Fresno State Athletics
Men at Work
12/1/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
While Fresno State's 2000-01 men's basketball team may have a much different look compared to last season's NCAA tournament squad, one constant fans can count on is the return of all three of its assistant coaches. Wil Hooker, Danny Tarkanian and John Welch are the three men who will be assisting sixth-year head coach Jerry Tarkanian with this year's Bulldog team- one that includes as many as eight players who were not on Fresno State's roster last season. Nevertheless, each coach will play an important role in the Bulldog's bid for a second consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament.
Wil Hooker
Hooker begins his third season at his alma mater as a Bulldog assistant coach. He was Fresno State's equipment manager from 1995-98 while he finished his degree. Hooker had previously served as an assistant coach at Columbia College under current UCLA assistant coach Jim Saia. His responsibilities include film breakdown and exchange, working with front court players during practices and helping out at the Bulldogs' summer camps.
Hooker is also the leading scorer in Fresno State history, ending his collegiate career with 1,739 points. He started 112 of 119 games while at Fresno State and also set career records for field goals made (262) and attempted (677), steals (183) and free throw percentage (.836). Hooker was the first Bulldog ever to accumulate 1,700 points, 400 rebounds and 300 assists and holds the single-season record for three-point field goals made (74). The Bulldog assistant coach was also named the Fresno State MVP in 1990 and 1992, and was a second-team All-Big West selection in 1991-92. He was also named to the Big West All-Freshman team during his first season with the Bulldogs.
Danny Tarkanian
Danny Tarkanian, son of head coach Jerry Tarkanian, enters his sixth season as an assistant coach at Fresno State. Tarkanian, who spent seven years as an attorney in Las Vegas between coaching stints, also coached with his father from 1984-85 at his alma mater, UNLV. His off-court duties include recruiting, academics and public relations, and during practice he works mainly with the point guards. Tarkanian expects that this season's squad will eventually mesh as a unit and also become mentally and physically stronger.
"I think our athleticism allows us to play the style of ball we have always wanted to ever since we came here," Tarkanian said.
Tarkanian was instrumental in capturing two Pacific Coast Athletic Association championships and making three NCAA appearances during his tenure at UNLV. While at UNLV he set career, single-season and game records for assists and steals and earned a third team All-West Coast selection in 1983. The Bulldog assistant coach was a two-time Academic All-American selection and was named second team All-PCAA his senior year. Tarkanian, who was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the eighth round of the NBA Draft, was awarded a NCAA postgraduate scholarship and was the first Rhodes scholar candidate from UNLV.
John Welch
Welch will also be beginning his sixth season as a Bulldog assistant coach after previously spending two years as an assistant at Long Beach State. Welch also plays a major role in recruitment and individual workouts. He played under Jerry Tarkanian for one season at UNLV and during his senior year, UNLV advanced to the third round of the NCAA tournament with a 33-5 record.
"This year's team works hard and is trying to improve," Welch said. "We are a more defensive-oriented team and the guys are really starting to come together."
After his playing career, Welch joined the Rebels as a graduate assistant under Tarkanian for three years, including the 1987 season when UNLV made it to the NCAA Final Four. From 1986-1989, when the Rebels' season was finished, Welch would begin another season as a player and a coach in the New Zealand Professional Basketball League. Welch also served as an assistant coach for three seasons at Chaparral High School in Las Vegas. In 1992, he was appointed the head coach at Las Vegas High School where he stayed for a year before moving on to Long Beach State. Welch then helped guide the 49ers program to a two-year record of 37-20 and berth in the NCAA Tournament in 1995.
