In his first year as a coach, Rob Paternostro led the unfancied DMU Jelson Holmes Leicester Riders through a rollercoaster season that resulted in the club’s highest ever league finish, a trip to the play-off finals and the British Basketball League Coach of the Year award. Not exactly an average start to management, but then Paternostro is far from an average guy…

“If you spoke with my grandparents or parents they’d say that I’m the kind of person who wears his heart on his sleeve and my whole family are like that. I can’t control the way I am, it’s natural. I’m passionate, it’s in my genes, and it’s the way I’ll always be.”

Ask any Riders fan what Paternostro is about and you’re likely to get the same response; animated, intelligent and a winner. Qualities that were in short supply for Riders, who have been through a barren patch in recent seasons. A trend that Paternostro was determined to amend.

“The first objective was for us to be competitive. I made it clear from the start that I didn’t want us to set statistical goals, but I wanted us to produce a quality product for our fans, to entertain them and to make them proud.”

Which is exactly what they did, finishing third in the BBL (British Basketball League), beating Sheffield 72-71 in a pulsating play-off quarter-final thanks to aheart-stopping three-pointer from Bradd Wierzbicki, before losing to eventual play-off runners-up, Everton Tigers.

“This year the fire within the guys was burning strongly. They saw my passion and they matched it. What a group we have here at Leicester, they really are something. They absolutely hate to lose and they get on so well. We’d come in to training and someone would have a hole in their shirt and we’d all be laughing. The next minute they’d all be laughing at me. That relationship helped us to stick together and work for each other.”

Such unity was essential in a season that saw the team lose top-scorer and point-guard, Matt Martin, to a coaching role in America, numerous injuries to key players such as Phil Missere and Wierzbicki, whilst working with a new group of players and a relatively small budget.

“I think that the summer recruitment was the key factor in our success this season. We had a group of intelligent, hard-working players, with the versatility required to deal with whatever was thrown at them. They are talented and they deserve the credit they have been given.”

The modest 36-year-old, who played one season for Riders in 2006/07, is as quick to praise those who have made a difference off-court, as the players that have achieved so much on it, whilst airing a note of caution.

“We must not get carried away. The team had been struggling for quite a while, but the work of people like General Manager, Russell Levenston and Kevin Routledge, who has been at the club for 35 years, have ensured an exciting future. I like what I have seen on and off the floor, but, and this is a big but, we must all be patient as we are attempting to build gradual success at Riders and then sustain it.”

The intensity and dedication of Paternostro to his role at Riders is clear. He believes in the club and is desperate to achieve success as a coach. But this fiery, yet articulate play-caller is no flash in the pan.

“I was at the park all the time as a youngster and I have always been around sport, so I was aware of the many roles within the game. Let me make this clear, playing is as good as it gets, but whilst playing I often thought about coaching and I’m grateful to Leicester for giving me the opportunity. Now I’m determined to make a success of this.”

And he was just two matches away from lifting the BBL play-off trophy for the first time since Billy Mims’ side achieved the play-off and cup double in the 2000-01 season. Since then Riders failed to make it past the play-off quarter-finals and in most seasons failed to reach the play-offs at all. Add to this the threat of liquidation in 2007 and you can see why the love-affair between Paternostro and the fans exists.

“When I was playing for the Birmingham Bullets I was not particularly well liked by the Riders fans, but I did once get a standing ovation when I returned to Leicester to play for the Birmingham Panthers. Riders fans are knowledgeable and passionate. They have had to deal with some pretty lean times here but this season they created the best atmosphere and most impact in the league. They really did bond with the players too. I urge them to keep doing what they are doing and I promise we’ll give them our all and entertain.”

So how does Paternostro aim to reproduce his first year success and attempt to bring some silverware back to the John Sandford Sports Centre?

“I would hesitate to state what the difference was between winning the play-offs and missing out like we did. You could be the greatest coach, or greatest player, but this is a team sport. We have already begun the long process of ensuring that we retain this year’s team and will be striving to go one step further. How we do that will be the challenge.”

Coaching seems to be a natural fit for Rob, almost a role that he was born to do, but after just a year as the boss, is it all that he expected?

“I love being so involved and having the chance to be a big part of the camaraderie, but it’s important to know when to step away from the players. The role is all-consuming and you never stop thinking about your team, the next game, or what might have been.”

Riders fans will be concerned that Paternostro’s debut achievements may have caught the attention of larger clubs, with the budgets to tempt him, and his star charges, away from Leicester. But he seems more than happy in the Midlands.

“There is so much potential in this city. I think back to the Leicester Mercury Sports Awards and how much achievement there is in this city. I want to publicly praise the City manager, Nigel Pearson and the Tigers coach, Richard Cockerill for their success this season, which is great for all Leicester sports fans.”

Who, after this ‘Roy of the Rovers’ season, would bet against Rob joining his football and rugby counterparts next year and ending the decade with a trophy for the Riders?

For up-to-date information on Leicester Riders and to secure a season-ticket to watch Rob and his team in action visit www.leicesterriders.co.uk.