The Phoenix College men’s basketball program has made a significant move with the hiring of Jermaine Kimbrough as its new Head Coach, bringing an experienced and highly regarded college basketball coach and recruiter to the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC). Kimbrough takes over the Phoenix College program following the departure of former Head Coach Duane Eason, and will now look to restore the Bears’ basketball program and establish Phoenix College as a consistent contender in the ACCAC. This is a major addition not only for Phoenix College, but also for the conference.
Kimbrough has spent numerous years coaching at the NCAA Division-I level and has developed an excellent reputation throughout college basketball, particularly as a recruiter. During his career, Kimbrough has made numerous stops at the Division-I level, including programs such as Arizona State, Grand Canyon, Loyola Chicago, Wyoming, Nevada, Cleveland State, Purdue Fort Wayne and UMass.
Throughout his career, Kimbrough has developed strong relationships throughout the basketball community, and has been involved in recruiting and developing numerous talented players. His extensive experience at the Division-I level should translate extremely well to the junior college ranks, where recruiting, player development and relationships are so important to building and maintaining a successful program.
Kimbrough’s arrival should also raise the level of coaching in an already competitive ACCAC. The conference has continued to produce quality teams, coaches and Division-I prospects, and adding a coach with Kimbrough’s background and experience is another major boost for Arizona junior college basketball.
Phoenix College has a proud basketball tradition, and Kimbrough will now be charged with rebuilding the program and returning the Bears to prominence. With his experience, recruiting ability and extensive network of relationships throughout college basketball, I believe Phoenix College has made an excellent choice.
The immediate challenge for Kimbrough will be putting together his roster. It is still unclear exactly what recruits Kimbrough will have available for the upcoming season, as he is taking over the program very late in the recruiting process. Most junior college and high school prospects have already made their decisions for the upcoming year, so Kimbrough will have to work quickly to assemble his roster and prepare Phoenix College for the season. Still, Kimbrough is extremely talented and excellent at his craft, particularly when it comes to recruiting and building relationships with players. While his first season could present some challenges because of the timing of his hiring, I expect him to eventually build a winning program at Phoenix College.
More importantly, Kimbrough now has an opportunity to use his extensive Division-I experience to develop young players and help them advance to four-year college programs. That could become a tremendous recruiting tool for Phoenix College moving forward.
In due time, I expect Jermaine Kimbrough to make Phoenix College a program to watch closely in the ACCAC. His hiring is an excellent addition for Phoenix College and another strong addition to junior college basketball in the state of Arizona.
