. When it comes to things like this with me, I don’t need people pulling, pushing. He finally called me and Frank that morning. He said he had to do it. We were like, I guess we have to do it. The administration hadn’t communicated with us. We went home and explained to our families that we had to make another move. They were like, where? What about the kids you brought in? We told them, we have to pursue what we want to do, and that’s become head coaches.
Frank and I were like, we just have to do what we have to do. But we wondered, what do we tell (the recruits)? We decided we had to sit down with them and explain. The administration called and asked what it would take to keep us. Now, I believe in the chain of command, so I said I’d give Frank the opportunity. …
They came back, and I was on pins and needles. They hadn’t made a decision, and I told Frank I was getting nervous. With all of the indecision, I didn’t need to be sitting around. I wanted to be out recruiting. I took off. I told Frank to let them know.
Frank wanted to make sure I was compensated. … They put together a nice package for me. The problem for me was that they never really offered me. Until then, I was growing gray hairs by the hour. I didn’t know what to do. Ask the administration — we didn’t have any negotiations.
When it was official, we just wanted to make sure we had use of the school. We had to go save the recruits. … We flew to Memphis, which is where Mike (Beasley) was.
2. What types of emotions and thoughts were racing through your mind? Any outside contact?
When they brought us in, I knew they were wavering between me and Frank. Then other schools were getting at me, but I was like, ‘You’re only thinking about Mike, you’re not thinking about me.’ Had coaches talking to other coaches, saying, ‘Dalonte and me are best friends.’ The job ain’t been open but 24 hours. … Man, all types of (contact). Hey, I was a free agent.
3. Would you rather great talent or great coaching?
Talent. Gotta say talent. In the (NCAA) tournament, coaching is preparation and all of that, because there’s a quick turnaround. But it’s experience, too. These so-called mid-major schools, a lot of their players are four-year guys. They’ve been through so much together, they come in and put it on you. Experience wins out.
4. Are you enjoying Manhattan?
Manhattan is cool. Recruits ask me what it’s like. … The thing is, people live in the suburbs. This is like a suburb. The main city is two hours away. Kids don’t come to college to live in the city. They come to get an education. Kids from D.C., most people there don’t want to go into the city because there’s too much traffic. … Manhattan is basically a suburb. You just have to understand it’s not a city.
5. Care to divulge terms of your salary? Rumors have it you’re the highest-paid assistant in the country…
Nah. (J-Mart question: well, are you being compensated well?) Absolutely. It’s not bad. It ain’t bad at all.