Last month, I was invited to Eminence High School for a boys basketball workout.
As I arrived at the rear of the school, I pulled in the same time as assistant basketball coach Dave Dorsett did. As we greeted one another, I wondered just how many times over four decades has coach Dorsett walked into a gymnasium for a workout or practice — or a game.
But this year is not like most other years. As I mentioned earlier, I called him assistant coach Dorsett, and that’s because his son Drew is the head varsity coach, now in his third year leading the Eminence Eels. Dave’s coaching career, meanwhile, started in 1984 as a boys junior high coach at Monrovia.
We proceeded to the back gymnasium at the school where Coach Drew was getting everything organized for the two-hour workout. Then he got the 10 boys together and let them know what they were going to accomplish for the evening. A couple words I heard over and over — fundamentals and discipline.
I asked Coach Dave how his years as a player and coach would help this year’s Eminence ball club.
He said it was the little things, again using that word “fundamentals,” and teaching them the old-fashioned ways. He mentioned his old varsity coach at Monrovia — Dave Oberle, who was always preaching discipline. It’s a mantra he, too, has tried to carry through the years with his teams.
I asked Coach Drew about his playing days and his first two years as the varsity coach at Eminence, and he quickly said he wished he had worked harder as a player. But after playing for his dad and also Coach Chris Sampson at Monrovia, he knows you have to trust one another on your team and get to know one another. And as a coach, his mission is to “make the kids better everyday.”
I asked both Drew and Dave what they thought it would be like coaching as father and son.
Drew said it’s going to be more fun than he initially thought it would be. He sent his dad a text back in the summer telling him, “I need some help!” (He thought for sure his dad would think he needed money!) Instead, he asked his dad to be an assistant on his staff.
“Dad’s knowledge of basketball is leaps and bounds above other coaches,” Drew said.
And Dave is excited about the arrangement, too.
“It’s going to be fun!” Dave said. “I’m looking forward to it!”
He’s always thought if you can coach your own son or daughter and then to be able to coach with them, you ought to do it.
I asked them about role models they look up to, and Drew said quickly his dad, without hesitation! A good guy, a great dad, a great basketball coach “teaching basketball the right way!” But according to Drew, he’s an even better father!
They both mentioned the late Bob Knight, how coach Knight instilled hard work into his players (Drew said it was something he grew up with) and Dave added fundamentals and discipline! Coach Dave mentioned his junior high coach Mike Gillin and Coach Oberle, his varsity coach at Monrovia, along with a couple Bloomington South coaches he has a lot of respect for, Coach JR Holmes and coach Larry Winters.
Why are you a coach? Drew loves teaching the game of basketball to his players, since basketball teaches life skills and lessons. Dave says he enjoys “making kids better!” He loves this game and agrees that basketball gives good life lessons, and he emphasized he coaches for the fun and “his love of the game!”
Both father and son talked about how much time they spend with their players. Sometimes they are the father figure or an older brother for the young men, that’s where those life lessons come to be. But plenty more can be found on the court — be on time, be ready, be prepared and give a good effort — yes, making them better ball players, but also better human beings!
As the coaches go through these workouts preparing for the first official practice of the season, they are looking for the team to be more prepared nightly, more fundamentally (there that word is again) sound, to play hard, be disciplined, be respectful to their coaches, teammates and their opponents. Again Coach Dave said getting the players prepared for life, you can do that through sports.
Strength and weakness of a coach? Coach Drew says he emphasizes the team motto: “Better today than you were yesterday!” Learn from adversity and go forward.
And his weaknesses? Scouting and preparedness. But having his dad at his side brings decades of knowledge, along with his other assistant coach, with 35 years of coaching experience, Mark Clifton (as assistant head coach at Brownsburg when they won the State Championship and Mark’s many years at Monrovia with sectional and regional championships). Dave, meanwhile, believes a weakness is as you get older, you get slower and not able to demonstrate as much and that’s where you pass the torch along to the younger generation.
And for anyone who hasn’t, the Eel Tank is a must visit. That’s the home of the Eminence Eels — one of the best gyms in the state of Indiana.
Every time I go there, I always look up in the rafters to see the red 1962 Regional Championship Banner with the players names on it.
It’s not the biggest — but it’s history! Just like the gym itself.
What’s it like to coach and be part of Eminence? Coach Drew says, “it’s fantastic!” From the old timers, the farmers, to the new in the area — it’s the people! Our junior high coaches are born and raised here.
Coach Dave says 1A and 2A basketball has that country feel. He was here once before as the girls coach and was hoping that he would get an opportunity to return.
In regards to the Eel Tank, Drew says he can’t wait for the night before Thanksgiving, when Eminence will be hosting Monrovia in a girls/boys doubleheader. The gym will be packed and loud, and Dave says it’s that “good ‘ol country gym” with lots of history! And both coaches like that the school name EMINENCE is on the players’ uniforms. One team/one town — pride and respect! It’s culture and energy!
Both of these coaches love their families. Coach Drew says God is No. 1, family No. 2 (and his family is growing) and basketball is No. 3.
Coach Dave says faith and family is everything (and he’s going to be a grandpa!). He loves boating with family and friends (and their family dog that goes everywhere with them). And Drew also stays busy in racing, as he’s a crew chief on a USAC National Sprint Car.
But back to the workout, lots of layups, 10- to 12-foot jumpers, free throws, passing drills and running. And one of my favorite sounds, the sneakers squeaking on the wood floor. Coach Dave says, “We are going to be better — gotta get’em in shape!”
I’m looking forward to Wednesday night, Nov. 26, when boys basketball kicks off in Morgan County.
Get to the Eel Tank early before all the parking is taken up.
And welcome to another great season of Indiana Basketball.
Dave Rinehart is a Martinsville native who’s been involved in sports for most of his life, including coaching, refereeing and 29 years as the sports broadcaster on the local radio station.
