Our Coaching Corner series continues this week with a name which is familiar to all in the Garden State, Ben Gamble.
The Stats
Career Record: 206-120
Schools Coached:
Assistant Coach County Prep (1)
Assistant Kean University (2)
Associate Head Coach St. Anthony's (15years)
Hudson Catholic (3)
Cardinal McCarrick (1)
Mater Dei Prep (3)
Marist (2)
Bayonne (4)
Divisional\Sectional Titles
Divisional: McCarrick (1), Mater Dei Prep (2), Marist (2), Bayonne (1)
County Championships
5 appearances. Shore Conference (3), HCIAL (2)
Mater Dei (2)
St. Anthonys Legacy:
3 Undefeated National Championships.
2008 (USA Today)
2011 (USA Today)
2012 (MaxPreps)
6 TOC Championships: 2000, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012.
4 Undefeated Seasons: 2004,2008, 2011, 2012.
Also featured an 83 game winning streak.
1.) What inspired you to get involved with coaching high school basketball?
Coach Hurley, of course, was a huge influence in me becoming a coach. Also, a gentleman named Bruce Dabney, a baseball coach in Greenville National Little League. I always admired their community respect, presence, and teaching skills.
2.) What are the most rewarding and challenging aspects of being a high school basketball coach in 2024?
Development of the student-athlete. Often you can see things in kids that they don't see. Teaching them the work ethic to attain their dream.
3.) What are a few of your favorite moments of your coaching career?
1) Sitting in the front row when Coach Hurley was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame. To my right was the Dream Team. It was an unreal moment.
2) Winning the National Championship game at Rutgers University vs St. Patrick's in 2011. That had a heavyweight championship fight atmosphere.
3) Winning the Shore Conference Championship at Mater Dei. We were down down 18 with 1:20 left in the 3rd quarter and came back to beat CBA. The win was Mater Dei's 1st ever Shore Conference championship.
4.) Who were some of your key influences early in your coaching career that helped you develop, not only as an “X’s and O’s” strategist, but as a communicator and role model to young men?
When the Hoop Group, Rob Kennedy had the Metro Classic at Seton Hall University during the summer.
It was like March Madness. The best 64 teams.
I would coach the St. Anthony teams. The opponents like St. Raymonds, St. Patrick's, etc. were all there. You had to raise your level. In the summer of 2003, they took the best teams from each region to play for the summer National Championship in Philadelphia. We won. I began to feel more confident as a coach.
5.) You’re assigned to construct NJ Basketball’s Mount Rushmore. Which Coaches are on it? These can be names from 70 years ago or 70 seconds ago.
Coach Hurley (St. Anthony's) Coach Rodio (St. Augustine), Coach Turner (Camden), Coach Boyle (St. Patrick's)
6.) Will your team be participating in any summer leagues? If so, where?
Yes. We will participate in the Hudson County Board of Commissioners Summer Basketball League at Bayonne Gregg Park\Bayonne HS beginning July 8th. June 8th we are doing a Team camp at Bayonne HS, and June 10th we will be in a Team camp at Bloomfield HS.
7.) What advice would you give to young men and women who are interested in becoming high school coaches?
Work, work, work. Go out and meet people. Find a mentor. Ask questions. Nothing is beneath you. Don't depend on learning from social media. Work camps, clinics, observe games, coach in the off season.
8.) After many years at Saint Anthony's under Bob Hurley, you pursued several opportunities outside Hudson County.
While both Cardinal McCarrick and Mater Dei are now part of the history book, what was the experience like to be a part of basketball in Central Jersey as opposed to a lifetime coaching in Hudson County-What were some of the differences south of the Raritan River? What were the most enjoyable parts of those opportunities?
When I became the head coach of Cardinal McCarrick, I was well aware of what Coach Lewis had built before. He had done a tremendous job. The program struggled for 2 years
with inexperienced coaches. I had a huge advantage walking in.
I respected what Coach Lewis accomplished but I was coming from working under Coach Hurley for 15 years. In that conference and that area I felt it gave me a psychological advantage.
People assumed it would be the exact same style of play. My athletes were much different. I had to get them to have vision and trust in me. We began the season 19-0 and were the last undefeated team in NJ at the time. Coming to McCarrick, I really did not have a lot of success as a head coach. I do think I got in many opposing coaches heads because of where I came from.
Internally, I was on a mission of not failing. Mater Dei and McCarrick helped give me my own identity outside of St. Anthony's.
I will say the way the Shore Conference runs their playoffs event is second to none. Top rate.
My teams played faster, more aggressive man to man than both the Middlesex and Shore areas does.
I also was fortunate in meeting John Haley, Middlesex County sportswriter.
9.) After Mater Dei, you returned back to your roots in Hudson County with Bayonne. How has the experience of developing a public-school program at the Group IV Level and what steps lie ahead to become the program you envision?
I changed 3 broken programs quickly in 6 years. Coming out of St. Anthony's and accomplishing the quick changes at McCarrick, Mater Dei, and Marist, I was spoiled. I accepted the job because I wanted the challenge...I love teaching and coaching basketball.
I thought the change would be quicker, however there has been change. I don't think the kids are different, I think the culture is different all over. The only year since I been there that was really frustrating was my second year. We lost so many close games with young kids, and I was hard on myself because with my experience, I figured we would win.
Nevertheless, going in, I wanted to compete vs Linden, Elizabeth, and Newark Eastside, and now Plainfield. The program has improved. We reached the HCIAL semifinals 2 years in a row. We won a divisional title. We played #1 seeded Phillipsburg pretty well last year with a young backcourt. I know progress has been made.
Personally, I would like to win a Group 4 State Championship.
That's all that is missing.
I'm still very hungry as a coach.