Rich Zvosec (Coach Z), former men's basketball coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), has been hired as director of instruction for the GABL Basketball Academy. Zvosec will oversee staffing and instruction for camps and individual and group instruction programs. Additionally, he will work with the coaches of the Academy's Elite Team Program to ensure a consistent approach for teams in all grades.
 
"As the GABL Youth Sports Foundation continues its efforts to expand the scope and quality of programs - and the leadership to guide them - having Rich Zvosec agree to become the director of instruction for our GABL Academy is a tremendous step forward for our Foundation," said Foundation President Derek Majors.
 
The GABL Basketball Academy is designed to help players of all ages improve their individual skills, attitude and knowledge of the game. The program stresses fundamentals and gives individuals the tools to achieve their full potential.
 
"Coach Z's knowledge of the game of basketball, experience and enthusiasm will enhance the Academy's current programs and help to develop new ones," said GABL Managing Director Brett Hunter.
 
Zvosec ended his tenure at UMKC as the school's all-time winningest coach. In 2005, his team put together a school record 11-game winning streak. Rich was named Mid-Continent Conference (now The Summit League), CBS Sportsline and College Insider Mid-Major Coach of the Year that season. He became one of only 35 active Division I coaches to be named Coach of the Year in two separate conferences at two different schools.
 
Prior to coming to UMKC, Zvosec started the program at the University of  North Florida. In the 4th season of its existence, the team reached the championship game of the Sunshine State Conference tournament.
 
At the age of 27, Rich was the youngest Division I head coach in the country at St. Francis College in New York. He was named the Northeast Conference Coach of the Year in his third season, when the team recorded its most wins in two decades.
 
Zvosec is a published author (Birds, Dogs and Kangeroos-Life on the Back Roads of College Basketball) and highly-respected speaker. He is also an analyst with ESPN and on the Big 12 Network.