Ex-CHS coach Isler happy to be back

Staff writer

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PORTALES — In a world that was already full of them, Elida’s 57-56 nailbiter win over Logan Friday gave Jerry “J.D.” Isler another reminder of how much he’d missed the game.

Staff photo: Derek Major

Elida coach Jerry Isler talks to his team during the fourth quarter of its win against Logan on Friday at the American Heritage Classic Tournament at Melrose High School.

“It’s awesome to be back,” said Isler, who had been out of coaching for two years following his lone season at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. “Last night there wasn’t a big crowd, but tonight they really got into it and both teams were good. It was fun. I missed this.”

Isler has been coaching basketball for 28 years in New Mexico and Texas, with a resume that includes Grady — where he coached both a girls and a boys squad to the blue trophy — New Mexico Women’s College, Texas-Arlington, Clovis High and McMurry.

Wherever he went, eastern New Mexico has never been far away, either on the map or in his mind.

“I’ve been blessed,” Isler said. “Every place has treated me well and I’ve had good kids. We’ve been successful. I started at a small school and was at the college level and then the big high school level and now I’m back here, so I’ve come full circle.

Isler took the last two years off to take care of his ill father and didn’t think he’d go back into coaching until the phone rang over the summer.

“I really thought I was going to be out of coaching after I left McMurry,” Isler said. “But Elida called and I visited with the school board and ... I don’t know, it just seemed like a perfect fit.”

Isler has a wealth of good memories, many intertwined with the kids he’s been able to teach.

“My first year we won a state championship with the girls at Grady,” Isler said. “Then I got into college and that was a neat experience. I went back to Grady to coach the boys and won a state championship. After that, I got to coach my son at Clovis, then I got to coach him again when he was a senior at McMurry and we won the conference and we got to play in the national tournament.”

When comparing high school and college ball, Isler said the main difference is coaching style.

“The difference between college and high school in college you can hit the recruiting trail and find the type of players that fit your style of coaching and style of play,” Isler said. “In high school you have to adjust your style to the type of players you have.

“As far as coaching boys and girls there really is no difference. My expectations are the same. We try to play a fast type of ball and press and get fast breaks as much as possible.”

The one thing that sticks out for him is the two-way street of influence — what he has on the kids he’s coached, and what they’ve had on him.

“You got to have the kind of kids that are willing to listen and be coached, and you’re pushing them to make them better on and off the court,” Isler said. “I’ve been blessed to have the right kind of kids and the parents’ support, and I don’t think every coach can say that.

“The kids keep you young, and after a while you feel like they’re all your personal kids. You look after them and you want the best for them and that’s a very rewarding part of coaching.”