So, I heard about this gig, the head coach position for the Southern Utah University men’s basketball team, and I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” I mean, I’ve been around the block a few times, coaching here and there, so I figured I had a decent chance.
First thing I did was polish up my resume. You know, make it look all nice and professional. Then I started reaching out to some folks I know in the industry, just to get a feel for what Southern Utah was looking for. Heard they wanted someone who could build a strong program and get those guys winning. Right up my alley, I thought.
Next, I put together a solid plan. I mean, you can’t just walk into an interview and wing it, right? I outlined my coaching philosophy, how I’d recruit players, what kind of offense and defense we’d run – the whole nine yards. I even watched some game footage of the team, just to get a sense of their strengths and weaknesses.
Then came the interview. I flew out to Cedar City, met with the athletic director and some other bigwigs at the university. It was pretty intense, I gotta say. They grilled me on everything – my experience, my strategies, how I’d handle different situations. I think I held my own, though. I was confident, I was prepared, and I really let my passion for the game shine through.
After the interview, it was just a waiting game. A few days later, I got the call. They offered me the job! I was thrilled, obviously. All that hard work paid off.
So, I accepted the offer, and we made it official. The university put out a press release, and it was all over the news. “Rob Jeter, new head coach of the Southern Utah Thunderbirds.” It had a nice ring to it, I thought.
Then I relocated, moving to Southern Utah. Before that, I started putting together my coaching staff. Called up some old colleagues, guys I knew and trusted, and convinced them to join me on this new adventure. We were ready to get to work.
I dove right in, meeting with the players, getting to know them, and starting to implement my system. It was a lot of long days and hard work, but it was also incredibly rewarding. Seeing those guys improve, seeing the team come together – that’s what it’s all about.
And that’s how I ended up as the head coach of the Southern Utah University men’s basketball team. It’s been a wild ride so far, and I’m excited to see what the future holds. We’re building something special here, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
- Robert DeLafayette Jeter III
- May 15
- Southern Utah University
- Western Illinois University
- UNLV 2016 to 2018
- Richard Pitino
- Minnesota
- March 30
Looking back, it all feels like a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I got to show what I can really do, and I’m here to stay. It’s going to be a great journey.
