I’ve always heard buried treasure is found where “X” marks the spot, but finding a head basketball coach on a volleyball court sounds a bit more farfetched.
However, PJC athletic director Bill Hamilton did just that, filling the men’s basketball head coaching vacancy with current Pirate volleyball coach Pete Pena.
Now, if you know nothing about Pena, your first response will probably be similar to mine. Questioning why Hamilton would end the searching process so swiftly just to fill the vacancy with a coach of another sport.
Hamilton is athletic director for a reason though, and let’s not forget he’s also a Hall of Fame baseball coach. So, he knows the attributes of a great coach, and obviously he saw those in Pena.
Pena does bring basketball experience having served as an assistant coach twice here at PJC from 1979-82 and 1987-89, and head coach at Catholic High from 1989-99. So he’s not exactly a volleyball coach thrown into the basketball world.
Pena is also currently serving as an assistant on the Lady Pirates softball staff, but despite the full schedule he’s not walking away from his players on the diamond yet. So his passion and love for the game of basketball will have to fuel his first recruitment process. Pena’s eager to get to work, as he looks to restore relationships with local high school basketball programs.
His philosophy, to find good players that play great, and have pride for the name across their jersey hints toward the type of players we should become accustomed to watching at Hartsell Arena in upcoming years. Mix that with Pena’s coaching ability which Hamilton speaks highly of, and we may come to realize the Pirates found a hidden treasure right here at home. Hopefully championships will soon follow.