Behan appears likely to stay in Victoria
When Craig Behan was given this season off as head coach of the RDC Kings basketball squad to work with the University of Victoria men’s program there was talk that he may not return.
And while nothing is official, he appears to be leaning in that direction.
“I haven’t given my official decision to RDC and I do need to give them a written response, but to be honest I am leaning toward staying here,” said Behan in a telephone interview Monday.
“I’ve been accepted into the PHD program, which gives me more options in my life. I’d do my part in the academic side at the university and continue with my role with the Vikes.”
Behan, who was head coach of the Kings for eight years, is an assistant coach with the Vikes.
“Basically I’m doing the same things I did as a head coach at RDC,” he explained. “I do my share of recruiting plus I’m at every practice working on the prep and video. It’s been nice because they trust me.
“As well I enjoy being an assistant coach rather than a head coach, which I was for 15 years. It’s just a nice change.”
But it will be a definite change if the 35-year-old makes it official he’s not returning.
“That’s kind of scary to think of because it is a big change,” he said. “I like change, but at the same time it can be intimidating. I plan on talking with my dean, chairman and athletic director in the next while. I know it’s a good opportunity for me, in terms of my life and career.
“And I love Victoria. It’s my favourite city in Canada. I was born here and have a lot of family and it’s nice to have them around.”
If he doesn’t return Behan says he’ll miss RDC and Red Deer.
“It’s like home in a lot of ways,” he said. “I love RDC which was phenomenal to me. I wouldn’t have this opportunity without my years there. I know I’d miss the faculty and the opportunity RDC gave me.”
Behan says he feels he has bigger and better things ahead and he doesn’t want to be 45 and feeling he missed something.
“I don’t want to look back and regret not doing it,” he said.
“That’s a bit of a motivator as well.
“Even with my PHD I want to stay involved in coaching.”
Behan has until April 1 to officially make a decision, but he stressed that won’t happen.
“I won’t wait that long for sure,” he said.
“I don’t want the (RDC) program to take a step back. I love that program and feel a bit of ownership. I’ll let them know shortly what my plans are.”
Kings acting head coach Stef Labrecque has been in constant communication with Behan and is already recruiting for next season.
Once Behan lets RDC know his decision, and if he doesn’t return, AD Keith Hansen can put out a request for applications.
Hansen is already looking for a full time women’s soccer head coach. Applications have been open for 10 days and will close in a couple of weeks.
“Then we’ll start the interview process,” Hansen explained.
Dave Colley, who coached last year while long time head coach Jerry Gerling was taking a year off, is expected to be the front-runner for the position.
• Two-time Olympic gold medal winning women’s hockey head coach Melody Davidson will be the guest speaker at the eighth annual RDC Kings and Queens scholarship breakfast, March 23 at the Red Deer Lodge.
Davidson, a native of Oyen who attended RDC, is the head scout for the Hockey Canada Women’s National Team Program, which includes the U18, U22 and senior teams.
The breakfast, which runs from 7:30-9:30 a.m., has raised over $150,000 for athletic scholarships.
• Basketball Queens Lauren Loyek is the featured female athlete of the week for the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association.
It’s the third honour of the past week for the Rimbey native, who was named the RDC and Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference female athlete of the week.
Loyek scored 41 points as RDC split a doubleheader against Lethbridge, including a career high 26 in a 70-46 win Saturday, and added 25 rebounds and 12 assists.
• The basketball squads finish their regular season this weekend as they entertain Grant MacEwan Friday and Keyano Saturday. Women tip off both days at 6 p.m. with the men to follow.
• The volleyball squads play Grant MacEwan in a home-and-home series — Friday in Edmonton and Saturday at RDC. The women get action underway Saturday at 1 p.m. with the men to follow.
• The RDC badminton team competes in the ACAC playoffs this weekend at Mount Royal.
• The hockey Queens face Mount Royal Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Arena and Saturday in Calgary.
• Volleyball Kings Taylor Hunt, who accumulated 57 kills, five aces, 18 digs and five blocks in a pair of wins over Mount Royal was named the Boston Pizza RDC male athlete of the week.
Queens first-year setter, Kirsten Sorensen, who continues to grow into the college game, received the top female award. She turned in a solid performance against a strong MRU team, generating seven kills, seven aces, nine digs and a block.
drode@reddeeradvocate.com
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