Graduating 100 percent of his players. Winning Conference USA championships. Winning NCAA Tournaments. Saint Louis University’s new men’s basketball coach Brad Soderberg set what some think are lofty goals during his first press conference.
But Soderberg thinks that these are goals that every coach should have wherever they are coaching.
“That should be the goal of every coach,” Soderberg said. “If you don’t want your players to graduate, you shouldn’t be coaching. And if you want some to graduate, then why not all? If I’m not here to win conference championships, then why did they hire me? If I don’t put out the dream of winning national championships out there, then your players won’t think about it.”
This is the enthusiastic attitude and approach that the team and Billikens’ fans can look forward to during Soderberg’s tenure as head coach. Even though he was named coach five days ago, he accepted the challenge as soon as former coach Lorenzo Romar resigned and took the head coaching position at the University of Washington.
Romar resigned on April 4. Soderberg had a meeting with Director of Athletics Doug Woolard the next morning where Soderberg explained how he was serious about being the next head coach at SLU and that he hoped that he would be considered.
On April 10, Soderberg met with University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J. and Woolard and the rest of the decision-making committee.
“At that meeting, I tried to show as best I could my sincere interest in being head coach,” Soderberg. On April 12, Soderberg was named head coach.
During the committee’s national search, Soderberg assumed the role of head coach.
“During the interim, I worked with the players on their individual instruction and kept track of their grades. I told them that, until further notice, I was the head coach. If I didn’t get the job, it was important that they stay in shape. If I did get the job, I would have a little bit of a head start on the work.”
Soderberg hopes that the transition will be seamless between his style and approach and Romar’s.
“I hope that there won’t be that big of a difference between the way we do things,” Soderberg said. “Lorenzo (Romar) was a real people person and was easily accessible to the media and the fans. I hope to continue those things. I’ll be trying to crack the same nut that Lorenzo had, in that we have to find a way to score baskets easier. I hope to find a way to do that. But if I can keep things the way that coach did them, I’d be pretty happy.”
Soderberg knew that his priority was at SLU. But Romar had extended an opportunity to him as an assistant in Washington.
“I knew all along that this is what I wanted to do,” Soderberg said. “I got permission from Lorenzo (Romar) to stay here until the next head coach was named. He didn’t set a date for me to make a decision. He didn’t say that I had a week and I had to decide.”
Right now, Soderberg’s main concern is assembling a coaching staff. Former assistants Cameron Dollar and Lance LaVetter decided to go with Romar to Washington. Graduate assistant Jason Grunkemeyer was promoted to assistant coach and will fill LaVetter’s spot on the bench.
“Jason provides continuity for the players,” Soderberg said. “Philosophically, we’re on the same page. Spiritually, we’re on the same page. He’s well-respected by the players. And he can still play. If you ask any of our players about Jason, they’ll tell you he can (still play) ball. He’s a great assistant for me.”
But Soderberg still has openings on the bench. He has a criteria that he will follow when searching for assistants.
“I’ve been working a lot this week, talking on the phone, meeting with people and taking a lot of notes. One of the most important things that a head coach does early on is hire his staff,” Soderberg said. “They may be with me more than I’ll be with my family. I have to get the right people who understand what I want to do and accomplish. We have a lot of interested people and have a lot of competent people. I have to find the right chemistry.”
Retaining the recruits that SLU has commitments from is also at the top of Soderberg’s to-do list. Ryan Hollins, a 6’11” forward from John Muir High School in Pasadena, Calif. and Nick Kern, a 6’7″ swingman from Vashon High School in St. Louis have been rethinking their agreements about joining SLU after Romar left.
“Monday I met with Ryan Hollins in Pasadena. It was obvious to me that he wants to be at Washington with Lorenzo,” Soderberg said. “I had a meeting with Nick Kern scheduled for today (Wednesday) at 1:30, but he had to cancel because he was out of town. I was disappointed to read in the Post-Dispatch that he broke his commitment. But I won’t give up on Nick until I meet with him face-to-face.”
An on-campus arena was discussed during Soderberg’s interviews. Nothing specific was agreed upon.
“Father Biondi discussed his vision for getting an on-campus facility,” Soderberg said. “I believe that he was sincere and committed. It’s very possible that it could happen in the future. I appreciate that he stepped out and shared his vision with me. But I would have taken the job even if he said it wouldn’t happen. It’ll be a boost for the program and the university.”
