The Hoyas roster wasn’t the only part of the men’s basketball team that underwent a major overhaul this summer.
When assistants Ronny Thompson and Chip Simms left the team to take a position at the University of Arkansas and explore other coaching options, respectively, Georgetown was left with two significant holes in its staff. The first new assistant hired was former Hoyas great and 12-year NBA veteran Jaren Jackson, who holds the distinction of being the only former Georgetown player to win an NBA title, his coming in 1999 as a member of the San Antonio Spurs. The coaching job is Jackson’s first, which is in contrast to the team’s second hire, Chuck Driesell. Driesell, who is the son of legendary Maryland coach Lefty Driesell, spent the last six seasons just across the Potomac as head coach of Arlington’s Division III Marymount University, and the nine years before that as an assistant at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. under his father. The Voice spoke with both new coaches about what they bring to the University and the upcoming season.
Voice: Coach Jackson, you were frequently courtside watching home games last season and in the locker room after games as well. What made you decide to make the change from fan and adviser to full time assistant?
Jackson: During last season, I was still waiting for the opportunity to play for the NBA, but I’ve always maintained contact with Georgetown basketball. For me this was an ideal time to join the staff. I wasn’t expecting this opportunity so soon. I had a tryout with the [Los Angeles] Lakers that didn’t turn out, but I got this opportunity, and I seized the moment.
Voice: Coach Driesell, coming from Marymount University, you’re making two significant changes: from head coach down to assistant and from Division III to Division I. Why was now the right time to make those career changes?
Driesell: When opportunities come around especially good ones like this, you have to take a look at them. Coming to Georgetown was a great move for me. This job puts everything together by working at a great school, with a great staff, and with very talented players.
Voice: There are so many facets to being an assistant coach, especially at the college level dealing with not only Xs and Os, but also taking the lead on recruiting and scouting. Which aspect of the job do each of you feel is your biggest strength?
Jackson: My biggest strength is my experience. I’ve been playing for a long time, 12 years in NBA and four years at Georgetown. I’ve run into so many beautiful people who know the game of basketball. I’ve had a number of first class coaches in the like Gregg Popovich, Larry Brown, and Flip Saunders, who coached me in the CBA. They showed me how a team should be run. I’ve got to start somewhere as an assistant, to pay my dues, and learn a lot. I’m trying to bring all the experiences I’ve had while playing to Georgetown and use them when necessary for the makeup of young players on the Georgetown team. I want to make sure that everything is positive. When it comes to Xs and Os and basketball at the college level, I will be learning a lot more. Pro players sometimes think they know it all, but college basketball players are open, are willing to learn. My message will come across. I’m very excited to be back at Georgetown.
Driesell: For me, I think it’s the knowledge of the game itself and of the business of basketball. I had the opportunity to work at James Madison and then be a head coach at Marymount and get experience putting together a plan, and as a player at Maryland as well. It’s good to be able to learn a little bit from all the different bases; I’ve covered all the areas.
Jackson: Coach Esherick has put together a staff where he should be commended. We have a boatload of experience here and a great nucleus as far as coaching staff as concerned. For Georgetown, every year expectations are high and we want to make them even higher. We want to make sure we stand up to those expectations. Chuck and I going to come in and have an immediate impact to this team. We’re going to make sure these young players are excited about playing Georgetown basketball. I think Coach Esherick has done that.
Voice: With so much turnover this coming season how quickly will the team and staff need to gel and create its own character for this season to be a successful one?
Jackson: Very quickly. Along with coming back here every year while I was in the NBA to work out, I’ve got a chance to know a lot of these players. I’ve spoken to every one of the players. They are ready to shine and take advantage of the opportunity that they have now, especially with Mike Sweetney leaving. I’m going to be associated with them every day. We’ve only been here for a little bit and have been bouncing around a little bit right now, but each one of these players is coming in with a positive attitude.
Driesell: I’ve only been here a week so I haven’t met with everyone yet, but I’ve learned as a coach that guys the pundits least expect to achieve sometimes are the one who shine the most. You’re going to be surprised at how nice some of the players are going to play this year now that they’ve been given the opportunity.
Jackson: There’s no question these guys are going to be playing a high level of basketball.
