Wilson working on career in coaching

Former University at Albany basketball player Brent Wilson knows that to reach the top, often times you have to start at the bottom.
   With aspirations of one day becoming a head coach, the two-time Great Dane captain returned to UAlbany after being hired as Director of Men’s Basketball Operations in late September.
   Though the job does not involve assisting UAlbany men’s coach Will Brown on the court, Wilson said his job is the first step to getting into the coaching profession.
   Ken Dagostino, the Danes’ previous director, took over the head coaching job at Hudson Valley Community College this season.
   “To get into coaching you have to learn how to run a program,” Wilson said. “Day to day, I’m with the coaches all day and getting a sense of what they do. Though I’d love to be able to help coach, I understand this is an entry level position where many coaches start.”
   Just because Wilson isn’t assisting on the court doesn’t mean he’s not helping the team operate.
   As director, Wilson is responsible for behind-the-scenes work. This includes booking hotels when the team travels, setting up team meals, coordinating practice times and keeping up with the day-to-day operations of the team.
   “It’s kind of like a gopher position,” Wilson said. “I handle all the logistics of the team and make sure everyone is on the same page.”
   All is not lost for Wilson as a coach this season. Part of his job as director is to coordinate the University at Albany summer basketball camp. The camp is for boys ages seven to 17 who will learn the game of basketball under Wilson.
   “Overseeing camp will be my coaching experience,” Wilson said. “It will be a good experience for me.”
   Known for his playing days under coach Brown, Wilson helped lead the Great Danes to a pair of America East Championships and two NCAA tournament appearances. Now that he’s working under Brown, Wilson said they have a new relationship.
   “Our relationship has changed a lot,” Wilson said. “I went from a player to a peer to now a working relationship with him. We both have respect for each other. I’m going to bust my tail for this organization.”
   Brown is not the only team member Wilson has built a relationship with. Redshirt freshman guard Logan Aronhalt said it’s good having someone on the team who can relate to playing under Brown.
   “I knew him a little bit before I came in,” Aronhalt said. “He was with me when I took my tour of the school. It helps us to have someone who has been through a season with coach Brown.”
   Sophomore forward Billy Allen echoed Aronhalt’s feelings about having Wilson around.
   “Though he cant help coach us, he always tries to keep things positive and encourages us,” Allen said. “He’s been through the struggles and can relate to what were going through.”
   Taking in everything he can from Brown, the recently married Wilson is ready to go wherever coaching takes him.
   “Coach Brown built this respectable program, and I’m learning all I can from him,” Wilson said. “I love the Northeast and would like to stay in the area, but my wife and I are prepared to go wherever I can find a job coaching.”