after graduation, he taught science and coached basketball at sterling high school. the following year he was invited to become basketball coach at the newly established camden county college. a year later he became head coach at glassboro state, and at 26 was one of the youngest head basketball coaches in the country. as coach he racked up 131 victories and three consecutive conference titles. at glassboro state he also served in the admissions office and worked as executive assistant to college president herman james.