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Saturday, March 1, 2008
Not Your Average Joe
Greater Reading, PA
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By: Michael J. Esterly , VYPE
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Photo(s) By: Phil Marabella
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New Fleetwood Tigers basketball coach Joe Linderman has resurrected a program, vying to return it to prominence
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"A lot of work goes into the job emotionally, and i have to make sure the kids keep a positive attitude."
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HSSTM: You were an assistant coach at Central Catholic and Exeter before becoming head coach here at Fleetwood. How has this first season been so far?
Linderman: It’s been up and down. Parents have approached me and told me that I have been doing a good job. Yes, we have had more wins this season as opposed to last year, but as a coach I want more out of my players. I don’t want to be a coach who is satisfied with nine or ten wins. A lot of work goes into the job emotionally, and I have to make sure the kids keep a positive attitude.
HSSTM: You played for current Central Catholic coach Snip Esterly. Have you taken anything that you’ve learned from him and applied it to your game plan and practices?
Linderman: Yes! Day in and day out Coach Esterly was hard on us, and he let everyone know that no person was ever bigger than the program. I try to do the same with my kids. I am hard on them every single day at practice. When I first took this position I held a meeting with the players interested in coming out; I let them know it wasn’t going to be easy. It was going to be the hardest thing they would have to do in terms of playing a sport. My main goal this season is to be an above .500 team and qualify for district playoffs. Coach Esterly has taught me a lot and I want to continue to learn more as my coaching career continues.
HSSTM: What was it like for you coming away with a victory against Coach Esterly earlier this season?
Linderman: It was a lot of fun. The kids all knew I played and coached there, yet I didn’t put a lot of pressure on them to make them think it was a must-win situation. I treated it like any other game. We take them one at a time. Snip and I keep in touch and he has given me advice here and there.
HSSTM: How much time do you dedicate to formulating a plan for each game?
Linderman: I have my staff scout other teams and gather film so we can all get together and begin breaking down film. I learned the preparation aspect at college and I take it very seriously. I want to put our players in the best position to win a game. I want them to be aware of what is happening with the other team and not be caught off guard. If I don’t break down each player to give our team an advantage, I’m not doing my job.
HSSTM: There are currently a lot of seniors on the team. Do you feel you can achieve success with a group of younger players next season?
Linderman: We are going to lose good players like Rich Bell and Tyler Storms, but I am fortunate to have some younger guys in this program who are excited about what has happened here and feel good about having someone who cares a lot about them. We have some good freshman and sophomores in Bo Comer, Greg Bamberger, and Matt Cortazzo who will be returning next season. We can definitely be in this same position next year.
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