Bolling returns as Bevill State basketball coach
04-21-2009
Rick Bolling left Jasper with some unfinished business remaining on the basketball court.
Now the coach is coming back to Bevill State-Walker College with redemption in mind.
Bolling was hired as head coach of the Bevill State-Walker College basketball program on Monday. He takes over for Al Blanton, who left after two seasons as head coach.
This marks Bolling’s second stint with Bevill State-Walker College. He served as the head coach during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons and he also had two coaching stints totaling 12 years at Bevill State-Fayette.
“We started exploring options a couple of weeks ago,” Bevill State-Walker College Athletics Director Russell Howton said. “We knew Bolling was a winner. He’s been a winner in the past for us. We’re happy to have him. We look for that same championship experience he’s created at both schools. I think he’s a good fit for us. He knows what we expect and he knows our expectations.”
Bolling immediately expressed an interest in returning.
“When I heard that Al was resigning, I called Russell and the first thing I told him was that I wanted the job. When I left three years ago, it wasn’t because I didn’t love the job. It was just circumstances. I was driving back and forth to Fayette. I was going through a divorce. Those things wear on you,” Bolling said.
When the job came open this time around, Bolling said the timing was perfect. Bolling and his new wife live in Jasper and he no longer drives to Fayette every day.
“I’m more motivated than ever. I know what this program means to people. It’s been 32 years since they’ve won a state championship here. I want to get this team back to Hutchinson (site of the NJCAA Tournament),” he said.
The Bears were the odds on favorite to win the state tournament in 2006-07. Bevill State ran through Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) play and was the top seed in the ACCC Tournament at Pelham. However, after receiving a first-round bye, the Bears were upset by Southern Union, a team Bevill State beat by 40 points during the regular season. It was a disappointing end to a turn-around season.
“That year we were the best team in the state talent-wise. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about that game. I was more mad after that game than I was any game I’ve ever coached. I didn’t have them prepared. It’s my fault we didn’t win state. I slacked off at the end of the year,” Bolling said.
“I was disappointed with myself. Every coach has a couple of personal goals. I’ve been to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament (with Auburn). I’ve been to the Division II (NJCAA) championship at Danville, but I’ve never been to Hutch. That still sticks in my craw that we didn’t get there.”
Bolling, who had a 39-23 record in his previous stint at Bevill, hasn’t coached since that game. He has been itching to get back in coaching since last year.
“This is my love and I’m glad I’ve got the opportunity to come back. I’ve been wanting to get back to coaching. I tried to get the Bevill-Fayette job last year. I wanted back in it badly and now a year later I get the chance to come back here. It’s funny how things work out. I think I’m more suited for this job than I was five years ago when I first got it. I didn’t know a lot of people in Jasper then. I know more people now and I believe I can do a better job promoting the program. I’m a Jasper man now. I feel so much more comfortable now,” he added.
Due to his late hire, Bolling will have to put together his first squad quickly.
He says there are plenty of upper-tier players available.
“Junior college basketball is not a sport where signing day is that important. It’s kind of like (former Auburn football coach) Pat Dye used to say: ‘The big dogs walk last.’ There are still big dogs out there. Recruiting goes all the way through summer. We’re going to go after some of these good, talented kids. This is a program that I know I can go out and sell to recruits,” Bolling said.
He feels the Bears will regain their winning form quickly. The team has had just two winning seasons over the last seven years and has missed out on the ACCC Tournament each of the last two seasons.
“I know we can win a state championship and go to Hutchinson. I’ve always said this school has a tradition unlike any junior college in the state. It’s the best one in Alabama as far as support for the program. We will get this town excited about Bevill basketball again.”
Johnathan Bentley
Sports Editor
Tuesday, Apr 21, 2009
Reprinted by permission of Daily Mountain Eagle |
