Pepperdine welcomed Marty Wilson as Head Basketball Coach in a press conference on Friday March 11 in the Jones Trophy Room. Introduced by Pepperdine’s Information Director Roger Horne Athletic Director Steve Potts and finally Pepperdine’s president Andrew Benton Wilson discussed his background experience and goals for a team that has posted a lackluster 12–21 record this season and recently jolted by the abrupt departure of the team’s star player Keion Bell.
Horne Potts Benton and Wilson mixed humor and sincerity honored the continuation of tradition with the risk and power of change and painted Wilson as a man of character and family values. Asbury was noticeably absent from the press conference.
“Tom was emphatic that this day be about Marty Potts stated.
Benton himself reinforced the light tone of the press conference beginning, I like winning but not as much as Charlie Sheen.”
Wilson is no newcomer to Pepperdine University having played basketball as a member of the class of 1989 served as an assistant coach on the Malibu campus from 1991 to 1996 as well as a stint in 2008. During those six seasons in the 1990s Wilson played an integral role in guiding the Waves to a 106-72 record earned bids in the NCAA championship in 1991 1992 and 1994 reached the National Invitation Tournament in 1993 and won West Coast Conference titles in 19911992 and 1994. Wilson has also served as the top assistant coach for the University of Santa Barbara from 1999 to 2004 and as an assistant coach at Utah from 2005 to 2008.
As a former player at Pepperdine as well as member of the team and coaching staff under Asbury Wilson seems an apt replacement with an uncanny level of familiarity with the university and its basketball program.
Wilson had played under Asbury in his senior year of college and four years of his coaching in the 1990s. Both honor and reflect upon their more then 20-year relationship as pupil replaces coach. In the press conference Wilson credits Asbury for a large degree of his success and views the achievements of Pepperdine’s team as his personal responsibility and repayment to Coach Asbury.
“Tom Asbury gave me great opportunities Wilson explained. He had the faith in me to make me his successor. I can never repay him. My duty to repay his making sure the program succeeds … I love you and will always love you. You mean the world to me.”
Each speaker Wilson included reinforced his desire for family and his proud membership in his own family the Pepperdine basketball
team and the Pepperdine community at large. Wilson views his coaching position as an opportunity to grow and strengthen the various important communities in his life.
“This is home for me Wilson said. This is family. You are all family to me.”
Wilson also pointed to his own family as a source of stability and a factor in his success and will seek support from his wife Mayra and his son and daughter. He also points out a desire to join his nuclear and athletic families.
“My wife has always been the kind of person who has welcomed our guests Wilson elaborated. We’ve always lived close to campus and she’s always invited the guys over and made dinner. One thing that’s important is that she wanted the guys to know our family outside of basketball.”
These ideals of family and character will be reflected in his recruiting decisions as well.
“It’s a vision of mine to recruit young men that will represent Pepperdine University represent our basketball program and represent their families in a professional manner on and off the court. It’s my vision to recruit players who are good people good students and good basketball players.”
In an interview with the Graphic Wilson pushed this holistic approach to recruiting and encouraging players.
“I would describe my coaching style as a ‘players coach'” he said “where players will have the freedom and comfort of communicating with me when they have success or a setback. I am a very serious intense yet motivating coach that will push buttons to encourage players to challenge themselves to reach heights that they don’t believe they can reach.
“It means so much more than just coaching a team because I lived it Wilson explained. I went through all the stuff that our guys are going through. I sacrificed I sweated I ran. I didn’t always enjoy it but it paid off … I get to recruit young men and give them the opportunity I had. I get to be the leader of young men and help them mature into productive and successful men.”
Wilson also pointed to a game plan pillared in the ideals of fundamental basketball and was quick to point out that he intends to continue to push the strategy planted by Asbury his former coach and boss. He also stressed the need for defense preparation and competition.
“Everything we are going to do we are going to compete Wilson said. If we’re running lines we’re going to compete. If we’re lifting weights we are going to compete. If we’re jumping rope we are going to compete. Because you don’t win just by putting on your shoes and going out and competing at the game. Competing is going to become a habit for us.”
He highlighted a need for discipline.
“We’re gong to be very disciplined added Wilson. I want a team that’s going to play the game within the game: blocking out diving for loose balls taking charge doing all the little things that add up to a win. That’s the type of team we are going to have.”
The arrival of Wilson seems to fit almost too perfectly with his having served as a player and coach at Pepperdine and maintaining a close working relationship with Asbury. Wilson also wants the Pepperdine community to know that every student influences and can help lead the direction of the basketball team.
“I want all of our current and former students (alums) to know that they are a big part of building our basketball program he explained. We need them to support the team as we build the program because it motivates our players to continue to work hard for them. Their support and enthusiasm will encourage our players to make them proud. We have had the support of the students alumni and Malibu community in some of our big name games however it is equally important that they support motivate and encourage their (our) team so they can make them/us all proud.
“As I said before it is a great honor Wilson finished. It is something I do with a great deal of pride and integrity. It means and President Benton said it earlier more than just having a job.”
To see the press conference regarding Asbury’s retirement click here.