HAUT

Credit: Beth Rankin

Former Kent State shooting guard Eric Haut has returned to the university as director of basketball operations. Haut, who is also a graduate assistant, began his new position June 1.

Haut graduated from Kent State last spring with a degree in business finance. He returns from Western Kentucky University where he was a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball team. Currently, he is working on his master’s degree in sports management at Kent State.

“I played here, so I knew a lot of the guys,” Haut said. “Also I’m pretty close to coach (Jim) Christian. Even when I went to Western Kentucky last year, I told him I would work for him some day.”

Christian said Haut was a key part of the teams he coached.

“It was nice to have the opportunity to give him a chance like this,” Christian said. “I’m excited to have him on our staff. I know he’s going to be a great asset, not only to the staff, but also to the guys on the team.”

Although Haut learned a lot playing for Kent State, he realizes a big difference between coaching and playing.

“You learn that your job isn’t over after practice,” he said. “You come in early in the morning, have a three-hour practice, then you have to look at film. The time commitment is much different.”

Basketball is not the only reason Haut made his return to Kent.

“I also came back because my fiancé, Jenny Eckel, lives here,” he said.

Eckel was a gymnast for the university. The two athletes plan to get married next August.

Regarding the team, Haut believes the sky is the limit, and he is ready and willing to help the team reach its full potential.

Haut is also looking forward to the experience he will gain from his new position.

“I just want to learn,” Haut said. “There is so much about coaching that I don’t know yet. I just want to pick up as much information as I can from coach Christian and all the other coaches here.”

Contact general assignment reporter Deanna Stevens at [email protected].