Giesler gets coaching chance
CRESSON — Things are radically different now for Brian Giesler, and that change couldn't have come more swiftly or more out of the blue for the Slippery Rock High and Grove City College graduate.
Just a month ago, Giesler was an assistant men's basketball coach at Mount Aloysius College under Will Cabrera.
Then the women's basketball coach at the college departed for another job.
Mount Aloysius athletic director Ryan Smith was quick to pick up the phone to call Giesler.
“He asked me if I wanted to do it,” Giesler said.
Giesler jumped at the chance.
Technically, Giesler is an interim coach, but all signs point to the 25-year-old snagging the job on a permanent basis.
“I've always wanted to be a head basketball coach at the college level,” Giesler said. “I just never really expected it to be now.
“I can't thank our AD enough,” Giesler added. “He's shown a ton of confidence in me. I want to make him look like a genius.”
Giesler was a standout player for Slippery Rock High. Versatile, he played all five positions for the Rockets and was a deadly shooter.
That shooting touch translated to Grove City College where he set the single-season record for 3-pointers with 76 and the single-game mark with eight. He's also second on the school's career list for 3-pointers made.
He received his master's degree in business administration from Mount Aloysius last year.
Now he's a head basketball coach.
“There's really not a whole lot I can do to describe this feeling,” Giesler said. “It's been a whirlwind. My head is spinning. Anyone who tells you getting your first college head coaching job is not a big deal is lying to you.
“I was thinking if I put in my time that somewhere between 30 and 35 someone would give me a chance,” Giesler added. “I'm probably close to being the youngest head coach in the country.”
Coaching runs in the family.
Giesler's father, Randy, is a long-time basketball coach, including a stint as an assistant at Slippery Rock High during his son's playing days.
“My dad has been my biggest influence,” Giesler said. “He's been really supportive.”Giesler also credited his high school coach, Phil Bushre, college coach, Steve Lamie, and Cabrera as molding him professionally and personally.“Between my dad and Phil Bushre, I don't think anyone has made more of an impact on me,” Giesler said.Giesler has been in catch-up mode since he officially got the job June 21.The roster is thin with just a handful of players from last year's 17-8 team returning.“We have a couple of more coming in and a couple of more I'm trying to get,” Giesler said. “Hopefully we can get enough girls where I don't have to jump into practice.”Giesler had always dreamed of being a Division I basketball coach someday.Those goals have altered a bit.With his experience as a player and coach at the Division III level, Giesler feel more at home there.“I don't really know if being a Division I coach is for me,” Giesler said. “That could change.”For now, Giesler is content on seizing this opportunity.“Any opportunity you have to be a head coach, you have to take it,” Giesler said. “You have to pinch yourself — 'Boy, I'm a head coach.'”
