Frederes Lands High School Coaching Job He Wanted

Ron Frederes has devoted 25 years to teaching and coaching basketball, including successful stops in places such as Davidson County, N.C., Alfred, N.Y., and North Canton, Ohio.

He’s even learned Xs and Os from the likes of Dean Smith.

But Frederes’ latest move – one which returns him to his hometown to teach health and coach boys’ varsity basketball at Jamestown High School – is especially meaningful to him.

“If there was one high school job in the whole nation to have, it would have been this one,” Frederes said from his parents’ home on Charles Street Tuesday night. “I have good memories of Jamestown. I thought it was a good fit.”

Frederes’ appointment to teach and coach was approved Monday night by the Board of Education. He arrived in Jamestown Tuesday from his home in North Canton, Ohio and was to begin teaching today.

“I love the feeling of coming home and I’m looking forward to coaching,” he said. “I’m going to be coaching some of my best friends’ sons. That’s something that very few people get to do.”

And few high school coaches in this area have the resume that Frederes brings with him.

After graduating from JHS in 1963. Frederes earned his bachelor’s degree from Brockport State in 1967 and then went to the University of North Carolina where he received his master’s degree in 1968. While in Chapel Hill, he was a graduate assistant under Smith, the Tar Heels’ legendary coach.

Frederes then spent one year teaching elementary physical 3education in Orlando, Fla., before accepting a teaching job at Southwestern Central School, a position he held from 1969 to 1976.

After a two-year stint at Davidson County Community College, Frederes took a coaching job at Alfred University in 1979, remaining there until 1990. He record during that period was 161-126.

While at Alfred, Frederes guided the Saxons to two NCAA Division III East Regional appearances and surpassed the 15-win mark five times. His best season was in 1985-86 when Alfred finished 25-3.

Frederes, who is married and has three children, left Alfred after the 1990 season and spent two years at Walsh College in North Canton, Ohio, where he posted a 34-27 mark. He spent last year in the sports cards and memorabilia business.

Frederes said his job at Davidson County and Alfred was to build a program. He doesn’t see his role as being the same at JHS as he inherits a team that was 11-10 under Bill Hager last year.

“At 11-10, I don’t think it’s a rebuilding program,” he said. “It may be a restructuring program. It’s difficult to get a handle on right now. I’ve talked to Mac (principal James McElrath) and Kay (athletic director Kay Gould) and they’ve been positive so I have no reason not to be positive, too.”

The Red Raiders will be led by 6-foot-7 senior Justin Johnson, who will begin his fourth year as a starter.

“I think the rest of the team can play off Justin and his attributes and abilities,” Frederes said. “I anticipate he’s going to get double and triple teamed so I imagine someone else will get some opportunities. Who that is, I don’t know. Time will tell.”

Two of the logical candidates are seniors Tom Bailey and Rob Parinella, both of whom saw considerable playing time last year.

“I realize I am inheriting what is here,” Frederes said. “Probably the two attributes that I’m looking for most are intensity and enthusiasm. I’m also looking for composure. Those are three things we’re going to have to have to be successful.”

But, Frederes maintains it will be up to the players to set their sights high for the 1993-94 season.

“Nothing against coach Hager, but I’d like to be a whole lot better than 11-10,” Frederes said. “I think we’ve got to set our goals a lot higher. I can’t, as the coach, set the goals. I can’t play. I can’t score. I can only lead them and do the best I can to get them to play hard.”

He doesn’t have a lot of time.

“Without question, we have a big job to do in the next two months to get to know each other,” Frederes said. “I plan to have open gyms and see the players. I’d like to think we can play with enthusiasm and intensity. That’s the way we’ve played anywhere I’ve coached. If we have inability and deficiency of talent, I hope we can make of the difference with intensity and enthusiasm. We’re going to do the best we can.”