Marquette University Athletics
NBA Veteran Jerry Sichting Named Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
8/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aug. 16, 2006
MILWAUKEE - Marquette assistant men's basketball coach Dan Panaggio has resigned to pursue a coaching position with the Los Angeles Lakers organization. Head coach Tom Crean announced the hiring of Jerry Sichting, a 20-year veteran of the NBA as a player and coach, to fill the opening created by Panaggio's departure.
"We will all miss Dan, Ellen and Michael. In one years time they have a very positive impact on the Marquette community and program," said Crean. "For me personally, it is just the beginning of a great friendship. I support him wholeheartedly on his move to Los Angeles. The Lakers organization is very fortunate to have him."
Pannagio helped direct the Golden Eagles to a 20-11 record, fourth place finish in the Big East, and NCAA Tournament appearance in his one season on the staff.
"This is a bittersweet moment for me," said Panaggio. "I really enjoyed my time at Marquette, but after being an assistant coach for the last six years I felt at this point in my career I needed to seek an opportunity at the next level. The professional game has been a major part of my life and this was a tremendous opportunity to work with a staff I've known for years, and to join one of the best professional organizations in all of sports."
"I'd like to extend a special thanks to Tom Crean. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity he gave me. He is a great coach whose passion for basketball is second to none. He has built something very special at Marquette and I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to be part of it. I'll miss the entire Marquette family, particularly our players. They are talented basketball players, but more importantly are good solid people who will be successful in life," said Panaggio.
Sichting joins the Golden Eagles after spending 10 years with the Minnesota Timberwolves organization, including the last nine as an assistant coach. Sichting served as the Timberwolves director of scouting and player development prior to moving to the bench.
"I've admired Jerry for sometime as a player and coach, and now most recently as a friend," said Crean. "I have great respect for his knowledge of the game and for how he helps people improve in it. Jerry has played and coached at the very highest level and his experience, combined with his coaching ability and character, will benefit us greatly. We welcome the Sichting family to Marquette."
Known throughout his NBA playing career as a hard-nosed, tenacious competitor, Sichting brought those same qualities of dedication with him to his first NBA front office and coaching position.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity to be part of a great program and university, as well as having the chance to work with one of the top head coaches in the country," said Sichting. "I have a great understanding of the fans and their expectations, and remember fondly how those same fans dominated three quarters of the Metrodome during the regionals in 2003."
Sichting acquired an in-depth knowledge of the pro game from his 10 seasons as a player in the NBA. He began his career in 1980 and spent the following five seasons with the Indiana Pacers, averaging a career-high 11.5 points per game during the 1983-84 season. In 1985, Sichting signed with the Boston Celtics as a free agent and became an integral reserve. In 1986, he helped lead the Celtics to the NBA title.
Midway through the 1987-88 campaign, he was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. He finished his playing career in 1989-90 as a member of the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks. Sichting appeared in 598 career regular-season games, recording an average of 6.9 points and 3.3 assists per game. He saw action in 47 playoff contests, posting averages of 3.0 points and 1.7 assists per outing.
After his playing career ended, Sichting remained in Boston and ran the Jerry Sichting Basketball Camp for five years. He also spent four seasons (1991-95) serving as the analyst on Boston Celtics radio broadcasts. His broadcast resume also includes fill-in roles on radio and television with the Indiana Pacers during the 1990-91 season, commenting on various high school broadcasts throughout Indiana and a pregame show for his alma mater, Purdue University, on WTTV-TV.
Sichting was a four-year member of the Boilermakers basketball program and earned all-Big Ten honors following his senior season. A fourth round draft pick by the Golden State Warriors in 1979, he was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
A native of Martinsville, Ind., Sichting and his wife, Joni, have four children, Jared, a 2005 graduate of Marquette University and member of the 2003 Final Four team, Jason, Jordan and Jenna.
