As the winter sports season approaches, the new head coach for boys basketball, A.J. Alexander, will lead the Tritons for his first season.

“A.J. brings a special kind of passion and energy that will help us to continue to move our boys basketball program forward,” said Notre Dame Athletic Director Steph Mathu.

While Alexander is the youngest coach in the FRCC conference, the 23-year-old brings his experience as a player and a coach of football, baseball and basketball.

Alexander’s basketball resume includes coaching one of Preble’s freshman teams as well as middle school AAU teams.  In addition, he was a three-year practice player at UWGB for the women’s team under Coach Borseth. As a high school player, he was part of two state championship teams at Randolph High School.

His NDA connection has been coaching baseball.

Alexander hopes to stress the message of brotherhood to his players.

“The most important thing I am looking forward to as a coach is making a positive impact on the program and the high school. This impact is not just by wins and losses but more importantly showing young men that basketball teaches perseverance, teamwork and humility on a daily basis,” he explained.

As coach, Alexander’s biggest emphasis will be defense.

“Basketball-wise our team will be focused on defense and rebounding at the forefront. When we’re on the floor, we will play fast and intense,” the new coach said.

Getting baskets off turnovers “leads to easy buckets on the other end,” he explained.

While playing basketball at a high level is expected from Alexander, it’s not his highest priority.

“My player expectations would include faith, family, academics and basketball in that order,” Alexander explained. His stress on faith and family is a big reason why Notre Dame picked him to be the new coach.

“I would want my players to remember the passion I have for this game and that I am not only a coach for them but want to be someone they can talk to in need throughout life. I want to be the best role model I can be while showing the guys how fun basketball can be and the life lessons you learn along the way,” he said.