The last two basketball seasons for Lynn Tech have launched the program into the Commonwealth Athletic Conference spotlight, thanks in large part to player-turned-coach Corey Bingham.
Named head coach of the Tigers in 2021, former 1,000-point scorer Bingham took over a losing program. Tech had just one winning season since 2011.
“If the opportunity ever came, I would coach there,” Bingham said. “By the grace of God, I got an opportunity to interview for the job. It was like going back home.”
His first year at the helm wasn’t easy, with the team enduring 15 losses.
“First year, [it was] hard to teach old dogs new tricks,” he said. “First year was tough, but we had some sophomores that bought in and believed in me.”
Despite the losing season, Bingham wasn’t looking to remake the program. The Tigers followed their disappointing 2022 campaign with a 21-3 record the following season.
With Montachusett Regional paying a visit that winter, Bingham’s squad won its first postseason game. Seniors Jayden Welch (14 points) and Ederick Gonzalez (18), along with sophomore Giovanni Jean (19) led the way.
The aggressive nature of the team was on display the entire game. With its stifling full-court press, Tech escaped a closely-contested battle (71-55).
True to Bingham’s vision, many in the City of Lynn have embraced the program ever since.
The atmosphere at Tech can be attributed to its fans, but also, its DJ. Noube Rateau is the team’s color commentator and a Radio/TV Broadcasting Instructor at the school.
He has been working at Tech for nine years, and seen a change in the way the team plays.
“I think the direct result is because of Corey,” Rateau said. “He won when he went to high school here. He is bringing that winning tradition here. Players follow that energy; players follow that leadership. Winning brings a whole new level of passion and energy. Coach bought in, the players bought in, and the fans bought in as well, so you have those three things working together, and the atmosphere is electric now.”
Building a winning program requires player buy-in, a fanbase willing to be patient, and a coach with a vision. Bingham has been the missing piece on the sideline for Tech, 17-2, which hosts Georgetown at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the MIAA Division 4 Round of 16.
Cameron Pleasant is a student at Endicott College studying journalism.
