The College of Southern Idaho welcomed its new Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jeff Reinert Tuesday at a press conference.
Reinert is no stranger to Golden Eagle Basketball, having coached against CSI from 1994-2002 while he was the head men’s coach at Utah Valley State College (now Utah Valley University).
“I’m really excited to be here,” said Reinert. “This is something I never envisioned happening 20 years ago when I was competing against CSI. With the tradition and legacy here, it’s an honor to be accepted here.”
Reinert brings with him experience on many levels. He played at the University of New Mexico one year and then transferred to Gonzaga University where he played with John Stockton. From there, he played professionally in Australia.
When he made the move to coaching from playing, he started as the women’s assistant basketball coach at Simpson College in Iowa. From there he was a men’s basketball assistant at the University of Nebraska and BYU.
That’s when he made the switch to Utah Valley to be the head coach, where he posted an overall record of 179-77 in his eight years. He left there the winningest coach in Utah Valley’s history and still is.
After a five-year stint as an assistant at Oregon State, he took the head assistant job at Fresno State. One of his notable recruits included Paul George, who is currently a forward for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
His most recent coaching job has been with Santa Margarita Catholic High School. He started there in 2012 and has helped build that program through the years. His first season, the team finished 16-16. This past year, Reinert led them to a CIF SS Division 1 Championship. Three of his starters this season have signed to play in the Pac 12. One will go to USC, one to UCLA and one to Oregon State.
What can Golden Eagle fans expect?
“We are going to recruit talented young men with high character,” Reinert said. “We won’t compromise because recruiting talent with high character gives us the best chance for success on the court in the long haul.”
Reinert said it is important to him to put a product on the floor CSI and the community can be proud of.
“Jeff is the whole package,” said CSI Athletic Director Joel Bate. “He brings with him coaching experience, recruiting connections and is a big proponent of academics and good citizenship. I believe our fans and the community will love the product he puts on the floor.”
