He's only 27, but Mike Raimbault has already experienced a "dream" and a "nightmare" when it comes to the cruel world of coaching basketball.

 

“Sometimes I wake up, and I feel much older than I am” said Raimbault, who has taken over arguably the third most prestigious coaching job in Prince George, (I will give the Cougars and Spruce Kings positions the benefit of the doubt).

As Zane Robison's replacement, he is the man expected to take the underachieving UNBC Men's basketball team to new "heights". Raimbault will be a hard guy not to support, especially considering his snakes and ladders journey.

Raimbault is a Brandonite. (Okay there are some things he can't help). He is a mature young man with his priorities straight, an education, and a great relationship with his significant other, Terena. In addition, basketball is Raimbault’s passion.

 

While growing up, the 6-foot guard played at all levels, including two seasons for the Brandon Bobcats. In his first year he was labeled as a “Red” Shirt, but in his second year, he earned a position as a full roster player, helping the team nearly capture the National title. "I hate to say it, I try not to think about it, as we came home with silver, losing (the final) in overtime" said Raimbault.

Mike then moved to Calgary and played a couple of years at SAIT, before returning home to continue his focus on school, and turn his attention to coaching. Raimbault graduated from Brandon University holding degrees in Education (2006) and General Studies (2004). He also landed the job in 2005 as the Bobcats Assistant coach, working for the well respected Barnaby Craddock. All those volunteer hours of coaching in the Brandon Community (Senior Boys, Junior Varsity Boys and 17 and Under Club Team) finally paid off.

Can it get any better than having a chance to work under Craddock? Yes! Craddock surprisingly stepped down after the 2006/07 season and recommended the “kid” (Raimbault) as his replacement. Suddenly, a dream became a reality, as Mike was given the job, for a nine month term that would end March 31, 2008. “It’s a great honor to be selected as the head coach of my hometown team and I’m really excited about the opportunity to coach such a great group of young men," stated Raimbault at the time.

 

Wow! Euphoria! Raimbault was the bench boss of the local University team which carried a rich basketball tradition. Under Raimbault's guidance, Brandon compiled a 31-8 record, including 20-2 in the Canada West Conference. They were ranked #2 in the country four consecutive weeks, but the Bobcats failed to qualify for the CIS championship for only the 3rd time in the last 22 years.

With the season completed (a success by most standards) public sentiment indicated that Mike would shake off that dreaded "interim" title and be appointed as a permanent Head Coach. However, the University had other plans; they advertised the job. Dozens applied and the short list was narrowed to three: Raimbault, University of New Brunswick Men's Basketball coach, Thom Gillespie, and former Bobcat Keith Vassell, who led Brandon as a player to five national championship appearances. Vassell was also a member of Canada's national team for 11 years and coached professionally in Europe, including a position as the head coach for Iceland's men's national basketball team.

The university’s selection process was unique in that each candidate participated in a public forum presentation followed by an open question period. Gillespie went first on Monday, March 24th, Vassell, followed the next day, and Raimbault, March 26th. Shortly after, the hiring faculty committee assembled, and made the decision. Gillespie finished third leaving the other two candidates. And yes, now the "nightmare". The committee was divided, but after countless hours of debate, on March 28^th, Jerry Storie, Brandon's Dean of Education, informed Raimbault, that Vassell won the competition, by a 4-3 vote. Needless to say, Mike was devastated, and heartbroken.

 

The old adage states that “when one door closes another opens”. Yes, just a few months later, another chapter in Raimbault’s life will begin, in a city he has spent just 24 hours. As previously mentioned,
Mike will be a hard guy not to support. Let's hope Raimbault coaches UNBC long enough to see the day when the Timberwolves join the CIS, and play Brandon. “That would be something special I suppose, but at the same time my focus is moving forward with UNBC, although it would make for a hell of a story,” admitted Raimbault. Yes it would, and that would be one game not to miss.

 

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