Rediscovering the Passion of Coaching: My Journey Back Through College Basketball

The last couple of years have taken me on a path I never quite expected, but one that ultimately brought me back to where I’ve always felt most alive: the game of basketball. It ultimately led to a restored sense of passion through my work with Central State University.

My coaching journey started in a small private high school gym, where long hours and big dreams laid the foundation for everything that followed. That path eventually led me to Oakland University under Coach Greg Kampe, where I spent two invaluable years on staff, learning, growing, and sharpening my understanding of the college game and affirmed my long-term professional aspirations. Life evolved, as it tends to do, and I started a family, returned to the high school ranks, and poured myself into coaching while becoming deeply involved with the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan.

For years, I thrived in that space. But in 2023, shortly after achieving my 350th career victory as a head coach, everything changed as I experienced an unexpected professional setback when I was removed from my position. It was one of the lowest points of my life—personally and professionally. The game that had always given me purpose suddenly felt distant. This moment represented a significant personal and professional challenge.

What followed was a year of reflection. I dug into my faith, and looking back I see how God was working in the background while I questioned everything. I spent time watching my son play, reconnecting with why I fell in love with coaching basketball in the first place. I traveled across the country, visiting friends who were still coaching, sitting in gyms, talking the game, and slowly, without forcing it, getting my passion back. That year wasn’t about chasing the next job. It was about rediscovering joy. During that period, I rediscovered a genuine appreciation for the game of basketball, particularly at the collegiate level. What began as time away from the profession ultimately became a period of growth and renewed passion.

That’s exactly what happened.

In the summer of 2024, while working a BCAM event, an unexpected conversation changed everything. Coach Travis Lewis approached me about potentially joining him if he secured the head coaching position at Central State University in Ohio.

Within weeks, those conversations became real. We discussed ways I could contribute, but as discussions progressed, it became clear that traditional, on-site employment would not be feasible due to budgetary limitations. That’s when I presented something unconventional—a remote coaching role.

I built out a detailed plan outlining how I could support the program complete with duties that would help the team win. This would take place all while I am living in Michigan. It was different. It was unproven, but it was rooted in value. It was an opportunity to work for free and allow Coach Lewis the ability to add to his staff in other ways. To his credit, Coach Lewis embraced the idea and encourage me to dive into it whole heartily, and I was named Chief of Staff/Assistant Coach. Just like that, I was back in college basketball

That first season looked unlike anything I had experienced before. Coaching remotely meant adapting, communicating differently, and finding new ways to connect and contribute.

My responsibilities included recruiting in the portal, as well as,  high school and JUCO in Michigan, academic tracking, scouting opponent inbound actions, weekly video sessions with players and small groups, advanced scouting for select games, and creating graphics and breakdowns for team development. As the season progressed, I was also tasked with diving into analytics to identifying trends, uncovering advantages, and helping the staff find edges in preparation.

It was a great time connecting with players on Zoom meetings to discuss the scouts for BLOBs and SLOBs with additional discussions about ATOs. I had a great opportunity to meet with players as well to discuss philosophy and how we wanted to play as we tried to build our culture. It provided a great opportunity to build relationships as they began to trust the process. Those relationships were not just with players but also with coaches. We learned to trust each other as we worked to help the players develop.

Despite the non-traditional structure of my role and distance, I remained actively engaged and connected with the program, traveling to home contests when possible and attending select road games. One of the highlights was flying in to meet the team during the conference tournament—something I won’t forget.

We saw real improvement. The program experienced success it hadn’t seen in years, particularly at the Division II level. The season culminated with two major wins, including an upset that propelled us into the conference semifinals.

It was a reminder: impact isn’t defined by proximity.

When the season ended, another milestone awaited—my first trip to the NJCAA National Tournament for recruiting. There’s something special about being back in that environment. Evaluating talent, reconnecting with coaches, and seeing the future of the game up close. It reignited another piece of my passion.

It felt like momentum was building again.

Heading into year two, my role evolved. Still working remotely from the Detroit area, I was put in charge of the creation of all the advanced scouts including analytic pieces for the year. Every opponent became a puzzle. Every game plan, a challenge to solve.

Honestly, it’s been one of the most rewarding shifts in my career. Studying the game at this level, breaking it down possession by possession, searching for weaknesses and opportunities—it has deepened my appreciation for basketball in ways I didn’t anticipate. This is a great game, and the more I study it, the more I love it. In year two we saw improvements on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

That said, I won’t pretend it’s easy. Not being physically present for every game has been one of the toughest parts. As a competitor, there’s nothing like being on the sideline, feeling the energy, making adjustments in real time, but growth doesn’t always come in familiar forms.

This non-traditional role has given me something I wasn’t sure I’d get again: a meaningful place in college basketball. It’s my boyhood dream revisited, reshaped, and reimagined.

I’m grateful. Grateful for the journey, the highs, the setbacks, the unexpected turns. Grateful for the people I was able to reconnect with and those that stayed connected. The coaching fraternity is a special place. I’m especially grateful to Coach Lewis for his innovative leadership and forward thinking being willing to embrace a non-traditional model, providing me with the opportunity to once again pursue my passion in coaching.

Sometimes, the path back isn’t the one you planned, but if you stay open to it, you just might find something even better.