But neither coach is new to the program.
Usher takes over after coaching the Saratoga Springs modified boys the past three seasons, while Chudy is in her second stint as head coach of the varsity team.
After coaching Saratoga Springs girls varsity from 1995-1997, Chudy decided to take a break to be with her young kids. But she always thought she would make a return when the right time presented itself.
“When I originally took over the program I thought I’d be there for quite some time, and then I ended up having a bunch of kids,” said Chudy, who stays in close contact with her players from the 1990s. “I think it takes a lot of time and energy and I’m hoping to give that now.”
Chudy and Usher have already been collaborating ideas, as the two are both set to take over teams that were under .500 last season.
“It’s great to talk to Robin and bounce some ideas off of each other,” Usher said. “We’re both excited to get going and we’ve got some new ideas and we’re hoping the kids are as excited as we are.”
“He’s got a ton of energy to bring into the program as well, which I’m really excited about,” Chudy said. “It’s great to see a program going into this direction.”
While the girls missed out on the postseason with a 7-11 record, the boys lost in the first round of the Section II Class AA tournament to Siena-bound Javion Ogunyemi and eventual section champion Troy, 77-64, finishing the season 8-11.
The boys will be losing their No. 2 and No. 3 scorers in Johnathan Rach and Nicholas Smith, but will have their leading scorer, Noah Arciero, returning as a senior. Arciero averaged 15.7 points per game and sunk 25 shots from beyond the arc in 2012-13.
“I’m excited to work with some of the guys I had at the modified level,” Usher said. “I know there are some talented kids coming up through and more importantly they’re great kids to work with. I know there are some guys, who I didn’t have at the modified level, who are coming back and I’ve been able to watch as well. I’m looking forward to getting in the gym with them and getting started.”
Usher, who graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 2000, said playing under long-time Saratoga Springs head coach Mitch Snyder got him into the idea of coaching. The four-year player at Ithaca, who was also a four-year varsity coach at Granville, said he will be stressing defense and getting out in the open court this off-season.
“It is special for me to come back and coach here in Saratoga where I grew up and for a program that I care deeply about,” Usher said. “Coach Snyder is a guy that had an impact on me and was the reason I wanted to get into coaching.”
Usher will be the sixth coach of the varsity team in the last four years, including Damian Fantauzzi and Greg Goering taking over as interim co-coaches for four games this past season after Jack Brock’s suspension for using inappropriate language.
After Snyder left in 2010–11, the team was led by Frank Mahoney in 2011-12 before Brock took over. It was Brock’s decision not to apply for the job next winter, said Saratoga Springs Athletic Director Peter Sheehan.
“In (Usher)’s previous coaching experience, he has done a great job with our modified level and it’s great that he’s getting the opportunity to step up to the varsity level,” Sheehan said. “It will be great to have him there and hopefully he’s there for a long time. Always, any type of stability will help a program.”
Chudy said she’s not just focusing on the varsity level but hoping to turn things around by bringing cohesiveness between all age groups of basketball in Saratoga Springs.
“I’m looking at the program and thinking we need a boost of energy into the system,” Chudy said. “I feel like we have a lot of really great talent coming up. Some of the younger levels are going to be very good.”
Chudy also coached volleyball and freshman softball for the school, but the all-time leading scorer and Hall of Fame member at Union College said she is back with what she knows and enjoys most.
“My love is basketball,” Chudy said. “All my kids play. I love being around it. It’s a great atmosphere and a great place to be.”
Both Chudy and Usher work in the school district. Chudy is a math teacher at the high school, while Usher currently works at Maple Avenue Middle School as well as Caroline Street and Lake Avenue elementary schools.
