1 / 3

Weber State forward Dillon Jones, left, speaks with head coach Eric Duft during men's basketball practice Sept. 26, 2022, at the Dee Events Center in Ogden.

Robert Casey, Weber State Athletics

2 / 3

Weber State assistant men's basketball coach Eric Daniels gives instruction during a practice Sept. 26, 2022, at the Dee Events Center in Ogden.

Robert Casey, Weber State Athletics

3 / 3

Weber State assistant coaches Dan Russell, left in gray, and Jorge Ruiz, right in black, huddle with men's basketball players at a practice Sept. 26, 2022, at the Dee Events Center in Ogden.

Robert Casey, Weber State Athletics

❮ ❯

OGDEN — When Weber State men’s basketball takes the floor Nov. 2 against Adams State in an exhibition, it will be the first time since 2006 that the Wildcats won’t have Randy Rahe at the helm.

In place of one small-town Midwesterner is his right-hand man from a small Great Plains locale. After 16 years as an assistant coach at Weber State, Kansas native Eric Duft is now the head coach as the key element of many that signal a transition for the WSU coaching staff.

Weber State’s official preseason practice calendar opened one month ago and Rahe’s raspy voice is but an echo. This is Duft’s team now.

“It was different. It was weird not having him around there for a while,” Duft said. “But he wanted this for me and our staff, he wanted us to get on with it. He hasn’t been around much on purpose — he’s checking in, making sure things are going well, but for the most part he wanted us to take over.”

That was not an abrupt transition for Duft and company, however.

“I don’t feel like it’s much of a difference because Coach Rahe gave those guys a lot of freedom to grow into what they are now. It wasn’t just Coach Rahe’s show … he gave them a lot of freedom so when they have opportunities like this, they can step right into it,” third-year forward Dillon Jones said. “I could say Duft was almost like a head coach last year, just with how involved he was, how much he talked to us and how hands-on he was … now he is guiding everything a little bit more, as expected.”

As Jones has said, many of WSU’s new players don’t know any different, though a chunk of the large recruiting class did at least commit to Rahe before his retirement. Duft’s experience and readiness helped boost the perceived stability his promotion would provide.

“The transfers that we’ve got, one of the things they liked about our program, even after the coaching change, is we’ve had stability here at Weber State. College basketball is very unstable right now in so many areas. So they like the stability here,” Duft said. “I think their parents were the same way. This has been a proven product for 16 years and they didn’t think it would change. So from that standpoint, I don’t think it could’ve gone better.

“The buy-in has been tremendous,” Duft said. “These guys are mature, they’re competitive.”

The newest blood, as far as experience at Weber State goes, is Dan Russell, who Duft hired to complete his staff. Russell moved to Ogden from a different Big Sky program after coaching three seasons at Montana State. He previously spent 11 years coaching at his alma mater Casper College, including the last six as head coach before his hire at MSU.

Russell said he knew of the opening on Duft’s staff and had come to know Duft over time, crossing paths in the Big Sky and prior when at Casper College, but wasn’t actively seeking the role. Ultimately, Duft’s offer was too good to pass up; the combination of WSU’s stature, working with Duft and the financial details pushed him to leave Montana State.

As a former head coach, Russell said he’s enjoyed understanding and implementing Duft’s vision.

“(Duft) knows what wants, what he’s looking for. He has a plan of attack, and that’s what we do every day,” Russell said. “One thing I love about Coach Duft is he’s a major believer in majoring in the majors and minoring in the minors — really focusing on the things that affect winning.

“Things that don’t really affect winning but are a part of it, we’ll keep there,” Russell gestured to the side as he continued. “But we’re really going to focus on what affects winning and what helps our players become better and affects our goal of winning a Big Sky championship. I’ve really appreciated that. He’s got a ton of experience.”

One minor problem: Russell was on the other bench in March when Montana State beat Weber State in the Big Sky tournament semifinals, the one where Jones missed a 3-pointer at the horn and he and several teammates collapsed to the floor in disappointment.

“Some of the returners were a little salty, which I get 100%. I understand. I probably would have been, too,” Russell said. “That’s one of the best college basketball games I’ve ever been a part of. But I know those guys can feel that I’ve entrenched myself in them and hey, I’m here, I’m all in. I’m into you guys, I’m 10 toes down, whatever you want to say. Through working with them every day, player development, film, off-the-floor stuff, spending time with them, I think they know now where I’m at and who I am.”

Jones has liked how the new staff fits together, starting with Russell.

“Coach Russell definitely has this competitive fire about him,” Jones said. “You can tell he’s almost always on edge, everything matters, every detail matters. And that’s good, we need to have that sense of urgency. Him giving that and feeding that energy into us keeps us on our toes and in tip-top shape.”

Fourth-year assistant Eric Daniels remains by Duft’s side. He joined the WSU staff in 2019 after stops at Utah Valley, Southern Utah, Regis University and the Orlando Magic. One of Daniels’ main jobs is crafting a defense that fits the strengths of the roster each year.

“Eric Daniels is extremely good on the floor coaching. He’s very smart, he’s a good basketball mind,” Russell said. “He’s a young guy but his knowledge definitely outweighs his youth. A lot of that has to do with his upbringing and who his dad is, being around the game forever and seeing high-major basketball since he was a young cat, and spending time in the NBA. I’ve learned a ton from him.”

Rahe promoted Jorge Ruiz to assistant coach before his retirement to replace six-year assistant David Marek when he left for Loyola Marymount. Ruiz is in his fifth season at Weber State after four years as video coordinator and director of operations. He previously worked under Herb Sendek and Bobby Hurley at Arizona State and Dan Majerle at Grand Canyon.

Russell said Ruiz is a fast learner and a “monster recruiter.” Ruiz was the lead and first contact for San Diego State transfer Keith Dinwiddie Jr., who said his recruitment was entirely up to “who wanted me most.”

Jones, who previously said Ruiz becoming an assistant coach was a natural fit, has enjoyed his time on the court with Ruiz so far.

“He’s passing with flying colors, in my opinion. His player development — I feel like everyone can say that when they work out with him, they are getting better,” Jones said. “He holds you to a high standard.”

Overall, Duft’s staff takes on a younger feel, but with some unique experience behind each coach. Duft is 49, which is three years older than Rahe was when he was hired as head coach. Russell and Daniels are both in their mid-30s, and Ruiz is in his mid-20s. It’s a staff tasked with ending a six-year conference title drought.

“I feel like all our coaches are almost like head coaches. They’re not just like collecting checks,” Jones matter-of-factly concluded of his time with the staff so far. “They are detailed in what they are telling us.”