There are no trophies or photos of Charlie Ward’s stellar career in his office. In fact, most of the kids he now coaches didn’t see him play or don’t remember him playing.

After a highly successful college football career and a longer career in the NBA, Charlie Ward starts his second year as an assistant coach at Westbury Christian.

“We have a good group of core kids that have bought into the work ethic and what it takes to be successful,” Ward said of the Wildcats. “We have some pretty good kids. You ask them to do something, they do the best that they can.”

Ward joined the staff as the quarterbacks’ coach in November 2007 after retiring from the NBA and spending one year as an assistant coach with the Rockets. He also is the school’s head boys basketball coach.

Ward starred as a quarterback at Florida State in 1992 and 1993, leading the Seminoles to an 11-1 record and a national title with a win over Nebraska in the 1994 Orange Bowl. He also was the landslide winner for the Heisman Trophy after passing for 27 touchdowns in 1993. At the same time, Ward was the starting point guard for the Florida State basketball team, averaging 10.5 points and 4.9 assists and led the ‘Noles to the NCAA tournament in his senior year.

In 1994, Ward shocked the sports world by choosing pro basketball over pro football when he was taken in the first round of the NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. In 1999, Ward helped the Knicks to reach the NBA Finals, where they lost to San Antonio in five games.

He played 10 seasons with the Knicks before a short stop in San Antonio and one season (2003-04) with the Rockets.

In coming to Houston, Ward reunited with Jeff Van Gundy, the Knicks’ coach for most of Ward’s time in New York. Ward studied Van Gundy’s coaching style and became a pupil under his wing after injuries forced him to end his playing career after the 2004-05 season.

“I got into coaching by default,” Ward said. “I didn’t have any passion for anything else I was doing. I did a basketball camp for 10 years, and I had to deal with kids, and it was like a natural fit.”

Ward is happy to be at Westbury Christian, a school where he can not only teach athletics, but also teach students about Christian morals and how to live their lives through Christ. That is very important to Ward, who has carried his strong Christian beliefs throughout his life and career.

“I want to be the head coach and leader that has an impact on kids’ lives spiritually,” he said. “Because that is what is going to carry us to the type of success that God wants us to be.”

Right now, Ward is helping the Wildcats shoot for a turnaround from an 0-10 season in TAPPS play last year. Their first opportunity for a win comes on Aug. 29 against Kipp Academy.

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