Posted by Reggie Rankin
When highly respected head coach Charlie Coles became ill, Miami (Ohio) athletic director Brad Bates announced associated head coach Jermaine Henderson would move over one chair and guide the RedHawks for the remainder of the season while Coles tends to his health. Henderson is more than qualified; he is an alumnus of the university and the basketball program. Henderson was a senior on Coles' first Miami team in 1996-97. He was one of seven players in program history to participate in postseason play all four years: the NCAA tournament in 1995 and 1997 and the NIT in 1994 and 1996. He has also been a part of two of Miami's four MAC tournament titles -- one as a player in 1997 and last season as an associate head coach.
When I spoke with Henderson early in the week, his No. 1 concern was the health of Coles, who he described as being like a father to him. But Henderson was also concerned about preparing the RedHawks for this week's MAC tournament.
Miami is 3-1 since Henderson has moved into the decision-making chair. The RedHawks beat Ohio 73-49, lost on the road at regular-season champion Kent State 50-39 and rebounded at home against Bowling Green 75-59 before heading to Cleveland for the conference tournament that started Wednesday. Miami battled Buffalo in the first round and pulled out a 69-68 win to advance and take on the
Ohio Bobcats in the Thursday quarterfinals.
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