In typical fashion, he quipped.
That’s a characteristic trait that Glendale Community College men’s basketball Coach Brian Beauchemin hasn’t lost while coaching the sport at various levels for the past 42 years.
Doing the math, he’s coached more than half of his life.
“Wow, that’s something I haven’t thought about,” said the 63-year-old Beauchemin, who has coached at Glendale college since 1979. “I hadn’t really given it any thought.
“Maybe I should find something else to do. Maybe I should get a life.”
Chances are remote that Beauchemin will relinquish a lifestyle and job he’s savored for so long. He hasn’t lost the passion for conducting practices, breaking down video and closely watching his athletes perform in key game situations.
It’s the perfect life for Beauchemin, and he doesn’t want to alter it.
It’s a career that’s led him to the verge of reaching the 500-win plateau at Glendale college.
Entering Wednesday’s Western State Conference road game against Citrus College, Beauchemin has posted 496 victories. He’s led the Vaqueros to 17 winning seasons since inheriting the team from Ed Goorjian, sporting a winning percentage of .557.
“It’s longevity over talent,” said Beauchemin, who previously served as head coach of the Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High boys’ basketball team before spending two years as an assistant with the L.A. Valley College men’s program. “I’ve probably withstood all of the barrages and difficult challenges.
“It shows that I have some patience, and it shows that I’ve probably been stubborn.”
Be that as it may, the victories have piled up for Beauchemin. Reminders of reaching the milestone are scattered on the cover of the college’s men’s basketball media guide, where there are five photos of him.
Beauchemin might be the center of attention on the media guide, but he hasn’t backed away from the responsibility of trying to improve the Vaqueros. The Vaqueros, who are 12-10 and 1-2 in the conference’s Southern Division, haven’t qualified for the playoffs since 2003.
The responsibility to demand and then insist on accountability begins with the head coach. Beauchemin, who has led the Vaqueros to 18 appearances in the Southern California Regionals and two trips to the state playoffs, won’t waver from that.
