ERIE — Amy Achesinski's basketball playing career is over.

But the 2007 Butler graduate is far from through with basketball.

Now serving as a graduate assistant coach with the Mercyhurst College women's team, Achesinski sees a future in coaching for herself that wasn't quite there a year ago.

“I love it. I never thought I would love it this much,” Achesinski said of coaching. “I've been a part of sports my whole life and this is a way to stay involved.

“My original plan was to come back, be a grad assistant while getting my masters. I'm still getting the masters, but this is opening up another option for me.”

Achesinski squats in front of the bench and addresses the team during timeouts, just as a head coach would do.

“We all sort of rotate doing that,” she said.

Mercyhurst coach Deanna Richard has a different take.

“Amy is really good at this,” Richard said. “She knows how to communicate with the players and get a point across. I'm actually learning from her that way.

“I'll tell a kid something over and over again in practice ... Amy tells the same player the same thing once and she gets it. She just has a way about her.”

Of course, Achesinski is merely a year removed from being a player herself. She led Mercyhurst to its first postseason berth since 2000 last year and was named first team All-PSAC West her senior season.

She graduated as the third-highest scorer in Lakers' basketball history with 1,704 points. She ranks third on the program's all-time list with 889 rebounds, second in field-goal percentage at 56.8 and eighth in assists with 216.

Achesinski scored 1,525 points at Butler, helping the Golden Tornado reach the WPIAL playoffs three times.

“I was a team captain here for three years and served as a bit of a mentor to the other girls on the team,” Achesinski said of Mercyhurst. “That's really helped give me a smooth transition into coaching them.

“The respect has always been there. I've always been vocal, always been considered a leader.”

The only thing taken away from her this season is the uniform.

“Yeah ... I do miss that,” Achesinski said.

Richard said Achesinski was basically a coach on the floor during her playing days.

“She has a vast knowledge of the game,” Richard said. “No doubt in my mind, she would succeed as a coach. She has all of the qualities in a coach any school would look for. Amy brings a different demeanor to our staff and she's already been involved in recruiting for us.”

Achesinski is getting her masters degree in organizational leadership. She earned a degree in marketing from Mercyhurst last spring.

She plans on coming back to Mercyhurst as a grad assistant coach again next year.

“She can stay on this staff as long as she wants,” Richard said.

Achesinski is uncertain what path her future will take.

“I may still wind up pursuing a career in marketing,” she said. “For now, I love staying a part of this team.

“My passion for basketball is as strong as it's ever been.”