JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers ALL IN A DAY'S WORK—Michael Butcher, left, an incoming freshman at Newbury Park High, receives basketball training from new NPHS boys' varsity coach Jeff Perrault. Perrault replaced Steve Johnson. Jeff Perrault looks like he's been working nonstop since he became the varsity boys' basketball coach at Newbury Park High in the second week of May.

The coach has a Pau Gasol 5 o'clock shadow going.

He didn't have time to eat all day on June 15, his first day running his Coach P's Camp for young basketball players.

He lugged around heavy gym bags fit for a Sherpa to haul up Mount Everest.

In addition to leading his first high school basketball program, Perrault is studying to obtain a master's degree and teaching credential from Azusa Pacific University.

"If my plate's not full I'm not very happy," Perrault said. "I like my time off, but I like working with high school kids, college kids and doing what I love."

The 35-year-old, who received a phone call from legendary UCLA coach John Wooden on Christmas Day in 2004, hasn't wasted any time immersing himself in Newbury Park basketball.

Jeff Perrault Two days after he was officially hired, Perrault met returning players.

Less than a week later, he had a meeting with parents and organized a team carwash to raise money for the program.

He is in the midst of running youth camps and would like to set up a clinic for youth coaches in the area.

Ed Chevalier, who coached Perrault at Thousand Oaks and later brought along the young upstart to lead the junior varsity squad at Oak Park in 2001-02, has been impressed with Perrault's enthusiasm.

"It's very exciting for the Newbury Park community," said Chevalier, who led Thousand Oaks for 18 years and Oak Park for six.

"He sets a high standard as far as demands are concerned," Chevalier said. "He's personally interested in the kids. He cares about the kids."

Perrault was a guard on two Marmonte League championship squads with the Lancers before graduating from TOHS in 1992.

"As a player, he was a very tenacious guy," Chevalier said. "He was a lot of fun to coach. The word 'work' was no stranger to him.

"He was a great kid. As an adult, he's just a fine person. He and I have stayed close, and I'm really proud of him."

Perrault is excited about taking over for longtime Panthers coach Steve Johnson, who stepped aside after 15 years at the helm.

"I'm looking forward to us competing every night," Perrault said. "I can't guarantee a league championship. However, I will guarantee that we will compete for one, and we will compete hard.

"I'm trying to rebuild a program, brick by brick. I'm trying to lay the foundation. Hopefully by the end of the season we can start building a roof."

Perrault said he will stress mental toughness with an emphasis on defense.

"My coaching philosophy is to be fair, to be firm and, most importantly, to have fun," he said.

Perrault, who was born in Germany and has seen 25 countries, attended the University of Montana on a scholarship through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

The Panther coach served in the U.S. Army for eight years, including five in active duty.

After moving back to Thousand Oaks in 2001, Perrault coached Oaks Park's junior varsity boys' basketball team to a TriValley League title in 2001-02.

"That's when I fell in love with coaching," Perrault said. "It reminded me of being with my troops in the military."

He spent four years as an assistant at Ventura College and one year as Moorpark High's freshman boys' coach.

Last season, Perrault did double duty: He coached the TOHS frosh-soph squad—where the Lancers shared a Marmonte League crown—and was an assistant at Oxnard College.

His first coaching gig was in the Conejo Youth Basketball League when he just 16 and a sophomore in high school.

Perrault and his friends led a group of 9yearolds to a championship.

The coach can't wait for the first jump ball of the impending season to take flight.

"It's been nothing but fun," he said. "I'm really excited. It feels good to be in charge of a program of this size and magnitude."