Basketball (M) - Coaches | uOttawa Gee-Gees

HEAD COACH: JAMES DEROUIN

Gee-Gee alum James Derouin was named the new head coach of the Gee-Gees men's basketball team in June 2010, after spending the two previous years as an assistant coach with the UBC Thunderbirds men's basketball team. During this time the Thunderbirds went on to clutch back-to-back national championship final appearances.Read more >

An Ottawa native, Derouin is no stranger to the men's basketball program at the University of Ottawa. The 34-year-old was captain of the Gee-Gees men's basketball team for both the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons and, in his final year, played under former Gee-Gees head coach Dave DeAveiro. Prior to his time on the court with the garnet and grey, he played two years at Langara College in British Columbia under current UBC head coach Kevin Hanson and was part of the 1999 CCAA National Championship team.

He dedicated an additional six years to the Gee-Gees men's basketball team, serving as assistant coach from 2002 to 2008, and graduated with a bachelor of arts with a concentration in history from uOttawa in 2004. During this time, the program grew to be one of the top men's basketball programs in the country and the team saw two national championship appearances (2005, 2007).

Derouin also has a lot of experience coaching men's juvenile basketball within the nation's capital, having served as head coach of the Gloucester Wolverines juvenile team from 2003 to 2005 as well as head coach of the juvenile Next Level Basketball Academy from 2005 to 2007.

He says that to be head coach of the Gee-Gees is a dream come true and he looks forward to building on the current success of the men's basketball program.

LEAD ASSISTANT COACH: EMIL O'NEILL

Emil has been an assistant coach with the Gee-Gees men's basketball program since the start of the 2008-09 season. He comes from Toronto, Ont., where he was a successful club coach. O'Neill has sent many players to CIS and NCAA schools across North America. He has a reputation for developing young talent and his focus will be to work with players on their individual skills, as well as on game preparation. He is currently completing a master's in education degree at the University of Ottawa.

ASSISTANT COACH: CLARENCE PORTER

Porter is the longest-standing assistant coach in the Gee-Gees basketball program, including a stint as an assistant to Jack Eisenmann. A Gee-Gee alumnus, Porter played five seasons with the garnet and grey (1990-91 to 1994-95) and was a vital member of the 1992-93 Wilson Cup Championship team. He established himself as one of the best big men in Gee-Gee history with rookie of the year and all-star honours. Porter works with the post players and also works as the video coordinator for the Gee-Gees.

ASSISTANT COACH: KRIS DALE

Dale joins the men's basketball program after completing his bachelor in education at Nipissing University (2010), with teachable subjects being physical education and geography. Dale played high school basketball for St. Joseph Scollard Hall Catholic Secondary School in North Bay, Ont., from 1998 to 2003, after which he went on to play for Canadore College from 2003 to 2005. He then attended the University of Ottawa from 2005 to 2009 and was the manager of the Gee-Gees men's basketball team. He graduated in 2009 with a bachelor of arts with honours in human kinetics and a minor in geography. Read more >

His coaching experience includes serving as head coach in the North Bay community developmental leagues from 2003 to 2006 as well as a stint as an assistant coach for West Ferris Secondary School in North Bay, Ont. (2004-05).

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Dale spends time tutoring undergraduate varsity athletes attending the University of Ottawa, while also working as a teacher's aide at Philemon Wright high school in Gatineau, Qué. His primary responsibility as an assistant coach with the Gee-Gees is video and statistical analysis.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONNING COACH: ALEX ETHIER

Ethier was a member of the Gee-Gees basketball team for two seasons, in 2003-04 and 2005-06. After a career-ending knee injury, Ethier assumed a new role on the team as the agility and conditioning coach until 2008. He graduated from the University of Ottawa with a bachelor's degree in leisure studies and in history and went on to complete an internship as a strength and conditioning coach for the sports-study program at Louis-Riel high school. He is currently working towards his NCSA certification as strength and conditioning specialist. An avid skier and cyclist, Ethier has been a coach with the Ontario Basketball Development Program and the Canada Basketball Centre for Performance programs.

TEAM MANAGER: ALEX MARKOVIC

Alex Markovic played for the Gee-Gees basketball team in 2006-2007 and this year takes on being team manager. Markovic is currently finishing a Bachelor of Social Science degree at uOttawa. Markovic has been involved in coaching various city and high school teams. His various responsibilities on the team help make sure all practices and games run smoothly. Markovic helps with managing the water bottles, jerseys and score clock for games and practices, in addition to assisting with filming and scouting.

SPECIAL ASSISTANT COACH: JONATHAN DANIELS