Hofstra University: Speedy Claxton and the Legacy of ‘The Guardfather’
TAMPA, Fla. – If anyone questioned Speedy Claxton’s place in Hofstra basketball history, the sweatshirt he wore to NCAA Tournament practice on Thursday answered them. A custom-made black hooded garment with a Pride logo and Nike swoosh boldly proclaimed him: “The Guardfather.”
“It speaks for itself,” Claxton said of the eye-catching outfit and the nickname he embraces. Hofstra has become synonymous with developing exceptional guard play. Claxton quickly listed names like Justin Wright-Foreman, Desure Buie, Aaron Estrada, Tyler Thomas, Charles Jenkins, and current stars Cruz Davis and Preston Edmead.
Building a Tradition of Excellence
“We’ve raised good guards,” Claxton stated. “I’m the one who kind of started that. So I’m The Guardfather.” He’s carried nicknames throughout his life, but this one feels particularly fitting.
Even without returning to coach, Claxton’s legacy was secure. Leading the Pride to the NCAA Tournament in 2000, a decade in the NBA with a championship with the San Antonio Spurs, and still holding Hofstra records for steals and assists cemented his stardom. But returning to Hempstead as head coach elevates his impact to another level – a true “Guardfather Part II.”
The true test comes Friday when Hofstra faces Alabama, aiming for their first tournament victory. Claxton himself seemed surprised by this second act, but two Hall of Famers foresaw his coaching potential.
Mentorship and a Coaching Revelation
Don Nelson, Claxton’s coach with the Golden State Warriors, planted the seed. “One day after practice, he pulled me aside and asked if I’d ever thought about coaching,” Claxton recalled. “Up until that point, I hadn’t. He said, ‘You should think about it. I think you would make a hell of a coach.’ That prompted the idea.”
After a brief scouting role with Golden State, Claxton returned to Hofstra in 2013 as an assistant, spending eight seasons recruiting and developing players. Initially, the transition was challenging. “I’m not going to lie; my first years were rough,” he admitted. “It’s different, going from being a player to being a coach and being in the office from 9 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. But once I got used to it, I loved it.”
A Keen Eye for Talent
Jay Wright, Claxton’s coach at Hofstra, always recognized his basketball IQ and leadership qualities. “He was always one of the smartest players I ever coached,” Wright told Newsday. “And he also had great leadership qualities… Once he got into coaching, I knew he’d be great.”
Wright even relied on Claxton’s player evaluations, stating, “He is the only player I ever truly trusted when I evaluated an incoming recruit. I would always ask him before I would offer a guy a scholarship: What do you think? And he was always dead on.”
Success at the Helm
In 2021, Claxton became Hofstra’s head coach, and in five seasons, he’s achieved a 105-67 record, boasting the highest winning percentage among Hofstra coaches with more than one season. He’s on track to surpass Tom Pecora as the program’s all-time winningest coach within the next few years.
“He has ‘it,’” said former Hofstra coach Joe Mihalich, who joined the team in Tampa. “He is real.”
Impact on Players
Players echo this sentiment. “He’s a guard, I’m a guard,” said Edmead. “He gives us the most confidence you can play with. Coming here, it was the best decision of my life.” Davis added, “He developed me a lot as a player. He’s helped me be the best version of myself on and off the court. He’s just changed my life.”
For Claxton, representing Hofstra in the NCAA Tournament holds special meaning. “Hofstra is a very special place, always will be a special place,” he said. “We’re talking about legacy right now… It means so much more to me.”
It’s difficult to imagine anyone more deeply connected to Hofstra University than Speedy Claxton.
