Q&A: Former UMKC coach Rich Zvosec

Rich Zvosec coached a series of men’s college basketball teams with interesting nicknames. In 1988, at age 27, he was hired to lead the St. Franicis (New York) Terriers. Then he moved to North Florida, home of the Ospreys. Finally, he landed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he coached the Kangaroos for seven seasons, six as the head man.

UMKC hired a new athletic director, Tim Hall, in 2007. One of Hall’s first acts of business was to dump Zvosec after a 12-20 season. In his basketball memoir, Birds, Dogs & Kangaroos, published last year, Zvosec describes how Hall sent an administrator to supervise his farewell to the team. “It was like a divorced parent being accompanied by a social worker when he sees his own children,” he writes.

Zvosec has spent the past two seasons working as a television analyst. He’s also a motivational speaker and has acted in commercials and films.

Is commentating where you think your career is going, or do you see yourself getting back into coaching?
I really enjoy what I’m doing right now. Last year, I did Big Ten games. This year, Big 12. Last year, I was undefeated in the Big Ten. This year, I’m undefeated in the Big 12. It’s much different. I enjoy being around the game. And, quite frankly, I enjoy the fact that when the game ends, my biggest decision is where do I want to go to eat tonight. Albeit I do miss the kids. The relationships with kids is why I got into coaching. That part of it I miss. But, on the other hand, I talk to former players all the time, so I get that as well.