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For as long as he can remember, Eric Musselman has lived and breathed the game of basketball.

As a kid he followed his dad – the late and great Bill Musselman – to practice after school and hit the road for away games during weekends. Before long, Eric hit the hardwood at the University of San Diego and eventually coached in the Continental Basketball Association and United State Basketball League where he rose to prominence.

Then came the NBA.

It was over before it got started.

"I want to coach again without a question. I'm looking forward to getting the right opportunity at the right time and getting back in this thing," Musselman told HOOPSWORLD.

"Coaching has been my whole life really."

Musselman's story is well known. At 23-years-old, he became the youngest coach in the CBA where he seized success. In nine minor league seasons, he posted a combined 319-125 record and prepared over two dozen players for the NBA between his time coaching the Rapid City Thrillers (CBA), Florida Sharks (USBL), and West Palm Beachdogs (CBA).

After a few years as an assistant coach in the NBA with three different teams, Musselman made his mark with the Golden State Warriors in 2002. He nearly won Coach of the Year honors by leading Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Jason Richardson to a 38-44 record, the Warriors most wins since 1992. After two seasons at Golden State, the Sacramento Kings hired Musselman in 2006. It wasn't meant to be. Musselman was dismissed after the Kings finished 33-49. Unfortunately, an off-court incident has become synonymous with Musselman's tenure in Sacramento even more than the wins and losses. Four months into his job with the Kings he was cited with driving under the influence.

Days later and with his team and the organization standing directly behind him, Musselman issued a written public apology.

Everyone moved on. Each day, Musselman keeps moving on.

"It's been an adventure. But it's also been a great learning experience. I learned there is a lot more to life than the team you are coaching," Musselman explained.

"What I think happens with us coaches is we are so consumed with our team and whatever league we are coaching in, that we almost think the whole world revolves around that. What you find out is there are other people in the world. It's a passing interest for them. It's not an obsession for them. It's not a way of life for coaches that are in it day to day. Sometimes those of us that are in it get caught up in it thinking it's the only thing in the world.

"It's not even close to that."

Now two years after he left the NBA, the 44-year-old Musselman remains close to basketball by soaking it in and giving back to the game.

There's been scouting trips to the University of Kansas, Southern Mississippi and Western Illinois and visits to the Los Angeles Lakers back during training camp. He's also spoken to several college teams about preparing for the next level and what it takes to be a pro. Musselman plans to attend more NBA games this season and admittedly watches "two to three games a night."

"Even when I go out to eat at a restaurant, it has to have a game on or have the ability to get a game or else I don't even bother going during the basketball season."

And then there is his blog - which derived out of motivational coaching emails – that currently features "notes, observations, and commentary on basketball and coaching" and has become a daily focus for Musselman, as well as a must read for everyone from hoops heads to corporate executives.

"I put a ton of time into it. I'm learning everyday."

But instead of scouting, watching or writing about basketball, Musselman was made to coach. It's what he does best. And it's only a matter of time before he is back roaming the sidelines once again and drawing up "X's and O's". Is that back in the league? Or will the college game come calling first?

For Musselman, it simply depends on what he calls the "perfect fit."

"I think the perfect fit for me is the perfect fit for whoever is hiring me. What I mean by that is, I think it is important that people that you work for – the vision and the plan going forward – that everyone is on the same page and that the expectations are the same."

While Musselman is anxious to get back to work, he holds close to him the memories of his dad Bill - a defensive mastermind who coached wherever there was a hoop and ball – passed away in 2000 while serving as an assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers.

"If somebody loved the game, my dad would spend time and invest time with that guy. To me, that might be the neatest thing of all," said Musselman fondly.

Now Eric lives to teach the game that's taught him so much.