Herrick Settles for Assist Without the Run-Around

When he was coach of the Cleveland High basketball team, Greg Herrick would have to drive from his teaching job in Canyon Country to Reseda for practices.

“People always said, ‘Hey, that’s got to be tough,’ ” Herrick said. “But, psychologically, I blocked it out of my mind. The 30 minutes gave me time to prepare for practice. It was a peaceful situation.”

To get to practice these days, Herrick needs but five minutes to drive from his home in Valencia.

“I look back now and say, ‘I drove all that way for six years?’ ”

Less time spent in the car is just one of the adjustments Herrick has made since resigning as the Cleveland coach after last season.

Now, as an assistant coach for Lee Smelser at College of the Canyons, Herrick, in his words, doesn’t have “to play the heavy.”

Herrick, in six years as Cleveland’s coach, compiled a record of 98-42. His 1981 and 1982 teams won the City 3-A championship.

Since he isn’t the head coach, he is not sought by the media at the end of eachgame. When he was the top man, he supplied reporters with enough lively quotes to fill a gymnasium.

“Some people viewed me as a ham with the media,” he said. “But, all along, it was done for the players.”