BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Isaiah Austin never wanted to become a coach. And now, he sees it as his calling.
The former Baylor center — whose plans to play in the NBA were thwarted when he was diagnosed in 2014 with Marfan syndrome — was introduced Friday as an assistant coach on new coach John Jakus’ staff at Florida Atlantic.
It’s the first real coaching opportunity for the 7-foot-1 Austin, who spent the last few years working for the NBA, not playing in the league. He has a long relationship with Jakus from his Baylor days and couldn’t say no when he was invited to join this staff.
“I have a passion for giving and not receiving,” Austin said. “And this will give me an opportunity to give back to the game what it’s given to me. It’s kind of like a silver lining for my life right now.”
Austin is the third assistant to be hired by FAU to work with Jakus, who was hired last month to replace Dusty May — who left the Owls after six years for Michigan. Todd Abernethy was retained and is back for a sixth season, and Jordan Fee was hired earlier this week. Fee went 32-3 this season at Gannon and returns to South Florida after a seven-season run at Division II power Nova Southeastern, located a few miles south of FAU.
Amir Khan's £11.5m luxury wedding venue finally hosts its first marriage: Bride arrives on horse
Disability rights advocate says state senator with violent history shoved him at New York Capitol
Barcelona closer to securing second place in Spanish league after 2
Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan undergoes season
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
Damaged air valve in field of cattle is blamed as the source of Devon's parasite outbreak
Who is Robert Fico's wife? Meet the Slovakian Prime Minister's spouse Svetlana Ficova
Father screamed 'my boy is dead' after son, six, 'fell from kitchen window' of 15th floor flat
The government wants to buy their flood
Hezbollah introduces new weapons and tactics against Israel as war in Gaza drags on
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
Mark Hanson, Bricoleur Vineyards owner, is accused of raping and abusing his younger sister over six