2008 Woodie Awards
Basketball coach gets DCCCD award
Scott Figuerola
Issue date: 4/16/07 Section: Sports
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Hurst has been at Brookhaven since April of 2000 as an assistant basketball coach. In 2003 he became a full-time adviser in the counseling center and in May 2004 took over as head basketball coach.
Hurst said working at Brookhaven is a rewarding experience, which consumes most of his time. During the season he usually works about 60 hours a week.
"During the season I teach a class at 6 on Wednesday mornings," he said. "We usually have games those days, and I don't get home until around 11:30 p.m. or midnight. Most days I don't get home any earlier than 8 or 9 p.m."
Trying to balance being a full-time adviser and a part-time coach can be a difficult job. But Hurst gives credit to his supervisors Brenda Dalton, director of academic advisers and Lynne Levesque, the athletic director, for helping him achieve that balance.
"I'm blessed to have understanding bosses like Dalton and Levesque," Hurst said. "Dalton is very supportive of my basketball schedule and the team. Levesque understands that being the basketball coach isn't my only job."
Hurst said he is not married and doesn't have children. The time he spends on his job leaves almost no time for a social life. He added that basketball takes up most of his time and after the season, Hurst immediately begins recruiting for next year.
"Recruiting is a year-round job," he said. "We don't just stay in the Dallas area, or Texas for that matter. This year three of our five starters were recruited from outside the state. My assistant coach Robert Miller handles most of the local recruits, while I do most of the traveling."
Hurst said Miller has a wife and two kids at home, so he tries to allow Miller to be at home as much as possible.
Miller said Hurst and himself have a great relationship on and off the court. They talk about sports, life in general and the season.
"The biggest thing about Coach Hurst is how much he cares about the kids," Miller said. "Sometimes I have to tell him that if a kid makes 400 mistakes he's probably going to make 500. He works with the players on their whole life, and not just for the two years they're at Brookhaven."
Hurst the most rewarding part of his job is working with the students. Whether it's in the counseling center or on the basketball court, Hurst said he enjoys being a mentor and a role model. He said he likes to help them earn degrees and prevent them from dropping classes.
Hurst said ages 17-21 are the most confusing and shaky part of a person's life.
"I'm not so far from that age, so I can relate well to what my students and players are going through," he said.
This year the Brookhaven Bears basketball team had success and Hurst said he hopes this will continue, as well as the work he does in advising.
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