Fernandez selected as court coach for Team USA
USF head coach Jose Fernandez was selected as one of two court coaches for the U18 Women's National Basketball Team. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE
USF women’s basketball coach Jose Fernandez found himself in a new position after 18 years as a head coach when he was selected as one of two court coaches for the U.S. U18 Women’s National Team.
Fernandez traveled to the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado during Memorial Day Weekend to assist coaches at the USA Basketball U18 Women’s National Team Trials.
Court coaches help the team run trials by manning drills at the event.Even though working as a court coach is a step down from being a head coach, Fernandez saw the opportunity as an honor and a way to learn even more about coaching.
“I think if you’re not a constant learner, you’re going to get left behind,” Fernandez said. “I mean, I learn things every day. And it was an incredible staff with Cori (Close) from UCLA, Natasha (Adair) from Delaware, and Jeff (Walz) from Louisville.”
The U18 Women’s National Team will compete at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Americas tournament starting Aug. 1. Fernandez’s role on the team was limited to just help the team during the trials — he won’t be coaching the team any more this year.
Fernandez and University of Georgia coach Joni Taylor were both selected to serve as court coaches for the trials.
Of the 36 athletes at the trials, 12 were selected for the team by the USA Junior National Team Committee. Fernandez played a part in helping some of the players make the final roster.
“You learn from your colleagues,” Fernandez said. “It was great to coach the best players in the world right now.”
In addition to learning from other college coaches, Fernandez said he was honored to be chosen as one of the court coaches.
“It’s an incredible honor,” Fernandez said. “I think that any head coach that coaches Division I aspires to be a part of USA Basketball just because of the tradition. It’s really one of the pinnacles of your sport.”
Fernandez has compiled a 335-243 overall record over 18 seasons as head coach at USF. He led the team to five NCAA Tournaments and coached the Bulls to the 2009 Women’s National Invitation Tournament championship. He thinks this could be a reason why he was selected to join the Women’s National Team.
“Maybe just because of the success we’ve had here at USF,” Fernandez said. “I think we have one of the top programs in the country and I think we play an exciting style of basketball, but I don’t know. The committee is involved in those decisions.”
Known as an above-average recruiter with a knack for finding talented basketball players from other countries, Fernandez has shown he is one of the top international recruiters. Last season, the Bulls’ top four scorers were from other countries.
Latvian native Kitija Laksa led USF with 717 points while Maria Jespersen of Denmark came closest, scoring 616 points for the Bulls. Laia Flores of Spain led the team with 217 assists.
Fernandez evaluates players in July at FIBA Europe tournaments. Much like the FIBA Americas, the FIBA Europe tournaments feature players from different countries playing against each other in segregated age groups.
Fernandez said he doesn’t know if his most recent experience with USA Basketball will help him recruit in the future.
“I don’t know,” he said. “But we recruit a different type of kid.”
More Stories
USF campus ministers offer perspective on stadium development: ‘Exciting benefit of exposure.’
Take a tranquil stroll down Sycamore Drive. It’s a quieter part of campus, hidden away from the usual hustle and bustle of USF. It’s home to an area colloquially known as “Religious Row,” a collection of on-campus religious organizations. In just a few years – with the construction of an on-campus football stadium – the […]
Here’s why these USF softball players chose their jersey numbers
For athletes, the number they wear is more than the added fabric on the back of their jersey. It often tells a deeper story about the players — who they are and where they come from. Here’s why these three USF softball players chose their respective jersey numbers. Related: USF softball is gaining momentum during […]
USF football head coach Alex Golesh: The man behind the process
Football coach Alex Golesh said USF has been on his mind since his own days as a college student when the program was top five in the country. “I distinctly remember sitting there watching it and thinking ‘What is S Florida and what are they doing in the top five in the country?’” Golesh said. […]
USF baseball matches last season’s wins at midseason
USF baseball has reached its midseason, powering through a turnaround year. Despite losing to Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday 7-5, It has already won 21 games, matching the same total from last season with a road victory against Tulane on Sunday. The Bulls (21-16, 7-5 AAC) stand third out of 10 teams in the conference. […]
USF men’s basketball was gutted by the transfer portal. Here’s who remains on the roster.
Things move pretty quickly in this new world of college basketball thanks in large part to the explosion of the transfer portal. Less than a month removed from a second round exit in the National Invitation Tournament, USF men’s basketball looks a lot different than it did in mid-March. In the span of a […]
USF softball is gaining momentum during season’s final stretch
As the USF softball season draws to a close, it seems the team has found some momentum. The Bulls (30-16, 9-9 AAC) have won six of its last seven games. In the last nine days, they have won their last two conference series and stunned the then-ranked No.9 Florida Gators on Wednesday. USF had yet […]