loving Irish life
18 November 2008
UCC Demons recently appointed former NCAA Division One College University of Maine assistant coach Douglas Leichner and he admits he is enjoying life in Ireland.
Leichner has coached numerous players in his career who have played in either the NBA or in Europe and it is his player development ability that UCC Demons see as the key to their future success.
Leichner has spent the past 4 seasons at the University of Maine as assistant Coach and joined the University of Maine after spending seven seasons as a high school head coach in Florida.
In 1992, Leichner began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Naugatuck Valley Community Technical College in Waterbury, Conn. The team advanced to the NCAA Junior College Division II national tournament advancing to the Elite Eight. He also served as an assistant coach during the 1996-97 season at Division II Stonehill College.
He has worked at the Five-Star Basketball Camp and Adidas ABC All-Star Camp in Europe. He has been published in the Five-Star Basketball Coaches Playbook.
"The experience in Ireland has been fantastic,” said Leichner. “I thoroughly enjoy living in Cork. It reminds me of my favorite city Boston. The Demons club has helped my family get sorted and settled. The Demons are a class club and it is a pleasure to work for them. My oldest son even plays in the GAA!
“I have enjoyed coaching the UCC Demons. The players have a high basketball IQ and have a great understanding of each other. I have enjoyed being a head coach again. There is nothing like running a program and making the final calls. I feel we can compete for a Cup and SuperLeague title."
“I am extremely excited to be the Head Coach of the UCC Demons,” he added. “My family and I feel lucky to call Cork our new home. I would like to thank the Executive Committee for their support and belief in me leading the Demons. I embrace the rich tradition of the club’s past while looking forward to a bright future. I am first and foremost a teacher of basketball. I look forward to developing the strong domestic talent in the Blue Demons basketball Club.
“The UCC Demons team goal will be to win the competitive Superleague. Offensively, the team will run the floor, play fast paced basketball and look for early baskets. Defensively, we will be aggressive, rebound and take the opponent out of what they want to run. I look forward to the Demons fans embracing our exciting style of play.”