Life got in the way of Joey Negron’s hoops dream; now he’s ready to play it out
2024 Berks basketball coverage presented by
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You could write a book about Joey Negron’s life.
In fact, he already has, retelling the struggles of his early years growing up in Reading, the tragic loss of his first child, medical issues endured by his daughter, the disappointment of constantly having to put basketball – one of his early loves – on the back burner.
Negron’s book, “One Zero Nine,” is a motivational tale about survival, endurance, and perseverance. What coach doesn’t know that story?
The latest chapter is a happy one: Negron, at age 48, was officially hired Wednesday by the Conrad Weiser school board to coach the Scouts boys basketball team.
“It’s unorthodox how I came about being where I’m at,” said Negron, “being a first-year high school coach (this late in life), but I’m here. Everybody’s career path is different.”
Negron’s basketball path took him from Reading, where he grew up wanting to play for the Red Knight . . . to New Jersey, where he played high school ball and tried to walk on at St. Peter’s University, only see that dream cut short when his 20-month-old son died accidentally.
He fed his basketball appetite by working camps for legendary New Jersey high school coach Bob Hurley, and later with former Williamsport coach Pete White. He coached girls basketball for a few seasons at Oley Valley. More recently, he has been an assistant at Weiser.
Negron had his eyes on the Weiser head coaching job three years ago but the school went with Rich Miller.
When the job opened again last year Negron went after it. Once again he was passed over.
When Mike Dooley resigned following his first season Negron was determined to give it one more shot.
“For me, this was literally either three strikes and I’m out,” Negron said, “or the third time was going to be the charm.”
Negron was disappointed after strikes one and two but his decision to accept an offer as an assistant coach, first from Brown, then from Dooley, put him position to fulfill his lifelong ambition.
“Even though it stung me that I didn’t get the job (last year), I had a great deal of respect for Mike,” Negron said. “I put my ego aside and accepted the position.”
That is one of many life lessons Negron will share with his players. He’s got a book full of them. He has spent his life learning and growing and then sharing his experiences with young people from similar backgrounds, kids who need a helping hand or a hug – or both.
Those skills will help Negron build a team, which is exactly what the Scouts need. They’ve had some talented players in recent seasons but haven’t been able to come together to challenge the top teams in the Berks Conference.
“They’ve gotta learn how to win,” Negron said. “It’s the mental aspect of the game that they (need to work on). I’m going to use my 20 years of being a behavior specialist and 10 to 15 years of being a professional motivator to really tap into it and really break through.”
Negron takes over a team that has all five starters returning, including all-division pick Donovan Gingrich, who averaged 15.1 points per game and was second in the league with 59 3-pointers, and Brady McKee, a top guard who hit 30 3’s. They also hope to have back their two bigs, Josh Plummer and Evan Miller, each of whom were limited, or unable to play, due to injuries.
Those setbacks, plus a rigorous schedule that included Berks II leaders Berks Catholic and Exeter and crossovers against Berks I powers Reading High, Wilson and Muhlenberg contributed to an 8-14 finish.
“There’s a lot of talent there,” said Negron. “We have an opportunity to do some positive things. That senior class is seven strong players. There’s a good mixture of players (from different classes). That sophomore class has some players with energy, grit.”
Negron has been developing players for the program for years. He coached his son Xavier, who is a sophomore in the program, and his classmates at the youth level.
Four years ago he founded the C.L.U.T.C.H. Elite AAU program to help develop young players in the Weiser district. (The program has grown to 21 teams, with players from Muhlenberg, Fleetwood, Exeter, Gov. Mifflin, and other local districts participating).
Negron wanted to be a basketball coach years ago but life got in the way. Now he’s finally able check off that box.
“This is where I’m at now,” he said. “I’m at a pretty good place in my life, and I have a lot of time to dedicate and put a lot of energy into being a head coach and more importantly trying to be a positive role model and mentor for these young men.”
