http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/De-La-Salle-coach-A-J-Kuhle-has-friends-in-high-6760069.php
By
Mitch Stephens
For a moment,
De La Salle athletic director
Leo Lopoz thought it was a hoax.
“This is Gregg Popovich calling in a reference for
A.J. Kuhle,” the voice said on the other end of the phone line in the spring.
Oh, sure, Lopoz thought. A five-time NBA champion and surefire Hall of Fame coach was calling to make a recommendation on a high school basketball coaching job. Right.
Then Lopoz remembered. Kuhle (pronounced “Cool”), a former Air Force and longtime
University of Denver assistant, had put Popovich on his resume.
“I was just shocked and excited to be able to talk to such a legend,” Lopoz said. “He gave A.J. high praise in all areas on the court, but more importantly he confirmed how good he would be off the court as a leader and mentor.”
Kuhle got the job, replacing
Frank Allocco, who took the associate head coaching job under
Rex Walters at USF after 18 successful seasons at De La Salle. Allocco went 487-71 at De La Salle and claimed two state titles, including the school’s first in 2000, when Kuhle was a standout do-everything wing.
Kuhle is doing everything right thus far for the Spartans, who are 12-1, ranked No. 1 by The Chronicle and host the 19th Martin Luther King Jr. Classic on Monday at Haas Pavilion. Led by USF-bound
Jordan Ratinho and fellow fourth-year starter
Nikhil Peters, both 6-foot-5 guards, the Spartans average 74 points per game while allowing 44.
“This team is very similar to our 2000 team,” Kuhle said. “They have the same personality, the same passion for the game. And they really like each other. They do everything together. Just like our 2000 team did. It translates on the court.”
After playing at De La Salle, Kuhle took his game to Air Force, where he started three seasons, earned All-Conference honors and led the Falcons to their first
NCAA Tournament appearance in 42 seasons.
It’s also where he met Popovich, whose first job, like Kuhle’s, was as an assistant at Air Force. Popovich never forgot his roots and helped arrange a team trip to Denmark when Kuhle was a senior.
The two met then, the Spurs invited Kuhle to play on a summer squad, and both were a part of
USA Basketball in Colorado Springs. Popovich, one of nine NBA coaches to win more than 1,000 games, obviously was impressed.
“I cherish my relationship with
Coach Popovich and definitely utilized him as a mentor,” Kuhle said. “He’s obviously one of the best in the business. … But I’ve tried to take something from all those I’ve worked with. And I’ve worked with some great mentors.”
Among them have been Richmond head coach
Chris Mooney, Denver coach
Joe Scott and
Memphis Grizzlies assistant
Jeff Bzdelik.
Perhaps the most influential, however, was legendary Air Force boxing coach
Eddie Weichers, who taught Kuhle the art of instruction and process. Kuhle watched Weichers as a first-year graduate assistant.
“The growth of his students captivated me and pushed me into the direction of coaching,” Kuhle said. “He pushed students to reach their maximum ability but also made it fun.”
So far, so fun for the Spartans, who share the ball, love to shoot and strenuously root for one another on the bench. It’s not contrived.
“They all want to be successful for one another,” Kuhle said. “It’s been fun to watch and be a part of.”
With such a resume and so many important people in his corner, how long will Kuhle be a part of De La Salle. It seems like higher ranks will come calling.
“De La Salle is a very special place,” he said. “It was the only job I pursued. I try to teach the players to be present and I try to be present myself. I love where I am right now.”
Holiday basketball showcases
19th MaxPreps Martin Luther King Jr. Classic, hosted by De La Salle
What: Boys basketball showcase
When: Monday
Where: Haas Pavilion, UC Berkeley
Lineup: Albany vs. Newark Memorial, 10 a.m.; Manteca vs. No. 15 Berkeley, 11:30 a.m.; No. 9 Salesian vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral, 1 p.m.; El Cerrito vs. Albany (N.Y.) Academy, 2:30 p.m.; Sacramento vs. No. 2 Moreau Catholic, 4 p.m.; Orange Lutheran-Orange vs. No. 1 De La Salle, 5:45 p.m.; No. 19
Bishop O’Dowd vs. No. 3 St. Francis, 7:30 p.m.
12th MLK Memorial, presented by Piedmont
What: Boys basketball showcase
When: Saturday
Where: Piedmont High
Lineup: Analy vs. Mt. Eden, noon; St. Mary’s-Berkeley vs. Burton, 1:45 p.m.; St.
Patrick-St. Vincent vs. Sacred Heart Prep, 3:30 p.m.; Piedmont vs. Justin Siena, 5:15 p.m.; Aptos vs. Mission, 7 p.m.; No. 7 Half Moon Bay vs. Marin Catholic, 8:30 p.m.
MLK ‘I Have a Dream’ Classic
What: Boys basketball showcase
When: Monday
Where: Merritt College, Oakland
Lineup: Envision Academy vs.
James Logan, 10:45 a.m.; Oakland vs. Las Lomas, 12:30 p.m.; Grant vs. Liberty, 2:15 p.m.; Santa Cruz vs. Fremont-Oakland, 4 p.m.; University vs.
Brookside Christian, 5:45 p.m.; No. 19 Riordan vs. No. 13 Oakland Tech, 7:30 p.m.
MLK Classic
What: Girls basketball showcase
When: Monday
Where: Marin Catholic-Kentfield
Lineup: University vs. San Domenico, 11 a.m.; Arcata vs. Justin Siena, 12:30 p.m.; Casa Grande vs. Redwood, 2 p.m.; Clayton Valley vs. Windsor, 3:30 p.m.; Skyline vs. Dougherty Valley, 5 p.m.; No. 19 Piedmont vs. Marin Catholic, 6:30 p.m.
MLK Showcase
What: Girls basketball showcase
When: Saturday and Monday
Where: St. Mary’s-Stockton
Saturday lineup (locals only): No. 4 Bishop O’Dowd vs. Sacramento, 11:30 a.m.; Christian Brothers vs. St. Mary’s-Berkeley, 1 p.m.; La Jolla Country Day vs. No. 3 Salesian, 4 p.m.; Mater Dei-Santa Ana vs. No. 1 Miramonte, 5:30 p.m.
Monday lineup (locals only): Salesian vs. Bishop Gorman-Las Vegas, 10 a.m.; Bishop O’Dowd vs. LJCD, 11:30 p.m.; Alemany vs. Pinewood, 1 p.m.; Cardinal Newman vs. Clovis West, 4 p.m.; Lincoln-Stockton vs. St. Mary’s-Berkeley, 5:30 p.m.; McClatchy-Sacramento vs. Sacred Heart Cathedral, 7 p.m.
