Roybell Baez is returning to where he started his college coaching career.
Western Nebraska Community College announced Monday the former Cougars assistant has been hired as the new men’s basketball coach on Monday. He takes over for Billy Engel, who stepped down earlier this month.
Baez was an assistant coach from 2016-20 under Cory Fehringer, and helped the Cougars win a Region IX title in 2018.
“Coming back to WNCC means everything to me,” Baez said. “It’s where I started my coaching career, it’s where I met my wife, it’s where my brother played baseball and it where I won my first title as a coach. Being named the head coach is just a bonus honestly. Coming back and being the head coach was always a dream of mine and now it’s actually happening.”
WNCC athletic director Ryan Burgner said he, “is excited to have Baez back in the family and excited for the future of men’s basketball.”.
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Baez has a strong background as both a player and coach.
Baez played basketball at Dakota College at Bottineau and then Dickinson State. After his playing days, Baez hooked up with his Dakota College coach Cory Fehringer as an assistant at WNCC.
After WNCC, he spent a year at Laramie County Community College as an assistant and then the past three seasons at Cowley College. Last year’s team made it to the Sweet 16 of the national tournament with a 28-6 record.
“I’ve learned a lot of from all three of the head coaches I’ve worked for. While all three are very different, they all shared the same vision of winning with good kids and making sure we did things the right way,” Baez said. “I honestly wouldn’t be in this position without Cory Fehringer taking me to WNCC eight years ago and I learned so much from him on and off the floor.
“Coach Saulsberry also taught me a lot in the one year I was at LCCC and I will forever be grateful for him,” he said. “And, last but not least, Coach Donnie Jackson has taught me so many things and these last three seasons at Cowley have been huge for my growth not only as a coach but as a person. Cowley will forever be a special place for my family and I.”
His goals at WNCC are simple. He wants to advance to the national tournament like he has done twice in the past six years.
“My goals coming in to WNCC are very simple, recruit good kids who are good at basketball,” he said. “We are going to be very involved in the community and we’re going to graduate. I have a vision of what a great program looks and acts like and to me it starts with the players. We are going to hold everyone accountable and tell the truth. We’re going to love them and be the there for them as well.
“My philosophy as coach is also going to be simple, we’re going to play fast, share the ball and play the right way,” he said. “On defense, we’re going to pressure the ball and keep people out of the paint. We will also press and play multiple defenses. And the biggest thing I’m going to stress to our guys is being a great teammate. Coach Fehringer always taught us that great teammates have great teammates and that’s going to be the message from day one.”
Baez, a native of Miami, is married to Ellie and have three girls, Brooklyn, Braylee, and Nyah. Baez’ brother, Harold, is a Scottsbluff High graduate and played baseball for two years at WNCC.
