BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Isaiah Austin never wanted to become a coach. And now, he sees it as his calling.
The former Baylor center — whose plans to play in the NBA were thwarted when he was diagnosed in 2014 with Marfan syndrome — was introduced Friday as an assistant coach on new coach John Jakus’ staff at Florida Atlantic.
It’s the first real coaching opportunity for the 7-foot-1 Austin, who spent the last few years working for the NBA, not playing in the league. He has a long relationship with Jakus from his Baylor days and couldn’t say no when he was invited to join this staff.
“I have a passion for giving and not receiving,” Austin said. “And this will give me an opportunity to give back to the game what it’s given to me. It’s kind of like a silver lining for my life right now.”
Austin is the third assistant to be hired by FAU to work with Jakus, who was hired last month to replace Dusty May — who left the Owls after six years for Michigan. Todd Abernethy was retained and is back for a sixth season, and Jordan Fee was hired earlier this week. Fee went 32-3 this season at Gannon and returns to South Florida after a seven-season run at Division II power Nova Southeastern, located a few miles south of FAU.
NFL draft will include many Michigan men, maybe enough to break record set by 2022 Georgia Bulldogs
Xi Story: Small Projects for Greater Prosperity
Fujian Jinhua 'not guilty' in Micron case
AlipayHK accepted for metro in Guangzhou
Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula explores selling non
Luckin surpasses Starbucks in China in annual sales
Industrial chain sharpens China's edge
Chinese commerce minister meets with WTO director
DEAR CAROLINE: Our son and daughter
The 134th Canton Fair attracted overseas purchasers for new energy vehicles
Iowa lawmakers approve bill just in time to increase compensation for Boy Scout abuse victims
China Energy's massive hydropower station to open in March 2024