McKinley begins dual head coaching role as WC seasons begin

One look around Bob McKinley's office at Weatherford College and... Well, one can't take everything in with a single look. The awards, photos, letters, cards, most from former players and well-wishers, is a journey of nearly 50 years of coaching all its own. And if you give him the time, he'll tell you the story behind each and every one.

McKinley and Petraitis 2011by Jared LindsayFew people have a passion for basketball the way McKinley does. That explains why when Weatherford College needed to replace its men's head basketball coach during the offseason they turned to...

The women's head coach, McKinley, who has been in that position for more than three decades. Almost two decades ago he coached both men and women, which is what he's doing this season. Oh yeah, he's also resumed his position as athletic director. So while most people pushing 70 are looking at the twilight of their career and winding down, McKinley is busier than he was as a younger man. "I've really enjoyed it so far," said McKinley of his double-duty coaching roles, adding with a grin. "I get to see a dunk or two now.

"With men and women the attitude about the game is a little different, but I try to keep them as similar as possible. My own personal philosophy is that the women want to win just as much as the guys, and if you approach it with that in mind, the rest takes care of itself. "But it's definitely a full day."

McKinley said he has scheduled most Lady Coyotes and Coyotes practices back-to-back, for example from 2-4 and 4-6 in the afternoon (except on game days). And the schedule is set so that the men and women are never playing separate places on the same night. They're even entered in the same tournaments in Tyler and Jacksonville. "That's the first thing I thought of," said McKinley. "It took a while to get that done, it really did, but we made it happen."

McKinley said the big difference between pulling double duty 20 years ago and now is his assistants Larry Holman and Reda Petraitis. "Back then we didn't have somebody to help, but I've got two really good people now," he said. "I wouldn't attempt to do this without their help. Reda and Larry make it a lot of fun. "When they asked me to do this, I told them I have to have Larry and Reda stay. It's still going to be really hard, just the time constraint makes it a major challenge – but I love challenges."

McKinley will, however, be without the help of Petraitis--on the court at least--during the latter part of the season. She is pregnant and expecting as the regular season comes to a close. "I've never had to work with a pregnant assistant," McKinley said with a chuckle. "But she said she'd be ready for regionals. Fortunately, they'll be in Fort Worth."

McKinley jokes that the double coaching job will help him achieve a goal he said he always thought would be a great accomplishment. "I'm going for 1,000 wins," he said, adding with a smile. "Now maybe I can get there twice as fast."
  
And accumulate twice as many more memories along the way.

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by Rick Mauch