Originally posted on aroundosceola.com
Age 27, Nathan Alexander already has one of the plum high school basketball jobs in Florida.
Alexander was selected by Osceola High Principal Gary Preisser and Athletic Director Jim Bird to succeed Steve Mason, who stepped down last month to spend more time with his family.
“He’s a young guy with a lot of enthusiasm who is ready to go to work and continue the success we’ve had with our basketball program,” Bird said.
Alexander, who came to OHS in 2007 after being hired by former Coach Larry Brown, was an assistant coach under Brown and Mason, so he understands the history and tradition involved with one of Central Florida’s higher profile programs.
“When you look at the coaches who have been here, like Coach Brown and Coach Mason, and going back to when Ed (Kershner) was here, it is definitely one of the best jobs around,” Alexander said. “I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity, and I’m thankful that Mr. Preisser and Coach Bird selected me. It’s really an honor. I’m excited.”
Alexander, a multi-sport high school athlete, played one season of college basketball at Ohio University’s East campus.
“I originally came down to coach football, but Coach (Jeff) Rolson already had a full staff. When they asked me if I wanted to coach basketball, I said, ‘Why not? I just want to coach,’” he said.
Alexander helped Brown and Mason take the Kowboys to the regional playoffs three times in four seasons. He doesn’t plan major changes, he said, but he will put an individual stamp on the program.
“Coach Mason did a tremendous job here. I’ll use things I’ve learned from him and Coach Brown, and things I picked up playing in college and from my old high school coach, who did basketball and football for 30 years,” he said. “It’ll be a mixture, but there’s always going to be a lot of pressing and running. That’s Kowboys basketball.”
Noting that Osceola’s basketball job has been vacated six times over the past decade, Alexander said he plans to make the position permanent.
“My biggest thing is that I don’t plan on being anywhere else. Like Coach Nick (football coach Doug Nichols), who was here like 15 years, and Coach Bird, who has been here a long time, I want to be here a long time. The community really gets involved with this program.”
Only two of Osceola’s top five players return next season, but one of those is Florida Athletic Coaches Association Class 5A District 10 Player of the Year Michael Sanchez, the team’s point guard.
Alexander is in the process of hiring his assistant coaches.
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