Navy hired former Duke point guard Greg Paulus. (Getty Images)
Navy has hired former Duke point guard/Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus to be an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team.
Paulus’ basketball career at Duke was a bit of a mystery. After spending three years as an all-ACC selection, he fell to the end of Duke’s bench his final season, stuck cheering from the sidelines after Nolan Smith and Jon Scheyer snatched up his minutes.
An all-state high school quarterback in New York, Paulus enrolled at Syracuse after graduating from Duke and led the Orange to a forgettable 4-8 season last year, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. He arrives in Annapolis after failing to make the New Orleans Saints roster after being brought in for a tryout.
Paulus is the latest player to go from wearing a Duke basketball jersey to a tie and holding a clipboard on a college basketball sideline. Coach K disciples litter college basketball teams, whether it’s at Navy, Oklahoma or the many former players Coach K has brought onto his own staff.
Krzyzewski notably played guard for West Point’s basketball team. He got his coaching start there as well, working under Bob Knight.
“He was born to be a basketball coach. More importantly, given Greg’s character, Navy is getting a quality young man who will represent the institution favorably in the years to come,” Krzyzewski said in a statement.
Navy basketball coach Billy Lange said Krzyzewski’s recommendation played a major role in why he hired him.
“I interviewed him and thought it went great, then talked to his references and talked to Coach Krzyzewski and they all had nothing but unbelievable things to say about his work ethic, his unselfishness and his ability to communicate and inspire young people,” Lange said in a statement.
Navy senior point guard O.J. Avworo said he’s looking forward to working with Paulus.
“He really fits our program very well and did a ton of great things on the basketball floor. He obviously comes from a winning program at Duke and knows what it takes to be successful. He is young and energetic and that will translate well to our team,” Avworo said in a statement. “It’s easier to communicate player to player, and being a year removed, he knows how to communicate like that. I look forward to having a great relationship with him and he will make me a better player and better coach on the floor.”
After Action had an interview scheduled with Paulus today, but it fell through. Hopefully we can talk to him tomorrow. Any questions you’d like to ask the newest addition to Navy’s basketball staff?
