Drew Long paid his dues.

And now Colorado`s new assistant coach is actually getting paid.

After Jeff Bzdelik was hired, Long -- a 2004 Northwestern graduate who played for Bill Carmody -- decided to leave his job as an assistant at Southwestern University, a Division III school in Georgetown, Texas, and move to Boulder hoping the CU staff would give him a chance.

"Drew just appeared at the door," Bzdelik said. "I spent six years at Northwestern (as an assistant) and he came very highly thought of and recommended by people that I still know at Northwestern."

Long joined the staff two years ago as a volunteer assistant and video coordinator. He modernized CU`s film room, and Bzdelik was impressed enough to promote him to full-time assistant this fall to fill the vacancy created when veteran Big 12 assistant Charles Baker left the program after the 2008-09 season.

Long said his parents helped support him financially during his volunteer days and nights at the Coors Events Center. He also worked part-time at the print shop on the CU campus doing graphic design work, a relationship that has helped the men`s basketball program improve the quality of its printed recruiting materials.

"I was lucky in the fact that my parents were great about it. They knew this was my passion and this is what I wanted to do and they helped me get by that first year," Long said. "I ate a lot of hot dogs and Ramen noodles and things of that nature."

Long's decision to chase his professional dream also changed his personal life dramatically. He married Melissa Schau, who worked as the athletic trainer for CU men's basketball during the 2007-08 season, and the couple had their first child, Alice, in March.

"When I came here I was single and that was a big driving factor in leaving Texas, I wasn't tied down at all. It's kind of funny how things worked out," Long said. "I met my wife here and things have been great and we've been blessed with a seven-month old healthy daughter. Things are heading in the right direction."

After breaking down all of the unsightly film from a pair of 20-loss seasons, Long is convinced - like Bzdelik and the rest of the staff - that the Buffs are ready to make some significant progress on the scoreboard this season.

There is some experience on the roster now with Cory Higgins, Dwight Thorne, Levi Knutson, Casey Crawford and Trent Beckley entering their third seasons in the system. Nate Tomlinson and Austin Dufault started as true freshmen last season and are expected to play at a much higher level now. And newcomers Marcus Relphorde, Alec Burks, Keegan Hornbuckle and Shane Harris-Tunks should impact the program right away.

"We're happy with the guys that we have. I think we have the right guys in the right spots and we've built that depth," Long said. "We're excited to see what the young guys can do. They've brought a different level of athleticism that we haven't seen the last couple years. And in this league that's invaluable because you're playing against great athletes all the time."

Since Long is only 28 he is perhaps able to communicate with today's players on a more personal level than the head coach.

"It has always been a goal of mine to get to an assistant level. I played and got to see that side of it as a player, but it's always interesting to see the other side of it and try to build those relationships with the players," Long said. "I feel like I'm close enough in age that our players can relate to me fairly well."

Long might be getting paid now, but CU is receiving good value with the new assistant's work ethic. He will still handle all of the video coordination in addition to the coaching and recruiting duties that have been added to his plate.

"Drew was an excellent player at Northwestern and he has a great basketball mind," Bzdelik said. "He came out here and volunteered, worked for free for more than a full year, and came to work every day with a great attitude. He has done everything we've asked him to do. He has a great knowledge of the game and great experience as a Big Ten player. He's an excellent teacher on the court. Through his work and knowledge and teaching ability he has gained the respect of the players."

The Buffs open up the season on Nov. 13 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at the Coors Events Center.