Berger Steps Into No-Lose Situation

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Jen Gibson, Times-Union Sports Writer-

SYRACUSE -ÊAfter Wawasee's basketball team went 0-20 in the regular season this year, the Warriors were looking for someone who could solve their problems. Rob Berger hopes he can fit the bill.

Berger, the head coach at Mishawaka Marian for the past three years, has been hired to take Jerry Davis' spot as the head coach of the Wawasee basketball program. He will also fill a position as a science teacher in the high school.

"I am excited to be at Wawasee," said Berger. "It's a perfect fit for me. The people in the community are tremendous, and the facilities here at Wawasee are second to none."

Then he addressed the basketball players directly.

"I hope it's a great fit for you. I am excited to be your coach."

Berger coached at Marian High School from 1996 through this season where he accumulated a record of 40-23. His resume also includes coaching positions at Rollins College, Anderson High School and South Bend LaSalle High School. He has also coached summer camps at the University of Notre Dame, Ball State University, Butler University and Rollins College. A member of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Berger has also coached at the Indiana All-Star Basketball Camp.

Berger is looking forward to coaching at Wawasee and in Northern Lakes Conference.

"I am pleased to be coaching in a strong conference like the NLC," said Berger. "It will be an honor to compete againt coaching legends night after night. This is a tremendous conference."

Wednesday, after the announcement of his hiring, Berger shared a little of his coaching philosophy.

"I want the players to have fun," said Berger. "If you look at the past, Wawasee has had some great basketball programs. I belive things cycle, and it's time to get back to winning. I don't believe in saying 'rebuilding.' That's not fair to the kids who are here now.

"I want to get after it right from the start. We are going to try to win as many as we can from the beginning."

Until school's out, Berger will have open gym three days a week, and after that the gym will be open every day through the summer.

Berger, along with wife Jennifer and daughter Alexis, will move to the Wawasee area as soon as he finds a home.

Wawasee's records got worse each year under Davis. The Warriors went 7-14, 6-15 and 1-21. Davis' overall record at Wawasee was 14-50, a .219 winning percentage. [[In-content Ad]]

SYRACUSE -ÊAfter Wawasee's basketball team went 0-20 in the regular season this year, the Warriors were looking for someone who could solve their problems. Rob Berger hopes he can fit the bill.

Berger, the head coach at Mishawaka Marian for the past three years, has been hired to take Jerry Davis' spot as the head coach of the Wawasee basketball program. He will also fill a position as a science teacher in the high school.

"I am excited to be at Wawasee," said Berger. "It's a perfect fit for me. The people in the community are tremendous, and the facilities here at Wawasee are second to none."

Then he addressed the basketball players directly.

"I hope it's a great fit for you. I am excited to be your coach."

Berger coached at Marian High School from 1996 through this season where he accumulated a record of 40-23. His resume also includes coaching positions at Rollins College, Anderson High School and South Bend LaSalle High School. He has also coached summer camps at the University of Notre Dame, Ball State University, Butler University and Rollins College. A member of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Berger has also coached at the Indiana All-Star Basketball Camp.

Berger is looking forward to coaching at Wawasee and in Northern Lakes Conference.

"I am pleased to be coaching in a strong conference like the NLC," said Berger. "It will be an honor to compete againt coaching legends night after night. This is a tremendous conference."

Wednesday, after the announcement of his hiring, Berger shared a little of his coaching philosophy.

"I want the players to have fun," said Berger. "If you look at the past, Wawasee has had some great basketball programs. I belive things cycle, and it's time to get back to winning. I don't believe in saying 'rebuilding.' That's not fair to the kids who are here now.

"I want to get after it right from the start. We are going to try to win as many as we can from the beginning."

Until school's out, Berger will have open gym three days a week, and after that the gym will be open every day through the summer.

Berger, along with wife Jennifer and daughter Alexis, will move to the Wawasee area as soon as he finds a home.

Wawasee's records got worse each year under Davis. The Warriors went 7-14, 6-15 and 1-21. Davis' overall record at Wawasee was 14-50, a .219 winning percentage. [[In-content Ad]]

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