The love of the game will never leave Nick Brady.

The former Delone Catholic High School and York College basketball standout always wants to be involved with the sport somehow.

With Jeff Gamber retired after 36 years at the helm of the York College men's basketball program, and the school bringing in new head coach Matt Hunter, Brady is without a coaching job at the moment.

Brady had joined the team's coaching staff as an assistant last year, making his debut in the coaching profession.

Still, Brady might return to his alma mater in some capacity. As a matter of fact, he has three possible basketball coaching gigs on the table. However, he isn't sure yet what he's going to do come next winter, mainly because his current job is too important to him.

Helping others: Working full-time for Justice Works Youthcare in York, Brady serves as a family counselor and resource specialist. He often helps kids who come from difficult family situations.

A criminal justice major and sociology minor at York College, Brady enjoys applying the tools he's learned in the classroom. But the best part, he says, is helping others.

"It's pretty much the whole reason I'm in this job. I really do enjoy helping people, especially kids," he said. "So many kids have situations where they don't have a choice or a say in the matter."

Given what's he's been through the last handful of years, Brady is probably a good fit in helping other kids deal with difficult situations.

Back in 2009, Brady lost his mother, Lori, who died in March of that year to scleroderma. Over the next couple years, Brady went on to finish out a stellar career with the Spartans. His senior year he earned NCAA Division III Third-Team All-American honors after averaging 20.1 points and 6.1 rebounds.

He then had a successful stint playing a season overseas for Breidablik of the Iceland Express League before returning to the states and coaching alongside Gamber.

Coaching: Brady has already noticed how much he's learned from one year of coaching when he's playing games in local recreation leagues.

"I'm doing things subconsciously that I didn't do as a player," he said. "On defense, I'm there to take the charge every time. In college, coach Jeff would rip his hair out getting me to be in the right position on defense."

Still, Brady probably has a long way to go before becoming a head coach. And he might continue that journey next winter.

Brady said he's chatted with Dover boys' basketball coach Brian Schmoyer about possibly coaching the school's freshman team. And Delone Catholic coach Jim Dooley about coming on as assistant at the varsity level. And Hunter about helping York College in a part-time role, likely doing some recruiting work, something Brady particularly enjoyed doing last year.

Yet, Brady can't just walk away or cut back hours from his current job to coach. And who could blame him? Helping kids improve their lives is commendable, even if Brady is just doing his job.

Still, the love of the game will always be a part of him, too.

"I can't really give a timeline. I'll be coaching somewhere," he said. "I can't not have basketball in my life. I'll be coaching somewhere."

- Reach John Walk at 505-5406 or jwalk@yorkdispatch.com or follow on Twitter @YorkSportsGuy.