New difficulties face every coach when coming into any new sports team, so Clayton Pottinger is embracing every single one as he transitions into his new role as the UBC Okanagan men害羞草研究所檚 basketball coach.
After eight years with Red Deer College, Pottinger said that the decision to come to the Okanagan wasn害羞草研究所檛 an easy one.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been a gambit of emotions, lots of friends and family that I害羞草研究所檓 sad to leave,害羞草研究所� said Pottinger.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 an opportunity for growth and change, and new challenges are always a good thing in life.害羞草研究所�
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Pottinger comes in to UBCO to replace interim head coach Ken Olynk, has wasted no time introducing himself to players at the university and around campus, hosting a shoot-around over the weekend with past, present and perspective players from all over the Okanagan.
The former Red Deer coach had a 137-41 record in his eight years with the Kings, including two conference titles and three national championships berths, winning a silver medal in 2014.
Pottinger will look to use some of the same coaching philosophies that he developed at Red Deer College when he takes over for the Heat.
害羞草研究所淚 think the similarities made it intriguing, there害羞草研究所檚 a lot of good basketball in the valley to build strong, home grown teams,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淭hat helped me to put together a vision pretty quick. Fundamental thing we can do to bring stability and culture right away and start building.害羞草研究所�
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While Kelowna was on Pottinger and his family害羞草研究所檚 short-list to one day move to, it was the vision for the UBC Okanagan athletics害羞草研究所檚 program that sold Pottinger on the new coaching gig.
害羞草研究所淭he more I investigated, I realized we害羞草研究所檙e on the same page; they get it,害羞草研究所� he said.
害羞草研究所淩eally starting to think I could help them achieve their vision for the basketball program.害羞草研究所�
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Excitement played a major role as well as getting immersed in the grassroots of a building program was something Pottinger was always passionate about.
害羞草研究所淚 am pumped about it. Creating a culture, creating stability, I believe the team can be a playoff team, and be consistently good. You have to respect who you害羞草研究所檙e working with and where you害羞草研究所檙e working, and keep moving from there,害羞草研究所� he said.
Pottinger will take over full coaching duties at UBC Okanagan on May 15.
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