Young Guns: 3 Top Under-the-Radar College Assistants
March 12, 2009
Jerome Tang, Assistant Coach – Baylor University
Although Scott Drew seems to have garnered most of the
attention when it comes to the amazing turn around that
has occurred at Baylor University, a school whose
basketball program was once so deep in turmoil that many
thought they would never win another game, one cannot
dismiss the contributions of Drew’s assistant coaches,
most notably Jerome Tang. Tang has been apart of the
Baylor staff for six years, joining Drew after serving as
one of the top high school coaches in the country at
Heritage Christian Academy in Cleveland, Texas. A master
developer of talent, Tang’s final two classes at Heritage
included six D-1 ball players; Cedrick Hensley (Houston),
Elijah Miller (Houston), Marlon Pompey (Texas A&M), Lamar
Hurd (Oregon State), Tim Mayes (Richmond) and Tyler Jones
(St. John's).
More than just a great coach, Jerome has been instrumental
in recruiting some of the best players to ever come to
Baylor. Working hand in hand with assistants Matt Driscoll
and Mark Morefield, Tang was a key player in bringing in
forwards Quincy Acy and Anthony Jones, as well as guards
Desmond Carter and LaceDarius Dunn and center Josh Lomers.
Tang’s best work may still be ahead of him, as Baylor has
already received a verbal from the nations #5 ranked Power
Forward Perry Jones for its 2010 class. There is little
doubt that with Jerome Tang on staff, Baylor will continue
to its rise from the ashes to the top of the Big XII
standings and beyond.
Robert Jones, Assistant Coach – Norfolk State
University
When most think of HBCU’s and the MEAC, often the last
thing that comes to mind is highly touted and nationally
ranked recruits. Robert Jones is changing this stereotype.
Robert is in his second season as an assistant coach for
the Norfolk State men’s basketball staff. His primary
responsibilities include developing the Spartans'
perimeter players and serving as the team’s recruiting
coordinator. His contribution has been evident since the
moment he arrived at NSU. Jones helped the Spartans secure
only their second winning record as a Division I program
(16-15) in only his first season with the team. The
Spartans also notched their best-ever MEAC record (11-5),
tying for second place in the regular-season standings.
Jones’ experience includes two seasons (2005-07) as the
head varsity boys’ basketball coach at St. Mary's High
School in Manhasset, N.Y. In two seasons with St. Mary’s,
the team compiled a 32-15 record competing in New York's
highest classification (Class AA). Under Jones' direction,
St. Mary's advanced to two consecutive Nassau-Suffolk
Catholic League championship games. Jones sent several
players into the college basketball ranks, including two
to Division I institutions.
More recently, Jones found a way to help the Spartans’
future by bringing big-time recruits to campus. In fact,
he may have given the team just the boost they needed for
the coming season. Christian "Beast" Morris, a 6-foot-9,
290-pound freshman center from The Bronx, N.Y., has left
Rutgers and transferred to Norfolk State and looks to
become become a huge factor for the team. A top 100
recruit coming out of high school, NSU and Robert Jones
were able to lure him to NSU where he’ll be able to
showcase his skills in the 2009-2010 season. This is just
one example of the impact Robert Jones has had on the NSU
program; in only his 2nd season with the University, Jones
will inevitably continue this trend in the future with NSU.
Kermit Holmes, Assistant Coach – Lamar University
As the coach for one of the best AAU programs in the
nation, Oklahoma’s Athletes First, Kermit developed some
of the finest talent to play the game in the last few
years. In no short order, the list of some of the athletes
to come out of Kermit’s program in the last few years
include; Sheldon Williams (Duke), DeAngelo Alexander
(North Carolina), Blake Griffin and Kevin Bookout
(Oklahoma), Darnell Jackson and Jeremy Case (Kansas),
Charles Ramsdell (Tulsa), as well as current college
football players Sam Bradford and Quinten Chaney
(Oklahoma) and Robert Metchum (Tennessee).
Kermit’s resume is undoubtedly impressive. Now the
Assistant Coach at Lamar University, his experience
includes the aforementioned stint with Athlete’s First and
two coaching stops at Oklahoma high schools, not to
mention participating in many high profile summer camps.
Holmes also enjoyed an extensive professional career
playing both in the U.S. and overseas. He played for a
number of CBA teams that included the Columbus Horizon
(1991-93), Oklahoma City Calvary (1993-94, 1995-97),
Rockford Lightning (1994-95) and Quad City Thunder
(1997-99). He also played in professional leagues in
Mexico City, Mexico; Istanbul, Turkey; and Angers, France.
While playing with Oklahoma City, Holmes was named to the
CBA All-Star team in 1996 and helped the Calvary win the
CBA championship in 1997. Holmes played collegiate at
Oklahoma from 1989-91 for Tubbs where he earned team MVP
honors in 1991 after averaging 14.8 points per game and
leading the team in rebounding at 9.3 rpg.
In only his 3rd year with Lamar, Holmes has already proved
that he has what it takes to make a contribution at the
collegiate level. He has coached elite players at the high
school level and he’s looking to bring athletes of this
caliber to Lamar. He is currently working with the guards
and focusing on recruiting. With his skill set in player
development, coaching, and recruitment, he is a invaluable
asset to the Lamar staff. Look for Lamar to continue
climbing the Southland Conference standings with the help
of Kermit Holmes.
