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Former Tiger on pursuing his dad's path into coaching

Posted on: June 18, 2018 at 08:42:27 CT
FIJItiger MU
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http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/tusportsextra/like-father-like-son-cannon-montgomery-avery-gragg-and-corey/article_fe29a7e6-95ab-59af-887e-4e170dd4b840.html

In his first week as an intern for the TU men’s basketball team, Corey Haith twice was tasked with washing the head coach’s car.

“When I started out, I washed uniforms, I swept floors, I’d get lunch for people,” coach Frank Haith said of his own experience. “That’s all part of being an intern.”

Since his playing career concluded in 2017, Corey Haith has mulled over the possibility of following in his dad’s footsteps as a basketball coach. He hasn’t made up his mind, but that certainly remains an option.

“I’m feeling it out right now,” he said. “It’s always been the expectation for me to do what my father does. That’s always going to be around.

“Before I made the decision, my dad and I had a talk. He was just saying he wouldn’t want me to go into any field without me working under him. I couldn’t go away from that opportunity.”

Corey is willing to pay his dues if he stays in the profession. He knows that was his dad’s journey. He recently posted a photo on Instagram of Frank Haith working at a tiny desk in a modest office at UNC-Wilmington in the early ’90s.

“I have so much respect for my father,” Corey said. “I’m so thankful that he’s in my life. I don’t think he really knows how thankful I really am.”

When his dad got the head-coaching job at Missouri in 2011, Corey had to move to a new school before his senior year of high school. He held no grudges, opting to walk on for his father’s team rather than pursue more playing time at a smaller college.

“I missed out on so much of his high school playing days because I was doing my job,” Frank Haith said. “If I was going to see somebody play on a Tuesday or Friday night, it was to see somebody else I was recruiting as opposed to seeing my kid.

“When it worked out that he was going to be with me at Mizzou, selfishly I was like, ‘This is pretty cool. I get a chance to be around him and coach him.’ ”

Corey didn’t play much there or at TU as a result of two torn ACLs, but he earned respect from his dad while shedding the label of “coach’s kid” and becoming a beloved teammate.

“When I was finishing up, I didn’t really realize my opportunity and how blessed I really was to be in that position,” Corey said. “I always had a good support system with my dad. He always had my back. I think he did the best job he could do as my coach.”

The two became closer last year when Corey remained around the team after being denied another season of eligibility by the NCAA.

“We would joke about stuff more and I would ask him his opinion because I think he had a pulse on certain guys,” Frank Haith said. “He was great, which tells me he has a great feel for the game. He should because he’s been around it his whole life.”

Said Corey: “We’re in a good place. We’re on the same page, on the same staff. I just want to help my dad win. That’s the ultimate goal.”
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Former Tiger on pursuing his dad's path into coaching - FIJItiger MU - 6/18 08:42:27
     Let me give this some thought, daddy helps me get a shot - MU-TULSA MU - 6/18 11:30:02
          Sounds like a conversation Mike Anderson Jr had (nm) - FIJItiger MU - 6/18 12:07:52
     I don't think the ACLs are why he didn't playmuch(nm) - TheWildcat STL - 6/18 09:00:43
     Hope he's successful.(nm) - GA Tiger MU - 6/18 08:58:37




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