Post by TheInfoMan on Aug 17, 2015 20:50:02 GMT -5
www.fayobserver.com/blogs/sports/acc_basketball/bret-strelow-column-after-year-off-former-wake-assistant-jeff/article_023b5f66-44f9-11e5-9ec2-bfcc8e9eb0b2.html
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
As Battle spent most of last month on the road, recruiting at events in five cities, coaches joked about the oddity of seeing him in shirts bearing Providence’s black and silver rather than Wake Forest’s black and gold. With regard to Battle working alongside Cooley, whom [Battle's son] Jordan calls “Uncle Ed,” it was more a matter of when than if. Cooley’s wife, Nurys, knew nothing about sports when they met. Nurys grew to admire Joyce because of the way she supported her husband. And when Cooley brought his Fairfield team into Joel Coliseum for a season opener less than four months after Prosser’s death, he held hands with Battle and Gaudio during a tear-filled pregame tribute.
Cooley had an opening in 2011, but Battle didn’t want to move Jordan out of Winston-Salem with only one year remaining at Mount Tabor High School. When associate head coach Bob Simon left Providence’s staff in April, Cooley knew quickly that he wanted to hire Battle. “Jeff has been a dear friend and a loyal friend,” Cooley said. “It was an easy call - a call that both Jeff and I were hoping would happen sooner rather than later. He’s the only guy I thought about for the position.”
The hiring of Battle was announced May 9, one day before Mother’s Day, and Jordan spent that emotional weekend with his relatives in Fayetteville. An art major, he will be entering his last year of college at East Carolina as his father begins his first season at a new school. “When I first called Jordan and told him the news, he said, ‘Dad, this is the happiest I’ve heard you in a long time,’ ” Battle said. “He could hear the excitement in my voice. He said, ‘Dad, I know it’s far away, but we’ll make it work because I’m happy for you.’ ” Saying goodbye to Winston-Salem hasn’t been easy. Battle was able to sell the house he occupied for all 14 of his years in North Carolina, and a lot of memories were made in that home. He became attached to the city and many of its residents, including the Gold’s Gym members and workers who approached him to offer congratulations after Providence’s announcement.
The Friars are getting an accomplished recruiter and talent developer, as Battle has played an important role in the careers of standouts such as Chris Paul, Jeff Teague, Josh Howard, Ish Smith, Al-Farouq Aminu, David West and James Posey. Providence has a leading All-America candidate in guard Kris Dunn returning from a 22-12 team, and the Friars are one of five finalists for Class of 2016 recruit Quentin Jackson, who is from Raleigh. Whether he’s wearing gold or silver, Battle is a basketball guy. A year off from coaching set him up for a smooth transition into a perfectly suited partnership with Cooley. “It always starts with character and integrity in our business, and he brings a wealth of experience in coaching, philosophy and recruiting,” Cooley said. “In my opinion, he is one of the best coaches in the country. “He’s had some trials and tribulations in his life, and hopefully we can share some of his joys together as he continues to live and move forward.”
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
As Battle spent most of last month on the road, recruiting at events in five cities, coaches joked about the oddity of seeing him in shirts bearing Providence’s black and silver rather than Wake Forest’s black and gold. With regard to Battle working alongside Cooley, whom [Battle's son] Jordan calls “Uncle Ed,” it was more a matter of when than if. Cooley’s wife, Nurys, knew nothing about sports when they met. Nurys grew to admire Joyce because of the way she supported her husband. And when Cooley brought his Fairfield team into Joel Coliseum for a season opener less than four months after Prosser’s death, he held hands with Battle and Gaudio during a tear-filled pregame tribute.
Cooley had an opening in 2011, but Battle didn’t want to move Jordan out of Winston-Salem with only one year remaining at Mount Tabor High School. When associate head coach Bob Simon left Providence’s staff in April, Cooley knew quickly that he wanted to hire Battle. “Jeff has been a dear friend and a loyal friend,” Cooley said. “It was an easy call - a call that both Jeff and I were hoping would happen sooner rather than later. He’s the only guy I thought about for the position.”
The hiring of Battle was announced May 9, one day before Mother’s Day, and Jordan spent that emotional weekend with his relatives in Fayetteville. An art major, he will be entering his last year of college at East Carolina as his father begins his first season at a new school. “When I first called Jordan and told him the news, he said, ‘Dad, this is the happiest I’ve heard you in a long time,’ ” Battle said. “He could hear the excitement in my voice. He said, ‘Dad, I know it’s far away, but we’ll make it work because I’m happy for you.’ ” Saying goodbye to Winston-Salem hasn’t been easy. Battle was able to sell the house he occupied for all 14 of his years in North Carolina, and a lot of memories were made in that home. He became attached to the city and many of its residents, including the Gold’s Gym members and workers who approached him to offer congratulations after Providence’s announcement.
The Friars are getting an accomplished recruiter and talent developer, as Battle has played an important role in the careers of standouts such as Chris Paul, Jeff Teague, Josh Howard, Ish Smith, Al-Farouq Aminu, David West and James Posey. Providence has a leading All-America candidate in guard Kris Dunn returning from a 22-12 team, and the Friars are one of five finalists for Class of 2016 recruit Quentin Jackson, who is from Raleigh. Whether he’s wearing gold or silver, Battle is a basketball guy. A year off from coaching set him up for a smooth transition into a perfectly suited partnership with Cooley. “It always starts with character and integrity in our business, and he brings a wealth of experience in coaching, philosophy and recruiting,” Cooley said. “In my opinion, he is one of the best coaches in the country. “He’s had some trials and tribulations in his life, and hopefully we can share some of his joys together as he continues to live and move forward.”
