Good takes Div. II post

Steve Addy

Friday, April 6, 2001 | 10:53 a.m.

Dave Rice facts

Born: Aug. 29, 1969

Residence: Las Vegas

High school: Claremont, Calif. 1987

Education: UNLV, B.S., 1991; M.B.A., 1993

Coaching experience: UNLV 1994-present; Chaffey College 1993-94; UNLV 1991-92

Playing experience: UNLV 1989-91; Mount San Antonio College 1987-89

Deane Martin facts

Born: March 18, 1964

Hometown: Mercer, Mo.

High school: North Mercer 1982

Education: Central Missouri, B.S., 1987

Coaching experience: Tenn.-Martin 1999-01; Saint Louis 1997-99; Central Missou' i 1992-96; Cowley CC 1989-92; Neosho County CC 1988-89

Playing experience: Central Missouri 1984-86; Trenton JC 1982-84

Late in the season, after Rebels coach Max Good grew exasperated by UNLV's public coaching search, he began longing for simpler surroundings.

He recalled a quote by NC-Wilmington coach Jerry Wainwright.

"Jerry said the best places to coach are orphanages and prisons. At orphanages, the parents leave you alone, and at prisons, the alums stay off your back," Good said.

After a half-season as UNLV's head basketball coach, Good is returning to a lower-pressure environment. He has accepted the head coaching job at Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I., a Division II school in the 15-team Northeast-10 Conference.

While new Rebels coach Charlie Spoonhour was completing his staff by hiring assistant Deane Martin and director of operations Dave Rice, Good accepted Bryant's offer Thursday. He replaces Ed Reilly, who resigned after coaching Bryant to a 109-211 record over 12 seasons.

Good, 59, interviewed Wednesday with Bryant athletic director Dan Gavitt.

"I met with Dan Gavitt and the school president (Ronald K. Machtley), and I really respected their honesty and sincerity," Good said. "I can't wait to start."

Good had planned to interview for assistant's jobs at Ohio University and Colorado, but didn't realize how much he missed the Northeast. He coached at Maine Central Institute from 1989-99 before coming to UNLV as an assistant under Bill Bayno.

"Rhode Island is a great place to live," Good said. "The campus is cut right out of the woods on 329 acres. It's like Walden Pond."

But Good isn't going there to take it easy. Though he concedes the Division II atmosphere is different from Division I, he said he'll throw as much effort into the Bryant job as he gave UNLV.

"Academics are kept in proper perspective, but the president and AD are seeking excellence in athletics, too," Good said. "We've got 10 full scholarships, and we have two left to give. We're only 45 minutes from Boston, so it's a fertile recruiting area."

While looking ahead with enthusiasm, Good said he will recall UNLV fondly, for the most part. He coached the Rebels to a 13-9 record after replacing Bayno on Dec. 12, but soon found himself battling Rick Pitino and others to retain his job.

"I don't regret for one minute coming to Vegas, in spite of what happened this year," Good said.

"With all the speculation about the coaching situation and the sanctions, a lot of people just wanted to get the season over with. But I also think a lot of people were sincerely understanding of what we were going through as a team. I want UNLV to do well."

Good's replacement, Spoonhour, took two more steps in pursuit of that goal by hiring Martin and Rice. Assistant coaches Jay Spoonhour and Derek Thomas were hired Wednesday.

Like Jay Spoonhour and Thomas, Martin coached under Charlie Spoonhour at Saint Louis from 1996-99. Martin, 37, spent the last two seasons as associate head coach at Tennessee-Martin.

Rice, 31, is the only member of the previous staff retained by Spoonhour. The ex-Rebels guard has been at UNLV as a player or assistant since 1989, except 1993-94 when he coached at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

As director of operations, Rice cannot represent UNLV as a recruiter, but his retention will likely help the Rebels hang on to November signees Marcus Banks and Ernest Turner. Spoonhour will likely meet with the recruits this weekend.

"I'm looking forward to being on coach Spoonhour's staff," Rice said. "I have always said college basketball is special, but it takes on extra-special meaning when you can be part of it at your alma mater."