Boggs back on the bench

After coaching successes at different levels, the new women's basketball coach at William Jessup University, Guin Boggs is about to add one more piece to his resume as he tackles coaching NAIA college hoops. The former Granite Bay High coach is excited for the new opportunity. He brings more than 40 years experience to the position, and says that his success and unquestionable impact upon basketball is second to relationships made along the way. With the exception of on year's hiatus for health-related issues, Boggs last head coaching gig was the head varsity boy's spot at Granite Bay, where he began in 2003. He retired after the 2008 season and last year worked as an assistant coach at Ponderosa High School. Jessup specifically sought him out for the position, in which he will need to recruit about 15 players for next season. Boggs will lose five seniors including point guard Rebekah Calvert whom received the Cal Pac Newcomer of the Year award and was selected first team all-conference. A heralded prep coach in Northern California, perhaps his most memorable season came in 1991 when Boggs guided the Washington High boys team to a Northern California championship and a runner-up spot in the state. Boggs managed to produce a memorable season despite never playing a home game. Washington High lost its gym in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and had to practice outdoors or in church gyms. Washington's motto that year was, "No gym, but we win." Boggs says he doesn't bring any different approach back to college. "Shortcuts lead to failure," said Boggs. "We'll have some sweat, pain, a lot of basketball and maybe some blood. But the desire to work harder than other teams is necessary for success."New dorms and scholarships provide opportunity to attract new talent as Boggs nears recruiting. The announcement of Boggs as head coach came a month ago. Fundamentals are generic in his basketball system, but Boggs's devotion to his players is not. Since accepting the position, he and his wife Sue have welcomed players into their Rocklin home for the first of many team dinners. "We view the players as an extension of our family," Sue said. "Our desire is that they can they can become people that are looked up to as models for future generations." Athletic Director Farnum Smith welcomes the excitement, challenge and opportunity Boggs promises. For Boggs college basketball goes far beyond four years of play. He does not take responsibilities for Jessup's future success lightly. A tenant of the Boggs system is that success is not measure only in winning. "It's the invisible things that make the visible things possible," Boggs said. Motivation by love is a cyclical relationship back to achievement for Boggs. Detrimental to college athletes is what he refers to as the Super Bowl mentality. It believes that unless a team wins a championship they are losers. Boggs will shut down such notions generating laughter, crying and touching hearts. Boggs is writing a book detailing years of involvement in his player's lives. In a poem written to former players Boggs describes his reward for coaching. "Watch them soar with a great sense of pride," said Boggs.