Posted by: Josh Kendall on January 16, 2013

The introductory news conference is happy day for every coach, but it was especially so for Latrell Scott.

Scott was introduced Monday as the new head coach at Division II Virginia State. It was the type of opportunity he cost himself two years ago and one he thought might never come again. Scott was named the head coach the University of Richmond in 2010 but resigned after receiving a DUI before the 2011 season. He spent last season at James Madison University.

"It's kind of an emotional situation because I know I am very lucky to be standing here before you," Scott said. "I've got a great group of family and a great group of friends who have supported me through this thing. Without them, I wouldn't be standing here. When I think about other groups that have helped me get through this thing, it's two teams. One is the team I left at the University of Richmond. The other is the team that embraced me at James Madison University. Those are two great groups of kids. Believe me, if you don't think you can learn anything from young people, you're dead wrong because those two groups of kids showed me it was OK to make a mistake and to bounce back and those kids forgave me on both ends. That helped me in my process to move on."

After his resignation, Scott took a few days to figure out his future. During that time he got an email from his former high school basketball coach recounting the tale of Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington, whose career almost was derailed after he tested positive for and later admitted cocaine use. That story convinced Scott to stick with coaching, he said.

He told his new players at Virginia State that their new motto was "Right Now," and he exemplified that by helping the team re-organize the weight room shortly after their first team meeting.

"I met these guys at two o'clock and by six o'clock we had a brand new structure in our weight room," he said.

Scott indicated Monday he already is well on his way to filling his coaching staff, although he didn't offer any names.

"When you put yourself in a situation like this, you have to manage it," he said. "I am in the process of assembling what I think is probably one of the better staffs that I have ever been around. There will be guys with Division I experience, there will be a bunch of guys with ties to the state, there will be a bunch of guys from all walks of life. We are going to have a great group of guys."

---------------

Josh Kendall is a staff writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered the SEC for more than 15 years for papers such as the Athens Banner-Herald, Macon Telegraph, and The State. He’s the father of two boys who he’s hoping don’t inherit his wide receiver frame and offensive guard feet. Follow @EyeOnCoaches on twitter and send your feedback to josh@coachingsearch.com