“We talked a little back then about the pros and cons of coaching at the high school and college levels,” said Jilizian, who first served as an assistant coach at Glendale college during the 2002-03 campaign. “I always felt that Glendale college was a special place for me, and we sat and talked and I felt it was the right time to come back.
“When I came here as a player, he was real honest. He told me what my strengths and weaknesses were and he told me the things that I would need to get done to be successful. He was right and we did well because he understands each player’s role.”
Former Glendale college forward Durwin Williams became a star forward for the Vaqueros from 2003-05. He capped his Vaqueros career by averaging 20.4 points per game to become the seventh Glendale college player to be named to the All-State team by the California Community College Men’s Basketball Assn.
Williams, who forged a trustworthy relationship with Beauchemin, said he learned plenty before transferring to Cal State Dominguez Hills.
“He impacted me a lot on the court,” said Williams, who twice earned all-conference accolades. “He was a role model and a father figure for me because I believe the working relationship we had helped me.
“I believed in him and he always had confidence in me.”
The current cast of players have seen Beauchemin’s passion for coaching extend through the years.
Hoover High graduate Zareh Zargaryan, a reigning All-Area and All-Pacific League first-team member, said Beauchemin watched him play throughout his days at Hoover.
“He saw what I could and couldn’t do,” said the 6-foot-6 Zargaryan, who led the Tornadoes to the postseason last year. “I felt comfortable coming here and playing for him.
“He’s been in the business for a long time. In practices, he pushes us to the fullest. He taught us that we’ve got to be mentally tough, and he got that point across during the first part of the season.
Beauchemin said he hasn’t set a timetable for when to hand over the coaching responsibilities. It will happen one day.
Players come and go, something Beauchemin hasn’t forgotten through the years.
“I find myself having been able to see the whole string of sequences at the different levels,” Beauchemin said. “It’s afforded me to see all of the other angles and put it into perspective.
“I never think about [500 victories], but people always seem to remind me now. You get older and life moves quicker.”
Yet, another quip that’s not lost in the translation.
