By Moses Leos III
It was during his playing days at St. Edward’s University where current Kyle resident BJ Terrill crafted how he would coach basketball.
During his time as a Hilltopper, Terrill, who hails from the Houston area, grew disinterested with the way the coaching staff at the time instructed their players.
“I was disappointed. It helped lead me to why I love coaching and the style I have now,” he said. “I hated that experience. I wanted to make sure that’s the opposite of how I coach.”
Through the use of his high-intensity style, Terrill last month led the Austin Waldorf School boys basketball team to the school’s first Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) team championship in 30 years.
A passion for the game, along with building a strong and respected program, drove Terrill forward.
“I wanted to build a program that people want to look at and respect, to say, ‘they are doing the right things over there,’” Terrill said.
Terrill’s path in coaching began after he graduated from St. Ed’s. He coached at St. Michael’s Academy in Austin in the 1998-1999 season.
From there, Terrill made his way to the College of the Ozarks in Arkansas, where he got the team to play in the NAIA National Championship game.
He then coached at Bruceville Eddy High School, followed by a stint at Waldorf from 2004 to 2009.
But he then took a break from coaching to join Amber in raising their son Nash in their Plum Creek home.
It wasn’t until 2012 when the urge to coach basketball returned. He said Amber, his wife, knew how much the game meant to him.
“She knew I wanted to go back,” he said.
Terrill returned to Waldorf and took over for former University of Texas-Austin basketball player Jermaine Winfield, who had previously coached the team.
But through all of the coaching moves, one constant remained – Terrill’s intense approach to basketball. A style he likened to Nolan Richardson’s “40 minutes of Hell” style.
Terrill’s style begins on the defensive end, where he employs a high-intensity, high-pressure approach. Terrill said he informs his players to not give opposing guards the chance to survey the floor.
“I want to pressure (the guard) and be in his hip pocket,” Terrill said.
In turn, Terrill’s teams transition down the floor for points.
“Not only do I want to beat (opponents) in the press, but I want turn around and ram the ball down your throat,” Terrill said.
Terrill’s style also gives his players the chance to take shots when they have an open look. Continuous ball movement on the offensive end is also an important factor for Terrill’s teams.
The use of the “32 mintues of Hell,” along with a highly talented group of players helped Waldorf reach the TAPPS Final Four in 2015.
With a majority of the players returning this season, Waldorf finished 2016 with a 33-2 overall record. The Waldorf Roadrunners defeated Brazos Christian 61-34 in the TAPPS title game.
One constant, according to Terrill, is teams underestimating the intensity his players bring.
“When we show up, the other team is usually laughing. They look at us and say, ‘this is Waldorf?” Terrill said. “Once the ball goes in the air and we start pressing full court and the energy we’re bringing, it turns real quick.”
Building a respectful program is also a fundamental focus for Terrill. He said it extends beyond the hardwood, which he has experienced himself.
“We want to build a respectful program. To win and lose with respect,” he said. “It transfers over to life.”
For Terrill, ensuring Waldorf is the “best private basketball school in the city” is his goal.
But he also understood the history behind Waldorf’s landmark win.
“When you’re a competitor and you used to play the sport, and love the sport and respect it, I don’t think people understand what a rare accomplishment this is,” he said.
