It's been nearly two decades but Joe Scott returns to the Air Force Academy with the same goal: To bring a buzz back to the men's basketball program.
"We're going to build a successful program, we're going to re-energize Air Force basketball I should say," Scott said. "That's the goal, to re-energize the program and I feel very strongly about that."
In four years at the helm from 2001 to 2004, Scott etched his name in program history. Winning the Falcons only Mountain West Conference title, securing a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 42 years, finishing in the Top 25 and recording a then school-record 22 wins.
"Our players are going to have a confidence in themselves and each other, they're going to be able to look at each other and say we can do this, we have what it takes to do this," Scott said.
Tabbed as a true X's and O's coach with 30 years of college basketball experience, Scott is no stranger to finding ways to win and likes the returning core to begin building a foundation of success next season.
"Experience says we have some guys coming back that have experience, that have contributed, that's extremely invaluable, we have some nice pieces," Scott said.
A welcome return for a Falcons program hungry to return to their winning ways after seven-consecutive losing seasons.
"One thing I know hasn't changed is what happens when you step between those lines," Scott said. "The competitiveness, the desire, that is the Air Force Academy and the key to winning."
