The most challenging aspect of coaching is being separated from my family. I have a two-year-old son who just celebrated his second birthday in February. My daughter was also born earlier this month. It’s difficult to be away from home, but my wife has been incredibly supportive. She brought our son to almost every game last year. He even joins me in the locker room during halftime and after the games. He has formed relationships with the players and our program, which is truly special. I feel grateful to be a part of the Aberdeen community and school, and hope that my children will continue to attend games and support the Eagles alongside me.
What words would you use to describe your coaching style and beliefs?
Can you share your coaching experience or background?
Esbrandt recently had a conversation with The Aegis about his new position and his experience with basketball foundations. (Editor’s note: certain inquiries and responses may have been slightly modified for better understanding). The communication process between you and Bill during the passing of the torch was that you given guidance by Bill.
How would you describe the handover process from Bill to you? Did he provide any guidance?
What was the process of transferring the torch from Bill to you like? Did he offer you any guidance? The handover process between you and Bill included guidance from him.
How did this chance arise?
Is there someone in the realm of basketball who served as your coach or mentor and had a significant influence on your personal growth? If so, who was that individual?
I often mention there are two important people in my basketball journey: my father and my coach. My dad, despite his corny personality, played a huge role in developing my love for the sport. He spent countless evenings with me in our driveway, practicing drills and shooting until the sun went down. Even when I didn’t want to stop for dinner, he pushed me to perfect my skills. Although I resented his strictness at times, I now recognize that it molded me into the player and coach I am today. I also admire my father’s calm demeanor on the sidelines, something I strive to emulate in my own coaching. I’ve learned that it’s not easy to stay composed in the heat of the moment, but it’s necessary for my players to follow suit. Yelling and cursing only hinders their performance.
Bill is widely regarded as a player-friendly coach with a great sense of humor. He makes practices enjoyable and is not afraid to hold players accountable when necessary, earning the admiration of everyone who has played for him.
We had several conversations together. When I first started my freshman year, Austin was playing on JV. We entered Aberdeen High School at the same time, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be the one to guide him through his journey. He is an exceptional individual, both on and off the basketball court. When you receive emails from teachers about most students, you anticipate the worst. However, when it comes to Austin, it is always a positive message about his academic achievements. He is a natural leader and possesses all the qualities you could hope for in a student and athlete. I am eagerly looking forward to working with him, and I hope to aid him in reaching his potential and achieving great success in the future.
My initial teaching job was at Edgewood middle school, near Aberdeen. I worked as a JV assistant coach at Edgewood high school for two years, which was my first experience coaching at the high school level with Isaiah Gills. After that, I moved on to Arbutus Middle School in Catonsville, where I served as head coach for their middle school basketball team for two years. Therefore, I had two years as JV assistant at Edgewood and another two years as head coach at Arbutus Middle before joining Aberdeen.
Bill Jones, who was coach for the Aberdeen boys basketball team last season, has resigned from his position as coach for the Eagles. (Photo by Brian Krista/Staff)
The latest boys basketball coach in Aberdeen is familiar with Harford County’s basketball scene.
Although your team will see significant changes with the departure of most of last year’s starting lineup, you will have one essential player, Austin Carter, returning this season. What aspect of coaching Austin for his senior year are you looking forward to the most?
How does Eric spend his time when he’s not playing basketball?
Have we discussed any individuals who have influenced your development? Is there a specific event that has shaped your identity as a coach?
For the past three years, I had served as the JV coach. When Bill became the varsity coach after COVID hit, I also landed a physical education teaching job at Aberdeen. Around the same time, Bill offered me the JV head coaching position, which I happily accepted. Our relationship had always been positive and I was incredibly thankful for the chance to coach under him.
Eric Esbrandt, formerly a teammate of Bill Jones during his freshman year at North Harford, was a player for Terry Maczko’s AAU team at Edgewood. After Jones departed for a position as assistant coach at his former high school, Aberdeen, Esbrandt was promoted from being the JV coach at North Harford to taking over as head coach of the varsity team.
Another person is currently known as Terry Maczko, and currently works at Edgewood High School. During my childhood, I was the same age as his son, Mike, so we often played together. Terry was also my AAU coach during that time. I have vivid memories of the drills he would have us do and how he emphasized the importance of fundamentals. He believed in playing the game the correct way, which I believe is something that our society could benefit from now.
As a coach, I have had numerous accomplishments on the court and winning is always a top priority. I am personally driven by the competitive nature of coaching. However, one of the most significant achievements from last season was the success in the academic realm. Reflecting on last year, I told my players that it was the highlight of my coaching career. We all laughed because it had nothing to do with basketball. Yet, being able to guide a group of students, including those who have struggled in the past and may have been written off by teachers, to push through and achieve a 3.0 GPA without losing anyone along the way was a tremendous feat.
Last year, our final record was 8-12, but we managed to win four out of the last five games. It was a season where everything aligned towards the end – academic success came first, followed by success on the court. This is a testament to their perseverance and dedication throughout the entire journey.
How was your experience playing under Bill Jones during your high school years?
As a teacher, my primary focus is on the classroom, with grades being a top priority. This has been my main focus for the past three years while coaching junior varsity. It will always remain my main focus. I make it clear to my players that their grades are crucial for their success, whether they continue playing basketball or attend college.
I have a similar approach to Bill when it comes to coaching. I pride myself on being a player-focused coach. My main focus is on building strong and lasting relationships with my players, even after they graduate or move on to higher levels. Building a solid bond is important to me so that my players are motivated to play for me and each other with dedication and support.
During the season, my wife often rolls her eyes when the phone rings, assuming it’s one of the coaches. Specifically, she expects a call from Bill as we regularly stay in contact. Even though he has moved on, we continue to stay in touch. He gives me guidance on handling the pressure of being a head coach and assists me in finding a JV coach and assistant coaches. Additionally, the people in the Aberdeen community, particularly in basketball and football, are passionate and have high expectations for their coaches, which is understandable. It’s a daunting task to fill the shoes of someone like Bill, who has had great success in the past three years. Nevertheless, I am eager and ready to take on the challenge.
