Kim Lewis last July became the University of Richmond's director of basketball operations, often an entry-level position for those who aspire to be coaches. It's unusual employment for a 39-year-old who has 11 years of assistant coaching experience at the Division I level.
Lewis' UR post, however, is by no means the oddest hoops job he has occupied. In his mid-20s, Lewis was the player/coach of the Stykkisholmur professional team in Iceland. The former Tulane standout was enthused about his first opportunity to compete as a pro. When the team sent word that it wanted him to play and coach, Lewis responded, "You're joking, right?"
For the first half of a season, Lewis played and directed the team without an assistant.
"I was concentrating more on coaching than playing. I found myself on the court talking to guys and pointing, and not really playing to the best of my ability," said Lewis, a 1994 Tulane graduate who ranks 11th on the school's career-scoring list.
Lewis convinced team owners that he needed some help, and they enlisted an assistant coach. "As the season went on, he took over more of the head-coaching responsibilities, and I got better as a player," said Lewis, a native of Angie, La. "It was a great experience. Beautiful country. It helped to shape me to what I am."
He seems overqualified for his role with the Spiders after assistant coaching jobs at Tulane, Duquesne, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Northeastern, Xavier University in New Orleans and Centenary. As the director of basketball operations, a position he shares with former UR player Peter Thomas, Lewis can attend practices and offseason workouts, but cannot offer instruction. He can recruit once prospects are on campus, but is prohibited from recruiting off campus.
Lewis played at Tulane for four years with Carlin Hartman, a former assistant for Chris Mooney at Richmond.
"He gave rave reviews of coach Mooney," Lewis said of Hartman, now on the Columbia staff. "Coach Mooney knows what he's doing, and he does things the right way. He has a unique way of doing things, and it works. I wanted to be a part of that."
Lewis helps with scheduling, practice plans, game-day operations and some travel arrangements. Since his days as a Princeton forward, Mooney has been aware of Lewis, because during their college careers, Princeton played Tulane. They remained in touch over the years through Hartman.
"Carlin really liked Richmond and our program, and he recommended Kim to us, and us to Kim," Mooney said. "(Lewis) really brings great perspective because he made himself into such a good player, a successful player. He's a great role model for our guys. He has administrative duties that he's great at, but he brings much, much more than that."
Lewis intends to again work as an assistant coach, and hopes eventually to be a head coach.
"With coach Mooney, I feel very comfortable, and I like the University of Richmond and the city," he said. "I'd be very comfortable being here multiple years."
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