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Home > Blogs > High School Huddle > Archives > 2010 > December > 23 > Entry

Jeff Kreill: ‘Lucky and fortunate’ to be Butler’s head coach

By Marc Pendleton | Thursday, December 23, 2010, 11:35 PM

VANDALIA - Butler boys basketball coach Jeff Kreill took the long way to get where he’s at.

Standout guard at Beavercreek for one of the first really great Larry Holden teams, Kreill (‘85 grad) played with UD recruit Steve Pittman for the Beavers. Kreill spent the next season playing at Sinclair, then dropped out of school - the day after the season-ending banquet - for 10 years.

I know that long and winding road. Physically, you’re fit to play college ball. Mentally and emotionally, you’re light years away from handling the academic life.

Like Kreill, I also spent a long weekend in college, then dropped out for many years. I like to say I was on Wright State’s 16-year undergrad program. My only problem is I’m not kidding.

Anyway, all his players unashamedly gave Kreill a heartfelt nod for helping give the Aviators’ recent downtrodden hoop program new life. I liked what I heard. I think you will, too.

Jeff Kreill, in his words:

“Fortunately, (last year’s seniors) were willing to buy into to what we wanted to do and take a backseat to some other players. … Throw in AJ Pacher and you know we had a pretty good mix. It was a phenomenal first year at Butler.

“We’ve got a goal, a direction. I still don’t think we’re one of the best teams in the area. We’re in that mix of some good teams, but we’ve got some growth to do to get where we want to be.”

On beating Tipp in double-OT in the season opener: “That set the tone. … Now we know that we can win against a good team. We hadn’t beat them in years. To get that monkey off our back was big.”

On junior Ryan Pugh, who swished the game-winning FT vs. Tipp with 0:00 left: “I’ve tried different things. How they’re shooting; their form. Now, I just don’t say anything to them. There’s nothing that I’m going to say to them that changes what they do. I don’t want to mess them up. Anything that I say just screws them up. At that time, they’re on their own; they’ll talk with their buddies; they’ll be OK.”

On pursuing a college degree and coaching: “Athletics is what got me back into … college and to get through college. You just learn so much through athletics. How to work hard, communication, relationships, how to get through adversity. All that stuff.

“Obviously, I’ve always had a passion for sports. Being in a position to have an opportunity to repay some of that and develop relationships with players and students and community members, that’s an honor. I’m lucky and fortunate to be here.”

On assistant Andy Holderman, who Kreill coaxed back into the program this season. Holderman, a dead-eye 3-point shooter at Wright State University, had quit coaching when he didn’t land the Butler head boys position:

“Andy Holderman is one of the best things to happen to us. He’s an X’s and O’s guy. I called and begged. … He can sit on the bench and see little tidbits here and there that I don’t see because I’m watching other things and he can make little adjustments. Those adjustments that he has made has been the difference of winning or losing those close games.”

On playing hoop at Sinclair: “I made it through one season. Played pretty well. I was an assist guy; defended well. But as soon as we had our banquet, I dropped out of school the next day. I couldn’t handle academics. I wasn’t ready for it. I worked construction for 10 years. It was a path to get here and I’m thankful that I made it.

“Went back to Sinclair and did two years there then finished at UD. I was lucky. My wife was working at the time and she said, you know, all you’ve done is dig ditches and build houses. Why don’t you do something else? So she let me quit my job - and I was making some good money - and we struggled for four-five years and it was well worth it. I’m a lucky guy, let me tell you.”

Butler beat Greenville 80-48 on Thursday, improving to 7-1. Next up is “very athletic teams in Xenia, Troy, Northmont, Trotwood and Cin. Aiken. In the past, we’ve struggled against very quick, athletic teams. I’m hoping that we can put the past behind us. If we win all those little battles and do the things that we want within the game, winning and losing will take care of itself.”

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