Former Eastern assistant Kevin Mouton is enjoying the West Coast a little too much to fully consider the current head coaching vacancy with the Panthers.

The top assistant at Oregon State, who coached at Eastern during the 1995-1996 season, stated he would listen if contacted by either EIU director of athletics Rich McDuffie or a member of the search committee.

“I’m in a really good situation here at Oregon State but if (McDuffie) called, I’d definitely talk to him,” Mouton said. “I don’t think I’m bigger than Eastern Illinois University so don’t get the impression of ‘who is this guy not to apply.'”

Mouton mentioned that he is not interested in moving his family once again in a 13-year coaching career that has included stops at Butler, EIU, New Hampshire, St. Mary’s (Ca.) and Nebraska.

“I have moved eight times in the last 12 years,” Mouton said. “So when you got four kids, including a son that’s 13 and a eight-month-old daughter, Corvallis looks pretty good.”

The native of the Bay area did state that he sees himself as a Division I head coach in the near future.

“That is something that I have certainly been pushing hard for and have interviewed for the past couple of seasons,” Mouton said.

Oregon State finished this season 17-15 with a fifth place finish in the Pacific-10 Conference – ultimately losing in the first round of the NIT to Cal State Fullerton.

“We got almost everybody coming back on this team so things are really starting to turn around at Oregon State,” Mouton said.

Mouton also commented on the recruiting difficulties while on the Panthers’ coaching staff.

“We couldn’t get kids, it’s that simple. They’re out there’ but for Eastern Illinois, it’s a tough sell,” Mouton said. “Eastern is a great opportunity, but somebody has to have a plan to hit Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis hard for it to be a great situation recruiting wise.”

Mouton’s major contribution to Eastern might be a recruiting call placed to recently dismissed Rick Samuels about arguably the Panthers all-time best player, Henry Domercant.

“When I was at New Hampshire, I was in Chicago recruiting Henry and after five minutes I knew we had to have this kid,” Mouton said. “However, New Hampshire wanted to be the Stanford of the East Coast, and they were concerned if he could make it academically.

“I wanted him real bad though.”

Mouton knew right away where Domercant might best fit in.

“I immediately called coach Samuels and said ‘Hey, you need to get down to Naperville and see this kid Domercant,’ and I guess it worked out for you guys,” Mouton said.