captin, page 2: 

 

New Coach

Neil Bernier, new basketball coach at Tourtellotte, discusses strategy during a game last season. Courtesy photo.

 

 

Bernier 

named new

Tiger

coach

By Ron P. Coderre

Tourtellotte Memorial High School finally ended the suspense surrounding the selection of its new basketball coach with the recent announcement that assistant coach Neil Bernier has been elevated to the varsity coach position.  The announcement, which was long in coming, appears to be the right choice for the tiny N. Grosvenordale high school.

Bernier succeeds former longtime Putnam High School coach, Tony Falzarano who held the position at Tourtellotte for the past three seasons.  During that entire time Bernier sat to Falzarano’s right on the Tigers’ bench as his first assistant.

Although he may have absorbed some x’s and o’s knowledge from the veteran mentor Bernier is probably 180 degrees from Falzarano in his approach and style.

“I like to project calm on the sideline.  I’m not into theatrics but I prefer any celebrations, disappointments or emotional issues be done in the locker room,” said Bernier

The new head coach is a language arts and reading teacher in the Thompson Middle School.  He’s been around the basketball court since he was a young man.  A 1996 graduate of Putnam High School, Bernier played for Falzarano as a Clipper, where he was known as a three-point shooter.  In 2000 he graduated from the University of Nebraska, where he became a student of the game.

 He’s served as the coach of the Thompson Middle School team for nine years, where his teams won Quinebaug Valley Junior Conference Large Division championships in 2008 and 2010.  During that time Bernier improved his approach to coaching by watching videos, reading books by some of the best coaches, carefully watching college basketball games on television and researching techniques that appealed to him and his style of coaching.

“I’m a very meticulous individual who pays close attention to detail.  I like to teach the game so the players grow in their ability each year.  I guess I see coaching as an extension of the classroom,” said coach Bernier.

In his first season as varsity coach of the Tigers, who play in the highly competitive Eastern Connecticut Conference Small Division, Bernier faces a dire situation with his initial team.  A total of 10 seniors graduated from last year’s team that qualified for the CIAC Tournament, leaving the 35-year-old Bernier with only two returning players with varsity playing time.  Like “Old Mother Hubbard” Bernier has found the cupboard bare.

“My immediate goal is to encourage as many young players as possible to come out for the program.  I’m going to keep things simple, stressing three things – defense, rebounding and controlling the ball without turnovers.  With the players we have we can’t be a run and gun program,” said Bernier.

This summer he encouraged his players to get involved in a summer league, which he’s heard 16 kids did just that.  Since being named to the position he’s handed out a packet of material with his expectations, including basketball drills, conditioning and nutrition.  It’s all part of the basics that Bernier wishes to instill in all his players from freshmen on up.

“Our kids have a difficult time matching up with many of the teams because the other schools have many returning players.  We’re much younger than many of our opponents but if we can instill confidence the wins will come, if not immediately, down the road,” said Bernier.

Bernier will be assisted on his mission at Tourtellotte by a pair of capable assistants.  Veteran Putnam assistant Jim Bartolomei joins the staff as the junior varsity coach and Tourtellotte alum and former court standout Scott Coderre will handle the freshman program.  Both men will serve as assistants during varsity games.

Bernier prides himself as a dapper dresser.  On the sidelines he’s a button down shirt and tie guy, who expects the same from his players.  His philosophy is to teach in practice and guide players during the game.  

Many years ago Tourtellotte had a successful basketball coach who also conducted his program in a similar manner and was also a dapper dresser.  The late Jim Canty ended up winning more than 500 games.  Bernier’s journey as a varsity basketball coach begins with the first step.  Hopefully his travels will take him and his teams to the success that’s been enjoyed on the hardwood at Tourtellotte for decades.

 

.