Lynn Ramage's coaching career has had its most interesting twists at Morgan State.
Four years ago, Michael Holmes, then the Bears' new basketball coach, hired Ramage as an assistant, even though Ramage was still six credits shy of his bachelor's degree in physical education at West Liberty State.
"How many Division I schools would hire a coach without a degree?" said Ramage, who has since graduated. "Morgan gave me a chance."
Things got a bit awkward last spring. After four straight losing seasons and a 31-81 record, Holmes was fired. The school decided against hiring a new coach, while it awaited results of an NCAA probe into assorted violations within the athletic program, including men's basketball.
Instead, Ramage was offered the job on an interim basis. He jumped at his first head coaching chance.
"This is the best opportunity I've ever had," Ramage said, "and I want to make the best of it."
Ramage could not have asked for a more difficult challenge. Resurrect a program that has had one winning season in the past 15 years. Convince the returnees from last season's 8-21 squad -- which had one great moment, its upset of Coppin State in the MEAC tournament -- that things will be different. And turn fortunes around with a team that is loaded with inexperience.
The top two players from last season, point guard Chico Langston and 6-foot-10 forward Gerald Jordan, are gone.
Langston's eligibility expired. Jordan transferred to Pittsburgh.
"We're right on schedule. We've done a lot to make the kids more committed," said Ramage, who has run 6 a.m. practices since Oct. 15.
"They have a different attitude about themselves and about the program. I have to convince them by providing them with superior preparation. I don't think they were focused enough last year. Basketball wasn't their top priority, and they didn't stay within our system. One thing I guarantee is there will be more structure this year."
Still, the leap to MEAC respectability will be a long one.
Morgan State has only five seniors, two of whom will start. Six-foot-four shooting guard Terrence Wright is the most proven of the group. He shot 51 percent while averaging 10.2 points and 24 minutes last year. Brandon Battle, a 6-7, 200-pound forward who hit some memorable shots in the MEAC tournament, will move to center.
Battle's move accommodates 6-7 junior power forward Ron James, a blue-collar type who comes from Trinidad State (Colo.) Junior College, where he averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds two years ago. A newcomer from Carver High, point guard Ron Grant, also will start. He averaged 29 points two years ago at Pine Brook Junior College in California. Grant has been the Bears' major preseason surprise.
"He is a leader. He brings a new attitude with him, and we're very pleased with his progress," Ramage said.
Terrence Hunter, a talented forward who was slowed early last year by injuries, rounds out the starters.
The Bears should have decent scoring punch coming off the bench. Senior Damian Zellous and sophomore Scott Deas did commendable jobs in that role last year. And freshman Jerard Rucker, a 6-3 guard from Cardinal Gibbons, is expected to add more depth to the backcourt.
A lack of size figures to hurt the Bears inside, particularly in their non-league schedule. But contributions from walk-on forward Dwayne Holmes and the development of 6-11 centers Chris McCarthy and Jarrad Smith would go a long way toward solving those problems.
McCarthy, a 275-pound junior, averaged 5.8 points and 5.8 rebounds, modest figures considering he averaged 26.3 minutes. Smith has struggled with academics and his weight. He is eligible for his final year, but his 350-pound frame limits his mobility.
"Jarrad brings a certain toughness to the team," Ramage said. "I'd like him to contribute 15 minutes a game, but if he lost more weight, he could be a heck of a player.
"We have the talent to win. We could win five games or lose five. The bottom line is we're a very untested team at the Division I level."