When Duquesne head coach Jim Ferry took over Ron Everhart’s position in 2012, the question was whether the Elmont, NY native could rebuild the program. Now after three years, skepticism has shifted to Ferry’s ability to provide the Dukes with resilience.
Since his start in 2012, Ferry has maintained a 33-58 (12-38) overall record with Duquesne. He improved from his 8-22 (1-15) first season to 12-19 (6-12) this past season, yet the three year coach has yet to have a winning season with the Dukes. Ferry’s time at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY may be an indicator of his coaching potential at the Division I level, where he began his first season with the Blackbirds on a 9-19 (7-11) season and finished with a 25-9 (16-2) record. In 2011 and 2012, his last two seasons at LIU, Ferry led his team to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Ferry loses lone senior center Dominique McKoy (9.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg) heading into the 2015-16 season. In return, the Dukes gain three new recruits, including Nakye Sanders and Josh Steel, as well as Nebraska transfer Tarin Smith, who will be eligible beginning in 2016-17. Also competing this season for the Dukes will be transfer guards Rene Castro and Mar’Qywell Jackson, who sat out during the 2014-15 season.
Everhart, who finished at Duquesne with a 99-89 (46-50) overall record, was asked to leave the program with two years remaining on his contract following the announced departure of three players. According to www.espn.go.com, Everhart’s best season was in 2008-09, when the Dukes advanced to the Atlantic 10 championship game.
With Ferry’s seemingly developed program, highlighted by last season’s performances by backcourt duo guards Derrick Colter (13.2 ppg) and Micah Mason (12.8 ppg), the Dukes’ 2015-16 season is expected to be one of not only resilience, but also reaping. Reaping rewards.
Photo by Rachel Konieczny
