This is part four of a 12-part series spotlighting the new head coaches in the region penned by D2EastHoops, Tim McCaffrey.
When Tom Shirley hired Mike West in 2011 at then Philadelphia University it was as an assistant women’s basketball coach and equipment manager. It was not too long until Shirley nudged West out of the nest and helped him land at Chestnut Hill in 2015 as the head women’s basketball coach.
“From almost when I first met him, he wanted me to be a head coach,” said West, the new leader of Bridgeport women’s basketball. “He thought I was ready way before I did.”
That hunch of the longtime (now Jefferson University) Director of Athletics and head women’s basketball coach was correct as West led the Griffins to a more than respectable 56-54 record in his time in Chestnut Hill. After four years, West’s desire was to be a Division I coach and he took a job at Hofstra as an assistant for two seasons.
“Opportunity comes quickly, and you don’t know where or when,” said the 2006 Lebanon Valley College graduate. “Coach Shirley asked me ‘Would you go to Montana to coach’ and I said ‘Yes’ and I think he knew I was serious about the profession.”
“We talk at least four times a week,” added West, who makes it a point to live by some sound wisdom from his mentor Shirley. “One time I thanked him and he said, ‘Whatever you make of your opportunity, give it back to someone else.”
West hopes one day he’ll help as many coaches get better at their craft as Shirley. So how did West get connected with the University of Bridgeport? You guessed it, good ‘ole Tom!
“He reached out and told me to apply,” said West, who has spent 11 of his 13 seasons as a college coach on the D2 level. “I was lucky enough to go to North Penn High School with long time UB men’s assistant Kranthi “Krunch” Senadhi, now at Christian Brothers University, a DII school in Memphis. Basketball can be a very small world.”
While the women’s basketball program hasn’t seen sustained prosperity, it was the triumph in another sport that drew West’s attention.
“The women’s soccer program won a national title in 2018. If other teams are doing great things, then there’s the potential for your program to do the same.”
When talking about the kind of culture he could build he referenced UB men’s basketball coach Mike Ruane who also has roots at Philly U.
“When you look at what Mike has done, it’s a blueprint of how to win.”
Mentors beget mentors and kindness begets kindness, but it’s buy-in that West needs.
“The goal this year is to build a foundation and make the ECC tournament. I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us!”
Jefferson and Bridgeport don’t play this season. Tom Shirley will be watching and most likely rooting for his pupil every step of the way!
Tim McCaffrey is an opinion and features writer for D2EastHoops. He can be reached at tpmccaffrey@gmail.com
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