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--> --> SOU coaching candidate Paula Krueger takes a walk on the McNeal Pavilion floor during her tour of the campus. Ashland Daily Tidings/DENISE BARATTA Krueger's ready to move By Bobby Heiken Ashland Daily Tidings Don't let Paula Krueger's age fool you - she's more than qualified. The 29-year-old NCAA Division II Northern State University assistant coach was in town Thursday as the last of three finalists vying for the vacant Southern Oregon University women's head basketball coach position. Krueger has been at NSU in Aberdeen, S.D. for five years as an assistant and also played four years at the Division II school. In that time she's been thrown to the wolves and has experience in every aspect of the job. "I've done just about everything," Krueger said. "On the floor coaching, recruiting, tape exchange, academic monitoring, fundraising. I've pretty much dabbed in everything a coach has to do." When it comes to what she does best, Krueger said it's a hard decision, but one probably does stand out. "I'd say it's my scouting ability," she said. "A lot of it has to do with being a former player, but also working under Curt Fredrickson (NSU's head coach). When you work with a guy who has never had a losing season, it's hard not to pick something up." Krueger excelled as an athlete at NSU, leading the squad to two national championships, one second place finish and was named the MVP of the NAIA event in 1994. Being successful in NAIA has made the SOU job more attractive. "I've played at this level so I feel comfortable," Krueger said. "I also did some research and I know this is a place where you can be successful. You look at what (Brian) McDermott has done and the fact that the women's team has been to the national tournament, this is a good place to coach at." Coaching is nothing new to Krueger. "I've been coaching since I was 21," she said. "And this is something that I've always wanted to do. My mom was a basketball coach, I had a great high school coach, and coach Fredrickson has been great. My goal is to be a head coach by 30." While she's a year away from 30, Krueger said she's not going to jump into just any coaching position that comes along. "I really like my job at Northern," she said. "I'm not in a hurry to leave. It's a great place to work. I'm full-time, I coach softball and am also the fundraising coordinator, so I'm waiting for the right job to come along." Krueger said that despite the fact she's younger than most coaches, age isn't really a problem. "I learned real quick that there's a fine line," Krueger said. "The players have to know that I'm a coach and an adult figure. After that's established, there are no problems." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing