Junior Ithaca College football player Andrew Mendel shines as Newfield boys’ basketball head coach

NEWFIELD, N.Y. (WBNG) -- Andrew Mendel was in the midst of his junior-year football season at Ithaca College when he saw a job opening and decided to apply head coach position of the Newfield High School varsity boys’ basketball team.

“This job came about, I put in my resume,” Mendel said. “I was a little skeptical that I’d ever get an answer back, but I got an answer back. I knew if I got in the door, I would win the job, and I got in the door and I won the job.”

The 20-year-old is the Trojans’ third coach in three years.

His age surprised some players at first, but they quickly came to respect his coaching.

“It was a little strange to me, I didn’t know what he could do because he’s so young,” said senior Malcolm Jenkins. “He’s been the best head coach I’ve had in the three years that I’ve been here.”

“He came in the first day and laid out the blueprint and I had faith in him from day one,” senior Malachi Wright said.

Mendel credits his parents and past coaches for laying the groundwork for his success.

That support was on display at Newfield’s home opener, when about 70 Ithaca football players showed up to cheer on the Trojans.

“That just shows our culture over at Ithaca and it was super exciting,” Mendel said. “I could’ve run through a wall and they would run through a wall for me.”

One of Mendel’s defining traits is his energy. Players say the intensity in practice has increased noticeably.

“He always brings that energy and it’s just different from other years,” Jenkins said. “Some days we would lack energy and there wouldn’t be as much intensity. But when you go into the gym now you have so much intensity and so much energy.”

Mendel’s daily routine is long and disciplined.

“My day is going to start at 5:00 every day,” he said. “It’s going to have a 6:00 electric lift, go home, shower, dominate the classroom, be pleasant and present, get out at around 1:00 and then probably sleep a little bit, get my mind right and come here for anytime from 3:30 to 8 when we have practices and games.”

Beyond energy and hours, Mendel prioritizes building personal relationships with his players.

“We all have a personal connection; we can all talk to him about whatever. I’m super comfortable with coach and I know all the other guys are too,” Wright said.

One player Mendel has built a close bond with is Malcolm Jenkins, a senior who has committed to Ithaca College next year.

“I can’t really hang out with him outside of basketball practice because he’s my coach right now, but when I go to Ithaca College, it will be good to just connect with him and already have a relationship with him,” Jenkins said.

The Trojans have felt the impact of their new coach. Newfield has opened the season 4-2.