TERRELL LESTER Column

Scouting around ... It was less than a month ago that Wren Baker was banging the drum, telling all who would listen that he had assembled one of the best staffs of assistant basketball coaches for miles around.

It turned out that Lloyd Williams and Justin Barkley were so good that Baker decided to just turn the Rogers State basketball program over to them.

Baker, who had been doing double duty since he was hired in 2006, stepped aside as the Hillcats’ coach earlier this week to concentrate on his functions as director of athletics.

The best measuring stick for evaluating an AD, particularly at the collegiate level, is to track the success of the coaches he hires.

It would appear early in the game, that Baker has assembled a blue-ribbon coaching staff.

Williams had enough going for him that Baker did not hesitate to tap him for the men’s head coaching position.

Baker is to be applauded, too, for the recent hiring of Mark Dicus to guide the softball program. Dicus built a junior college power at Seminole State after dominating the high school ranks at Dewey.

And Derek Larkin, coaching both soccer teams, guided the first-year women Hillcats to the Sooner Athletic Conference post-season tournament championship.

RSU’s original softball coach was the successful Dawn Reed-Schultz, who resigned after the spring season.

And, Amy Williams had a good inaugural season as the women’s basketball coach.

Baker made those hires while he was splitting time between the AD’s office and the basketball court.

One can only imagine what Baker will accomplish once he focuses 100 percent of his attention on the overall athletics program.

The only head coach not brought in by Baker is baseball’s Ron Bradley. He was already on board by the time Baker was hired.