AFTER EIGHT years, the Norman Black era of the Ateneo Blue Eagles is coming to an end. A memo from university president Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin addressed to the community officially announced that the beloved coach of the four-peat champion team will be coaching his final year in the Ateneo this coming UAAP Season 75.

The memo also stated that Fr. Villarin has formed a search committee to “help discern and decide who the next head coach will be,” and that Black will take a role as a consultant to the Blue Eagles for an additional two years.

Rumor central

Although rumors about Black’s departure were already circulating after the four-peat, the official memo came as a surprise to the Ateneo community, considering that the Blue Eagles are gunning for the historic five-peat title.

Emmanuel Fernandez, the Assistant Director for Operations of the University Athletics Office (UAO), said that the UAO was already aware of these rumors.

“As an office, we do prepare,” said Fernandez. While the rumors were circulating, the administration had apparently just set up a search committee for a new head coach. “Basically, the school is one step ahead.”

As for what the office thought of Black’s decision, he said, “Ideally, we would’ve liked it if Norman stayed, but he wants to go back to the PBA. We can’t do anything about that; it’s what he wants.”

Fernandez refrained from commenting when asked about what ultimately pushed Black to decide to make Season 75 his last year as head coach.

Exclusive interview

The GUIDON was able to have an exclusive interview with Black in the Basketball Office of the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center. After the initial request, he requested that the interview be moved the following day, saying that he wanted time to think about what to share.

“It was a personal decision,” he said. “I consulted my family, and I felt it was the right time for me to go back to the PBA.”

The former Detroit Piston shared that after the 2010 FIBA Asia Championships, it was almost certain that then Talk ‘N Text head coach, Chot Reyes, was going to be promoted as head coach of the national team. “That’s when the job of Talk ‘N Text was actually offered to me.”

Returning to the PBA has always been a goal for Black since he started his career there. In fact, he was supposed to take the reins of the Tropang Texters this year, but, he said, “There was clamor from the Ateneo alumni to at least stick it out for one more year and go for the five-peat. I understood that so I decided to stay.”

Emotional season ahead

Black went on to say that his eight years with Ateneo have been the happiest in his coaching career. “[But] I think, the most important thing is to tackle the task at hand,” he said. “I’m still the coach of Ateneo, I’m not leaving yet.”

When asked for the one word that would describe his years in the Ateneo, Coach Norman said “successful,” being that he was surrounded by a very supportive community, strong basketball program and great coaching staff.

It seems that the most difficult part for Black would be saying goodbye. “It’s going to be very emotional, especially when the season ends,” he confessed. “It already was a bit emotional in telling the players before the news came out.”

“I felt more inspired to make his last year worthwhile,” said veteran Tonino Gonzaga on Black’s planned departure. “After all he’s given us, I think he deserves the best.”

Returning Blue Eagle Ryan Buenafe said, “It was a big surprise, but we’re glad we still have one more year with him.”

With three PCCL titles and four UAAP championships, Coach Norman Black has achieved the legendary in his collegiate coaching career: a 78-18 win-loss record and a .812 winning percentage.

He is the winningest coach in Ateneo basketball.