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New coach introduced
5:56 p.m., April 4, 2006--New University of Delaware men's basketball coach Monté Ross was introduced during a press conference Tuesday, April 4, in the Bob Carpenter Center, telling a large crowd gathered for the event that guiding the Fightin' Blue Hens has long been a dream job for him. Ross, who spoke with assuredness and a good sense of humor, said people might doubt him on that score given the circumstances-he is, after all, the new UD head coach-but that it is true. While serving a 10-year apprenticeship as a key assistant coach at St. Joseph's University, Ross said he had long ago begun preparing himself to be a head coach and that he had begun thinking about where he would like that to be. “Delaware has always been one of jobs I have wanted,” he said. “Delaware and UNC, but I didn't think head coach Roy Williams would be leaving North Carolina anytime soon.” Ross was an assistant at Drexel University before joining the St. Joseph's staff of head coach Phil Martelli, who attended the press conference, and said he found at UD a compelling combination of great location, a beautiful campus and outstanding academics. “It is not a hard sell when you bring a scholar-athlete to the University of Delaware,” he said. Martelli, speaking to reporters, praised the way UD had handled the hiring and predicted success for his protégé. “He will win the personality battles every step of the way,” Martelli said. “He has an ability to interact with young people as a teacher and mentor, and they respond to his style. He's going to do a sensational job.” Martelli added, “Delaware got a guy that can represent the University in every way, shape and form in a positive fashion.” "We are excited to have Monté join the University of Delaware men's basketball program," UD Director of Athletics Edgar Johnson said. "During the interview process, we learned that Monté's contacts and success in recruiting young men from the Mid-Atlantic Region are truly superior. He knows the region and its players and coaches, our University and the Colonial Athletic Association. Most important of all, Monté is a talented, personable, hard-working young man who has great rapport with his players. We are confident that he will bring the University of Delaware men's basketball program to prominence in the CAA."
Pointing to the UD players, Ross said they represent his first responsibility. “They have dreams and goals,” he said, adding it is his job to help them make those dreams and goals come true and to help them enjoy their experience at the University. Ross said he wants to “create a love affair between our program, the community and the campus,” adding he hopes there will “be a waiting list for student tickets, with the stands packed every night.” To do that, he promised to prepare the team to play hard and to execute well so that when people leave The Bob, they take notice and want to come back. “I want the team to play hard, play smart and play good defense,” Ross said. “I want them to have a winning attitude.” With the success of CAA member George Mason University, which reached the NCAA Final Four this season, Ross said the bar has been raised in the conference. “It will make every team in the conference strive to do what George Mason has done,” he said. At the root of his belief system, Ross said, is the desire for his players to get better every day. “I want them to get better every day in practice, and in every game,” he said. “At the end of the season, we want to make sure we are playing the best basketball possible.” Likewise, as people, Ross said he wants UD scholar-athletes to come in to the program and to grow academically, socially and athletically. Article by Neil Thomas
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