Ranking the Coaches in the WCC

Dec 10, 2011; San Francisco CA, USA; San Francisco Dons head coach Rex Walters on the sidelines against the Pacific Tigers during the first half at War Memorial Gym. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4- Rex Walters (San Francisco)

By James Stapleton (Excerpt taken from previous article, Twitter Handle: @jastape)

There are two types of fans in the WCC. There are Rex Walters lovers, and then there are the Rex Walters haters. As readers, I’m certain you already know where you stand. Since his start in 2008, Walters is 107-114, including a 20+ win season in 2011-2012. That season was the first time the Dons had 20+ wins since the 1981-82 (25-6) season. The Dons head coach turned the Men’s Basketball program into a legitimate threat in the WCC. But to understand Walters, you have to recognize his Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde tendencies. When watching a Dons game, I personally have differentiated these two personalities as Rex and T-Rex.

“Rex” is the clean-cut Jayhawk alumni that played seven years in the NBA and had a minor role in the movie Blue Chips. Rex has expressed three important attributes for his team: work ethic in the classroom, work ethic on the court, and good standing in the community. At USF, Rex has made difficult decisions with some of his student-athletes that choose to clash with these values. For instance, USF fans have witnessed Walters sit a starter who is academically struggling. He emphasizes the student-athlete and will sit the player as long as it takes for his academics to improve.

This is an important year for Walters. His contract expires at the end of 2016-2017 season and his teams have shown a consistent improvement since his arrival in 2008. If the Green & Gold do in fact continue to improve, they have to assert themselves at the top half of the WCC. This 2013-2014 season is the first year that Walters has built the entire Dons team. There are no unexpected transfers – these are his guys. Die hard Dons fans are expecting Rex to lead the Dons to a top three finish in the WCC with an appearance in the Championship game. Anything less and T-Rex may be chased through town with pitchforks and torches all off-season.