Most recent college graduates probably consider themselves fortunate if they have a job right now.
Jeff LaMere, Trinity '95, is one of those lucky people. His new job, however, is probably more unusual than most.
Earlier this month, LaMere was named an assistant coach at the University of Delaware by former Blue Devil assistant coach Mike Brey. LaMere will fill the Blue Hens' third assistant coaching slot, assuming what was formerly the restricted-earnings position.
It was a given that Brey--who resigned from his Duke post on April 12 to become head coach at Delaware--would take some of the Blue Devils' coaching and playing style with him. What he has also taken with him, however, is LaMere, who was a three-year manager of the Blue Devils.
"[Coach Brey] knew that I was interested in coaching," LaMere said. "I had spoken with him, Coach Amaker and Coach Gaudet all my three years here. I was always asking them questions and trying to be involved and learn what they did with scouting, with video and with everything else. I was always trying to pick up different aspects of the game."
LaMere's background in coaching goes even farther back than his years at Duke. His father is a high school basketball coach in Sacramento, Calif., and LaMere played in high school.
"I grew up with the game," LaMere said. "That made it always an interest to me. My father was a big influence on me."
Brey came to know about LaMere's background in basketball, and views his experience as an asset for the Delaware program.
"[Basketball] has been in his blood for a long time," Brey said. "He has great enthusiasm and energy, and in this business the hours you have to work and the time commitment are amazing. I think he has a good feel for the game."
Although many coaches have played basketball at the college level, LaMere feels his experience as a manager allows him a different view of the coaching profession.
"Working as a manager has kind of enabled me to see the backroom action of a basketball program," LaMere said. "I'd see things that the players never saw, because I was always in the office. One of the reasons I did get involved at Duke was that I had thoughts of pursuing the profession."
Those thoughts have turned into reality for the recent graduate, who feels fortunate to have the opportunity to coach at a Division I school.
"It's definitely a fantastic opportunity," LaMere said. "I think that getting into a Division I coaching position is one of the hardest positions to achieve, just because there are so many people who become Division I coaches and stay within the profession. I just really feel honored to work with Coach Brey and the Delaware staff."
For Brey, LaMere is a great addition to a staff composed of two returning Delaware assistants who coached under former Blue Hen head coach Steve Steinwedel.
"I was very comfortable with him because he and I have worked together before, and he knows me very well," Brey said. "We went through a lot together and have seen a lot of different things. I want somebody who really wants to do it. I'm looking forward to getting him on board here."
LaMere also has a great deal of confidence in Brey's ability to create a winning program. Delaware is a member of the North Atlantic Conference, which receives only one automatic bid to the NCAA tournament each year.
"I have great belief in what Coach Brey has to offer to a program," LaMere said. "Delaware is a school that can move up in the ranks of basketball. With Coach Brey's national exposure, he has so many contacts. That will be an incredible help to the program."
During last season's crash to the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference, LaMere learned a good deal during the absence of head coach Mike Krzyzewski. As head manager, LaMere received more responsibilities than he normally would have.
"I think this past season made him even more ready to do this," Brey said. "With Coach K out, Jeff really became more like an assistant coach. We really had to rely on him more because all of a sudden we were one man down, and everybody's roles changed. This year made him more ready to do what he's got to do up here."
Being a manager for Krzyzewski has also taught LaMere a few things about coaching basketball as well.
"I've just always been inspired by him," LaMere said of Krzyzewski. "He really understands how to move people. He really understands what needs to be said to get an emotional reaction. My time with him showed me what it takes to be a big-time program."
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