BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Isaiah Austin never wanted to become a coach. And now, he sees it as his calling.
The former Baylor center — whose plans to play in the NBA were thwarted when he was diagnosed in 2014 with Marfan syndrome — was introduced Friday as an assistant coach on new coach John Jakus’ staff at Florida Atlantic.
It’s the first real coaching opportunity for the 7-foot-1 Austin, who spent the last few years working for the NBA, not playing in the league. He has a long relationship with Jakus from his Baylor days and couldn’t say no when he was invited to join this staff.
“I have a passion for giving and not receiving,” Austin said. “And this will give me an opportunity to give back to the game what it’s given to me. It’s kind of like a silver lining for my life right now.”
Austin is the third assistant to be hired by FAU to work with Jakus, who was hired last month to replace Dusty May — who left the Owls after six years for Michigan. Todd Abernethy was retained and is back for a sixth season, and Jordan Fee was hired earlier this week. Fee went 32-3 this season at Gannon and returns to South Florida after a seven-season run at Division II power Nova Southeastern, located a few miles south of FAU.
'The Apprentice,' about a young Donald Trump, premieres in Cannes
Inside seven of Britain's best secret beaches
China mulls law on customs duties
Central African Republic FM to visit China
Minnesota Uber and Lyft driver pay package beats deadline to win approval in Legislature
China, Cambodia to move forward in building high
China, Thailand to cooperate in lunar exploration missions
New York judge rejects Trump's request to delay hush money trial
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire
Ashley Graham puts on a busty display and shows off her curves in a plunging bathing suit in Cannes
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
Indonesian and Singaporean leaders hold annual talks, joined this year by their successors