North Carolina State University Athletics
Getting To Know: Bobby Lutz
4/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 26, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. -- When new NC State men's basketball coach Mark Gottfried went looking for a coach with strong ties to the state of North Carolina - something he did not have himself - he didn't have to go far. He called longtime friend and sometime coaching rival Bobby Lutz.
Lutz not only grew up and went to school in North Carolina, he was a head coach at two colleges in the state, Pfeiffer and Charlotte. He had recruited against every school in the state at some point and had strong relationships with the high school coaches.
Over the years, Lutz lured ACC talent to his schools and sometimes lost it to others. He believes now that he is with the Wolfpack, he will have the facilities, support and resources to bring in the nation's best talent.
Lutz, who grew up in Catawba, N.C., spent last season as an assistant at Iowa State, and jumped at the opportunity to return home and coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Lutz talked with GoPack.com managing editor Tim Peeler about joining the Wolfpack.
GoPack: Talk about your opportunity to come to NC State and reconnect with Coach Gottfried.
Lutz: I think it is an exciting time to be at NC State. Obviously, the tradition that exists here is strong. The success hasn't been what the fans expect or want. The ACC is still one of the best leagues in the country year in and year out. The league gives you the platform to legitimately think you can contend for national championships. If you are contending for ACC championships, you are contending for national championships.
If you look at what Duke and Carolina have done here recently - let's not be afraid to say it - they have been the two dominant teams in the league. But there's no reason that we can't as well. That's what Coach Gottfried's vision is. Having come from North Carolina and being so aware of the NC State tradition, I know about the glory days of NC State and want to be a part of that resurrection, if you will.
GoPack: You are the primary link to North Carolina on this staff.
Lutz: I definitely think that's one of the reasons Coach Gottfried wanted me. We know each other so well. We're comfortable with each other. We're friends. We were friendly rivals sometimes when I was at Charlotte. I think I can recruit anywhere, because recruiting is about relationships. But I have a lot of history recruiting in this state, with some success. And to be honest, there were a lot of times when people said to me, "If Charlotte was in the ACC, I'd come play for you." I had my share of that. Guys like Scooter Sherrill (NC State), and Anthony Morrow (Georgia Tech), and Ish Smith (Wake Forest). There are a number of guys through the years. I always tried to handle that the right way with their coaches. I think I have a great rapport with the high school coaches. Now, when I call, I'm in the ACC. I'm at NC State, a place that's won two national championships and 10 ACC championships. There's no reason we can't call those top 25 or top 50 recruits. A lot of times those guys are right here in North Carolina. We need to keep some of them here in Raleigh.
GoPack: What is at the top of your to-do list right now?
Lutz: To get to know our current players. We've had some meals with them and some workouts with them. They seen excited about the season that's coming. Obviously, that's first. But also to get started recruiting, some for this year, but more for 2012 and beyond. We're already behind in 2012 in some ways, but we have a great excuse: We weren't here. Every time we make a call, it's important to emphasize that we just got here. Recruiting is a top emphasis right now.
GoPack: Talk about the facilities and opportunities you have here at NC State.
Lutz: The platform of the league is a great sell. NC State, academically as a university, is a great sell. The tradition of the program is a great sell. And you add in these great facilities at the Dail Center and the RBC Center, it's off the charts. Our guys have every opportunity to be better players. It's also convenient to the study halls and academic centers. It couldn't be a better setup. There's plenty of opportunity to work on their games collectively and individually with us. The RBC Center is off the chart in how good it is and what a great homecourt advantage it gives us. The facilities are second to none.
GoPack: How do you want to get integrated into the NC State community and the basketball program?
Lutz: First of all, being an assistant and a head coach is completely different. My first job is to do everything that Mark needs me to do. There is so much to do right now. That will happen, as part of the normal transition. Right now, I have stuff in Iowa and I have stuff in Harrisburg, N.C., that I have to get moved. Once we get here, we want to be involved in the NC State community. When I was head coach, I always wanted to be at the baseball games and other events when my schedule allowed. I had daughters who played. I want to be very visible on campus and in the community, as time allows. I've always been active in charitable organizations. My dad has heart trouble and diabetes, so I've been active in organizations supporting those diseases. My mom has Alzheimer's, so I've been active with that. I had a player, Charles Hayward, who died while I was head coach at Charlotte, so I've been active with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Again, job first, but as time goes, we want to be active in this community.
• By Tim Peeler, tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
