Navy Coach Faces Challenge of Improving Good Thing

As a rookie head coach, Pete Herrmann won’t be facing the most enviable situation in the world next year.

After all, the only way his Navy basketball team can improve on its 1985-86 performance is to get to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.

Even so, Herrmann doesn’t appear to be overwhelmed by his new position.

“It’s a real stiff challenge, but it’s one I’ve been associated with and one I accept,” said the the former assistant to Paul Evans, who left Navy last week to take a job at the University of Pittsburgh.

“To me, this opportunity couldn’t have come at a better school,” he added. “I’m so proud to be the head coach of the Navy basketball team.”

Herrmann, 37, was introduced as Navy’s new coach at a news conference last week.

He assumes the coaching reins at Annapolis after serving for Evans for five seasons. During that time, the Midshipmen amassed a 119-60 record.

Last year, Navy went 30-5 and advanced to the finals of the NCAA East Regional before being eliminated by Duke--which was ranked No. 1 in the nation at the time.

No other team in Navy history has come close to that kind of success.

Because of that, Herrmann said he won’t expect his first team to live up to the reputation and accomplishments of its immediate predecessor.

“We’ll set realistic goals,” he said. “We want to be competitive in our league. Winning the Colonial Athletic Association gets you an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and that’s something to strive for.”

One of the reasons the Midshipmen will be favored to win the championship of that league in Herrmann’s first year as a college head coach is the return of 6-foot-11 All-American center David Robinson.

Considered one of the premier big men in the country, Robinson has been the key figure in Navy’s development into a Top 20 team over the past three years.

According to Herrmann, having a player the caliber of Robinson will make his job that much easier.

“It’s a nice feeling,” the coach said. “David is just a great example of the Naval Academy. Besides his ability as a basketball player, the way he is as a person can’t help but help our team.

“He’s looking forward to being a leader in his senior season and he’s working on improving himself even more,” Herrmann said.

Herrmann said he was considered for the job almost from the moment Evans announced his decision to go to Pittsburgh.

He and veteran Dayton coach Don Donoher were the only serious candidates for the job.

According to the new coach, his familiarity with the Naval Academy, its program and the administration at the school played a major role in his selection.

“One of the things that helped me get this job was the support of the players and the administration,” Herrmann said. “I felt very comfortable when I went in for my interview because I knew everyone and I knew the situation.

“I feel good that so many people at the Naval Academy were behind me in this,” he added. I’ve made many close friends here.

“I’ve always been loyal to the Naval Academy,” Herrmann said, “and they’ve been loyal to me.”

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