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.
Nice scores three as lax defending against costs Lorient
Northland teenager dies in crash while driving to work
Xi Jinping China President New Year address: Taiwan reunification is an ominous warning message
Taylor Swift channels her bridal Grammy look in Fortnight video teaser
At least 5 dead, 27 injured after fire in Hong Kong building
Is that a nuclear plant? The story behind those towers at the Winter Olympics big air
Taylor Swift RELEASES The Tortured Poets Department! Grammy
What is happening with the NZ housing market this week?
The EPA is again allowing summer sales of higher ethanol gasoline blend, citing global conflicts
VOX POPULI: Being an adult should be about more than what we can achieve