ARCATA — From his first rebound wearing the green and gold, to identifying and recruiting the talent that brought HSU a regional title, Steve Kinder has always been a true Lumberjack.
Kinder will now get to illustrate his dedication to Humboldt State basketball at the highest level as head coach of the program the 2010-11 season. Director of Athletics Dan Collen announced Tuesday that the longtime assistant will take the helm from Tom Wood, who last week announced that he will retire following the current season.
“I am truly excited for the opportunity to be the head basketball coach at Humboldt State University. It has always been my dream to lead this program,” Kinder said. “I have had a 20-year internship working for Tom Wood. His mentorship has given me the foundation to take over this program and continue its success.”
The quick decision to name Kinder head coach was made in the best interest of program continuity, Collen said. A formal search will be conducted at a time deemed appropriate, considering recruiting, scheduling and student-athlete retention.
“Steve’s commitment to Humboldt State basketball is irrefutable,” Collen said. “We’re very fortunate to have a man of his talents available to step right in and continue the strong tradition Coach Wood has established.”
For the past 20 years, Kinder has served as Wood’s top assistant. During that tenure, he has had a variety of responsibilities, including evaluation and recruitment of student-athletes, directing the popular Lumberjack Basketball Camp, and sharing practice and game plan duties. His hands-on approach has helped the Jacks achieve eight NCAA postseason appearances in the past nine years, including a West Region championship in 2004.
“I will maintain the foundation of our program’s structure, and work to build upon that with my own ideas,” Kinder said. “I’m fortunate to inherit a great blueprint for a successful basketball program.”
“(Steve’s) been an equal partner in all our successes,” Wood said. “He’s an accomplished recruiter, and he’s also an accomplished coach. I don’t think the program could be in better hands”
Kinder is a former HSU basketball player who was a member of the 1984-85 NCAC championship team. He previously served as a graduate assistant coach for the Lumberjacks (1986-88) and was also an assistant basketball coach at U.S. International University.
Kinder earned his B.S. in physical eduation from HSU in 1985 and completed his M.A. at HSU in 1988. Prior to his hiring as an assistant coach at HSU, Kinder was the head coach at Oceanside High School in San Diego (1989-90).
As an athlete at Humboldt State, Kinder excelled in both basketball and track and field. He was a contributing starter for most of his time on the basketball court and still holds a place on the Lumberjacks' top 10 javelin throwing list in track and field.
During the past decade, Kinder helped recruit Lumberjack stars including Fred Hooks, Austin Nichols, Mark White, Jeremiah Ward, Cy Vandermeer, Grayson Moyer, Devin Peal, Kevin Johnson and current standout Zac Tiedeman.
In addition to coaching, Kinder has worked as an instructor in the kinesiology department and teaches a popular class at HSU on fishing in the Northwest. He has also taught a life skills class for new students for the past six years.
Steve and his wife Melissa have three children — Emily, Madeleine and Claire.