Source of wisdom: Mustangs coach Smith welcomes Hauger’s help
Rob Burchianti | Herald-Standard
Those taking in a Laurel Highlands boys basketball game may get a glimpse of a very familiar face on the bench next to head coach John Smith this season.
The coach Smith replaced, Rick Hauger, has agreed to help out his former assistant this season.
Hauger racked up 602 career victories between coaching Penn State Fayette men, Laurel Highlands girls and LH boys teams, including a 282-166 mark and two WPIAL championships with the Mustangs.
“He’s on the staff,” Smith said of Hauger. “A guy like that comes and says, ‘Hey, John, I’m kind of bored and I’d like to help out when I can and still be a part of the program,’ well I’d be a fool to not allow that, especially after everything he’s done for me over the years.”
Smith was an assistant coach on both of Laurel Highlands WPIAL championship teams and his son Tim was a starter on the 2020 squad.
Smith welcomed Hauger back with open arms.
“A lot of people don’t have good relationships with their superiors, but for the 10 or 12 years I was under Rick Hauger, he always did right by me. We always got along well. I appreciate everything he’s done for me, and continues to.”
Laurel Highlands, not unexpectedly, struggled last season after losing a large and talented class to graduation, including Rodney Gallagher III and Keondre DeShields, in its first year under Smith although he’s hoping a slightly more experienced squad this year will have more success.
Smith said he’ll certainly pay attention to any advice Hauger has to offer whether it’s about matters on or off the court.
“Rick is wise. He’s been around a long time,” Smith said. “It’s not just basketball either. There’s a lot more to coaching high school basketball than just X’s and O’s sometimes. You’re dealing with kids, families, you’re trying to mold these young men to go out and be productive members of society.
“Rick, with his educational background, he’s helped me in a lot of ways.”
The Mustangs (0-1) were scheduled to play Quaker Valley in the Derry Area tournament Friday night and host Waynesburg Central Tuesday before opening up play in a very strong Section 1-AAAAA next Friday at McKeesport.