Nesser brings winning mentality to Yough boys

By: HSSN Staff
Sunday, December 2, 2018 | 5:18 PM

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Jim Nesser is back where he began, and the veteran boys basketball coach is eager to get started.

Thirty years after his first high school coaching job at Yough, Nesser returns to the Cougars, carrying his fiery, trademark philosophy and attitude that has made an impact on multiple WPIAL programs.

“I’m bringing hard work and a winning mindset,” said Nesser, who led Jeannette to WPIAL and PIAA Class 2A titles in 2008. “When you’ve been losing a lot, that mentality seems to stick.”

The players appear to be adjusting to Nesser’s plan. Yough, which competes in Section 1-4A, will open the regular season Dec. 7 against Class 3A Brownsville, which is hosting its tip-off tournament.

“All five guys need to play defense,” said senior forward Jarett Bach, who is committed to play baseball at Pitt next year. “When we work together as a team and play a full 32 minutes, we’ll have a good chance of winning.”

The 6-foot-4 Bach, Yough’s returning leading scorer, will anchor the starting lineup, but Nesser is expecting much more.

“Bach needs to lead with more than just scoring,” Nesser said. “He needs to lead with effort, attitude and confidence. When the young kids see him feeling good and working hard, they respond to that.”

Nesser said he is expecting to build around Bach from a group that includes juniors Raymond Halahurich, Joshua O’Bradovich, Billy McMillen and sophomore Gamal Marballie.

Yough, which was 4-17 and won one section game a year ago under former coach Casey Copeman, has made just two WPIAL playoff appearances in the past eight seasons.

During that time, the Cougars were a combined 48-124, despite a 16-5 mark in 2015-16, when they last reached the playoffs.

“My whole philosophy is different,” Nesser said. “Last year, they were mainly playing zone coverage. This year, we are going to play a lot of man-to-man. I also like to run a fast break.”

In addition to Jeannette and his first go-round at Yough, Nesser has coached at Hempfield, Elizabeth Forward and Greensburg Central Catholic, his alma mater.

Nesser also has served brief stints as a men’s assistant at Seton Hill and Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Through it all, he has been a constant in the classroom at Yough.

“Yough was the first place I coached,” said Nesser, who has taught social studies for 32 years. “I’ve always been here, and there are so many special people and kids here. It’s a great opportunity to come back at the end of my (coaching) career.”

Nesser was 58-32 in four seasons at Hempfield and 72-14 in three at Jeannette.

Prior to that, he led a turnaround at Elizabeth Forward. The Warriors were 4-44 combined in his first two seasons but bounced back to claim the program’s first section title a year later.

“I want to form resiliency and have a high compete level in practice,” Nesser said. “I don’t want things to be easy. My goal is to create a tough environment to grow and excel the players.”

Nolen Ferree is a freelance writer.

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