Ken Roberts
Sports Writer
After six years as an assistant basketball coach in Sweet Home, Tim Little was handed the reigns of the boys basketball program as he replaces his mentor, Mark Risen, who has taken a new position in Colorado.
Little had been applying for some head coaching jobs at other schools over the past four years, interviewing once or twice each of those years. But with Risen’s move, Little immediately became the lead candidate, and one the returning seniors asked for and whole heartedly endorsed.
Little calls it the perfect job for himself.
“The returning lettermen have a very similar personality to mine,” said Little. “In past years, there were some groups I would have had a difficult time taking over. But with this group, it’s not only the perfect situation but a perfect group of kids. I’ve been around them; they know what I’m like. There won’t be any surprises.”
For his first head job, Little is grateful that the position comes with some known quantities. He is familiar with the players and administrators, and the lead-in programs from the fourth through the eight grade are already established with volunteers willingly in place, something he credits Risen for.
“After things get going, they almost run themselves,” stated Little. “Setting up is the hard part; I’m taking over the easy part. For me, it takes nothing but a little organization to help set it up for the parent volunteers.”
Though several seniors struggled with the idea of losing their head coach at first, they began to realize that they were still in good shape with Little, who had coached them for most of the past two seasons.
“There are certain things you expect for your senior year and having the same head coach is one of them,” said Andy Worley. “But I began to realize that I was in good hands with a good guy who deserved this job.”
Other juniors have made the same adjustment.
“He gets to know his players really well and we respect him so much,” said Matt Morneault. “Whatever he says, it’s done.”
As a 31 year old first year head coach, Little realizes that it might be easy to point fingers if the Huskies don’t maintain the level of success that they have had for some time.
“If we lose, it will be very easy for people to look at me and put the blame on me,” said Little. “That’s fine; I can handle that. I just don’t want the kids to feel that pressure.”
Known for his quiet demeanor, Little also knows he must get used to the ups and downs that come with any season. But his players seem to think his calmness helps them play for him.
“He seems to be a little more laid back,” said junior Garrett Kauffman. “I think it makes it easy to play for him. All players respond to him well.”
Little knows the returning seniors and lettermen have high expectations. They have played together for quite a while and he thinks they understand the game well.
“They know how to play the game and how to work together,” explained Little. “With a group like that, you just have to let them play. You can’t script everything.”
That is something sophomore Cody Shipp is looking forward to.
“He gives you a lot of room to create,” said Shipp. “He’s fun to play for and it makes you want to play for him.”
Little, who thinks next year’s team will be stocked with players who know how to score, will still focus on defense. Most of all though, he wants a team that will play hard and represent themselves on the floor well.
“I have the same expectations for kids that I have for myself,” said Little. “We will play the game as hard as we can. But whether we win or lose, we want people to be proud that these are the kids representing them.”
Little knows the hard work is before him. He has gained a great understanding in the work ethic part of the job from watching the commitment of Risen to the program.
“I’ve got to work harder than any other coach in this league or this state to be successful,” Little reflected. “Risen has certainly demonstrated that to me.”
Athletic Director Steve Emmert is certain they have the right man for the job. Emmert focuses first on how a coach deals with kids and then on his knowledge and ability of being able to run the program.
“I have observed him in both the classroom and on the court,” said Emmert. “And he does a great job with kids. With his knowledge of the team and the kids, the combination of the two will lead to a successful program.”
Little, after being first employed in the district as a PE teacher at the junior high, moved up to the high school PE and health department this year. Overall, he has 10 years of coaching experience, and last year led the JV team to an 18-2 mark.