Degroot takes VU hoops post

Jim Degroot has been named Vanguard University’s men’s basketball

coach, succeeding Stephen French, who was relieved of his duties in

his fourth year.

“Jim was the most competitive and best player I ever coached,”

said Vanguard Athletic Director Bob Wilson, who was Degroot’s coach

at Phillips University and Hawaii-Hilo. “As a player he was a coach

on the floor, continued Wilson.

“One of the criteria we looked for in our candidates was a person

that had performed at the national level. Jim has done that as a

two-time NAIA All-American and a two-time participant in the NAIA

National Tournament. Everyone on our campus was impressed with him.”

The Lions finished 7-24 last season under French and the interim

service of Wilson.

“I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead for me as a

coach,” said Degroot. “We want a program that reflects quality where

the student-athletes enjoy the game and play with a passion; a

program that is committed to developing the best in each

student-athlete and is able to excel at a significant level.”

Degroot, who last coached at the collegiate level as an assistant

at the Hawaii-Hilo, has maintained his contact with basketball the

last three years managing the Jim Degroot basketball school in

Missoula, Mont.

In addition, he has been actively involved with the NBC Basketball

camps and Varsity Academy, which is an extension of the NBC

Basketball Camps that teaches basketball skills as well as life

skills.