Peterson happy

to be back in Boone
By Steve Behr

It took almost a month, but Appalachian State finally got their man when it comes to hiring a men’s basketball coach.

Buzz Peterson said coaching college basketball is what he really wants to do with his life and Appalachian State is going to give him that chance. Peterson, hired by ASU on Monday, agreed to a five-year contract worth $178,000 per year plus incentives. He replaces Houston Fancher, who was released with one year left on his contract.

Peterson met with the returning players Monday for the first time and said he’ll meet with them again later this week. Matt McMahon, an assistant coach for Fancher and a former player under Peterson, has been working with the team and will be retained as an assistant.

Peterson, who talked to reporters on a conference call Wednesday, acknowledged that he is leaving a good position as director of player personnel with the Charlotte Bobcats. But the lure of returning to the bench, especially at Appalachian State, was finally too tempting to turn down.

“The NBA is a comfortable living,” Peterson said. “I had been coaching for 20 years and after being able to step away for two years, I appreciated that what I was doing was fun. I had to make sure I got my personal affairs in order to make sure it would work out, but I was determined to make sure it happened.”

Peterson was originally offered the job in early April, but turned it down April 9. Appalachian State had other candidates for the position, most notably Citadel coach Ed Conroy and former Charlotte and Texas A&M head coach Melvin Watkins, who is currently an assistant at Missouri.

However, Appalachian State athletic director Charlie Cobb called Peterson again. This time, Peterson decided, with the blessing of his boss with the Bobcats and his friend Michael Jordan.

“I talked to Michael last night and he said, ‘Buzz, I’ll never stand in your way if you want to coach.’”
Peterson said. “We actually had that same conversation several weeks ago. He said to just go coach.”

Peterson said he would not have an opportunity to be an assistant with the Bobcats since the current staff for head coach Larry Brown is in place. Peterson will also travel back and forth to Charlotte to help the Bobcats with their upcoming draft.

It is the third time Peterson has been a coach in Boone and the second time as the head coach at ASU.

Peterson was an assistant under Tom Apke in 1987-89 and became a head coach for the first time in 1996. He stayed at Appalachian State through the 1999-2000 season, when he led the Mountaineers to their second NCAA Tournament berth.

Peterson put together a 79-39 overall record, 47-12 in the Southern Conference while at Appalachian State.

The Mountaineers captured three straight North Division championships, winning at least 20 games each season.

From there, Peterson left to coach at Tulsa, where he led the Golden Hurricanes to an NIT championship. The next season, he left to coach at Tennessee, where he lasted for years, compiling a 61-59 record.

Peterson was fired from Tennessee, but was hired by Coastal Carolina, where he coached for two more years before joining the Bobcats’ staff.

Peterson said that after he had originally turned Appalachian State down, he hoped they would try again.

“I was hoping they would call back,” he said. “I can’t say that I don’t love Boone and Appalachian State. I went there in 1987 and in ‘96 and I still do 13 years later. There’s a sense of comfort and home in the area.”

Peterson said that he also talked to Fancher about the position. Fancher is a former assistant coach of Peterson’s and got the position at Appalachian State when Peterson left for Tulsa.

“Houston and I are very good friends,” Peterson said. “The reason why we were so successful was because his recruiting was very good. I feel very fortunate to take over a lot of good men who are talented. I’ll try to encourage them as much as I can and make them feel good about themselves and get them to play with a lot of confidence.”

Peterson said his main goal is to bring the Mountaineers back to the top of the Southern Conference and return to the NCAA Tournament. Appalachian State did not reach the NCAAs under Fancher, but the Mountaineers went 25-8 and were invited to the NIT in 2006-07, when they lost to Ole Miss.

“What I would like to do is restore Appalachian state to its rightful place in the Southern Conference,” he said. “If you work hard, success will come.”

Buzz Peterson file

Season                Team                          All          Conf
1996-97            App. State            14-14         8-6
1997-98           ^App. State             21-8        13-2

1998-99           ^App. State             21-8        13-3

1999-00           ^*App. State           23-9         13-3

2000-01           &Tulsa                   26-11        10-6

2001-02           Tennessee              15-16         7-9
2002-03           Tennessee              17-12         9-7 NIT
2003-04           Tennessee              15-14         7-9 NIT

2004-05           Tennessee              14-17         6-10
2005-06           C. Carolina             20-10         12-4
2006-07           C. Carolina             15-15          7-7
Totals 11 seasons 201-134 105-66
^SoCon North Division champs
*SoCon Tournament champs
&NIT champs