Ex-Wildcat Geary comfortable coaching in Japan
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Reggie Geary is well aware that professional basketball is about transition, making good judgments and being at the right place at the right time.
He's moving on, again.
It took Geary less than a week to find a new job in Japan, leaving the Chiba Jets to become the head coach of the Mitsubishi Diamond Dolphins. They will be the third Japanese team in his -- and his family's -- basketball odyssey that has them traveling thousands of miles from their Tucson-area home to do his life ambition -- coach.
"It is my calling," said the 41-year-old Geary, now 19 years removed from his playing days as a guard for the Arizona Wildcats.
"I'm very passionate about the game and what I'm doing. I work extremely hard to put my players in a position to be successful. Most importantly, I feel comfortable in my own skin teaching, coaching and working with young men and professional athletes in helping them reach their dream/goals as a team and individually."
It hasn't been easy. After eight years of playing professionally -- two in the NBA and the others abroad -- he's had two coaching stints at Arizona and one with SMU.
"To have Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson call me two separate times to work with him is a special thing for me as a former player," Geary said.
Geary was part of the post-Olson transition, working with UA interim coach Russ Pennell and Mike Dunlap in the 2008-09 season before Sean Miller was hired. Geary was at SMU for two years before landing in Japan.
"I really enjoy coaching and living in Japan," he said. "The basketball is played at very good level and continues to get better every season. And the fans are very loyal. Coaching in Japan has been an excellent opportunity to continue learning my craft and applying my philosophies as a head coach."
Reggie Geary started his college coaching career at Arizona.
The philosophies match his one-time playing style: aggressive. It's a reason why he's still among Arizona's leaders in steals and assists, and he's considered one of the school's all-time best defenders.
"I focus on strong fundamentals, positioning and encourage toughness," he said.
Kind of like what former Arizona star Steve Kerr is doing now with the Golden State Warriors as they take on Cleveland in the NBA Finals.
"I'm so happy for Steve," Geary said. "Anyone who knows him is not surprised by this level of success, even at this early stage in his coaching career. Steve is very competitive, highly intelligent and easy-going all at the same time.
"His style is a great combination for a professional coach, which has resulted in an atmosphere at Golden State where the players are comfortable in their roles and buying into the team-first mentality. That's a great accomplishment in an ego-driven NBA."
He knows of what he speaks, having played two years in the league. And, yes, he'd like to eventually get back to that level. Coaching opportunities, he said, have been presented -- collegiately and professionally (he coached in the NBA's D-League in 2007-08), but he and his family are enjoying Japan "where the job takes me."
"It's no secret I one day would like to work in the NBA, but until then I'll do my best to show that I work hard and am a competent professional coach who would be a positive addition to a ball club. My time in the states will come."