Bilinsky is new boys’ basketball coach at Riverside

Jeff Bilinsky has been preparing most of his life for his first head coaching opportunity, and the 29-year-old recently was named the new boys' basketball coach at Riverside.

He replaced veteran Paul Collins, who resigned after the season.

A 1999 graduate of Camden Catholic, Bilinsky went on to play at Arcadia, where he graduated in 2003.

After that, he returned to Camden Catholic as an assistant for six years under Jim Crawford, this season's Inqurier South Jersey coach of the year and one of the best coaches in South Jersey history.

"I'm excited and can't wait to get started," Bilinsky said.

Besides working for Crawford and Collins, Bilinsky played his first season at Arcadia for Chris Mooney, now the head basketball coach at Richmond.

"I learned a lot about the Princeton offense from coach Mooney," he said.

Bilinsky also learned a lot about coaching from his father, Pete, a former head coach at North Catholic.

"I grew up going to practice, running around the bleachers," Bilinsky said. "With my dad coaching in the Catholic League I was exposed to many styles and took something from a lot of people."

Bilinsky has also been an instructor at the St. Joseph University camp for many years and has picked the brains of fellow coaches there.

Now he said he said he is well prepared, although immediate results shouldn't be expected.

Riverside has just one starter, 5-foot-9 senior Brandon Bryant, back from an 8-16 team.

Still, Bilinsky is beginning with open gym workouts and said he can't wait to work with his team.

"Establishing a good solid program is so important," he said. "I have been preparing for this challenge for years."