Averett University has become no stranger to coaching changes in recent years. From promotions to new hires, Averett has seen quite a few transitions when it comes to head coaches. A notable change for the Averett Women’s Basketball team occurred in August of this year when two-year assistant coach, Tim Krotish, was promoted to head coach following the departure of Desiree Driver. Driver was with the Cougars since August of 2021, announcing her departure after four seasons with the team.
Krotish joined the team for two seasons as an assistant coach under Driver, and his experience will place no sense of worry in the Averett Women’s Basketball Team. With 30 years of high-school basketball coaching experience under his belt, transitioning into his new role is looking like nothing new for Krotish.
“I feel very prepared for this role. My experience as a head coach coupled with working and recruiting our current players has me in a position to make this a smooth transition for the team,” Krotish states.
His two years as the Cougars assistant coach creates a sense of comfortability with the players and coaching style needed to drive this team forward. Krotish has established himself as a coach of this team and has already earned the respect and knowledge needed to continue working with the players. This not only notes that this is an easy transition for Krotish, but also a smooth change for the players that have already established a connection with him on the court.
“Coach Driver and I had a good rapport and worked together on much of what we have done the past two seasons. We will continue to use many of the principals and foundations that we established. Of course, I will have some small tweaks here and there,” Krotish says regarding moving forward without the presence of Driver.
The upcoming season for the Averett Women’s Basketball team will prove as a test to players, coaches, and fans, on the performance of new strategies on the court. Coming off of a 4-21 record after the 24-25 season, Krotish does not seem wavered by the pressure, but rather ready for the new era of opportunity.
“I feel nothing but excitement. I am so grateful to be getting this opportunity late in life. I honestly thought that the chance to become a college head coach had passed me by. I see the potential that this team has,” Krotish shares.
The team has notably been training hard for the approaching season and their efforts are likely to show as they continue to progress. With strength and conditioning as the main focus in the off season, the Cougars Women’s Basketball team shows clear determination to show up strong and focused when the time comes. The team trains early in the mornings and comes back late in the afternoon for their second session of the day. Despite this, we see many of the players continue their work in the gym for extra shooting and ball handling outside of designated training times.
“[This is] a determined group of young ladies that are going to play as hard as possible every game. We plan to play fast, aggressive, and passionately,” Krotish exclaims.
This will come as a beacon of hope for the Cougars’ fans as the heart, persistence, and will power of the team shines through in the off season, and Krotish sees it too.
“Picture a skyscraper under construction. We are building a program for the long haul but we can see the form taking shape. Of course, we want immediate gratification. Who doesn’t. Right now, our short term goals are to continue to shape our culture, be in tremendous shape, and compete as hard as humanly possible. I think the results of this attention to the process will be a success,” Krotish says.
Although coaching changes may come off as a worry, it does not seem to have that effect on the Averett Women’s basketball team. Krotish’s experience and passion for the sport and its players seems to have already taken off within the off season. Moving forward there is nothing but excitement and determination surrounding the team, with hopes of moving those efforts from practice to the ODAC courts as November approaches.
