Coahc Painter's improved basketball staff got a little worse today as Micah Shrewsberry announced he was leaving to take an assistant coaching position with the Boston Celtics. Shrewsberry has been one of coach painter's top assistants the last three seasons after he was a four-year assistant for current Celtics coach Brad Stevens at Butler. Honestly, I was kind of surprised there wasn't more talk of him replacing Stevens for the Bulldogs.
Brad Stevens likely to add former Butler and current Purdue assistant Micah Shrewsberry to Boston Celtics staff, source told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) July 11, 2013
The loss of Shrewsberry was big, as he was a solid recruiter with ties to many of the top high schools in Indianapolis. He was originally a graduate at Cathedral (home of Errick peck and Kelsey Barlow) and was integral in helping with Terone Johnson and Ronnie Johnson.
The loss of Shrewsberry leaves Purdue with just Jack Owens and Greg Gary. Cuonzo Martin and Paul Lusk have been top assistants that have recently left for their own programs. In terms of replacements I have a few suggestions:
Ryne Smith - Ryne was a graduate assistant last season and recently accepted the head coaching job at Clinton Prairie High School near Purdue. I don't think he leaves them in a lurch this close to the season, but he is close enough to consider.
Brian Cardinal - I don't know if the Custodian officially has a position with the team, but he can definitely be the "Assistant coach in charge of floor burns".
Kenneth Lowe - Kenny Lowe is still plugging away over in Europe and he plans on trying to play again next season, but he has often been mentioned as a player who could come home to coach.
Carson Cunningham - Cunningham has served as head coach at Andrean in northwest Indiana the last few years and recently took the job at Carroll College. His teams were 43-7 the last two years and they have won four straight sectional championships. He was 81-39 in five seasons at Andrean.
Chris Kramer - It is probably too early to think about bringing Kramer back, especially coming off of a successful season in Germany where it looks like he is going to return.
Scott Martin - Why not see if the prodigal son wants to return after knee injuries ended his career early?
Austin Parkinson - Parkinson has been the IUPUI women's coach for three seasons and has had a ton of success in that time. The former point guard would make an excellent assistant as his next step.