Goorjian relishes role at The Meadows

     By W.G. Ramirez
     View staff writer
      Forget that it's Class 2A basketball, and throw out the fact it is junior varsity.
      Former UNLV basketball player Greg Goorjian is content with his assistant coaching role at The Meadows.
      Aside from the fact his 15-year-old son Gavin plays for The Meadows junior varsity Mustangs, Goorjian enjoys having his hand in the sport he grew up around.
      "I just love doing it," said Goorjian, a Summerlin resident. "It's an opportunity to give something back. I got to play for a lot of good coaches ... they were people I came across growing up in a basketball family and I feel I have a lot to pass on to kids. They deserve the same attention and coaching I was fortunate to get."
      Goorjian, whose father Ed was part of former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian's staff during the Rebels' glory years in the 1980s, played for Tark during the 1980-'81 season.
      He transferred to Pepperdine, where he went on to become an all-West Coast Conference player for the Waves, and eventually received his degree in business administration from UNLV in 1985.
      After earning a real estate broker's license, Goorjian began working with Peccole Nevada while raising his family in Southern Nevada.
      To stay involved on the hardwood, Goorjian began coaching youths in 1985 at the Sporting House and Boys & Girls Club, where he coached a county league team.
      He also began giving clinics on Saturdays, ensuring his year-round involvement in basketball.
      In 1988, when his kids became old enough to play in their own leagues, he focused on coaching them and has been ever since.
      Head junior varsity coach Jeff Hutzler, whose son also plays for The Meadows, said it is a learning experience for him to have Goorjian alongside him on the bench.
      "He knows so much basketball and basically I try to help on the fundamentals," Hutzler said. "The educational aspect of coaching a team (and) of the kids being responsible, when it comes to what kind of press we're going to run or what sort of strategies we're going to run, I let him run with it. He has so much experience, it's great.
      "A good coach, or any kind of a good leader, surrounds himself with a good staff. To say that he knows (more) basketball than I do, print that. I think I might have more experience in dealing with 14-, 15-year-old kids, so it works out pretty well."
      Hutzler said although the players weren't even a thought in their parent's minds when Goorjian was at UNLV, they understand the kind of player he was and respect his teachings.
      "Being around the kids, being around young men who are eager to learn and not only as players, but as people too -- that's important to me," said Goorjian, whose brothers Brian and Kevin coach professionally in Melbourne, Australia. "I love the game ... it's in our blood. My time is volunteer but it fills the void, no doubt.
      "I'm completely fulfilled, I've got a beautiful family, a wonderful job, I'm involved with basketball and everything is great. I couldn't ask for anything else really."
      Well, maybe one thing.
      Goorjian admitted he has entertained the thought of moving to the college realm.
      "I could see myself, potentially maybe moving on," he said. "I think if I was able to reach a financial position where I could afford to go out and chase some coaching for awhile, I think I would enjoy doing that."
      It would be down the road, especially with a newborn at home -- 1-month-old Colin -- but if he needed any references, he wouldn't have to look very far.
      Asked to rattle off some coaches he remains close with, Goorjian doesn't even hesitate.
      "I have plenty of friends as head coaches and athletic directors," he said. "Brad Holland (University of San Diego), Lorenzo Romar (Pepperdine University), Jerry Tarkanian (Fresno State University), Jim Harrick (Rhode Island University), Bill Bayno (UNLV), Mike Dunlap (Metro State in Denver) ... "
      The list can go on, he said, but for now he is content.
      "I'd love to (coach college basketball)," he said, "but If I never do do it I know I'll be coaching somewhere."
      Even if that means Class 2A, junior varsity.