An assistant coach might well be forty years in the making.

Sure, the bulk of those four decades would see long-time local teacher Denis Gauthier serving as a head coach in the sport that he loves (aka – basketball) – times at which he likely never envisioned offering words of hardcourt wisdom to young men who were products of the NCAA and such.

That said, the man was born to coach – basketball, more specifically – and that has been evident since he first took steps in that direction, pursuing his university studies at Laurentian all the while returning to his high-school alma mater (E.S. Macdonald-Cartier) and lending a hand to the Panthères hoop family many, many years ago.

The Sudbury Five, however, are a different animal altogether - though in many ways, they are not: same orange basketball sphere in hand, same basic objective, finding a way to launch said sphere into flight such that it flows gracefully through the 18” in diameter netting.

“It’s a new challenge and I’ve learned a lot, which I enjoy, but at the same time, I bring something to the table,” said Gauthier, his 57 or so years spent on this earth giving way to a belief in self that very much allows his affable personality to connect with players and fellow coaches alike (well, with pretty much everyone that he meets, to be honest).

“My experience, even though it’s not at that level, still helps.”

If there was any doubt at all that Gauthier could serve as a valuable resource to Sudbury Five head coach and Washburn University (NCAA Div II) product Logan Stutz, they were laid to rest via the feedback the now retired educator received from the professional talent under his stead very early on.

“The guys have been fantastic with me,” said Gauthier. “It wasn’t hard to adapt. It’s faster, but after a few games, you get it.”

Certainly doesn’t hurt that the father of one (daughter – Vanessa - spouse is Rebecca) displayed an early propensity for the challenge that is the chess match within the game, the moves and counter-moves that occur constantly when pitted against equally creative basketball minds at the other end of the court.

Perhaps his inklings stemmed from his father, a teacher as well, but one whose sporting involvement largely centered on the enjoyment of athletics, baseball in particular, in the role of a fan.

Or perhaps this was the natural evolution for the better than average athlete who emerged as a guard at a time when the high-school scene was quite vibrant, with plenty of rivalry and talent to be found.

Throw in a whole slew of high-level competition on the ball diamonds, be it in slo-pitch or fastball, and one had the makings of an athlete who was likely to find a way to remain involved in sport.

While his love of American intercollegiate environments almost led him to pursue his teaching degree at either Iowa State or Colorado State, remaining local carried the benefit of establishing relationships with Rainbow Board leaders and teachers, beginning his teaching career as a Lancer, supplementing it with three valuable years at Northeastern Secondary before returning for a few decades or more to the home of the Orange and Black.

“Once I got to Lasalle, I learned a ton,” said Gauthier, “They had such great mentors there, guys like Mitch (Lalonde) and Len (Thompson) and Jim (Hann). Mitch would invite me to come out and just watch the practices. Then it wasn’t just watch, but get involved. You learn so much that way.”

Gauthier would jump aboard virtually any chance to learn – safe for summers. Those were his time, the time for family and friends.

Any other time was pretty much fair game.

As a student at L.U., he took advantage of a “student-coach” opening to observe closely the work of Peter Campbell. At Northeastern, he partnered with well respected basketball mind, Jaak Valiots. At Lasalle, there were oodles and oodles of options (though his life-long friendship with Mitch Lalonde soared above the rest).

“You have to continue to grow your knowledge if you want to continue in any sport,” said Gauthier. “I’ve always loved that challenge. And I was fortunate to have guys around that shared that same enthusiasm.”

In Logan Stutz, Gauthier has found elements in their bond, both basketball and otherwise, that take him back to memories shared with Lalonde, where the common love of basketball morphed quickly into a relationship that creates healthy discussion away from the game.

(Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame member Mitch Lalonde sadly passed away far too young in 2018)

“I am really enjoying this,” said Gauthier. “I’ve told him (coach Stutz): my job is to help make you look good. I am no threat. When I am talking to the players, I am very much reflecting his philosophies, his beliefs.”

“I’ve learned that at the end of the day, it’s just a game – so just relax,” summarized Gauthier.

Interesting what forty years of experience can teach a coach.