Ed note:AC recently hired Mark Linebaughas the new head coach for the Dutchmen. Check out his online interview. Enjoy.

What will be your biggest challenge this season as you coach in the LL and your alma matta?

One challenge I will not have is with the kids. Walking into a new coaching position, you never know how the players are going to react to new philosophies, styles, and so on. I'm very fortunate to be in a situation where the kids are excited to learn and committed to what we are trying to do with the program. However, there are a lot of habits that we have right now that are not what I believe in teaching. There will be an adjustment period for everyone involved because they have been taught to play one style over the years, and my philosophies stress a much different style. This is something that happens anytime a new coach is brought in. But again, the kids want to learn and improve, so I couldn't ask for a better situation to this point.


Who do you feel is the team to beat in section 4...and/or 3?

I viewed a lot of film from last season, and with the personnel returning, I feel there will be a lot of parody in our section this season. Lancaster Catholic has a successful basketball tradition, and will always compete for a Section Championship. Pequea Valley and Lancaster Mennonite are well coached, and both have a good nucleus of talent coming back. I do not believe anyone will run away with the section this year, and any team can win on any given night. I think there will a lot of good basketball and some exciting teams to watch this season in Section IV.

When you played there were 3 sections..Do you favor the current system or the old?

The league is set up the way it is. It is my understanding that teams are broken down based on size of school. I do not favor either way. Whoever is in our section, or on our schedule, those are the teams I am concerned with and prepare my kids to try and beat. In our situation, as I'm sure with other schools, having 4 sections does take away from a few local rivalry games. I remember playing Northern Lebanon and ELCO twice a year, and no matter how good either team was, the gyms were packed by both communities. I do realize we still play them, but there is an added excitement when you know your playing a local rival, twice a year, both competing for the same thing.

What can you share with your players about college ball and what it takes to get to that level?

I've been blessed with a lot of wonderful opportunities playing college basketball and overseas. I've learned a lot from competing and coaching at the college and professional level, from the people I've met, and the players I've played against. Anytime you mention that you guarded Carmelo Anthony, you get a players attention. I will never push a kid to be something that he is not already driven to be. I want a kid to play college basketball because it is a dream of his, not because I think he should. Using all of the things I've seen and done over the years, I'm able to put together an invidual improvement plan catered specifically to what it will take for that player to play at the next level. I also have a complete understanding of the recruiting process, which will only help make his recruiting experiences a more enjoyable, and less stressful one.

Are you in contact with Coach Scott Pera? If so, what's he up to?

Coach and I talk often. He was very instrumental in my success as a player, and he has already proven to be a tremendous asset in my young coaching career. Our relationship is much different now because we talk as not only friends, but also as colleagues. He is currently in his 3rd season as an assistant coach at Arizona State University. Success follows him wherever he goes. After winning a state championship at Annville, he won another one in California at Artesia High School. Now, he has proven to be a key part in the rise of the ASU basketball program. His 1st season on their bench, they went 8-22. ASU won 21 games last season, and ranked #15 nationally in the preseason polls this season. Coach is a winner, and he will be leading his own Division I program very soon.