Price returns to SuperLeague as Neptune coach

PAT PRICE has made a dramatic re-entry into SuperLeague basketball as head coach to Neptune basketball club.

Since his arrival in Cork some 11 years ago, Price has had a huge impact on Irish basketball.

In seven seasons, he took UCC Demons to National Cup titles in 2003, 2004 and 2006, the SuperLeague in 2005, the Southern Conference Championship in 2006 and the junior men’s national cup in 2004.

A hugely experienced coach, he was named the Jury’s Hotel Sports Star of the Month in February 2004 and March 2005 and joined the country’s leading coaches when he was awarded Phillips Electronics Manager of the Month accolades in February 2004 and January 2006.

Last year Basketball Ireland appointed him to the senior international coaching staff alongside Jay Larranaga and Mark Keenan.

“I am hugely excited,’’ Price said of his appointment last night.

“This is another challenge and that’s exactly what I was looking for. What I aim for and their needs are a good fit right now.’’

He feels that the fact that he knows the Irish SuperLeague and Neptune so well will be a huge advantage to him when he takes over.

“My familiarity with them certainly helps,’’ he said. “I know the league and I know a lot of the players and that is a built-in advantage straight away.’’

But he admitted that he faces a huge challenge taking over the coaching responsibilities in a club where expectations are very high.

“Neptune club is synonymous with Irish basketball,’’ he said. “Neptune were trail blazers in many respects over the years and I know where they want to go and I want to take them there.’’

He added: “Like any club there is a lot of work that has to be done – a lot of the stuff that gets done never shows up in the papers.

“Really all I can offer them is I will do my end of the deal – I will give them my best as a coach and I will invite them to learn. Their end of the deal is buying in. That way we will create an atmosphere where things can go in the right direction.’’

Prior to coming to Cork some 11 years ago, Price enjoyed a successful career in the USA as assistant coach at Kean University and Connecticut College and was the Director of Pocono Invitational Basketball Camp in Pennsylvania.

The Chairman of Neptune Basketball Club, Leo O’Donoghue, welcomed Price to Neptune Stadium last night and said the appointment was another milestone in the illustrious history of the club.

“This is the next step in what we see as a five-year plan to have all our teams, coaches, refs and table officials up to a national/international standard,’’ O’Donoghue said.

“We feel Pat Price is the right person to lead the way with his vast knowledge and winning experience.’’