The Saint of St. Thomas
Stan Van Gundy is back, and you won't believe where
By Andy Gray
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/sioncampus/06/14/stan.vangundy/index.html
Shaquille O'Neal can't solve Dallas' defense, Dwyane Wade is battling a knee injury, Antoine Walker is shooting too many 3-pointers, and Stan Van Gundy couldn't care less. The Miami Heat's former coach has got his own team to worry about. It consists of four kids, two dogs, a cat and a wife of 18 years.
Since resigning as Miami's coach in January, Van Gundy has been the subject of speculation. Did Pat Riley push him out? Was ownership unhappy with his performance? All along, however, Van Gundy has insisted that there's no story to dig for. After 25 years on the road, he just wanted to spend more time at home.
"It's been great [being with my family]," said Van Gundy in a phone interview. "What's really hit me on a daily basis is looking at the Heat schedule and saying, 'I would've missed this today.' With that perspective, the time off has been really good."
But at only 46, Van Gundy couldn't stay away from the game too long, and when Jorge De Cespedes, the former basketball coach at Biscayne College (now called St. Thomas University), asked Van Gundy if he wanted to help bring basketball back to the school (the program was disbanded in 1999 for financial reasons), Van Gundy jumped at the chance.
Van Gundy's current position is strictly voluntary and consists of helping the school search for its new coaches, and with the layout of the new athletic facility, as well as promoting the school's basketball revival. The dividends have already paid off, as the school announced the hiring of Jesus Labrada and Robin Harmony to coach the men's and women's basketball teams, respectively.
Working at St. Thomas has quenched a basketball thirst that has been building since Van Gundy's resignation from the Heat on Jan. 12. Plus, it got him back to a more pure form of basketball: players at small schools competing for the love of the game and not a potentially hefty NBA paycheck.
"They play for all the right reasons at that level," Van Gundy says. "You're all in it together at the small colleges. Everyone's playing because they love to play. Very few guys harbor dreams of playing in the NBA or anywhere else. They just want to play."
And that is what makes St. Thomas such an attractive endeavor for Van Gundy. The student body of 3,000 is mostly commuters with a focus on education. The school's mission to educate "morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good" instantly appealed to Van Gundy. While giving the keynote address at graduation last month, he said, "There's nothing that our world needs right now more than some strong positive leaders." Furthermore, the flexible schedule and low demands made this less of a job and more of a pleasure for the ex-Heat coach. So far, the school couldn't be more pleased to have him.
"He's a real down to earth stand-up guy," says athletic director Laura Courtley-Todd. "It shocks me that he's been so willing to help us because he rarely goes out in the public. For him to be there on Monday for our press conference where we announced the new coaches, knowing the press would be all over him, he never veered away from focusing on St. Thomas. He's just a normal everyday guy."
Van Gundy has coached at small colleges (Castelton State College in Vermont) and major schools (University of Wisconsin), but he clearly enjoys the small atmosphere. He reflects on his three seasons at Castleton State, saying, "In 25 years of coaching, I've never had more fun than I did there." He also sees what major college basketball has become, and wants nothing to do with it.
"The people in the college game who have lost their way are the administrators," Van Gundy says. "They give a lot of lip service to developing student athletes and leaders and things like that, but I don't think their decisions reflect that in any way. By and large, it's about money and winning games, particularly at the Division I level."
When asked directly about the chances of ever seeing him on a Division 1 sideline, his answer is short and sweet. "None. I can't see myself doing it at all. If I wanted to get back into coaching, I'd want to be back in the NBA."
What does Van Gundy think of the Heat's performance so far? He declined comment, but it's safe to say that he's pleased with the team, but does not seem to regret his decision to resign.
He's still as busy as ever. It's just that six months ago he was busy devising a defense to slow down LeBron James and Paul Pierce, whereas today he's unloading groceries and taking his kids to soccer practice. And he also has time for one of his other passions, baseball. Growing up in the Bay Area, he was a fan of both the Giants and A's, but has switched allegiances to the Marlins and attends 12-15 games a year. He also has a message for those wondering if he's doing okay.
"I'm doing great. I really mean that. And the people I see on a regular basis, around my neighborhood and my kid's activities would vouch for that. Don't worry about me."
Stan Van Gundy is back, and you won't believe where
By Andy Gray
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/sioncampus/06/14/stan.vangundy/index.html
Shaquille O'Neal can't solve Dallas' defense, Dwyane Wade is battling a knee injury, Antoine Walker is shooting too many 3-pointers, and Stan Van Gundy couldn't care less. The Miami Heat's former coach has got his own team to worry about. It consists of four kids, two dogs, a cat and a wife of 18 years.
Since resigning as Miami's coach in January, Van Gundy has been the subject of speculation. Did Pat Riley push him out? Was ownership unhappy with his performance? All along, however, Van Gundy has insisted that there's no story to dig for. After 25 years on the road, he just wanted to spend more time at home.
"It's been great [being with my family]," said Van Gundy in a phone interview. "What's really hit me on a daily basis is looking at the Heat schedule and saying, 'I would've missed this today.' With that perspective, the time off has been really good."
But at only 46, Van Gundy couldn't stay away from the game too long, and when Jorge De Cespedes, the former basketball coach at Biscayne College (now called St. Thomas University), asked Van Gundy if he wanted to help bring basketball back to the school (the program was disbanded in 1999 for financial reasons), Van Gundy jumped at the chance.
Van Gundy's current position is strictly voluntary and consists of helping the school search for its new coaches, and with the layout of the new athletic facility, as well as promoting the school's basketball revival. The dividends have already paid off, as the school announced the hiring of Jesus Labrada and Robin Harmony to coach the men's and women's basketball teams, respectively.
Working at St. Thomas has quenched a basketball thirst that has been building since Van Gundy's resignation from the Heat on Jan. 12. Plus, it got him back to a more pure form of basketball: players at small schools competing for the love of the game and not a potentially hefty NBA paycheck.
"They play for all the right reasons at that level," Van Gundy says. "You're all in it together at the small colleges. Everyone's playing because they love to play. Very few guys harbor dreams of playing in the NBA or anywhere else. They just want to play."
And that is what makes St. Thomas such an attractive endeavor for Van Gundy. The student body of 3,000 is mostly commuters with a focus on education. The school's mission to educate "morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good" instantly appealed to Van Gundy. While giving the keynote address at graduation last month, he said, "There's nothing that our world needs right now more than some strong positive leaders." Furthermore, the flexible schedule and low demands made this less of a job and more of a pleasure for the ex-Heat coach. So far, the school couldn't be more pleased to have him.
"He's a real down to earth stand-up guy," says athletic director Laura Courtley-Todd. "It shocks me that he's been so willing to help us because he rarely goes out in the public. For him to be there on Monday for our press conference where we announced the new coaches, knowing the press would be all over him, he never veered away from focusing on St. Thomas. He's just a normal everyday guy."
Van Gundy has coached at small colleges (Castelton State College in Vermont) and major schools (University of Wisconsin), but he clearly enjoys the small atmosphere. He reflects on his three seasons at Castleton State, saying, "In 25 years of coaching, I've never had more fun than I did there." He also sees what major college basketball has become, and wants nothing to do with it.
"The people in the college game who have lost their way are the administrators," Van Gundy says. "They give a lot of lip service to developing student athletes and leaders and things like that, but I don't think their decisions reflect that in any way. By and large, it's about money and winning games, particularly at the Division I level."
When asked directly about the chances of ever seeing him on a Division 1 sideline, his answer is short and sweet. "None. I can't see myself doing it at all. If I wanted to get back into coaching, I'd want to be back in the NBA."
What does Van Gundy think of the Heat's performance so far? He declined comment, but it's safe to say that he's pleased with the team, but does not seem to regret his decision to resign.
He's still as busy as ever. It's just that six months ago he was busy devising a defense to slow down LeBron James and Paul Pierce, whereas today he's unloading groceries and taking his kids to soccer practice. And he also has time for one of his other passions, baseball. Growing up in the Bay Area, he was a fan of both the Giants and A's, but has switched allegiances to the Marlins and attends 12-15 games a year. He also has a message for those wondering if he's doing okay.
"I'm doing great. I really mean that. And the people I see on a regular basis, around my neighborhood and my kid's activities would vouch for that. Don't worry about me."
