The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2023-24 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
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The562’s coverage of Long Beach State men’s basketball for the 2023-24 season is sponsored by Arline & Mike Walter.
It’s fair to say that Chris Acker had all the right answers on Thursday afternoon when Long Beach State hosted an open press conference to introduce him as the new men’s basketball coach.
LBSU boosters, administrators, fans and media came to The Pointe Conference Center at Walter Pyramid for the introductory event that featured comments from University President Jane Close Conoley, Athletic Director Bobby Smitheran and Acker himself.
“This is my dream job,” said Acker, who has many familial and professional Long Beach connections. “It’s time to build on this momentum we have right now. It’s a great opportunity. We can do something that this program hasn’t done In a very long time. And we’re going to need all the support we can possibly get.”
Acker is the 17th coach of a program coming off of 17 years under coach Dan Monson. That era ended improbably with a Big West Conference Tournament just days after it was announced by Smitheran that Monson’s contract wouldn’t be extended. What followed was the first NCAA Tournament appearance for LBSU since 2012.
Smitheran was first to take the microphone and very quickly thanked Monson for his time and dedication to, “Doing things the right way.” He then pivoted to how highly sought after the LBSU job is nationally.
“The basketball coaching community is well aware of the opportunity for significant, sustained success at the Beach,” Smitheran said. “There was broad interest from across the country… in this new era of the transfer portal, NIL legislation, it was imperative that whoever took over this position must be someone who has experience in those areas with a clear plan for how to address them.”
Smitheran is coming from San Diego State University where Acker has been an assistant coach for the last five years. He’s been part of the SDSU program that’s won seven NCAA Tournament games in the last two seasons, including a Final Four apperance last year. Acker said he was an integral part of player development during that time, and that starts on the defensive side of the ball.
“This is a community of people who work extremely hard and they want to come out here and see a product on the floor of guys that are working extremely hard,” Acker said. “This program is going to defend. We’re going to be tough on the ball and tough in the gaps and we’re going to help each other. Unequivocally, without question, we’re going to be the best defensive team in the Big West. We’re going to be connected and talk at an elite level.”
That approach has been a cornerstone of Acker’s coaching philosophy since starting in the junior college ranks and taking his first Division I job at Hawaii in 2016. As an assistant, Acker helped Hawaii post its best record in program history while winning the Big West title. It’s the last time Hawaii reached the NCAA Tournament. Acker then went to Boise State before going to SDSU.
“His ability to elevate the talent of his players through a dedicated and structured development program that addresses each student athlete with their growth and skill development,” Smitheran said of Acker.
Acker said he’s seen the talent LBSU currently has, namely Aboubacar and Lassina Traore who were standing in the back of the room during the press conference, and wants them back. In fact, when asked if he would prioritize talent from the transfer portal or high school players in his first year, Acker knows what needs to come first.
“We’re going to start with the players that are here,” Acker said. “We’re going to recruit these guys. I believe in synergy and I believe the guys here have a huge hand in what happens in our future, that comes before recruiting gets started. I want them to be a part of the recruiting process.”
Asked if he would put a premium on local recruiting here in Long Beach, Acker said he’d already spoken with Long Beach Poly boys’ basketball coach Shelton Diggs.
“I think out of respect, regardless if they have players or not, out of respect for the community it’s on us to be in their gyms to develop relationships because everything nowadays is so transactional,” Acker said. “I think that the more organic the relationships are the better opportunity we have to serve the community. Just being visible in the community allows us the opportunity to recruit right here in our backyard.”
Even former Jackrabbit and SDSU guard KJ Feagin was part of a pre-recorded video tribute full of good tidings from Acker’s colleagues that was played during the event. Acker got teary eyed when former SDSU coach Steve Fisher gave his message of congratulations.
“I have a lot of people to thank, and every program I’ve been at I’ve left better than when I got there,” Acker said.
Acker also took time on Thursday to explain how he wants his Beach team to play.
“We’re going to secure the basketball and we’re going to run,” he said. “We’re going to run at home and on the road. The things that will travel on the road is our defense and our ability to play downhill in transition offense. (My type of players is) You’ve got to want to defend at an elite level, which requires sacrifice to defend how we’re going to defend. You have to have a basketball IQ and be intelligent at both ends of the floor. We’re going to work on that every single day. If you start with defense, toughness and IQ you’re off to a great start.”
Acker played collegiately at Chaminade University in Hawaii, before playing professionally for four seasons in Europe and the United States.
