Brickey, Smoak join women's staff

[jimsumner]

From Duke press release

Duke University Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie has announced the addition of Robert Brickey and Sarah Smoak to the women’s basketball staff, effective immediately. Brickey joins the Blue Devils as the Assistant Director of Basketball Operations, while Smoak will serve an internship in 2008-09.

Brickey rejoins the Blue Devil family after a three-year stint as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Shaw University. He will coordinate off-campus camps, on-campus recruiting and coordinate various marketing efforts. Prior to his arrival at Shaw, he was an assistant coach at James Madison (2004-05), Southern Methodist (2002-04) and the United States Military Academy (2000-02).

“We are very excited to welcome Robert back after an incredible career as a student-athlete here at Duke,” said McCallie. “He will offer a broad range of support for our student-athletes plus tremendous experience at Duke as well as pursuing a national championship, which he did in his career. I’m thrilled he has head coaching experience and he understands what it takes to effectively run a program and I anticipate many, many conversations furthering our development of our camps, on campus recruiting and other relevant issues.”

This marks the second stint as a Duke staff member as Brickey was the Community Outreach Coordinator with the Blue Devils in 1999-00, prior to getting into the coaching business.

“Robert’s passion for Duke is totally motivating to all of us here,” said McCallie. “Having the opportunity for him to work with our student-athletes and allow them to glean from his experiences at Duke as a student-athlete and somebody who has pursued the highest level, will be excellent for our program.”

A native of Fayetteville, NC, Brickey played four years at Duke from the 1986-87 season through the 1989-90 season. He served as team captain in 1990 and received first team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament honors in 1988. He was a member of three Final Four teams and started in the national championship game in 1990.

Known for his athleticism, Brickey had a brief stint with the Global Basketball Association’s Raleigh Bullfrogs in the early 1990s. He received his bachelor of arts degree in political science from Duke University.

Smoak comes to Duke after serving as an assistant coach at Peace College in 2007-08. A 2006 Lynchburg College graduate with a degree in exercise physiology, Smoak will assist in the day-to-day operations of the program, co-direct the ball kids club, aid with in-office recruiting efforts, assist with game operations, community service projects and outreach efforts as well as internal university events at Duke.

“We are very excited to welcome Sarah to our staff,” said McCallie. “She has coaching experience at Peace College. She has so much love and passion for Duke, really wants to be here and wants to learn from an elite program. Sarah is a tireless worker and has already shown such great commitment throughout camp this summer.”

A native of Charlotte, N.C., Smoak was a four-year letterwinner at Lynchburg College where she earned ODAC Academic All-Conference honors in 2005-06 and was named to the ODAC Senior All-Star team. A team captain as a senior, Smoak was also selected to the Director of Athletics Honor Roll.

No stranger to Duke, Smoak has served as a basketball camp instructor for the Blue Devils on six different occasions and also performed an internship with the men’s basketball program in the summer of 2005 with summer camp. Smoak also worked for Nike prior to joining the Peace College staff."

[Diddy]

if only because this will let McCaullie really suck up to K by hiring a former player. That can only help her at Duke.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Hiring someone who's a Dukie and who experienced some of the best of what Duke is all about is a smart move. For a coach who's come from another clearly delineated college culture, the value of this hire is priceless as the credit card ad says.

[freedevil]

LOVE Robert Brickey. LOVE him. Cool stuff.

[miramar]

Brickey is a good guy and I'm glad he's back at Duke. I am sure he will help the program.

[Im4howdy]

Hopefully Robert will be allowed to have a positive/calming influence on some of the assistant coaches, as well. It was obvious from last season those guys really need to tone it down quite a bit.

[jimsumner]

FWIW, Brickey is one of those folks who simply radiates good vibes. Virtually impossible to be in a down mood when he's around.

[ugadevil]

Wow. I applied for this job. Haha. NO IDEA WHAT I WAS UP AGAINST!