Cam Fuller sits down with Youngstown State head coach Jerry Slocum:
Meet Jerry Slocum
Experience: Ninth year (39th overall)
College: The Kings (N.Y.), ‘75
Career record: 91-151 (673-476 overall)
2013-14 Season Outlook
-Youngstown State finished the 2012-13 season with a record of 17-15 (7-9 Horizon League). For the first time in 29 years, the Penguins posted back-to-back winning seasons (16-15 in 2011-12).
-In the Horizon League preseason poll, the Penguins are predicted to finish fifth in the nine-team League.
Career Background
-Slocum’s head-coaching experience began at Nyack College in Nyack, N.Y., from 1975-1987.
-Spent 12 seasons in charge of the Warriors’ program finishing with a 199-166 overall record. He was later inducted into the Nyack Athletics Hall of Fame in October 2001.
-Posted a 204-81 record from 1987-96 at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Penn.
-Had a nine-year tenure at Division II Gannon in Erie, Pa, leading the Golden Knights to a 179-78 record and six straight appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
-Named the Youngstown State head coach on April 12, 2005.
-Ranks 36th all-time with 673 career victories and sixth among active Division I coaches in career wins.
-Became just the 47th individual in NCAA history to win at least 600 games as a head coach. He reached his milestone victory on Feb. 22, 2007, when the Penguins defeated Wright State.
-During the 2012-13 season, the Penguins earned a birth in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT), marking the program’s first postseason tournament appearence since moving to Division I in 1981-82. The Penguins topped Oakland 99-87.
Youngstown State has posted back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 29 years. Your squad also secured its first postseason berth and a win in the CIT over Oakland. How would you describe the excitement in the community?
It’s definitely high. We’re excited about where we’re going and we’re excited about where we’ve been in terms of growth. The next step for us is to move up in the Horizon League and compete for Championship.
The Penguins are coming off their best finish in over a decade. What are your goals for the upcoming season?
For me, I don’t sit around and have goals like winning the Horizon League like maybe other people may have. Our goal is to work hard every day, get our guys better, take care of the immediate things and from there they all seem to take care of themselves. Obviously, I’d like to lead the country in free throw shooting, I’d like to guard better but the bottom line is you have to keep in mind of what’s in front of you today and then tomorrow takes care of itself.
You’re in your 39th season as a head coach and enter your ninth season at Youngstown State. How has your coaching approach changed over the years?
I think all players, no matter how long ago, want to be better. I think there’s a very consistent theme where good players want to be pushed. I’m a lucky guy, I’ve gotten to do something I’ve loved for 39 years. I believe that not as much has changed as people would think, obviously the social media, the cell phones, those kinds of distractions and issues are the biggest changes. We monitor their use, and getting the kids in class, monitor Facebook and tweeting to make sure there is good wholesome stuff but social media is definitely an interesting challenge.
The Horizon League is surrounded by first time Division I head coaches. Coaches such as Billy Donlon, Brian Wardle, Bryce Drew, and Howard Scott come to mind. What’s one word of advice for the younger coaches on the longevity you’ve achieved?
Adapt. The old school stuff of yelling and how to treat people has changed. You have to be able to adapt and adapt to the game. There’s a whole bunch of rule changes this year; I’ve been a part of the shot clock, the three-point shot, the three-point shot adjusted back. You better be able to adapt.
What keeps you going each and everyday?
I just enjoy my job every day and don’t take too much, too serious in terms of negative things. I just keep plugging away and I’ve enjoyed basketball my whole life from being a kid until now. I love the competition part of it and I love basketball.
Last season six of the nine Horizon League teams posted an over .500 overall record. What are your expectations for the Horizon League this year?
It’s tough. This is the most balanced League that I think there has been since I’ve been a part of it. You look at all those teams last year and they played in some form of postseason. This is a good, good basketball League and you better bring it every day.
Talk about senior guard Kendrick Perry and the maturation from his freshman season to where he is today.
So much of college athletics at times gets to the media that’s negative about this kid or that kid. Kendrick Perry is what’s good about college athletics, he’s great student, he’s a great teammate and he’s a good, good basketball player. He’s a pleasure to be around every day.
If we hit the rewind button 40 years ago, where is Jerry Slocum if he's not a basketball coach?
A high school history teacher, I love history. I enjoy all history; World War I, World War II, the Founding Fathers. I’m a big history buff.
Off the court what are some things you enjoy doing?
I love the motorcycle. I have a Honda Gold Wing and my wife loves it too. We usually take an 8-10 day trip every year. We’ve been to the Dakotas, we’ve been to Maine, down to Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway, to the Carolinas, out to Nova Scotia. It’s my happiest time and my most enjoyable thing I do.
Where will your motorcycle take you next?
Next year we’re going to Wyoming out to the Grand Canyon. We didn’t do anything this past year because my kid got married so our trip kind of went on the back burner but we try to do one big trip per year.
Tags: Youngstown State - Men's Basketball
