The hard goodbye: Q&A with Coach Croy

Former head coach Rick Croy has accepted an assisting coaching job at St. Mary's College of California in Moraga.  Over his last five seasons at Citrus, he led the team to four consecutive conference championships, as well as a state title

Q: How did the job offer to St. Mary's come about? Did you approach them or did they approach you with the offer?

A: I have known St. Mary's coach Randy Bennett for some time and he approached me with the offer.

Q: Have you received offers from other Division I programs during your time at Citrus? What was it about this particular offer that was too good to pass up?

A: I have had other Division I offers in the last few years, but this was a unique opportunity to join an great staff and thriving program in a familiar area.

Q: You have often spoken about the matriculation of not just the players, but your assistant coaches as well. Did you see accepting this job in that same light?

A: Yes, as our assistant Brett Lauer put it, our program is about accepting new challenges. This time it just happened to be my turn.

Q: How long after you accepted the job did you inform the Citrus players? How did they take the news?

A: I informed them as soon as it became official. They were surprised, but extremely supportive.

Q: Do you think that the move is unfair to the incoming recruits and current players who came to Citrus College specifically to play for you?

A: Unfortunate and tough, yes, but unfair, no. They understand that the pursuit of new goals is part of life.

Q: News broke of you taking the St. Mary's job on August 6. Is this the date you accepted the position?

A: No, I accepted the job on July 30.

Q: Do you think accepting the job in August, just a few months before the start of the season, puts Citrus in the tough situation of learning a new head coach's system and philosophy in such a short time?

A: No, the team is in a position to compete for a state championship. The leadership in place understands the tradition and will do great things.

Q: Did you have any say in choosing your successor Chris Victor?

A: The decision to hire Chris Victor was made by Jody Wise, dean of athletics, and the Owl Nation was extremely excited by the decision.

Q: How much do you think you have grown as a head coach in your time at Citrus and how will it help you at St. Mary's?

A: My time at Citrus has been an incredible growing experience. I have learned from so much about leadership through my journey and from those around me. My experience at Citrus will certainly help me at St. Mary's.

Q: What was your favorite moment during your time at Citrus?

A: My favorite times at Citrus were always our breakaway trips, where we would define our mission and what we wanted to be about for that season. Our best memories came on those trips. None of us will ever forget them.

Q: You coached a lot of great players at Citrus. Who was your favorite?

A: We have had so many great players at Citrus over the last five years, but my favorite story of perseverance and improvement is Darin Stewart.

Q: What will you miss most about Citrus?

A: The thing I will miss most about Citrus is the people. We never had the best facilities or resources, but we always had the best people. From our presidents to our athletic director to our trainers, coaches and players, nobody beat us in the area that counts the most: people. You win with great people.