LeBron James? New Coach is Nebraska?s Tyronn Lue

Nebraska Magazine Cover: Lue Living the Dream

Legendary Question: Was Lue Huskers' Best?

Tyronn Lue Had a Chance to Play Husker Football

“UNL gave me everything I could have ever asked for. They gave me the fan support, the academic support, the coaching support – they had my back, 100 percent.”  Tyronn Lue, Winter 2016 issue of Nebraska Magazine.

Randy York N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

Timing is pivotal for everyone, and I can only imagine how blessed Nebraska Basketball Hall-of-Famer Tyronn Lue feels after learning he's the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James, the game’s most iconic figure.

Lue, the former Husker who played three years (1995-98) at Nebraska before playing guard for six NBA teams over an 11-year stretch (1998-2009), learned Friday afternoon that he is now The Coach for The Man … the teacher and the motivator for the best player in the world since Michael Jordan. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. The same principle applies to Andrea Cranford, editor of Nebraska Magazine, which featured Lue on its cover two weeks ago. The magazine is published exclusively for members of UNL’s Alumni Association.

A former college classmate of mine, Cranford asked freelance writer Tom Nugent to write a six-page, in-depth profile on Tyronn Jamar Lue, who struggled early and was raised by a single mom in small-town Missouri. It’s a well-written piece and chronicles how Lue, now 38, succeeded at Nebraska before going on to expand his livelihood in Cleveland, which already was paying him $6 million for a multi-year contract designed to reward him as a head coach sometime within the next few years.

We all know how life plays out in big-time sports with big-time players and big-time coaches making big-time money. Next year often becomes right now, and that seems to fit this particular case. Fortunately, UNL’s Alumni Association Friday made its inaugural 2016 Nebraska Magazine available online, giving all of us the chance to read this remarkable story right here right now. 

Tyronn Lue (far right) makes a point in Cleveland's practice for LeBron James and two others. NBA Photo

Lue Appreciates Dennis Leblanc and His Overall Nebraska Influence

I recommend that Husker fans read the cover story in its entirety, but with respect to those who can’t find that kind of time, make sure you read the section that showcases one of Nebraska’s greatest recruiters, even though he doesn’t oversee any Husker sport. Read the following highly  appropriate words on the fifth page of a compelling cover story. The words are in bold type because they define my point and resonate with the powerful proof of Nebraska Academics:

Whenever Tyronn Lue looks back on his three years at UNL, one name in particular comes floating back to him – Dennis Leblanc. “Dennis was my academic adviser [supplied by Nebraska Athletics],” said the two-time NBA champ, “and I owe him a great deal. Playing intercollegiate basketball while studying for a degree isn’t easy, and I went through some tough stretches where I was missing class a little bit.

“But Dennis stayed on me. He would call my room, call the dorm...and he’d even meet me at my classes sometimes to make sure I got there. He was truly dedicated and he cared a lot about all the athletes he was advising.” Remembering Leblanc, who’s now Nebraska's Executive Associate Athletics Director for Academics, Lue recalled how the hawk-like adviser would even “schedule extra study hall sessions for me.”

“He was terrific. He kept telling me: ‘Just remember, Ty – everybody doesn’t make it to the NBA. You have a great shot, but any kind of injury might be enough to keep you from playing professionally. You need to get that degree – and you need to get to class.’”

Known campus-wide as a polite and courteous young man who didn’t smoke or drink, Lue was dedicated to perfecting his jump shot while also doing his best to keep up his GPA. And he was smart enough to listen to the endlessly insistent Dennis Leblanc.

“He helped me to see how important getting an education really is,” said the Cavs' associate head coach, “and his lessons sank in. Although I left UNL after my junior year [the Denver Nuggets drafted him in the NBA's first round in 1998), I later went back and finished up my sociology degree online. Getting my BA was just about the hardest thing I ever did – and I’m very glad today that I got it done.”

But the story isn’t over yet. Only two years ago, during ceremonies in which he was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame, Lue was able to meet up once again with Dennis Leblanc and to thank him in person for his efforts back in the late 1990s. “Dennis taught me a lot about growing up,” he explained, “and about responsibility and about being a professional – and I am very grateful for that.

“Really, UNL gave me everything I could have ever asked for. They gave me the fan support, the academic support, the coaching support – they had my back, 100 percent. I really want to get back to Lincoln more often, so that I can keep thanking all the Husker fans and all the Husker alumni for all the love and support they’ve given me over the years.”

Husker fans at the Bob Devaney Sports Center saluted Nebraska Basketball Hall-of-Fame inductee Tyronn Lue.

Leblanc: Lue Remained Loyal to Nebraska when Recruiting Tightened

Somehow, whether you’re recruiting football, basketball, volleyball or soccer players, Nebraska knows how to inspire student-athletes in collaboration with the ultimate trifecta – success in athletics, success in academics and success in life.

Late Friday afternoon, Ryker Fyfe, a Nebraska quarterback, told Leblanc that Tyronn Lue was now LeBron James’ head coach. Nebraska’s executive associate athletics director for academics wasn’t surprised and responded just like I expected him to respond.

"There were a lot of people at Nebraska that touched Tyronn Lue's life,” Leblanc told me. “It was very nice of him to say those things. I know Coach (Danny) Nee touched him. Tyronn was very loyal to Coach Nee because he started recruiting Tyronn early. When his high school career took off, one major basketball school came in at the end, but he kept his commitment. He was fortunate to play here, and I was fortunate to work here at the same time he was playing here. I was just doing my job."

Send a comment to ryork@huskers.com (Please include city, state)

Follow Randy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RandyYorkNsider

N-Sider Archives

Voices from Husker Nation

"This story is amazing. Football coaches should be armed with a copy of this column and the magazine to leave with every recruit's mother. Greatest piece for recruiting I've seen yet. Good job." Chuck Sinclair, Lincoln, Nebraska