Dec. 5, 2011
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By David Buchman
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF men's basketball coach Donnie Jones and junior guard Bobby Horodyski (Gainesville, Fla.) have a history that dates back to when Jones was Billy Donovan's assistant at Florida. The two are familiar with one another from basketball camps that the Gators basketball program would host. Horodyski's father would help organize the events and as a child, Bobby would always be around.
Now at UCF, Horodyski is looking to be an understudy of Jones and soak in as much basketball knowledge as possible. He isn't chasing a career as a professional basketball player, but he is in pursuit of making a career out of coaching the game.
"As a walk-on, I know my role on the court isn't as impactful as other's roles are," Horodyski said. "But I still contribute when I'm not on the court. I look at it as being an extra pair of eyes on the sidelines that can help talking our guys through plays."
In 2009 Horodyski graduated from Buchholz High School, where he played for his father Bob, and went on to attended Marshall. Horodyski chose to play at Marshall so he could learn valuable coaching skills from a familiar coach in Jones.
"From the time I was born my dad was coaching basketball and I think my love for the game comes from that," Horodyski said. "I'm aiming to be a head coach at the collegiate level someday and right now, that's where I feel I belong as a coach."
When Jones left Marshall, he offered Horodyski the opportunity to walk-on at UCF so he could continue his playing career and education of the game.
"I believe I was born to coach," he said. "I want to be a good one, and this opportunity at UCF is going to help me learn from one of the best coaching staffs in the country."
While the majority of players put in extra work on the court improving their game, Horodyski puts in extra work in the film room, improving his ability to break down film.
"I think I look at film a bit more than the average player," he said. "I take an in-depth look at scouting reports and try to learn the strengths and weaknesses of opponents just as any coach would."