Williams Still Believes in Preston and Lallathin
By Chris Raimondi, Staff Writer
KSU men’s basketball head coach Lewis Preston has yet to return to the program since taking a leave of absence on Jan. 2, but according to KSU’s Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams, Preston will be back for next season.
Jimmy Lallathin served as the team’s interim head coach since Preston’s absence and earned three conference-wins in his two month tenure; one more than Preston’s two conference wins in two and a half seasons. Williams stated that he has much higher expectations for the basketball program in the fall and noted that he will be keeping a closer eye on Preston in his fourth season as the Owls head coach.
“I think I’m going to have to be more involved and on top of him [Preston] more than I might want to,”Williams said. “I watch practices and stuff like that but I think, based on the circumstances, I’ve got to make sure he is fit to lead. I’m going to have to pay close attention.”
Williams identified with the growing pains that come with being a first-time head coach by referencing his current profession as a first-time athletic director. However, Williams followed by expressing how important next season will be. The 2014-15 season will mark not only Preston’s fourth season but also many of his recruits’ third season.
Since Preston’s tenure at KSU, the men’s basketball team has progressed on the academic aspect of the program. The team increased its overall Academic Progress Rate and is on much better standards compared to previous teams, according to Williams. Preston was hired in 2011 after former national championship winner Tony Ingle was let go in the wake of academic sanctions. Though Preston helped the team achieve its goals off the court, the team never improved in the win column until Lallathin was given the reigns.
“I think Jimmy did an unbelievable job,”Williams said. “He stepped into a situation that was a little different for all of us and the student athletes responded very well – whether it was due to adversity – I’m not sure, but he did a great job in communicating and getting them to have fun and improving. They were a different team down the stretch, no doubt. I’m very appreciative for Coach L.” Williams endorsed a collaborative effort heading into next season with the new given perspective from Lallathin.
“I believe in both of them together,” Williams said. “They have a great relationship, but it has been difficult for both of them with one being with the program and one not at this time. Hopefully we can get both parties together and do what we came here to do.”
The team will travel to Italy in early August before the start of next season as part of an opportunity given to student-athletes to play abroad and build team chemistry. Once the season begins, the spotlight will be on–brighter than ever before.
“I’m not satisfied,” Williams said. “Anyone who likes KSU basketball would not be satisfied, and they have a right to question what is going on and where we’re going. All I can say to them is next year is going to be a big year.”
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