He went 75-41 with two 20-win seasons in four years. If anything Legans gets to live in Portland, which sure seems nice. You May Read: What Is Shantay Legans Salary As Portland Pilots Coach? Suarez came to the Pilots alongside Legans in April of 2021 after spending the previous four years on his staff at Eastern Washington. AP For anyone. UPDATED FOR 2023: Click to view our FULL LIST of coaching changes at EVERY LEVEL of college basketball. EWU had won 23 games entering the 2019-20 postseason before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the teams run prematurely. [1] He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he played at guard for the California Golden Bears from 1999 to 2002. Legans, who is 75-48 in four seasons with Eastern Washington, emulates Self for one big reason his winning ways. Sources: Eastern Washington's Shantay Legans is finalizing a deal to become the next head coach at Portland. From 2005 until 2007, he was a professional basketball player in Europe. I want to be able to go up against those guys and challenge them.". CHENEY, Wash. - According to sources, Eastern Washington University Men's Basketball coach Shantay Legans is heading to Portland. Playing now. Legans has had significant success at Eastern ever since he took the head coaching job. [4] On March 10, 2020, the Big Sky Conference named Legans its men's basketball coach of the year. Odds & lines subject to change. Michigan State survived a late scare against Portland on Sunday afternoon to win the fifth place game of the Phil Knight Invitational. And, after working more almost a decade, he was promoted to head coach. Bobby Suarez and T.J. Lipold will re-join Legans as assistant coaches on the Portland bench after spending the last four years on staff Eastern Washington. 31:52. Maybe Legans leaving is a domino that leads to more issues at EWU, but we just cant predict that without looking silly or uninformed. He was kicked out of games and gymnasiums including at more than one Boys & Girls Club. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Legans was the head coach at Eastern Washington University. Heading to Portland, a WCC bottom-dweller, sounds like a tall task. The University of Portland has long been a college basketball afterthought, languishing through losing season after losing season while playing in front of sparse crowds on the picturesque campus situated on The Bluff in North Portland. The Jayhawks pulled away down the stretch to avoid the upset and, less than 48 hours later, the Pilots had reached a deal with the 39-year-old Legans, infusing the program with newfound energy, recruiting credibility, confidence and optimism. Legans grew up in Santa Barbara in a one-bedroom apartment with his mother, the late Susan Legans, and never had a relationship with his father. Shantay Legans (born July 30, 1981) is an American college basketball head coach for Eastern Washington University and former basketball player For the California Univerity GoldenBears (2003-2004) and graduated at Fresno State University (2006-2007). It's the best place I've ever lived in my life. That also means it won't be long before he returns back to the Spokane metro area. It seems that Portland has more money to throw at Legans than EWU did, which was paying Legans $130,000 base salary the second-lowest in the Big Sky despite Legans success. On March 29, 2017, Legans was named the coach at Eastern Washington, replacing Jim Hayford. But you know what? Podcast Republic is one of the most popular podcast platforms on the world serving 1M+ podcasts and 500M+ episodes worldwide. [2], Born in Ventura, California, Legans graduated from Dos Pueblos High School in Goleta, California. Get full access to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle's award-winning news and sports coverage, as well as arts and entertainment, opinions and more. Explore More About Duke Blue Devils Coach Religion & Faith. [10] Eastern Washington went on to win the Big Sky tournament for the first time since 2015 and under Legans. He's ready for the task to take on the Bulldogs every year in conference play. Playing next. I don't know how long you have to be there to claim that, but they've been better for some of these so called blue bloods for a decade now. Basketball insider Jon Rothstein first broke the news that Legans finalized a deal with the University of Portland on Monday. Invalid password or account does not exist. $1 Million - $5 Million. 11 on ESPNs 40 Under 40 list of the top 40 college basketball coaches under the age of 40. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 39 years old? In the two previous years, he led the team to the Big Sky's Tournament Championship game. Nummer 6 - 2017; Nummer 5 - 2017; Nummer 4 - 2017; Nummer 3 - 2017; Nummer 2 - 2017 [4] Legans graduated from Fresno State in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in African American studies. Legans led the Eagles to a 16-8 record, a Big Sky Conference tournament championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history during the 2020-21 season. [6] Legans averaged 6.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 200607 with Hanzevast. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The Pilots won 19 games, matching the fourth-most wins in a season since Portland joined the Division I ranks in 1958, and also earned the programs first postseason victory at the NCAA level. But he couldnt keep the program out of the WCC basement in four-plus seasons, limping to a 43-103 record that included zero winning seasons and just one victory against a WCC opponent over the final three years. Home. After redshirting one season, he averaged 15.0 points and 5.6 assists as a senior for the Fresno State Bulldogs in 200304. CHENEY, Wash. Eastern Washington (EWU) men's basketball coach Shantay Legans is heading to Portland. When coach Jim Hayford left for Seattle University in 2017, Legans was named his replacement and, over four seasons, he led the Eagles to a 74-59 record, Big Sky conference and tournament championships and an NCAA Tournament berth. Sometimes it was a little too much.. We have estimated Never Made the Tournament Club, 2/28/23: Its Working. Legans, 39, comes to The Bluff after 12 years at Eastern Washington University where he helped lead the Eagles to five of its seven all-time postseason appearances. [4] Eastern Washington followed that breakthrough season with two straight winning seasons with appearances in the 2016 and 2017 College Basketball Invitational (CBI) tournaments. In short, in my own opinion, it is a steal for Portland and a big risk for Legans. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Legans accepted the job today. Suarez earned his bachelors degree in business management from Florida Gulf Coast in 2012. https://portlandpilots.com/news/2023/1/25/mens-basketball-bobby-suarez-promoted-to-associate-head-coach.aspx. Prior to his time on The Bluff, Suarez spent four years as an assistant coach with Legans at Eastern Washington. He rose up through the cash-strapped program under two head coaches, earning respect for his recruiting prowess, dogged work ethic and unmatched energy. He is from CA. Create a password that only you will remember. My thing with Scott was: Do you think we can win? Legans said. Randall William Bennett (born June 9, 1962) is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at Saint Mary's College of California. He started fights regularly. The result will be announced on April 1, 2022. Example video title will go here for this video. We should be competing to be in the postseason every year.. Riley has been on EWU's staff for seven seasons. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Plain and simple. By Paul Schwedelson When Hayford left, Legans was already there and was promoted from within. and by Joslin Torres, STAFF OPINION: Stop pleasing others, live your truth, We do all these things to get the folks in, where are the resources to keep them in?, The Student Voice Of The University of Portland Since 1935, The Student Voice of the University of Portland Since 1935, UP mens basketball will play in WCC tournament after false positive scare. And as he grew older, Legans learned to channel his attitude to fuel his basketball ability. Shantay Legans Athletics, Head Coach Men's Basketball Email: Address: Chiles Center 79. News. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. The Pilots failed to hit the 10-win mark the past three seasons, naturally leading to Terry Porters dismissal after he went just 43-107 in five seasons. If he could lead a school in remote Cheney, Washington, to an NCAA Tournament berth, one cant help but wonder what he could do in Portland. But when its time for them to go to school, well be in the Top 25 and theyll want to be here., Its no wonder Jeter says: I think our time is now.. 11 on ESPNs 40 Under 40 list of the top 40 college basketball coaches under the age of 40.AP. "We're rolling and we're building some continuity, and it's just great to see." This is Meadows' fourth season playing for Coach Shantay Legans. The school made an official announcement late Monday afternoon. The Iso with Special Guest Coach Shantay Legans. Legans replaces Terry Porter, who was dismissed Feb. 5. All rights reserved (About Us). 11 on ESPN's "40 Under 40" list of the top 40 college basketball coaches under the age of 40. Peatling also earned Academic All-American honors. Legans, 39, comes to The Bluff after 12 years at Eastern Washington University where he helped lead the Eagles to five of its seven all-time postseason appearances. Search the complete digital archives for all papers in the Pioneer News Group. Shantay Legan has been nominated for the Ben Jobe Award 2022 Coach of The Year. Shantay Andrade Legans (born July 30, 1981)[1] is an American college basketball coach who is currently men's basketball head coach at Portland. But after decades in the cellar, the hope is that the Pilots will one day soon. They respect him and he knows how to balance accountability and encouragement." If they make an adjustment. So while West Coast Conference rival Gonzaga has bloomed into a national power and BYU and Saint Marys have become regular NCAA Tournament threats, Portland has devolved into a basketball graveyard. Legans, 39, comes to The Bluff after 12 years at Eastern Washington University where he helped lead the Eagles to five of its seven all-time postseason appearances. I spoke with Shantay Legans this morning, who is making the move from coaching at Eastern Washington to Portland.He has noticed what people are saying about this being a bad decision, but he's keeping the receipts to talk his talk later. [7], As head coach, Legans continued the success of Hayford, leading the 201718 Eagles to the program's fourth straight winning season at 2015 and third straight CBI appearance. Suarez came to the Pilots alongside Legans in April of 2021 after spending the previous four years on his staff at Eastern Washington. Neither do we. All rotation players returned for the 2022-23 season. 11:24. This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Discover Shantay Legans's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. This dude is so competitive. Coronavirus Coverage; UP Crime & Fire Log; . [11], On March 22, 2021, it was confirmed that Legans would accept the head coaching position at Portland. [4], National champion News never stops. "It was a bad look," he conceded. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Legans played college basketball at Cal and Fresno State before joining EWU as an assistant coach during the 2009-10 season. "EWU is a special place, it will always have a special place in my heart and I'm going to miss this place dearly," Legans said in a one-on-one interview with KREM. Shantay Legans, who went 74-59 in four seasons at Eastern Washington, was ranked No. He knocked all those out of the park, Brough said. 13:14. Bobby is a rising star in our industry, Legans said. Official interviews with four. [4] Legans was retained by new head coach Jim Hayford in 2011. Please find out the details of his career earnings below. That's one of the best programs in the country and it has been for 10 years. Hes not coming here, Donald Wilson, a former Pilots player, told administrators when they floated Legans name internally. Legans led EWU to its third NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the Big Sky Conference tournament. On top of it all, the WCC carries more cachet than ever, thanks to Gonzagas national prominence, Saint Marys consistency and BYUs recent rise. But things are changing at UP and there is hope that after decades of irrelevance, the basketball program is finally heading in the right direction. The exact terms of Legans deal at Portland have not been reported, but Oregonian columnist John Canzano tweeted the deal is four years with a fifth-year option. After five straight losing seasons, the 201415 Eastern Washington Eagles team went 269 with the Big Sky Conference regular season title and won the 2015 Big Sky tournament for automatic qualification for the NCAA tournament. They had dismissed Porter and wanted to know if he was interested in leaving Cheney.