Set to begin his 11th season as head coach of the Keene State men's basketball team, Rob Colbert has been able to adjust to the various challenges of directing a top Division III program over the years.  Recently directing veteran teams to LEC Championships and NCAA tournaments, Colbert will switch gears this season as he attempts to blend nine new players into his successful system.

Colbert and his staff are preaching patience as they set about the task of molding the Owls into a team that will challenge for the Little East championship. After the graduation of 1,000 point scorers Tyler Kathan and Nate Anderson, the Keene State men's basketball program will look to build on young talent in a very competitive Little East Conference.

In 2008-09, the Owls finished 12-14 overall and 7-7 in LEC play. Kathan led the Owls in scoring and rebounding and was named third team All-America as well as LEC Co-Player of the Year. In the summer Kathan became the fifth Owl to sign a professional contract in Europe since Keene State moved to Division III in 1997. 

Under the direction of Colbert, the Owls have enjoyed unprecedented success.   During his tenure, Keene State has not only made nine post-season appearances, and claimed four conference regular season titles, but  captured a first-ever LEC championship and trip to the NCAA Elite-Eight in 2004 and advanced to the Sweet-16 in 2007. 

Under Colbert's direction, KSC has an impressive 90-36 record in the LEC, produced two All-Americans and three LEC Players of the Year, 18 All-LEC players, and seven 1,000-point scorers. His career record stands at 178-76 (.701 pct.).
           

That Keene State has become a top program under Colbert should come as no surprise. The Warwick, R.I., native coached at every level of college competition, including a two-year stint (1995-97) as an Owls' assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, prior to taking over as Keene State's 11th head coach in 1999. Already working as a high school coach as an undergraduate, Colbert was hired as an assistant coach at Bard College (Annandale, N.Y.) after he graduated from Marist College in 1992. He served for two years as the head men's coach at Dutchess Community College (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), before coming to Keene State in the fall of 1995.
           

During his initial stint on the KSC staff, Colbert had the opportunity to bring to the campus many of the players who helped the Owls make an immediate impact in the Little East. He then returned to his alma mater to further his coaching experience and came back to KSC two years later as the Keene State's head coach.  
           

Coach Colbert directs the KSC Boys Basketball Camp each summer and the High Intensity Basketball Camp with former Keene High coach Phil Hebert. Colbert and his wife, Michelle, and son Andrew reside in Swanzey, N.H.

Kevin Justice begins his seventh season as the associate head coach with the Keene State men's basketball program. Justice, who also serves as the school's admission counselor for multicultural recruitment, will once again be involved in all facets of the program.  His responsibilities will also include post player development, and player relations.
 
Originally from Boise Idaho, Justice came to Keene State from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., where he was a four-year member of the basketball team.

After taking a second sabbatical year away from Keene State, Brian Pickering returns to the Owl men's basketball bench as an assistant coach this season. 
 
Pickering, who coached the Monadnock Regional boy's team during his initial time away from KSC,  spent last year concentrating on his duties as the principal at MRHS.

In his one season coaching the MRHS basketball team, Pickering, from Drewsville, N.H., led the Huskies to a 9-9 record (the most wins in 15 years) and a berth in the Class I playoffs.  He previously coached eight years at Fall Mountain Regional High School, where he also served as athletic director.  He guided the Wildcat boys' team to the State Class M championship in 1994 and the finals in 1993. Pickering also coached the Husky football team for six seasons.
 
Pickering, who played his college ball at rival Plymouth State, joined the Keene State coaching staff in 1996.  He was elevated to associate head coach in the 2001-02 season.
 
Pickering is looking forward to reuniting with Coach Colbert on the KSC bench. Pickering responsibilities will include working on the defensive side of the ball, and scouting, and recruiting.
 
Already familiar with the staff and team personnel, Pickering won't need long to get up to speed.  "Brian and I realized that we fit very well together," Colbert said.  "In addition to being one of the best teachers that I've ever seen, he also brings instant respect and credibility to the program."
 
"Our relationship is a very good one professionally and we also have a great friendship," Pickering said.  "The year a part was probably good for both of us.  And I think we'll be even a better team the third time around."