The Omaha World-Herald reports that Creighton head coach Greg McDermott has hired Jeff Vanderloo as the Director of Basketball Operations. He fills the void left by Eric Crawford, who this week returned to his alma mater Northern Iowa to assist Ben Jacobsen and the Panthers.
Vanderloo joins the Bluejays basketball program after nearly two decades as head coach at Sioux City East High School. WBR caught up with Creighton’s newest addition to the men’s hoops program.
White & Blue Review: What are your feelings about this new opportunity?
Jeff Vanderloo: I’m excited! I spent 19 great years in Sioux City and was really part of a great family. I am excited to join another great family here at Creighton.
WBR: What do you think that you bring to the Creighton family in your new role?
JV: When you coach high school basketball, you sort of become a “Jack of all trades.” I hope I can bring that to this position. I feel like I can help bring the family atmosphere here that I experienced in Sioux City and help get this program to the next level.
WBR: Sioux City is known for their basketball talent, boys and girls. How will your connections to the basketball community in that area help Creighton?
JV: All of Iowa is an area of comfort for me. We have had a lot of talent come out of the Sioux City area, and I hope that my connections can help Coach McDermott and the program.
WBR: You have been able to establish yourself in the realm of high school coaches, what made the Creighton job so appealing?
JV: Well, I have been offered positions with college programs in the past, but Creighton is one that I really felt was a good fit for me. It is a top notch program with amazing facilities. I hope that I can help Creighton get to the next level.
WBR: Is there anything else you would like to say to the Creighton fans out there or the fans in Sioux City?
JV: Just that I had some great years in Sioux City and I will never forget them. I also am looking forward to the time in Omaha. I am very excited.
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Click here to read a Sioux City Journal article about Vanderloo’s national coach of the year recognition from 2011.