Norris Cole, former NBA champion, leads Trinity Shamrocks to an outstanding start, leaning on his pro experience to help his young players flourish.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — The Trinity Shamrocks Girls Basketball team is off to their best start in nearly two decades, large in part due to a complete buy-in from the players into their new head coach, two-time NBA champion Norris Cole. 

The six-year NBA veteran who has played professionally overseas as recently as last year, never thought coaching was in his cards. However, the opportunity with the Shamrocks emerged through his wife who happens to be from the Central Pennsylvania area, and from there he’s never looked back.

“Basketball has taken me many places. I’m blessed to have a school to give me the opportunity. I’m blessed to have a bunch of young ladies who listen and who want to get better,” said Cole. “I didn’t know I had [coaching] in me until this opportunity, you just have to be ready when the opportunity presents itself, and then you let your gifts shine.”

It’s not surprising to see the early success from Cole and his team when you learn more about his approach in his first head coaching gig. Along with his pro basketball experience, Cole says he tries to take what he has learned from those that have helped him through his career which includes legendary teammates and coaches like Lebron James and Erik Spoelstra.

“I try to apply the things that I’ve always wanted my coaches to do and I’ve had some great coaches, my coach at Cleveland State, Gary Waters is a great coach. Obviously, Spoelstra is a legend. I played for some great coaches overseas in Europe,” said Cole. “Even my high school coach, is in the Ohio High School Association Hall of Fame. So I’ve been coached by some pretty good coaches. I’ve also played with some pretty knowledgeable players, so I’ve been able to soak up a lot of knowledge and learn a lot.”

And that approach blended with a players mindset has translated to success on the court for the Shamrocks. 

“The challenge in coaching is taking what you know, communicating it to them, so that they can understand it and play the game,” said Cole. “I understand what [my players are] going through first hand. I can relate to them, and I think they understand that.”

For his players, the chance to learn from someone who has been at the top of the game is once in a lifetime.

“What helps us in our game so much is having him [have an answer for] every question we have,” said Trinity Senior Guard Emma Kostelac-Lauer. “He has so much wisdom with the game that it’s just completely different.”

“I feel like I’ve learned how to grow as like a player [and] as a person too,” said Ashley Berkheimer, a Trinity senior guard. “When you come here,  you’re working and I think having that mental focus is something that’s not even just needed in the sports life, but literally in life as a whole.”

A sentiment that is music to Cole’s ears. For the former NBA champ success outside of the gym is just as important as the wins that come within it.

“What people don’t see is the work behind the scenes in practice. There’s a lot of ways to play basketball, but we have a standard in how we play, and the girls have totally bought into it, and that’s one of the reasons why they’re successful,” said Cole. “Anytime you have good players, who are good students, who are good people who listen, they always have a chance. I’m just a vessel for them to learn the game and share my knowledge and experience with them and they’ve brought in. I believe that’s one of the reasons why they’ve been successful. And I think even in life, they’ll continue to be successful.”

Leading the Shamrocks best start since the ‘06/’07 season with 11-straight wins, Cole is on a banner winning path to add a first to an already decorated basketball career. However, like the mindset he embraces while playing and now preaches to his team, there is always work to be done.

“It’s hard for me to get a first, because I’ve experienced a lot, so this will actually be a first, but I don’t think that far ahead, because we have so far to go,” said Cole. “Success is a process, and you have to take step by step, but I think the girls are up for the challenge, and I’m going to be here to support them and help them.”