Shaffer knows who he'd like to succeed him at Southern Lehigh

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Bob Shaffer is completely done as a basketball coach after Saturday's Via All-Star Classic at Northampton Community College.

He coached for 25 years at Southern Lehigh and what we will always remember about him, and his staff, especially his longtime friend Kurt Zellner, is that it was a classy operation and the Spartans were always competitive.

We understand there is considerable interest in the opening and up to 20 interviews have been, or will be conducted, and some of the names mentioned are not surprising because we've heard them before. Many current and former coaches are in the mix.

The bottom line is that it's a coveted position because Southern Lehigh has always featured quality, smart, coachable kids. There have been problems down there from time to time with parents; but the kids have generally been great. It's a similar community to the other two schools just up the road -- Emmaus and Parkland.

Shaffer is not on the interview committee and he says that's good because he definitely has a favorite candidate and that's Brad Huebner, who has been on the Solehi staff for the last six years and is immersed in the sport of basketball.

"Brad would be a great carryover from me and the committee knows that he's who I would like to see get it," Shaffer said. "I think any time you have a chance to have continuity, it's a plus. That makes things go easier. Basketball is Brad's life. He loves the game. He's dedicated. He's a single guy who is married to the game.  He would be very involved; and that's what you need these days, someone who is willing to be involved all year.

"I know the Emmaus kids were out at Hershey for the state finals, but Brad was there the entire weekend, too, watching the games. I think he'd be a great choice."

Huebner has been the Spartans' JV coach for the last six years and posted a solid 89-42 record.

He knows the Southern Lehigh kids, the parents and the expectations.

Huebner is also a talented freelance writer for The Morning Call and has great understanding of how to work with the media.

It is a very talented field of candidates, however. Southern Lehigh has a tough decision ahead, but it's hard to see them going wrong.