Excerpt from the Dayton Daily News
Scott Nagy is entering his 25th year as a college head coach, including his fourth at Wright State. And while there are no downsides to having gone through more than 700 games over a quarter century — well, at least none that outsiders would notice — Nagy knows he’s changed.
The 53-year-old Illinois native had so much excitement when he started at South Dakota State that he’d feel like running to practice. But the rigors of the business — and occasional soul-crushing defeats — have taken their toll. And he’d like to recapture some of that zeal he had as a rookie coach.
“I know a lot more now. I’m so much more experienced. Unfortunately, some of that experience dampens the enthusiasm,” he said. “Back then, I had more fun. I wish sometimes I was more like that. I’d be more enjoyable to be around, particularly with my staff and players.”
Nagy has had sustained success and seems to be getting better with age. He’s been named the Horizon League coach of the year the last two seasons and has won four regular-season conference titles and four league tourney crowns in the last eight years.
But the losses have begun to stick with him like chewing gum on a shoe.
“When your program is good and it’s expected to win, that’s when that starts to happen,” he said. “Even when you win, you start getting nit picky — we could’ve done better, we could’ve won by more. Sometimes you win and it’s not even enjoyable. And then when you lose, it’s miserable.
“But there’s some good in that. I’ve always said a loss reminds you just how good winning is.”
The Raiders, who start practice Thursday, are expected to do plenty of winning this season. They return their top three scorers in center Loudon Love, wing Bill Wampler and point guard Cole Gentry, and they have of a slew of complementary players.
