Welcome Jeremiah, Thank You ED
Jeremiah KabiaHead of Cobras
We're really excited to announce that Jeremiah Kabia is joining Split Second Basketball full-time as our new Head of Cobras. A lot of you already know Jeremiah from the gym, and if you don't yet, you will soon.
This is also a bit of a bittersweet one, because it means Eric D'Andrea is stepping back from running the Cobras day to day. ED is the new head coach of the VIU Mariners men's team over in Nanaimo, and we couldn't be prouder of him. More on ED below...but first, Jeremiah.
Jeremiah Kabia
Jeremiah has been coaching and training young players for more than eight years. He was part of the Douglas College men's basketball program when the Royals won the PACWEST title in 2020, he ran youth camps through UBC's Active Kids program, and he brings a real strength and conditioning background from his Kinesiology studies at UBC.
He started with us coaching in the Academy and moved into coaching Cobra boys teams. Over that time we've watched him become one of those coaches kids just want to be around. So when it came time to find someone to lead the Cobras, he was the obvious choice for us.
What we see in Jeremiah
Warm
Kids feel it right away. He connects with players and makes them feel like they belong.
Cares deeply
He genuinely cares about making an impact on the kids he coaches, on and off the court.
Prepared
He puts a lot of work into his practices before he ever walks into the gym.
A connector
He's great at bringing people together...players, families and coaches.
As Head of Cobras, Jeremiah will be leading the Cobra program, boys and girls, working with our Cobra coaches and families, and he'll still be on the court coaching too. Daniel Shashar and the rest of our staff will be right there supporting him as he settles in.
We'll let Jeremiah do some of the talking:
My goal is to develop the whole player: skill, athleticism, decision-making, confidence, resilience and competitiveness. I want players to understand why we do what we do, learn how to solve problems on the court, and develop into players their teammates and coaches can trust when the game gets difficult.
Jeremiah Kabia, Head of Cobras
Eric D'Andrea
ED has been with Split Second since 2016, and it's hard to put into a few paragraphs how much he's given to this place. He led the Cobra program, helped build our coaching curriculum and program standards, and coached teams from U10 all the way up to U18.
But the thing we're most grateful for is the mentoring. So many young men and women have come through our program, especially the Cobras, and ED has had a huge impact on them. He put in extra time, opened up the gym, and helped a lot of players find their path to post-secondary basketball.
This spring ED was named the 12th head coach in VIU Mariners men's basketball history, at the same school where he won a national championship as a player. We're super excited to watch his growth and his continued evolution as a head coach. We're also really happy for his wife, who has a new job over on the Island, so the timing works out well for their family.
ED is still part of Split Second
ED isn't going anywhere completely. He'll stay connected with Split Second, come to events and games when he can, and keep following along with our players. He just won't be involved in the day-to-day running of the Cobras anymore, or answering as many emails, and Jeremiah is taking that over. We'll keep working with ED, rooting for him, and watching what we know is going to be a really successful coaching career on the Island.
Want to see ED coach? Go support his team
ED's VIU Mariners are coming over to play our local colleges five times this season. It's a great chance to watch some university basketball and cheer on ED.
You'll also see him at some Cobra events, especially over the holidays and at other times of the year when VIU isn't busy chasing down another national championship.
Game times can change, so check the VIU Mariners schedule before you head out.
ED through the years
Please join us in welcoming Jeremiah, and in saying a big thank you to ED. Next time you see either of them in the gym, say hi.
Eric ButlerSplit Second Basketball