And to Lavin’s credit, he didn’t jettison Lindsey at the first sign of discord. The day after announcing Lindsey was leaving the program, Lavin engaged in a lengthy series of texts messages with his former player, encouraging and consoling a young man who once again was in that all-too-familiar position of not knowing what the future holds.
“If there’s anybody that should take any blame for Nuri leaving it should be me,’’ said assistant coach Mike Dunlap, who has taken over the first chair. “Because I coach a certain way, demand a certain thing, and had I had more time to develop a relationship with Nuri, I think he wouldn’t have left.’’