Former Hanover star set to take over Napoleon boys basketball program
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Napoleon – For years, Jeremy File was one of the driving forces behind the Hanover-Horton boys basketball team’s success.
Now, he’ll spend time each winter trying to defeat his former school, and plenty others.
File, who helped guide the Comets to the quarterfinals in 2002 and the state semifinals in 2003, was officially named head boys basketball coach at Napoleon on Monday.
“It’s exciting. It’s a good place and probably a little shocking considering the rivalry we have,” File said with a laugh. “Napoleon was a good rival of mine for a while.”
It’s now his task to go against his former coach Chad Mortimer and the Comets on a yearly basis.
“Really, when you look at the coaching profession, you see guys who worked or played together coaching against one another now,” File said. “I think it’s part of the profession. At the same time, I think it will be a competitive and fun rivalry with Hanover. Me coaching here may add a little something to it.”
The former All-State recipient with Hanover played collegiately at Western Michigan University and Olivet College before spending eight years playing in various professional leagues.
In 2011, he began working and training players, and shortly after started his own business in that field, developing players in life and basketball.
But he said it was Mortimer’s pension for involving the Hanover program’s younger teams that initially had File working as a coach, so to speak.
“I really started coaching when I was a freshman in high school,” File said. “We were always working with younger players. Then in college I found myself going to camps and coaching. I never knew it would lead to this. … But playing for Chad was an excellent thing for me. He was a guy that taught you how to take the game serious. He was also a college player, and learning from a guy like that was outstanding. Who knows if I have the success I’ve had without him.”
And success is the goal now.
Napoleon went 8-13 last year and just 7-14 the year before.
“We’re going to run this like a college program,” File said. “Obviously, you always want to win, and we have some work to do. I think we’re far behind in some areas, which is tough. But now we’re 0-0. I haven’t met these kids yet. So it’s a new start and we’re working on how to win that first game.”
“At the same time, I think the main goal I have is getting kids to the collegiate level,” File added. “Even if they aren’t going to play basketball, to get that chance in college, for them to see and learn how working hard and doing things the right way can help you with a career, is a big objective I have as a coach.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.