Duke Blue Planet BLOG

The latest issue of Blue Planet magazine is now online.  The final issue of 2008-09 looks back on a great year, headlined by a detailed recap of the ACC Tournament along with our favorite moments and photographs from the season.  You will also find a Reggie Love White House update, an interview with Jeff Capel, and more.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ISSUE | View BP online library

Looking back on the season what would you say was the most rewarding moment for you personally?

Nate: I guess it would be Elliot becoming a starter.  We worked together and got to the point where he could contribute like we both knew he could.  Coming back from that Boston College loss and going to the Garden and having him play that well and having the team play that well, I think it was the start of something special.

You seemed to have a special bond with him all year.  Where did that come from?

Nate: He’s such a good kid.  I can reflect back to when I was a player and coming in freshmen year and struggling a little bit.  You just want to help out.  You want to help a kid who’s going through your same struggles.  You want to do whatever you can to help them pull through.  I knew that he could play better than the way he was playing.  And I just wanted him to be happy here – Players anywhere you go are not truly happy until they are out there on that court.  I knew that if he would just work on some things and learn the college game that it would pay off.  I want him to succeed and I see his potential.  That is where our bond started.

Before your first year as coach, you had been around the program over six years so you were very familiar with Duke. That said, were there any surprises this year for you?

Nate: When I came in as Assistant Strength Conditioning Coach, I made it a point to do as much as I could with the team.  So I knew all about the late nights, and the film sessions and everything.  I guess the one thing that I didn’t really realize was how much Coach and the staff has a hand in every little detail.  Whether it’s what our players are like to eat at pregame or the motivational quotes on the wall, every little thing you could think of is addressed.  As a player you don’t think of all that stuff.  You know it happens but you don’t think about every little detail.  I think I was kind of, not taken aback, but I was like, “wow.”  Coach wants to know everything that’s going on.

What would you say has been the most challenging aspect for you?

Nate: I guess the most challenging would probably be recruiting.  Coming in as a coach, you want to make a difference, you want the program to do well, and you want all the guys to experience success like we have in the past.  I want to share with these guys the types of experiences we had in 2001 during the championship, so you just go out there and try to connect with kids and let them know all the wonderful things that this school and this program has to offer.  I was just thinking back to when I was a kid, I pretty much jumped at the opportunity.  I thought it was an honor to play for Coach and to be able to go to Duke and receive a degree.  And now with this generation of kids, things have changed a little bit, they’re not as excited as I was once was.

Talk a bit more about the whole recruiting process.  You’ve been through it as a player and coach now.  What have you figured out about it and what are you trying to learn?

Nate: Well I’m still figuring out.  I’m just finishing my first full season as a coach.  I’m far from figuring it out, but it’s a work in progress and I do enjoy it.  Going out on the road trips and seeing all of the young talent out there, watching the next big fish so to speak.  I’m enjoying it and I’ll enjoy it even more when we do land one that’s going to help us get back to the national championship.

You have played basketball around the world as a pro and in a number of gyms here in the U.S. during your career.  How would you say our current facilities compare to what you’ve seen and how do the resources available to our guys now compare to when you were a player at Duke?

Nate: Guys today have it good, these guys are spoiled.  The facilities here are second to none.  Anything our guys need they have access to — the best trainers, the best strength and conditioning coaches, the new weight room, the courts.  Anything you could possibly think of to help these guys perform at a top level, we have.  I think back to when I was playing, I think we shared the weight room with lacrosse and football.  To see what they have now, it’s amazing how everything has progressed over the years and all the things we bring into the program to try to help our guys.  I think if I had all the things that the guys have here now I could’ve scored a few more 100 points — who knows?!  Our guys are in a good place here – Like I said, the facilities and trainers and everybody involved in our program I think are second to none.

Imagine yourself as a fan who watches our games, but doesn’t have a window to our program behind the scenes like you have had.  How does that fan’s perception of Duke compare to yours?

Nate: Well honestly, you’re missing out on the personality and truly getting to know all the guys on the team and obviously Coach.  He’s perceived to be a certain way on TV.  When you watch him, you see his intensity and his fire and his passion for the game, but you don’t get to see the flip side.  You don’t get to see the flip side of Coach and his personality and how down to earth he is.  You don’t get to see that or be that up close and personal.  I think that’s something that the community and everybody is missing out on.  I wish there was a way that everyone could see that side, get the experience, get to see what we see and what we’ve known for so long.  I think that’s a big obstacle that we’ve been facing with people we’re recruiting.  The process doesn’t allow for them to know Coach and our program like we do.  Obviously, he’s a great coach, Duke is a great program, and if they saw the great coach who I believe to be an even greater man and friend, we’d have to turn kids away.  I think we have the best school, the best program and the best coach and it should be a no brainer (laughs).  Unfortunately, it’s not that easy but it’s all good.  I’ve enjoyed my playing days here, I’ve enjoyed coming back, and now serving as a coach.  Every aspect of my journey with this program has been an honor and a privilege.

Laura Ann Howard is now in her 18th season as administrative assistant in the Duke Basketball office.  She works closely with the Blue Devil assistant coaches, coordinates player autographing, keeps tabs on former players, staff and managers, and delivers smiles at our offices on the fifth floor of the Schwartz-Butters Center.  The Roxboro, NC native shares one of her former player in LA’s Corner as part of every issue of Blue Planet.