A successful California high school coach is interested in applying for the women's basketball head coaching position at California State University Fresno, but the school's qualifications exclude him from consideration.
Craig Campbell, the long-time head coach of the Clovis West High School girls' basketball team, fails to meet the "Minimum of five (5) years basketball coaching and/or playing experience at the NCAA or professional level." Campbell told ABC affiliate KFSN that he reached out directly to Fresno State athletic director Garrett Klassy about making an exception, but the school will not budge with this requirement.
In his 30+ years of coaching at Reno High School and Clovis West, Campbell has won 768 games, including two state championships. He's also coached seven McDonald's All-Americans when coaching AAU basketball, including two players in this year's NCAA women's Elite 8 — Texas Christian's Donovyn Hunter and Connecticut's Morgan Cheli.
"Campbell acknowledges he may not be the right man for the position, with former head coach Adrian Wiggins applying for the same job, but he's frustrated that the school wouldn't look at someone with his resume," reported KFSN's Stephen Hicks. "He cited coaches like Alabama's Nate Oats and UConn's Dan Hurley who made the jump straight from high school to college who found success."
"Is it common? No," Campbell told KFSN. "But the success we've had at Clovis West isn't common either."
Clovis West finished the season at 33-1. "Elite coaches are elite coaches," Campbell said.
San Jose State has a similar opening, with qualifications that state "College basketball coaching and/or professional playing experience or equivalent," but there is not requirement for years coached, Hicks reported.
Campbell isn't interested in the Spartans' position but hopes by sharing his story, Fresno State can change a rule "that doesn't make sense."
Per the California State University Fresno website, regarding the women's basketball head coach opening:
Key Qualifications
- Experience overseeing academic status and enhancement of NCAA academic progress rates and federal graduation rates.
- Demonstrated record of coaching success.
- Ability to effectively communicate with the media.
- Proven track record to recruit and retain quality student-athletes.
- Thorough knowledge of NCAA rules and compliance requirements.
- Possess a coaching philosophy that aligns with the mission, vision and values of Fresno State and the Athletic Department.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional, collaborative relationships with student-athletes, administrators, faculty, staff, and the ‘Red Wave’ community.
- Ability to generate philanthropic funds to support the basketball program.
- Experience supervising and mentoring basketball staff and student-athletes.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education which is accredited by one of the six US regional accrediting associations or by an equivalent international institution of higher education.
- Minimum of five (5) years basketball coaching and/or playing experience at the NCAA or professional level.
