David Norman Arseneault Jr. (born July 18, 1986), also known as David Arseneault Jr.,is an American-Canadian basketball coach who is the head coach for the Grinnell Pioneers.He previously played collage basketball for the Pioneers under his father,David Sr., and later served as an associate head coach under him at Grinnell. Arseneault was later the head coach of the Reno bighorns.Arseneault Jr. is the Pioneers’ head men’s basketball coach, taking over duties from his father, David arseneault, who retired in June 2018. Arseneault Jr. ’09 had some big shoes to fill. His father, David Arseneault Sr., best known for inventing the Grinnell System, had been the men’s basketball coach at the College from 1982-2018, before retiring and handing over the reins of head coach to his son.
When Arseneault Sr. concocted The System, he didn’t do it to take Grinnell basketball to the next level. He didn’t do it as a competitive strategy at all. He arrived in Grinnell, Iowa, with his wife, Ellie, son Dave Jr. and daughter Jennie in 1989 to guide a program that hadn’t produced a winning season in 26 years.
Arseneault Sr., a native of Stoneham, Mass., had been the women’s basketball coach for two years at now-defunct Hawthorne College in New hampshire. It didn’t take long for him to realize how many challenges he faced at Grinnell,a private liberal arts school 50 miles west of Des Moines where the average ACT score for incoming freshmen is 33. His first team finished 3-19 and he didn’t have enough players remaining on his roster by the end of the season to conduct full practices. That’s when he decided he could either leave Grinnell or do something drastic.
He had admired Paul Westhead’s up-tempo teams at Loyola Marymount in the late 1980s and wondered if he could elevate the pace even further. During the 1991-92 season, his third with Grinnell, arseneault Sr. began experimenting with full-court pressure, mass substitutions and shooting a high rate of 3-pointers.It seems there was a misunderstanding or miscommunication regarding the coaching position. The text suggests that the position was initially thought to be for Arseneault Sr., but it was actually offered to Arseneault Jr. Here’s a clearer breakdown:
- Initial Expectation: Arseneault Sr. believed he was being considered for a coaching position.
- Actual Offer: The offer was made to arseneault Jr., who had been a part-time assistant coach at Grinnell and had played there under his father’s coaching.
- Success: Arseneault Jr. implemented the Grinnell system (known as “The System”) in the NBA D-League and achieved significant success, leading his team to division titles and setting league records.
So, it appears that Arseneault Jr. was the one contacted about the assistant coaching spot, not his father.been around the block. He knows what he’s doing. He’s a really good coach.”
Arseneault Jr.’s journey and approach to coaching have significantly impacted Grinnell’s basketball program. Here’s a summary of his impact:
- Defensive Focus: Unlike his father,Arseneault jr. emphasizes defense, aiming to prevent easy layups and dunks. He strategizes with players on how to gamble in the backcourt while being smart to prevent momentum-breaking runs.
- Freedom and Winning: He doesn’t prioritize achieving all five goals of The System, rather focusing on allowing players more freedom. This has not hindered Grinnell’s winning record, as they lead the country in scoring and are vying for their first NCAA tournament berth in 24 years.
- Coaching Style: Arseneault Jr. is described as egoless, supportive, and critical. He’s considered a friend by players and has a good balance of being both critical and supportive.
- Success: Under his leadership, Grinnell has the best winning percentage in program history. He was named conference coach of the year last season and has nearly led the team to an NCAA Tournament berth.
- Respect from peers: Other coaches, like Illinois College’s Steve Schweer, recognize Arseneault Jr.’s skills and underrated abilities, highlighting his experience and knowledge.
Arseneault Jr.’s coaching style and focus on defense have brought a new dynamic to Grinnell’s basketball program while maintaining the high-scoring nature of The System.The text discusses the unique basketball system employed by Grinnell College, known for its high-tempo, high-pressure style of play. Here are the key points:
- System overview: Grinnell’s system involves nearly 20 players earning minutes, with no player typically playing more than half the game. Despite this, players feel they’ve played a full 40 minutes due to the intense nature of the system.
- Player Rotation: Te Huki played the most minutes against Ripon, with 21 minutes across 18 shifts.The system is designed to give many players a chance to contribute and maintain a high level of energy throughout the game.
- Criticism and defense: Grinnell’s coach, dave Arseneault Jr., defends the system, stating that criticism is often unwarranted and that there are many ways to play basketball. He argues that the system provides a unique atmosphere and a chance for less talented teams to compete.
- Planning Challenges for Opponents: Opposing coaches find preparing for Grinnell challenging. They must essentially scrap their usual game plans and adapt to Grinnell’s fast-paced, high-pressure style. Ripon College coach Kenny Finco had to overhaul his game plan, using 10 players in shifts and implementing a 1-2-2 zone defense to help his players know their positions.
- Player Perspective: Players,like Schweer,find the games against Grinnell fun and different from other games,despite the challenges they present.
the image mentioned in the text is not displayed here, but it is referenced as being related to the article. The article discusses the unique challenges and advantages of Grinnell’s basketball system.
Grinnell Coach David Arseneault Jr. Reflects on team’s Resilience
Table of Contents
Grinnell coach David Arseneault Jr. has made history with the best career win percentage in the program’s history.His leadership and strategic prowess have propelled the grinnell Pioneers to new heights. Recently, the team faced a challenging game against Ripon, which offered a glimpse into the coach’s beliefs and the team’s spirit.In the pregame against ripon, Arseneault Jr. set an enterprising goal. even though it wasn’t fully achieved, the team came close. Grinnell attempted 43 first-half field goals and 31 3-pointers, entering halftime with a 51-46 deficit.The game saw its fair share of ups and downs, with Grinnell tying the game at 71 on a baseline jumper by Te Huki. Though, the Pioneers ultimately faced one of their worst performances of the season, losing 102-85.
One moment from the final stretch stood out. With nine minutes remaining and Grinnell trailing 75-71, junior guard Zach Rosen exited the floor after a shift. With a smile, he yelled to the bench, “I love this. There’s nothing better.” This exclamation encapsulated the team’s passion and Arseneault Jr.’s unique coaching style.
Arseneault Jr. previously coached in the D-League, but he finds a different kind of joy at Grinnell. The Pioneers celebrate every forced turnover in the backcourt on the bench as though someone hit a game-tying buzzer-beater. This enthusiasm is a testament to the coach’s ability to instill a love for the game in his players.Despite the loss, Arseneault Jr.wasn’t pleased with the outcome. He and his players remained in the locker room for over 30 minutes after suffering their first back-to-back losses of the season. When they emerged, they prepared for a five-hour bus ride through the cold night back to Iowa. There was much to teach,but with a postseason spot within reach,the show needed to go on.And there was no place Arseneault Jr. would have rather been.
Key Moments and Statistics
| Key Moments | Details |
|————————————–|————————————————————————-|
| Pregame Goal | Attempted 43 first-half field goals and 31 3-pointers |
| Halftime Score | Trailed 51-46 |
| Game-Tying Moment | Te Huki’s baseline jumper tied the game at 71 |
| Final Score | Lost 102-85 |
| Zach Rosen’s Comment | “I love this. There’s nothing better.” |
| Post-Game Reaction | Remained in locker room for over 30 minutes |
| Travel | Five-hour bus ride back to Iowa |
The game against Ripon highlighted the resilience and spirit of the Grinnell Pioneers. Despite the loss, the team’s passion and Arseneault Jr.’s leadership remain unwavering. As the Pioneers look ahead to the postseason, their determination and love for the game will undoubtedly serve them well.
For more on Grinnell’s journey under Coach David Arseneault Jr., visit the Grinnell College Athletics website.
Grinnell Coach David Arseneault Jr. Reflects on team’s Resilience
Grinnell coach David Arseneault Jr. has made history with the best career win percentage in the program’s history. his leadership and strategic prowess have propelled the Grinnell Pioneers to new heights. Recently, the team faced a challenging game against Ripon, which offered a glimpse into the coach’s beliefs and the team’s spirit.
In the pregame against Ripon, Arseneault jr. set an enterprising goal. Even though it wasn’t fully achieved, the team came close. Grinnell attempted 43 first-half field goals and 31 3-pointers, entering halftime with a 51-46 deficit. The game saw its fair share of ups and downs, with Grinnell tying the game at 71 on a baseline jumper by Te Huki. Though,the Pioneers ultimately faced one of their worst performances of the season,losing 102-85.
One moment from the final stretch stood out. With nine minutes remaining and Grinnell trailing 75-71, junior guard Zach Rosen exited the floor after a shift. With a smile, he yelled to the bench, “I love this. There’s nothing better.” This exclamation encapsulated the team’s passion and Arseneault Jr.’s unique coaching style.
Editor’s Questions
Editor: What motivates you and your team at grinnell to keep pushing despite challenges and losses?
David Arseneault Jr. Reflection: What motivates us is the love for the game and the resilience we develop together. Even in losses, we find joy and passion in every moment, which reflects our unique coaching style and the enthusiasm we bring to the court.
Editor: How do you balance the intensity of your coaching with keeping the team’s spirits high?
David arseneault jr. Reflection: We celebrate every forced turnover on the bench as though it’s a game-tying buzzer-beater. This approach helps instill a love for the game in our players, making even challenging moments enjoyable and purposeful.
Editor: What lessons do you hope players take away from their time at Grinnell?
David Arseneault Jr. Reflection: I hope players learn the value of resilience and teamwork. Despite setbacks,like the game against Ripon,they understand that the individual and collective passion for the game can carry us forward and prepare us for greater challenges,especially during the postseason.
Key Moments and Statistics
| Key Moments | Details |
|---|---|
| Pregame Goal | Attempted 43 first-half field goals and 31 3-pointers |
| Halftime Score | Trailed 51-46 |
| Game-Tying Moment | Te Huki’s baseline jumper tied the game at 71 |
| Final Score | Lost 102-85 |
| Zach Rosen’s Comment | “I love this. There’s nothing better.” |
| Post-Game Reaction | Remained in locker room for over 30 minutes |
| Travel | Five-hour bus ride back to Iowa |
The game against Ripon highlighted the resilience and spirit of the Grinnell Pioneers.Despite the loss, the team’s passion and Arseneault jr.’s leadership remain unwavering. As the Pioneers look ahead to the postseason, their determination and love for the game will undoubtedly serve them well.
For more on Grinnell’s journey under Coach David Arseneault Jr.,visit the Grinnell College Athletics website.
