His resume speaks volumes about what he brings to the court as a coach but Ben Julius has more to offer the Olds Broncos men’s basketball program than a line on the page which shows a stint in the NBA.
He worked as a video coach for the Orlando Magic and says that allowed him some insight into what coaches at that level of the game are thinking.
“Being in coaches’ meetings, just kind of being a sponge and soaking in everything they said allowed me to formulate a really strong philosophy built on hard work and execution,” he said.
He also will draw upon that professional experience from a tactical standpoint when it comes to game planning for the teams in the ACAC.
“Basketball is basketball and x’s and o’s are x’s and o’s and teaching the game is teaching the game and so I take from my experience there to be able to deal with an elite athlete from a mental standpoint.”
Julius spent one year with NAIT and two with Medicine Hat College where he turned around that program, getting the school ranked in basketball for the first time ever after only two years so he is no stranger to the league or to success.
“I know how to get guys playing the way they should be playing for this league so we’re excited to get going.”
He is in his first year as the Broncos’ head coach and has seen this team play in a couple of exhibition tournaments to this point as they prepare for the start of the ACAC season.
“There’s been a lot of maturation and a lot of learning in those games and we get better every quarter of every game which is always nice to see.”
One player the coach will rely upon during the season is veteran power forward Colton Short whom the coach feels has the ability to be one of the top players in the league.
“It’s very exciting to watch him play as he’s got many talents on the floor,” he said.
Julius takes over a team which posted just five wins last season but he feels there is talent on this team which can take it to another level which in his view would be a spot in the postseason.
“I think that’s a goal that we have. I’m not sure how many wins that’s going to take but if we can get better from game to game, from quarter to quarter, from practice to practice then to me that’s a successful season,” he said “If we can come out and compete at a high level every game then I will be happy.”
Julius says all this depends on the effort his team gives during those games as he believes they won’t be blowing any teams out this year but he honestly feels the Broncos will outwork their opponent each night to get the wins needed for a playoff appearance.
“I’m hoping teams are already counting us out. I want to go into other teams’ gyms and I want them to already count the ‘W’ on their calendar and come in there and we shock them.”’
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