By La’Niya Jones
Ryvon Covile is the associate head coach of Delta’s men’s basketball team. This will be his second year coaching at Delta. He is very dedicated and uses his experience to help push young people in the right direction, not just in basketball but also in the real world. Originally from Detroit, coach Covile played basketball professionally until he retired when he was 31. As a professional in the NBA he played with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, and the Seattle Supersonics.
Headshot of Coach Covile
The Collegiate recently sat down for a Q&A with Coach Covile.
Q: Is there anything you have taken from your own experience playing basketball into your coaching?
A: Everything. I was third in the nation in rebounding and went to Portsmouth, a top senior camp, and got an invite to a pre-draft camp. I tell people all the time, don’t get ready; stay ready. Playing overseas and professionally, I was able to reach a level of maturity. I take everything I’ve been through and how I was coached over there and use it to help these guys. My job is to take what I’ve learned and give it back to someone else.
Q: What did you do before coaching at Delta?
A: I graduated from Detroit Mercy in 2007. I was in the NBA draft that year and did well, but I failed the physical at the pre-draft camp. I ended up signing that summer with the Cavaliers and what was then the Seattle Supersonics. I ended up going overseas my first year, to Israel and Spain. I came back and signed with the Detroit Pistons. I ended up living in Europe and playing in Europe and Asia for the next nine years. After that, I moved to Texas, where I coached a girls’ basketball team. I moved back to Michigan and started working for Delta.
Q: What made you interested in coaching?
A: I originally didn’t want to coach. When I was done playing basketball, I didn’t want to do the typical athlete thing. “Hey you should be a coach now.” So, I took some time to figure it out. My daughter wanted to play, so I went to her practice one day, and I have been coaching ever since.
Q: Do you have any goals for this season or the team?
A: My goals are similar for these guys. I want these guys to experience things I experienced. The big goal is to make these men grow up. To me, it’s bigger than basketball; we just use basketball as a reference to make these guys understand the severity of adulthood. You know, growing up and being responsible a lot of times can cause fights because kids are stuck in their ways and want to do what they want to do. It’s a tug of war sometimes, but the ultimate goal is to get these guys to grow up and to leave here being responsible and able to take care of themselves and their families one day.
Q: How would you describe the relationship of the team?
A: The team is very young. We have about seven or eight guys right out of high school, so a lot of 18-year-olds doing 18-year-old things. I tell these guys all the time to either change their dreams or change their habits. Once you’re in-college, players are a lot older, and it’s a big culture shock for these kids. But it’s a growing curve they have to go over.
Q: How has the season been for the team?
A: The season started off pretty rocky, we had a few injuries. Our all-conference player couldn’t play until January. It took a toll on us early, but a lot of guys got some good playing time and experience under their belt. Now things are changing drastically for the better.
Q: Do you have any advice for anybody inspiring to be an athlete or a coach?
A: In a coaching aspect, I tell coaches all the time that no one cares what you know until they know you care about it. In my opinion your not coaching basic things your coaching the mentality. They know that you care about them and that you’ll do anything for them. On the athletic aspect, I highly recommend kids in athletics because it creates character, teaches you how to work as a team, teaches conflict resolution skills, and teaches you communication skills. Any team sport requires players to be selfless and understand who they’re dealing with.
Q: What are you looking for in a basketball player for the team?
A: My ideal player is a player who understands their strengths and weaknesses and is willing to get better. I love tough-nosed players and players with high IQs. Players that can think and talk at the same time. Someone who can play the game without necessarily having a ball in their hands. The ball will stop bouncing, and you must be able to take the lessons you’ve learned and use that towards something else. A big thing is using your athletic platform in a positive way.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to say to Delta or the community about yourself, the team, or anything in general?
A: I love Saginaw, and I thank Julian Taylor for giving me the opportunity back in 2013 or 2014. I want to thank the community for sticking by us through our rough times and good times. Things were rough starting off, but we understand that we need the community’s support and our fan base. Our games are exciting, and most teams’ colleges don’t have that kind of fan turnout. Keep pushing for Delta athletics, and it will get us to that national championship one day.
