SPOKANE, Wash. — Mark Few said in a press release on Wednesday that he has no doubts that Tommy Lloyd will lead Arizona to great success. It's obvious when you talk to former Zags that they agree with their former head coach.
"Arizona’s going to become a big-time power again on the west coast," said former guard Dan Dickau after Tommy's hiring.
Dan would know, as he’s been around Lloyd nearly his whole life.
"Tommy had a huge impact on me. It’s funny because I remember growing up in Southwest Washington, I watched Tommy Lloyd play in high school. Then obviously my time at Gonzaga, my redshirt year, he was a student assistant, and he was always around. He was instrumental helping me work on the fine-tuned details of my game. Then he gets elevated to an assistant coach and as my career was getting going and his career was getting going we were kind of on the same path," Dickau said.
But it’s not just Gonzaga players Tommy’s had an impact on in Spokane.
He was well respected at the youth level as well, whether he was helping connect Spokane recruits to college opportunities both inside and outside of Gonzaga or coaching his, and thus other people’s, kids.
"He would literally be drawing up plays or concepts for seventh grade girls, or whatever the case was, because he liked it. That’s how his mind worked. Like most things in Spokane, it’s all very accessible, and Tommy was very accessible," said former guard and Hoopfest Director Matt Santangelo.
For how easygoing Tommy is, his hire was anything but.
Several former Arizona players over the past week were vocal about how they wanted an Arizona alumnus to coach the Wildcats.
Dan and Matt have a clear message to the doubters.
"Don’t be dumb, can I tell them that? Can I say that?" said Santangelo with a laugh. "You've got to get behind Tommy Lloyd and then you've got to get the detractors to get behind Tommy Lloyd. It’s almost like, everyone phone a friend."
"For the guys who are questioning the hire, I don’t understand why. If you look at Tommy’s track record, if you look at Gonzaga’s track record, it speaks for itself," Dickau said.
But enough with the drama. This is Tommy’s day.
Here’s what both Matt and Dan want to say to him.
"I sent Tommy a text last weekend saying how much I admire him, how proud I am of him, how excited I am for him and his family. I hope that our paths get to cross again in some form or fashion because I really, really enjoy Tommy Lloyd. He’s one of those people that you meet that you want to be successful because you believe in them," Santangelo said.
"Tommy, it’s well-deserved. You’ve done a tremendous job of leaving no stone unturned to help Gonzaga become what it is. You’ve left no stone unturned to help yourself become ready for this opportunity. I think you’re going to do a phenomenal job. I’m going to root for you every opportunity I get outside of, maybe, when you play Gonzaga," said Dickau with a chuckle.