Posted by Katie Peverada
Gerard O'Shea, who graduated in 2012 with a Business major, has returned to Skidmore as an assistant coach for the Men's Basketball team for the 2012-2013 season. Gerard is the Thoroughbreds' all-time leader in steals and assists and a two-time Liberty League First Team selection. I recently talked with him about his return to the court in his new role.
KP: What will your duties be as the assistant coach? What is your role?
GO: My duties this year will be recruiting, helping young players adjust to college basketball, game preparation and individual breakdown with guards during practice.
KP: How do you see your experience as a player carrying over to coaching?
GO:I think a lot carries over - the knowledge of the game, knowing different players and different situations. It'll help that I've been playing for so many years.
KP: What are you most excited about in your new role as a coach?
GO: It's just something different. Just from the first couple of weeks it's two different things. Coach Burke has been a great mentor in helping me to adjust from player to coach and I'm just really looking forward to seeing the guys excel.
KP: What are you most nervous about in your new role?
GO: I guess just not being able to play and seeing things on the court and not being able to do it myself. I'll have to rely on others.
KP: What do you think you can add to the coaching staff?
GO: I think just being able to help the younger guys adjust. I think [my experience] playing college basketball for four years - I can help them learn the system and the players.
KP: Do you see your closeness in age to the members of the team being a positive aspect?
GO: Yeah, I actually do. I can relate to what they're going through - balancing school, academics and all that.
KP: Where do you see yourself in a few years? Still coaching?
GO: Thus far, I like coaching a lot. It's been a great experience and it keeps me around the game of basketball.
KP: What are you most excited about for the year in terms of the team?
GO: To see how our team grows over the year. We've got a talented group.
KP: What has been your favorite part about coaching so far?
GO: So far just working under Coach Burke. I had a great relationship with him as a player. He's a great coach and I'm learning a lot from him.