Redhawks' recruits will honor commitments

~ High school seniors Roderick Pearson and JaJuan Maxwell say the coaching change will not affect their decisions to attend Southeast.

There has been considerable speculation in recent weeks about Southeast Missouri State men's basketball recruit Roderick Pearson possibly seeking to be released from his scholarship commitment with the Redhawks after the program's coaching change.

But Pearson put those thoughts to rest Friday when he told the Southeast Missourian that he came away im-pressed from his first meeting with new head coach Scott Edgar and looks forward to playing for the Redhawks next season.

"I'm definitely still going there," Pearson said. "I felt comfortable with coach Edgar. His style of play fits mine, getting up and down the floor. And he wasn't just worried about basketball, he talked more about me graduating. I liked that."

Pearson, a point guard who recently completed his senior season at Raytown South High School in suburban Kansas City, Mo., signed with the Redhawks in November during the early signing period. That was before Southeast decided not to renew the contract of head coach Gary Garner.

"I was worried about who the new coach might be," said Pearson, who said he might have asked for a release "if I didn't feel comfortable ... but I feel real comfortable with coach Edgar."

Pearson said he's also pleased with reports that assistant coach Ronnie Dean -- Garner's chief recruiter -- will be retained by Edgar, as will another of Garner's assistants, Toby Lane.

"I'm happy about that," Pearson said. "Coach Dean is the one that brought me in there. I'm glad there will be somebody I know."

The other player who signed with Southeast in November -- forward JaJuan Maxwell from Raytown High School in suburban Kansas City, Mo. -- never indicated that he would consider seeking a release from his scholarship commitment.

Maxwell, who was on the Southeast campus Friday for orientation, also said that he looked forward to joining the Redhawks.

"I liked coach Edgar a lot," Maxwell said. "I don't think it's going to be any negative at all. I'm definitely still coming there."

Edgar, who was hired by Southeast on April 13, met with Pearson at his Raytown home and met with Maxwell while he was on the Southeast campus for orientation.

"I was impressed with them as people, and I'm glad they're still excited about coming here," Edgar said. "I haven't seen them play, but they're physically good-looking high school prospects for their positions."

Edgar said he did not wish to comment on his likely coaching staff until the paperwork is completed, but it appears certain that Dean and Lane will fill two of the three assistant positions.

Dean, a Charleston native, was Garner's chief recruiter the past two seasons. Lane served as the Redhawks' video coordinator under Garner the past two seasons.

Another candidate reportedly likely to join Edgar's staff is Scepter Brownlee, who was on the Tennessee staff along with Edgar last season.

"I am close to finalizing what I promised Southeast Missouri when I was hired -- a championship staff," Edgar said.

Edgar said his first full week on the job has been busy but enjoyable. Much of his time has been spent with his new team, and he even participated in one individual workout with the squad.

"I have visited with the team a lot over the last week," Edgar said. "I've spent a lot of time around my players, introducing myself and trying to find out as much about them as I can.

"X's and O's are one thing, but I feel like building relationships is the most important thing. I think we've had a great first week."

Edgar, who has been staying at a local motel when in town -- his wife and their son are still living at the family home in Knoxville, Tenn., for the time being -- prepared to hit the road Friday for a major AAU tournament in Houston that will primarily showcase prospects who will be high school seniors next year.

"It's mainly me getting out there as a head coach promoting Southeast Missouri and wearing Southeast Missouri [clothing], and prospects seeing me as a head coach wearing Southeast Missouri," Edgar said.

Asked if he's getting settled into his new position, a laughing Edgar said, "I don't know if you ever get settled in until your family gets here, but I'm comfortable. Cape Girardeau is a very easy place to get comfortable.

"I've gone out and met some people, and I've gotten a very nice reception wherever I've gone. I think the people are excited, and I'm excited."