 "Photo: Braden VanDragt | The Spectator")
 "Photo: Braden VanDragt | The Spectator")
Only a day after the spring signing period, Seattle University announced Cameron Dollar would take charge of the men's basketball team. After a nation wide search by an independent firm, the Redhawks found their new hoops leader across the Montlake Cut.
As soon as Seattle U President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. placed the hat on his head, Dollar was officially a Redhawk.
"I can't tell you how excited I am to embrace this," Dollar said. "I'm fortunate to lead the revival."
Seattle U will be in its second year of the five-year Division I transition when basketball season resumes. Details about Dollar's contract were not released, but Seattle U athletics director Bill Hogan described the contract as long-term.
Dollar was an assistant coach with the University of Washington Huskies under Lorenzo Romar for seven years. The Huskies made three NCAA tournament appearances, twice advancing to the Sweet 16.
"When this started the guy that kept calling me and bugging me was basically Cameron Dollar," Hogan said. "We just can't be more pleased to announce who we think is the person to take us back to our great, glorious past."
The Redhawks and Huskies have a five-game series beginning next year, alternating between UW's Bank of America Arena and KeyArena. Next year, the Redhawks visit the Huskies for their second meeting in two seasons.
"It does get a little bittersweet to leave my guy Lorenzo Romar," Dollar said. "I love my brother, but we fight all the time."
Heralded as an excellent recruiter and player developer, Dollar is credited for bringing multiple top 25 recruiting classes to the UW. Now, the recruiting trail looks to get interesting between Dollar and his "brother" Romar.
"Luckily, we locked up our recruits with letters," Romar said, referring to National Letters of Intent.
The team was both excited and surprised. Junior forward Mike Boxley didn't learn Dollar was the head coach until he showed up to a 12 p.m. meeting before the press conference to announce the new coach. University Communications sent an e-mail from Bill Hogan announcing the hire and press conference around 9 a.m.
After Callero left the Redhawks with a 21-9 record in the first year of the D-I transition, there is at least an expectation for a winning record, despite increased competition. Dollar described succeeding Callero as taking the baton and continuing on the foundation Callero laid down.
"I'm taking it to another level," Dollar said. "We want to get a little bit better everyday."
Boxley was impressed and excited by Dollar's goal of making the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in the Redhawks' second year in the transition. The NIT is widely regarded as the second college basketball tournament, behind the NCAA tournament.
"What I like a lot about the new coach specifically is that he came in and said, 'Our goal is to play for a championship in New York, play in the NIT," Boxley said. "I like those expectations."
Echoing the university's mantra of raising athletics to the rest of the university, Dollar proclaimed an athletics revival.
"It's about putting our university at an even higher level," Dollar said.
Not willing to waste any time coaching his new team, Dollar scheduled a practice following the press conference.
"We're gonna practice as soon as this is over," Dollar said.
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