Like her or not, replacing former Fort Hays State University women’s basketball coach Annette Wiles probably won’t be as simple as just naming a new coach. Year in and year out, Wiles put a competitive team on the floor. And, had it not been for the switch to the MIAA, Wiles recruits probably could have made more recent distance runs into the NCAA Division II tournament, and not just the program’s only Div. II trip in 2005. The problem was Wiles got good recruits and some good signees, but never seemed to make the transition to the MIAA style. That being said, the kind of players Wiles recruited for her style would have no doubt been a top competitor in the RMAC, proven by the Tigers’ last few years in the conference.

Enter Tony Hobson, with a perfect opportunity to advance his career, and prove he has what it takes to succeed at the next level. Though he didn’t say so, the draw of coaching in the MIAA was probably a big reason for making the switch at this juncture in his career. Let’s face it — the MIAA is a powerhouse when it comes to women’s basketball — seen in the success of programs such as Washburn, Emporia State, and Missouri Western in recent seasons. What an opportunity for a coach with three NAIA Division II women’s titles to his resume and more than his fair share of honors at both the junior college and NAIA level. While briefly meeting with a handful of Tiger boosters and media Monday afternoon at Gross Coliseum, I was impressed with Hobson’s ability to field the questions posed at hime without dodging the issue. The Tiger diehards, those closest to the women’s programs can often be an intimidating force, but Hobson handled them with poise upon introduction.

He made clear it was going to take a while, and it probably will. But, what was more impressive was his idea about recruiting. Hobson seems determined to recruit the best players, and not necessarily the best team – not overlooking a great player because the position is already filled. That idea has seemed to work wonders in the MIAA. Successful teams have taken players that are great at one position and made them all-conference worthy in another, thus building a great team around great players, and not visa versa.

Adaptation has seemed to be key for Hobson in his success and a change in attitude is probably needed for the Tiger women. There was nothing wrong with the former game plan, it just wasn’t working. Only time will truly tell though, if Hobson has what it takes.

No doubt, he is excited for the coaching opportunity, but Tiger faithful should also be excited about giving the opportunity to see what he can do.