A smile and a hug: coach Dave Rose players at his best while Nick Emery needed him the most

PROVO – The BYU Marriott Center video card posted the best Dave Rose era tuesday: 348 career wins, # 2 in BYU history; eight appearances at the NCAA tournament; a winning percentage of .720, best in the history of the school; and 13 consecutive seasons of 20 wins.

What these numbers do not tell you – the day Rose announced retirement after 14 years as head coach of the Cougars – it's the impact he's had on people's lives, a less quantifiable factor but no less important.

"Coach Rose is one of the best men you'll meet," said Nick Emery, who was part of BYU's last Rose team.

The story of Emery highlights the character of the man he has called coach for four years. The junior guard was at the center of an NCAA investigation that concluded that Emery had accepted more than $ 12,000 in additional benefits from four boosters.

Part of the sentence imposed by the NCAA – which was appealed by BYU – included a 47-win vacation while Emery was playing as a freshman and sophomore. It also included a two-year probationary period from November 9, 2018 to November 9, 2020, a reduction in a male scholarship paid during the first academic year and three sanctions imposed by the university: restrictions on recruitment described in detail in the NCAA report, dissociation of one of the boosters and $ 5,000 fine.

Emery participated in the 2017-2018 season at the start of the survey and was reinstated in the BYU program by the NCAA next summer. It states that he will not participate in the first nine games of the 2018-2019 season.

According to Emery, the coach taught him two things: live life and treat everyone properly. This was especially true as Emery rose to the challenge of returning to BYU.

"Even though all my situation, he saved me. To be back here at BYU, I owe it to Coach Rose and it's a bittersweet feeling today, said Emery. "I am happy for him and his legacy here, but I am excited for him in the future and I know we will continue to have a lasting friendship."

Befriending others was also in the spirit of Rose when he announced his retirement.

"What I will always remember are the players – the relationships I had with the guys, with the coaches," he said.

The influence of the coach has extended well beyond Provo.

"Everywhere I go, I know one thing: Dave's college basketball peers think of his world. They like it, "said BYU Sports Director Tom Holmoe.

Back home, Emery, who grew up in Utah County, was at the forefront of observing Rose's care in interacting with others.

"The coach is always looking for others and the next person he can serve. It was a great blessing to play for him and see how he interacts with people. Basketball is on the program, but on the field, it's fun, Emery says.

Rose's treatment of Emery despite the difficulties identified by the program's investigation left an indelible impression. The first memory that caught Emery's mind when asked what was the favorite moment to play for Rose was the Cougars' match against his American rival Utah State over the past year. . It is to this game that Emery joined the team after his suspension.

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"He trusted me, trusted me, believed in me throughout the process and I just remember him kissing me at the end of the game and said: & # 39; 39 I told you so. "I told him we would," said Emery.

"I was a little emotional at the time, but this is his second chance, giving players the opportunity to excel in all areas, because everyone has challenges to overcome. He understands that. For him to take me in the arms at the end of the game and say we did it, now continue to build it, it meant the world to me and showed what kind of person he was. "