Merritt College basketball in the so-called off-season

As a two-times-in-three-years participant in the California Community College Final Four, Merritt College has earned the status of one of the elite programs in the Golden State.

But no resting-on-laurels is taking place. Next season began when the last buzzer sounded.

Such as:

On the way back from Cerritos College, Coach Keenan McMiller had the bus carrying his team make a specific stop -- at Las Positas College. Specifically, the school gymnasium known as The Nest. The significance? Having his underclassmen see where the next state Final Four would be taking place. Concrete symbolism, no pun intended.

"I asked the bus driver on interstate 5 on our way back to Merritt to stop at Las Positas College to show all of the freshman where we will be playing to win the 2015-2016 Mens Basketball state championship. I told them it is important for them to remember, learn and be humbled by everything they accomplished this season. More importantly, preparation starts now to win the state championship, It was brief moment but it was necessary to seize the moment for our goals in the 2015-2016 season."

Then there was this past weekend. McMiller was at the CIF state championship games on Friday and Saturday. Sunday was a Team Select tourney with Merritt College as the venue. Call it talent evaluation not being a nine-to-five, Monday - Friday duty. For him, if doing the job requires weekend work in the so-called off season, then so be it.

Here Is McMiller riffing on various basketball topics:

"I strongly believe the head coach should be the one out evaluating. There are so many guys who don't appear on anybody's list but who can play. They're under the radar but you'll see them if you get out there. Take D.J. [Kennedy] or Jovontae [Carleton]. They were on nobody's lists of top prospects." For the record Kennedy averaged 11.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 52%, 46% and 75% and Carleton provided 13.3 points and 4.0 rebounds, shooting 51%, 38% and 77%. At 6-foot-4, Both were Thunderbird freshman this past season.

When he is out looking at talent, it's not completely about who can be brought in for next season. "I'm also looking two years away." With the built-in turnover at two-year colleges plus the unexpected departures, McMiller feels it's critical not to be left without say a point who can successfully manage the offense or enough inside size.

His best line regarding landing talent is "recruiting is never etched in stone," meaning this promise to come aboard or that expressed desire to sign on can waver and disappear day-to-day.

A little know element of the job for community college coaches but an essential one is when calls come in from four-year coaches or their assistants. But it's not always necessarily the subject fans imagine it to be. "Sometimes, they want opinions on JC players at other schools that we've faced or seen. Other times, it's if I know of any good-sized wings I could recommend." Such endorsements, if they pan out, just might build a bridge to a down-the-road elevation of coaching at the highest level.

As for his relationships with the players on his roster, McMiller professes strong opinions. "I spend more time talking about non-basketball subjects with my players. You need to constantly monitor the relationships. How do they think? What are they thinking about? It's a part of teaching. Each kid should feel your vision.. Maybe the most interesting: "you've got to be in coaching for more than winning games."

One other important McMiller note is this distinction. "Steve Fisher had a blueprint for being successful at Michigan but a different blueprint for San Diego State" as budgets, talent pools, the desires of school president and athletic directors and more can be different and therefore adaptability is required.

Seizing the day, building connections and thinking ahead -- the McMiller way.