MEN'S BASKETBALL

In 2008, Oliver "Doc" Eslinger came to Caltech after an exhaustive national search with more than 120 applicants. Eslinger spent the six seasons prior to his appointment in Pasadena at MIT, where he served as associate head coach and the program's top assistant.

"Oliver is an ideal fit for Caltech as his MIT background really allows him to hit the ground running here," commented Caltech director of athletics Wendell Jack.

Doc's vision for the Caltech men's program is clear: create a competitive team with the world's most brilliant student-athletes. With a commitment to conditioning and defense, a focus on fundamentals, and an exciting offensive system, the Beavers will look to establish a record of success on the court, just as they have done in the classroom. In only a short time, the program has invigorated the community with an intense and motivating atmosphere, an unprecedented alumni event, and a glamorous senior night. Faculty and administrators have served as honorary coaches and individual players have reached outstanding milestones (1,000 points and the prestigious Ducey Award).

In just two seasons at the helm of the Caltech program, Eslinger's squads have made significant progress. In his initial season, with six graduating seniors and no incoming recruits, the Beavers competed valiantly and made strides as they recorded a victory, witnessed another 1,000 point scorer (Travis Haussler), and were the host school for the SCIAC Ducey Award winner (Matt Dellatorre).

Eslinger's inaugural recruiting class was the first of its kind as several players came to Caltech with quality high school basketball experiences. Mike Edwards was heavily recruited and did not disappoint as he set a Caltech record for 3-pointers made in a season, and became one of the top scorers (18.8 ppg) and thieves (1.8 spg) in the SCIAC. Point guard Collin Murphy set the stage for his career as he calibrated the offense for Tech and finished among the league leaders in assists (2.0 apg), steals (1.4 spg), and rebounds (4.1 rpg).

With virtually no key players returning from his first year ledger, the 2009-10 unit was the youngest team in the nation; 11 freshman and just two juniors competed for minutes.

Doc's second campaign saw eight frosh start at least two games, and all first-year players received meaningful minutes. The typical starting rotation included four freshmen and one junior, Ryan Elmquist, who led the conference in blocked shots. Caltech, for much of the season, led the SCIAC in opponent 3-point field goal percentage defense and set historical program marks for team field goal attempts and blocked shots. Furthermore, a number of players were named to the NABC Honors Court and SCIAC All-Academic Team.

Eslinger was responsible for all phases of the MIT program, including practice and game preparation, on-the-floor coaching, scouting, recruiting, scheduling, video editing and exchange, travel management, budget facilitation, alumni relations and facility coordination. The Engineers compiled an 87-73 record during Eslinger's run in Cambridge, which began in 2002. Records were set for the only post-season appearances and two tip-off tournament championships in team lore. In 2006, the program achieved the most wins in its 105-year history (21-9).

Nearly every season with Eslinger on staff, MIT ranked nationally in the top 10 in field goal percentage defense, scoring defense, rebounding margin or free throw percentage. Doc coached the 2006 team when it traveled to Taiwan and won the Kainan Invitational International Tournament Championship. He was instrumental in developing MIT's two most decorated basketball players who were named d3hoops.com all-Americans, ESPN the Magazine academic all-Americans, and NEWMAC Players of the Year. Eslinger recruited and coached the lone Jostens Trophy winner from the Institute who was later named d3 Player of the Year, the only two NEWMAC Rookies of the Year, and 14 NEWMAC all-academic team members. He received an MIT Gold Award in 2006, and later was named head coach for the 2008 NEBCA all-star game.

Eslinger made the trek to Cambridge after previously serving as head coach at Boston University Academy and as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar, NY. He stays actively involved in camps and clinics at all levels, making significant contributions to Bentley, Harvard, Boston University, Boston College, Rising Star, Crossover Sports in Shanghai, China, and most recently, the Matt Lottich Life Skills Basketball Camp in San Carlos, CA. In addition to his coaching positions, Doc has worked with various athletes and teams as a sport and performance consultant, and he is a founding faculty member of the Community Charter School of Cambridge (MA) where he served as Director of Athletics from 2005-08.

Eslinger is a 1997 graduate of Clark University in Worcester, MA, where he was a starting guard and majored in psychology. He earned his doctorate in counseling and sport psychology from Boston University in 2002.

To learn more about Eslinger, check out his web site, Doc's Head Games.