Staff Writer
After seven years as the boys varsity head coach at Limestone Community School/Maine School of Mathematics and Science, Ryan Deprey is heading back to Caribou. Deprey began his journey with the Eagles in 2003, after spending junior varsity coach for the Viking boys. “I wanted to prove to myself that I was capable of coaching at a varsity level, and I also wanted to gain experience and hoped to someday come back and coach in Caribou at the varsity level,” said Deprey, when asked about his reasons for initially taking the LCS/MSSM position.
Though the half hour commute was long, it gave the former varsity coach time to go over his plans before practice and time to unwind from practices and games on the way home. “I have a very understanding wife,” Deprey said, when asked how coaching in another town for seven years was possible.
Deprey led the Eagles to three preliminary games and a tournament appearance, but his personal highlights include more than specific games.
“Seeing the growth of my program from year one to year seven was what I really enjoyed the most. Beating Bangor Christian at home in 2007 to get us to the tournament was very memorable. That was my ultimate goal,” Deprey explained, “to get the Eagles to the tournament, which is why I’m ok with stepping down as a varsity coach for now.”
But he won’t be leaving basketball altogether. Deprey will start the 2009-2010 season as Caribou’s junior varsity girls basketball coach, a position he is excited to take on, but not without loss.
“My team wished me luck when I told them I was leaving, but it was bittersweet,” remarked Deprey. But the timing couldn’t be better. “If someone new was going to come in … this is the year, now is the time to let someone new take over. There are five freshmen coming in and it’s a good year to transition. I wanted to leave the program better than when I started it, and I feel I have.”
Officially hired on as the Lady Vikings JV coach the week of March 16, Deprey is looking forward to the slight change in level and getting back to his alma mater. “I love basketball, so as long as I’m involved, I’m happy,” remarked the former Viking athlete, who played basketball for Caribou in the 90’s.
“Bill Schofield was actually my seventh grade basketball coach,” smiled Deprey, who is also anticipating working with the varsity coach. “My job is to prepare girls for his program and it’s my understanding that we’ll coach as a committee or team rather than individuals. He knows the game and I think our philosophies will mesh nicely.”
With the spring sports season nearing commencement, Deprey has some time to plan his coaching strategies for the winter, but he’s already making a mental list of what he wants to see both on the court and off.
“I’d like to see improvement, not only from the beginning of the year to the end, but from practice to practice. I don’t want to see the same mistakes being made,” said Deprey. “Practices will be team based but also focus on individual improvement.” The junior varsity team will play Fort Kent, Houlton, Presque Isle and other Class B teams and, though competition may be fierce, Deprey wants his team to do their best.
“I’d like to have some success and of course we want to win some games,” he said. “Enthusiasm is always important, and, while I don’t perceive that as being a problem, I’m an enthusiastic coach and I shout out positive things during games. Ultimately, I try to make [the game] fun.”
