Show New coach stresses ii I books before basketball Mat Baer Contributing Writer Newly hired mens men's basketball basketball basketball basket basket- ball coach Jeff has spent his first days on campus as head of the program Its It's been four years since Men- Men day took over the reins at Southwest Oregon CC and now he finds himself starting over again this again this time in Utah Ive driven through here a couple of times states Men- Men day but had never pictured himself living here His wife Diane a registered nurse and his two children Jeffrey Jr and Daniel Scott will also be begetting begetting begetting getting familiar with their new surroundings when the family relocates to the area brings with him himan himan himan an impressive record of turnIng turning turning turn turn- ing around basketball programs Ive taken over terrible terrible terrible ter ter- ter- ter programs and put them in the playoffs said He noted that hes he's been in the playoffs the past five consecutive consecutive consecutive tive seasons took over at Navajo Community College in 1982 The teams team's previous record was 23 2 and by 1985 had guided his team through its first winning season ever He also coached In an Arizona CC Star All-Star game placed fifth in the National National National Na Na- Little College playoffs and had been named NCe Coach of the Year In 1985 headed Southwest Oregon CC ce through its first winning season in six years and was named Oregon Region IV Coach of the Year He went on onto onto onto to lead Southwest Oregon through two more winning seasons including a 6 22 mark in 1987 before leaving to take the post w. w i style is brisk Pressure to man-to-man up up- tempo to be exact He emphasized emphasized emphasized em em- strong defense in his game plan and explained to his players in a meeting Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wed Wed- that if they're not ready to play up-tempo up basketball basketball basketball bas bas- they wont won't be stepping stepping stepping step step- ping onto the court has many hurdles before him as he steps into a program which was left in shambles by his predecessor Recruiting seems to be the first and highest hurdle he must clear Since arrival is so far into the recruiting season the opportunity to land the big recruits is virtually gone The secret according to Men- Men day will be looking under rocks for the best possible student athletes is quick to mention mention mention men men- tion the term student before the word athlete ever makes it past his lips His books before basketball philosophy will be greatly welcomed by many of those who want to see run a clean legitimate program Still there are the remaining remaining remaining remain remain- ing skeptics who will refuse to pat the new coach on the back until proof of his cleanliness has been seen When asked about the way hell he'll handle academic and team policies replied I III squeak Im I'm so clean I had the top scorer and in Oregon returning and I suspended him for academic performance below my stand stand- ards also added There will be one student athlete who will break the rules rules they'll they'll name a memorial after him has a tremendous amount of work ahead of him him him-he he has to build an entire basketball program in just one summer But if his streak of successful programs continues continues continues con con- can be looking forward to future years of season post-season play and no more downs crack-downs for rule infractions |