Big East, Ackerman leading way with diverse cast of coaches

The Big East Conference leads the nation with seven of the 11 men’s basketball coaches being African-American, with conference Commissioner Val Ackerman noting it is something that "may not have been happening 20 years ago or five years ago." Marquette coach Shaka Smart noted the “fact that that’s an anomaly says a lot more about the rest of college basketball than it does about anything else.” Ackerman said “more people of color can and should become leaders and so it’s incumbent upon existing sports organizations to make pathways possible.” St. John’s coach Mike Anderson: “A lot of people talk about it, but do they actually do it? This says a lot about our conference and what the mission is all about.” Fox’s Jimmy Jackson said the “coaches matter, the next step is up at the athletic director realm” and also as university presidents and chancellors. Jackson noted he was “happy” about the Big East and the number of minority coaches in the conference, but “more work to do” ( “Fox College Hoops Tip-Off,” Fox, 1/16).