The first high-profile coaching hire ever made by Tim Weiser was built to last.
The former Kansas State athletic director was in his second year at Austin Peay, his first opportunity to head a college athletic program, when he lured a young Memphis assistant to coach the Governors in basketball.
That same coach, Dave Loos, is now in his 26th season and will guide Austin Peay (18-17) against top-seeded Kansas (30-4) on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I would have never guessed that would have been the long-term fix that Austin Peay basketball was going to have,’’ said Weiser, who is now deputy commissioner of the Big 12.