By Jadon Frank

Briercrest men’s basketball Coach Rod Adrian has been selected as the 2012-13 ACAC South Coach of the Year on the first day of the 2012-13 ACAC Basketball Championships at the ACAC Awards Banquet that took place at host Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alberta. Though only in his second year at the helm of the men’s basketball program at Briercrest, Adrian has already led the team to their best season since joining the ACAC.

When Adrian moved from Squamish, BC with his wife Amanda and three children Brendan, Aaron and Ashlyn, to take over the men’s basketball program it was a coming home of sorts. His Dad, Harvey Adrian, coached the women’s basketball team at Briercrest, his parent’s met at the college, and Adrian was a star player for the men’s basketball team from 1988-1992. During his years as a player at Briercrest his team qualified for the CCAA nationals all four seasons, winning a CCAA silver medal in his third season. He was named a CCAA All-Canadian in his final season.

After graduating from Briercrest Adrian began a career as a youth pastor before transitioning into the restaurant business, as manager and eventually owner of several McDonald’s franchises in the lower mainland BC. His leadership and management skills earned him the 2003 Restaurant Manager of the Year Award.

Though he was busy with his business, as well as continuing to work as a part-time youth-pastor, his love and passion for basketball remained. His love for coaching began when he coached Clipper Basketball camps at Briercrest. He brought that experience to Columbia Bible College in the PACWest Conference of the CCAA, and also volunteer coached at several high school teams. He was also a league coordinator and lead instructor for Steve Nash Small Ball as well as with Athletes In Action’s Friday Night Basketball.

He has continued to be busy since arriving at Briercrest, organizing Briercrest Sports Camps and serving as the Head Coach of the boys basketball camp. He also officiates at the elementary basketball games and has helped run clinics with Doggpound Hoops Training Academy of Regina. Adrian has also brought leadership to the Briercrest Athletic Department beyond basketball as he sits on the leadership team of the Department.

With the return of some veteran leadership and the inclusion of some strong rookies, Adrian is leading a team that has improved in almost every respect this season. Some key areas of improvement are going from a 4-14 ACAC record to 19-1, scoring offense improving from an ACAC South low 70.1 points per game to ACAC second ranked 91.9 points per game. Rebounding, assist/turnover ratio and assists per game have all improved from being near the bottom of the ACAC to being in the top two in each category.

Adrian’s experience with leadership and development is evident when he shares part of his philosophy on coaching.

“Seeing players develop as individuals and seeing a team always improving and working hard to get to the next level” is what Adrian really enjoys about coaching.

Other ACAC Awards were also handed out and Gradyn Childerhose and Matt Myers were selected 2012-13 ACAC South First Team All-Conference and Kendell Boese was selected 2012-13 ACAC South Second Team All-Conference. Gradyn Childerhose was also named as one of the two ACAC nominations for the CCAA All-Canadian team as well as the CCAA Player of the Year nomination.

Adrian leads Briercrest men’s basketball as they begin their playoff drive tomorrow, Friday, March 1 at 6:00 pm. Follow the games online at http://www.sportscanada.tv/index.php/ccaatv/acactv. Be sure to "like" Briercrest Basketball for photos and updates as the men enter the playoff season.