June 5, 2005

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Steve Pikiell has learned how to build college basketball programs.

The Bristol native and St. Paul High graduate who played for UConn just as Jim Calhoun was turning the program into a national power. Pikiell coached alongside Calhoun for a year before moving on to assist Howie Dickenman at Central Connecticut. With Pikiell's help, the Blue Devils climbed from being one of the worst teams in Division I to easrning a 2000 NCAA Tournament berth.

From there, Pikiell joined former UConn player and assistant coach Karl Hobbes at George Washington. Again Pikiell helped turn a floundering program into a vibrant one.

Now, Pikiell takes all that he has learned about building programs to one in need of it --- Stony Brook University on Long Island. Earlier this spring, Pikiell became the first Calhoun-coached ex-Husky to garner a Division I head coaching job.

Pikiell, a former resident of Waterbury and Watertown, took some time recently to discuss his new job and assorted other subjects.

Question: How are things going in your new job?

Answer: Things are great. I'm as excited as I can be. This is a good place. I have a terrific boss (athletic director Jim Fiore). He's a good, good guy and he has a Division I vision for us. He's moving the whole program forward.

Q: Just before you took the job, Stony Brook self-imposed punishment throughout the department because of NCAA violations. Your program lost two scholarships over the next two years. Did that impact your thoughts about taking the job?

A: The first time I talked to Jim Fiore on the phone, he made me aware of those obstacles. We've already overcome them. A lot of things are in place now to make sure those things don't happen again. I knew the sanctions. With any new job, there's a little adversity. We'll get through this and move forward.

Q: You've coached with three guys who are, to say the least, excitable. What will you be like as a head coach?

A: I hope I'm a winner like those three guys. If I can model myself after those guys, that would be great. My experiences at those three places have helped me mold what I'll do here. I'm going to try to really teach and do a great job developing players. You don't get the finished product at these places. You have to develop players. I'm going to build it around kids graduating and getting better. I want to move this program toward a (NCAA) tournament berth.

Q: How is it different being a head coach as opposed to being an assistant?

A: I have a lot more stuff on my desk right now. I was here at 5 a.m. and I'll be here until midnight.

Q: Did moving closer to your home state have any bearing on your taking the Stony Brook job?

A: Not really. I just looked at it as being a great opportunity. I have a terrific wife (the former Kate Conway, a native Waterburian). She goes where I go. No matter where it was, I felt like I was ready to go. It just happened to be a little closer to Connecticut. Everything was in place here, but it's hard for just a coach to win. You need players.

Q: Do you have a particular focus on New York in your recruiting or are you open to anywhere?

A: We're really going to focus on these areas, but we'll get players where we can find them. Maybe we'll make a few stops in Waterbury. I do know there are a few players in Waterbury. My next phone call is to (Crosby High coach) Nick Augelli. There are a lot of great coaches and players in Waterbury, and a lot of good people.

Q: Which has worse traffic, D.C., Long Island or Waterbury?

A: D.C. is brutal. We're out in the middle of Long Island so it's not too bad. As you move closer to (New York), it gets crazy. We just bought a home three miles from campus so I won't have any traffic. No more commute.

Q: UConn is on your schedule next year. How do you feel about that?

A: I'm crazy, but you have to play somebody. We might as well get a little bit of exposure.

Q: Calhoun doesn't like to play his friends, but he also says he has no friends once the ball goes up.

A: That's why he's headed to the Hall of Fame.

Q: Have you talked to Calhoun much since taking over a new role?

A: I talked to him (recently). He's been great to me. He's been my mentor. Before I make some moves, I bounce things off him. I'm really lucky to have played for him. He's helped me in my coaching career. Now if he'll be kind to me on Dec. 18 or 28, I'd reall appreciate it.

Q: "Kind" might be a relative thing depending on what kind of mood Calhoun's in that night.

A: I know, but any kindness will do.