University of Richmond Athletics
#TBT: Dan Geriot '11 Making NBA Playoff Run With Cavs
05/19/2016 | Men's Basketball, #ThrowbackThursday
Every #ThrowbackThursday, RichmondSpiders.com will feature a former player, coach, administrator, season, game or moment that has impacted Richmond Athletics and continues to be an example of University of Richmond pride.
Men's basketball alum Dan Geriot '11 has spent this year working as a video coordinator with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He spoke with RichmondSpiders.com about his career after Richmond and what it's like to work with NBA All Stars like LeBron James.
At what point during your career did you think that you might want to be in coaching? Were there times at Richmond that showed you that aptitude or path?
“I would say the year that I sat out with my knee injury is when I began to think about the career path. I had a lot of time to think that year as I could not suit up with my teammates. When you sit back and have that time, you realize you cannot play forever, that year definitely helped me on this path. Also, as my career ended at Richmond, you realize how greatly effected you are by Coach Mooney and the coaching staff. Those guys are unbelievable on and off the court for their players. So, when I was deciding on what to do after I was injured overseas, I realized it was a no-brainer to get into coaching because of the effect the Richmond staff had on my life."
What sorts of things did you learn about coaching from Coach Mooney here at Richmond and also under Coach McGeehan at Campbell?
“I think one of the best qualities of Coach Mooney teaches us at Richmond is how to be consistent in our daily approach. How to be an “everyday guy” and how to be apart of something that is bigger than yourself. He coaches us very hard in practice and for good reason. We all need that type of coaching to consistently get better everyday because when you are young and think you know how to work hard, and play hard, but you really have no idea. He was great for us because you can take that a step further and playing for Coach makes you have that same attitude off the court as you get into your life beyond basketball. Get better everyday and really limit your bad days. Why would you ever have a bad day at work? That kind of mentality is instilled in many of us to this day.”
“With Coach McGeehan, it was great to work for him because it gave me a different perspective on our daily approach. Coach McGeehan was able to teach me how to handle a variety of situations in coaching. At Campbell, we were starting our own program and every day matters greatly from the beginning, when you are offered the job, through every practice & game throughout the years. I think that was the greatest thing to be apart of for my career at the time, being able to see and be in those situations of building a program."
How did you make the jump from Campbell to the Cleveland Cavaliers?
"Well, Koby Altman, Cleveland's Director of Pro Player Personnel, was an assistant coach at Columbia when I was at Princeton. Hovde, worked with Koby at Columbia and our director of player development and now assistant coach at Campbell, Mike Magpayo also worked with Koby at Columbia.
I let Koby know that I would be interested if there was ever an opportunity to join the organization and this position came open in the summer. He let me know about it was I went through their interview process and was beyond excited when I was offered the positiion."
What kind of adjustment was it from working with college players to a guy like LeBron James?
“Obviously when talking about LeBron you are talking about one of the greatest players to play, so you think coming into this opportunity that it is his 6'9, 250 lbs talent & athleticism that makes him great. I think the biggest adjustment was just seeing how hard he works at his job here and how consistent he is with his approach. That is what makes him one of the greatest, he probably could just rely on his God-given talent and athleticism, but everyday we walk out there for a shoot around and he's here an hour early to get his work in. That is the adjustment, to see the drive behind these professionals and how they want to continue to get better. The fundamentals of the game are still the fundamentals, so teaching and coaching can be similar, you are just dealing with the elite level talent with those fundamentals."
Can you describe the type of work you do on a day-to-day basis with the players and the staff? What is your role on game day?
“My day to day begins with breaking down film for scouting our opponents. Then getting out on the court for the players individual workouts prior to practice. Obviously being out on the court and helping in whatever I can do during our practices, and then helping after practice with players post practice routines. On gameday, it is similar and then for the actual game night, we are there 4 hours before the game and get on the court with the players for their pregame routines. During the games, I sit in our video room at the arena and help with film breakdowns for the ames, and I chart our defensive possessions.”
How does being in the NBA Playoffs compare to the NCAA Tournament and the Sweet 16?
“The NBA Playoffs are the best players in the world playing at the highest level. The comparison in feelings is tough to really do because being a player in the Sweet 16 is a whole different feeling than coaching in the NBA playoffs. The level of preparation for a 7 game series is very, very different than preparing for one game in the tournament as well."
With some of your former UR teammates spread out all over the world, who do you keep up with the most? Have you been able to see a game in the New Robins Center?
“I keep up with Kevin Hovde the most. But, a lot of us are in group chats together and talk probably too often haha. We had a really unique, and great group of teammates at Richmond and we stay pretty close. I have seen one game in the New Robins Center and that place is ridiculous. What they have done with the renovations is remarkable and I am proud to be able to call that home!”
What are your career ambitions with coaching? What would be your dream job?
"My career ambitions are to be on an NBA bench at some point in time. I love being at this level and the learning and growth that I have experienced in this one year has been tremendous. I am looking forward to seeing where the coaching path will take me. As for a dream job? I have been coaching basketball since I was 23 and that has really been my dream job and I am just looking forward to building on that.”
If you were talking to a Richmond basketball recruit, what would you tell them about your time here?
“Oh man, it is the best time of your life to be a student-athlete at Richmond. The community, with the city and the university make it a very special palce. The types of teammates you will have make the decision very special as well. You know Coach Mooney recruits great people and high character guys. I loved my decision to go to Richmond and playing for Coach Mooney is truly one of the best things you can do for your life. His approach and his care for you as an individual is something I know makes him such a special Coach.
To you, what makes being a Spider special?
"I think just the sense of family that you end up having by being a part of the University is something that makes it so special. Being a Spider gives a great sense of pride in to whatever you may be doing while you are at the University and that makes it a place that people love to be at and represent as then continue on beyond their years at Richmond."
