Fast Breaking with Coach Ed Conroy
August 24, 2006
Staff
Once the immediate needs of recruiting were addressed, my focus turned to hiring a staff. And as everyone knows, putting together a quality staff is critical to the success of any organization. In college athletics, you spend countless hours together, 365 days a year in the public eye and in a highly competitive environment. You better have loyal guys that you can count on to do their job. I couldn't be more please with the staff that we've assembled. I have a lot of confidence in their abilities and can't wait to watch the impact they make in our program.
My staff consists of Doug Novak, P.J. Brown, Andy Fox and Clyde Wormley '03. They are all excellent teachers that will do a great job at The Citadel. Coach Novak has been a head coach at the junior college and the Division-II levels. We worked together at Francis Marion University, and I'm excited to work with him again as he is a great teacher of the game, outstanding tactician and is also a good family man. His wife, Tonya, and daughters Sarah and McKenzie, will live on campus as will my family.
Coach Brown has a great basketball background from his high school days at Miami Senior (FL) to playing and working at Furman and also working as a graduate student at West Virginia. He is another excellent teacher, a most organized recruiter and relates well with our players.
Coach Fox was actually a former camper of mine. Andy and I attended the same high school (Davenport, Iowa's Assumption High School) and we worked together at Tennessee. He is tireless and very versatile in his abilities. He can teach and knows the game.
Clyde Wormley was on The Citadel staff last year. He, as an alum, knows The Citadel and can help our guys in numerous ways. Coach Wormley will handle a lot of administrative duties as well as a lot of daily interaction and monitoring of our players.
Permit me to tell you a few of the qualities that I look for as I hired each staff member.
Loyalty
In this profession, you can be challenged everyday by fans, media, Alumni, players, etc. We are in this together. Enough said!
Teaching Ability
I want a staff of great teachers. Our goal is to be the best at developing our players. WE feel that we are a part of the greater institution and that this is what The Citadel does so well. This is the place where you maximize your potential on and off the court. Our players are being taught teamwork, leadership, attention to details, honor, respect and values 24/7. Combine The Citadel's structure with a staff that has the ability to teach and teach quickly and we will become the best. No other institution can help us be great at individual development like The Citadel.
Technology
Communication. We need our staff to also be on the cutting edge when it comes to the use of technology. This is how we communicate to everyone what a great product we have. We have to provide the information and educate. The more parents and prospects find out about The Citadel, the more impressed they are. They realize what a special opportunity they could have and how they will benefit.
Fit
My staff has to “fit” at The Citadel. They must believe in what The Citadel as an institution is all about. They must want to develop the total individual. They must believe and know how we can win championships while achieving excellence in the development of principled leaders.
Send feedback, comments and questions to Ed Conroy here.
