Reggie Witherspoon Hired By Alabama

Reggie Witherspoon, who spent 14 years coaching the Buffalo Bulls has landed in Alabama as an Assistant coach. Crimson Tide head coach Anthony Grant announced on Wednesday that Witherspoon would be replacing former assistant coach Tony Pujol.

"Reggie brings a wealth of experience and coaching expertise. His abilities in developing talent and teaching the game are highly respected amongst his peers. His knowledge, combined with his impeccable character and ability to relate to and connect with people will make his transition seamless."

In 1999 Reggie Witherspoon, a native Buffalonian, Came to Buffalo as an the interim coach when Tim Cohane was forced out of the University for recruiting violations. At the time Witherspoon was serving as the head coach at Erie Community College just sveral miles from Alumni Arena. Witherspoon found enough success at Buffalo to be named full time head coach in March 10, 2000. He was the first African American named head coach of a varsity sports team in any Western New York suburban school district.

Under his guidance the Buffalo Bulls worked through NCAA sanctions and eventually emerged as one of the better teams in the MAC. Reaching the conference title game twice and taking the team to four post season tournaments.

Coach Witherspoon was honored several times during his tenure at UB

• 2004 MAC Coach of the Year
  
• 2004 Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Coach of the Year
• 2005 NABC District 1 Co-Coach of the Year
• 2006 USA Basketball U18 National Team Court Coach
• 2009 NABC District 14 (MAC) Coach of the Year
• 2010 USA Basketball U18 National Team Assistant Coach
  

Witherspoon was the 11th head coach in Bulls’ basketball history and the third since Buffalo returned to Division I play in the 1991-92 season. It was a painful moment for the fan base. As Conrad would write Some thought Reggie needed to go. Some thought Reggie deserved to stay at least one more year with the talented senior class he recruited. Some thought Reggie deserved to stay as long as he wanted. The man with the vote that counts thought it was time to bring in someone new.

We are all happy that Witherspoon is back in the saddle and wish him nothing but success in his new position.