CIS Coaching Alumni repping in NBA; Jeanty returns to CIS

The rest of the world is finding out what many here in Canada have known for several years:  the quality of CIS coaching talent is world-class.  Look no further than the roles two CIS coaching alumni are playing with NBA teams, starting with former Lakehead men’s and Dalhousie women’s Head man Scott Morrison, who just completed his second season in the Boston Celtics organization, coming off a rookie season with Maine Red Claws where he was named D-League coach of the year.  Morrison already has won the most career games in Red Claws coaching history and has ~.667 winning percentage (66-34).  This season, Morrison coached Tim Frazier who was called up just prior to the D-League playoffs by New Orleans Pelicans and then lost his star point guard Corey Walden during a playoff round.  Upon the end of the D-League season, Morrison joined the parent Celtics and is part of the support staff helping to prepare for games against the Atlanta Hawks.  Morrison will also be working the draft combine in early May in Chicago, helping the Celts prepare for the June draft… Another long-time CIS coach, Joe Raso, has spent the season as an advanced scout for 3 NBA teams including Denver, Atlanta and the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors.  Coach Raso’s work continues through the playoffs with the Hawks and Warriors, targeting future opponents.  Among Raso’s contributions are charting sets, identifying verbals and substitution patterns for opponents with most games live scouted, primarily at the Air Canada Center in Toronto.  The type of work Raso does is critical to preparation of all professional coaching staffs and again proves that CIS coaches are extremely well regarded at the highest levels of professional basketball.  Raso also did similar work with Canada’s National team last summer in Mexico… Two CIS head coaching jobs are open with the retirement of Peter Campbell at Laurier and the resignation of Matt Skinn at Cape Breton.  Expect the Golden Hawks job to be filled shortly with the leading candidate likely to be an existing OUA Associate coach… Finally, the Wizard of Os is returning to the CIS:  The foundation of Carleton Ravens first five CIS National championships, Osvaldo Jeanty, has accepted a position on Dave Smart’s coaching staff at Carleton.  Jeanty was Head Coach at Cégep de l’Outaouais for the past two seasons, leading the program to successfully being accepted into Tier 1 division in Quebec.  Jeanty had a successful professional playing career in Europe, primarily in Germany for 7 seasons before returning home about 3 years ago.  Welcome back to the CIS, Os.