Ronny Thompson's new job as Ball State University's men's basketball coach has proven to be quite time consuming.
During his four weeks at the helm of the program, Thompson has been rushing around the country in search of coaches to fill up his staff and players to join his roster. Thompson has filled two assistant coaching positions in that time and he said he is close to hiring his final staff member. He's also signed one recruit for the 2006-07 class, 6-foot-10 center Micah Rollin, and because Thompson had to jump into the recruiting game late this year, he has focused primarily on recruiting junior college players.
Thompson said it's difficult finding high school players this late in the game.
"At this point, junior college talent becomes more important than it normally would have been," Thompson said. "The junior college route is something we're looking heavily into. We're close to signing a few more [players]."
Thompson's workload has decreased in the past two weeks because of the additions of Steve Flint and Tracy Collier to the staff, who are both currently out of town recruiting.
While the coaches are out finding next year's recruits, Director of Basketball Operations Michael Bennett has remained in Muncie to keep an eye on the current crop of players. Bennett will be the only member from former coach Tim Buckley's staff that will remain under Thompson's reign.
"He knows the area and Ball State, which gives us good local connections," Thompson said.
Thompson has at least three scholarships left to fill and that number could rise if freshmen Pat Nelson and Landon Adler decide to transfer from the team. Thompson wouldn't comment on specific players' situations or on the exact number of scholarships he has available at the moment.
"I'm not going to comment right now on who is going to be leaving next year," he said. "We're just filling spots as we go along."
Even with everything happening at light speed, Thompson is confident that his staff is doing a great job under the circumstances.
"We knew it would be an odd year, in terms of handling recruiting and the first month of things," Thompson said. "It's been hectic and somewhat of a sprint in getting everything done but we're on pace."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
