By Jack Macias ’14
THE ROUNDUP
Since 2006, Brophy assistant coach Trons Grimes has aided in coaching the Broncos basketball team along with head coach Mr. Tony Fuller.
Although Mr. Grimes is a relatively recent addition to the Bronco basketball program, his coaching started almost four decades ago in 1975 coaching a junior-high girls basketball team while he was still a high school player.
Grimes had several scholarship offers from colleges while playing high school basketball in Ohio, but he decided to attend Ohio State University and planned to walk on. He tore ligaments in both ankles, which left him unable to play at a college level.
Having coached in many states and for many teams, Mr. Grimes said he considers himself blessed to have been able to coach on many levels.
“I’ve coached junior high, at four different high schools, I have coached at the college level, division three, division two, and NAIA one and two,” Mr. Grimes said.
Although Mr. Grimes has had several head coaching jobs, he is a currently an off-campus coach who volunteers to aid in the development of Brophy athletes.
“This team has tremendous comradery, there are no individual or small cliques, and usually a team has that, even if you do have a good team,” Mr. Grimes said. “This team is one big group; they all like and hang out with each other.”
Since Mr. Grimes and Mr. Fuller have come to Brophy, the team’s overall record has been 120-60, well above a .500 winning percentage.
“You want an athlete who is intelligent, that understands the game and the sciences of it, secondly a player has to be receptive, and the ability to change and finally you want a player who is coachable,” Mr. Grimes said.
Although Brophy basketball takes a substantial amount of time out of a player or coach’s day, Mr. Grimes is federally employed and works for the Department of Homeland Security.
“I like traveling, attending plays, enjoying good food, reading and watching other basketball too, and sometimes I go to middle school games or games of siblings of some of my players.”
Players hold the coach to a high regard as his involvement is not solely in basketball, but also in teaching them life lessons.
“He’s full of more than just basketball wisdom, he has life wisdom in general and how to live your life,” said varsity player Cole Harris ’14.
For three years Mr. Grimes took a hiatus to be with his ailing mother.
“That was the toughest point in my life, but it was also the most rewarding. I put my coaching aside, my pride, my personal goals and I took care of my mother for two years until she passed away, Grimes said. “I wouldn’t change anything; to me loyalty is very important.”
