Spent a lot of time with Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd last week in Las Vegas and Tucson and this is what was reinforced: He’s the perfect fit for Arizona at the right time for the Wildcats in a transitional period of college athletics.
Had he gone to North Carolina last spring — which was a legitimate possibility — or even Villanova the previous year (also not farfetched), he would have been successful.
But it may not have been the right move for him and his family.
Lloyd is from the Mark Few coaching tree, and like Few’s other Gonzaga disciples like Bill Grier and Leon Rice, among others, they all fully grasp life balance. Having a family, ensuring that you are present for your spouse and children, isn’t for show.
Being around as much as possible for family events and children’s activities is not to be dismissed.
No one has to be in the office until 3 a.m. breaking down yet another tape nor getting in at 5 or 6 a.m.
Of course, modern technology allows for coaches to view, edit and breakdown tape at their convenience on various electronic devices.
Lloyd shares in the success of Gonzaga’s rise over the past 25 years. But the beauty of the Lloyd-Few relationship is that they were as much coaching peers as friends.
We discussed their origin story during a chat for donors at an event at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. And what came across was how much they shared a similar view on the profession and how to navigate it with a family.
Lloyd coached many of the Little League teams and other sports for the coaching children on the staff. They held regular meetings on Few’s dock at his lake house.
The staff spouses and children grew up like cousins. Of course, this is easier to do in a place like Spokane, Wash., or now for Lloyd with his staff in Tucson, Ariz.
The coaches, if possible, live near each other. They don’t always have to meet in the office. The relationships tend to be healthier and one of empathy and shared responsibility.
Lloyd, like Few, also doesn’t think or want to be the only voice or smartest person in the room. A great leader tends to be someone who can empower those who work with him or her or for them. Having fresh ideas or push back when applicable will always help the overall production and success of the team/business.
Go to a practice and you shall see that they are not the only voice. I’ve gone to countless practices where the head coach is the only voice and the assistants are left standing silently without the ability to contribute.
Allowing others to have a voice is a sign of strength, not weakness in a leader/coach.
Lloyd also immediately got the need to embrace the Arizona past. His strong relationship with Steve Kerr has been a huge plus. Coincidently, Few also is extremely tight with Kerr, working for him as an assistant on the 2024 USA gold medal winning Olympic team.
And there are signs, literally on campus.
I came across a sign off campus at a Rally House store of Arizona merchandise with the late Lute Olson’s name and 1983-2008 on one side and Tommy Lloyd’s on the other. The store had only been open a few months so there is no way to know if they would have put Sean Miller’s name next to Olson or not. Regardless, the respect that they have for Lloyd next to Olson, especially after leading the Wildcats to the 2026 Final Four — the first since Arizona last went in 2001, then under Olson — gave him even more Tucson equity.
Lloyd has been named a National Coach of the Year twice in his first five seasons in Tucson.
He also doesn’t hide in town. Taking a morning hike with him in Sabino Canyon on game day was a clear example. He was consistently conversational with fellow folks and fans taking their own much-needed daily walk under clear blue skies, surrounded by cacti and sheer mountain cliffs.
Getting out in nature to talk, think and process the game is healthier than drowning in videos hours before the afternoon shoot.
I know it’s easier to do such things in nicer weather. But I’ve also walked and seen Michigan State’s Tom Izzo off on a brisk walk through the East Lansing campus on game days.
Lloyd has also found the right mix of recruiting elite high school seniors (see recent first-round draft picks), international players (a definitive part of his identity at Gonzaga) and plucking the right transfers (see Caleb Love and now Derek Dixon and JJ Mandaquit).
Lloyd is locked up at Arizona through 2031 with a salary just under $7 million a year. His strained relationship with athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois is no secret. He now directly reports to President Suresh Garimella.
The Wildcats have a legit shot to win the Big 12 again and reach a consecutive Final Four. They are, at least, in the mix for sure.
Notable nuggets
- Arizona only sought out RJ Godfrey once it was clear Koa Peat would stay in the NBA Draft. But there was a legit reason to think Peat could return all the way to the end of the early-entry deadline. Peat ended up being the No. 30 pick in the first round (Dallas to New York to Phoenix). Peat’s decision meant they needed another forward, and hence, enter Godfrey, who is now suing the Arizona board of regents for a breach of contract. His hearing (after failing in state courts in Georgia and Texas to get an injunction) is set for Tuesday in Pima County (Ariz.).
- The opening week does have some duds but a shoutout to teams that did schedule games not in a major television event such as: Miami vs. Florida; Ohio State vs. BYU; Memphis vs. Iowa State; Vanderbilt vs. Wake Forest; Nebraska vs. Providence; Arkansas vs. Virginia; Maryland vs. Georgetown; Saint Louis vs. Missouri; and VCU vs. Memphis.
- Did anyone doubt Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner as a legit preseason first-team All-American? He crushed his opening week debuts: 20 points, 6 assists and 4 steals followed up by 17 and 10 boards.
- The Illinois game at Texas Tech should be incredibly telling. The Illini blasted FDU and Penn, scoring over 100 each game. But David Mirkovich is out indefinitely (foot and then emergency appendectomy). If Illinois can go in and beat the Red Raiders sans Mirkovich, let alone score 90 and above, then look out. Remember, the Illini did lose when they failed to defend the three-point line well against Baylor just two weeks ago in an exhibition game.
- The beauty of reclassification and the NBA’s age requirement of 19 means that college basketball is likely going to get two seasons of Duke’s Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje and UCLA’s Nikola Kusturica.
- Two dates this week could have results to remember: Nov. 10 — Duke-Michigan State and Kansas-Kentucky in Chicago, as well as Illinois at Texas Tech and Memphis-Vanderbilt; and Nov. 13 — Ohio State at UConn, Arizona at Auburn and Virginia-Maryland.
- Let’s see if Chris Holtmann can seriously make the Blue Demons an NCAA Tournament bid contender. The program is desperate to be relevant and athletic director DeWayne Peevy has backed the program more so financially. The win over South Florida is a start.
- Love when some players bust out early that didn’t get the preseason love. Latest example is Pitt’s Baye Ndongo, who put up 23 points and 21 rebounds on Buffalo.
- The Eternal City opener was everything as advertised. Notre Dame’s win over Villanova could have legs for the season. And the backdrop of the private Papal mass/visit was quite remarkable for all of those who attended. Bravo to those who organized everything about the event.
- And a special shoutout to the Field of 68 crew for pulling off a tipoff marathon. I was a part of the original editions at ESPN and those were exhausting, but still exhilarating to tip off the season.
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