It’s more about being an educator/teacher/leader than it is about being a coach
Everything about us is done inside out
If there’s a problem we need to solve we can use the resources on our campus
What resources on campus can help you become a better teacher?
A better public speaker, etc.
Maximize the resources that are on your campus
People will share their time – they are willing to help
This will strengthen bonds on campus
You can ‘t be a great coach without being a great teacher
“Basketball is overcoached and under taught” ~ Pete Newell
Can you connect to players and deliver information in a manner that makes it stick?
“The best preparation for tomorrow is to do good work today.” ~ Tommy Amaker
The Breakfast club and other positive culture characteristics at Harvard didn’t occur because they won games, they won games because of the relationships and the culture characteristics they worked to build
Don’t just talk – show players the way you feel through action
Elderly Seton Hall worker: “I can never judge by looking at you whether you won or lost”.
Maximize who we are, not who we are not
Coach K on recruiting: “we want guys who know their game & know the game”
Not having AD during his hiring at Seton Hall helped his relationship with school president. Talking about the landscaping at the school’s entrance made his AD think positively about him because he was concerned about the school not just the athletic department. He was part of the community
When scheduling: make trips to local sites. Be a part of your kids development away from basketball.
Visited Ebenezer Baptist Church in ATL
Don’t let it take away from basketball but if there’s time available take advantage of it
Your resources on campus can help you set these up
Know your philosophies an all aspects of running your program before you have your program
How to manage practice schedule, build staff, how you want to play, etc.
Things to keep in mind: what was it like for you as a player
Recruiting: Would I want to be a teammate with this kid?
“Think like a Head Coach, act like an assistant”
What really matters is what happens after you know it all
Staff Identity: what do we expect?
Loyalty – be committed to this group
Outwork competition – understand who your competition is – Not Duke, or Kentucky – use your resources to win
Have great follow-up & follow-through. This matters!
Attention to detail
Have fun! “We work too hard at this not to have fun at it.”
Staff roles: embrace them, not just accept
Embracing means running to it
You can accept reluctantly – that doesn’t do anyone any good.
Does your HC have a clearly defined role for you?
“I don’t know what he wants from me” would make Coach K blow a gasket. You may not like what he wants from you but you know what he wants from you.
To make Breakfast club successful
You need a linchpin – don’t think you’re the linchpin (need someone that’s connected that will make people want to be there)
Have someone in charge of the organization, set up & info distribution
“Often times our greatest rejection can lead us to our greatest direction”
Check out Oprah Winfrey’s Harvard commencement speech
Random thought – he uses each person’s name when he answers their questions
Bo Schembechler on recruiting:
“I never evaluate my recruiting class until 10 years after they’ve graduated”
What did these young men do with their lives after you helped them develop?
Teach / Lead / Serve
Define your own success
It’s not healthy to let others define your success
“The scoreboard will take care of itself” ~ Don Shula
“We don’t talk about winning a championship we talk about becoming a championship team!” ~ Tommy Amaker
How does the Breakfast Club tie into recruiting?
Game changer when talking to recruits
They know they’re going to have access to talented, intelligent, well connected people
Leadership on your team
Paul Pierce is the Captain but Kevin Garnett is our leader
You need to be able to influence the influencer
Who can influence the leader?
Know how to manage the relationship with those guys
Goals, identity, standards – keep them consistent – guys should be able to recite them
Harvard ID: Defend, box out, sprint, be unselfish, have fun
You should know what you believe in & how you want to play – more importantly – are you able to teach effectively to create buy-in?
Take inventory – step back and examine situations
Survey to current players: 3 things you like and dislike about program
Survey to freshmen: 3 thinks you liked/disliked about your recruiting process
You cannot be afraid of the responses you get – this info makes you better
You can gather tons of info from all sorts of people but you should only implement what fits YOU.
Priorities when becoming HC – 1st 30 days
Building your staff
Current players
Recruiting
Everything else comes after that
Must prioritize or it’s easy to get your head spinning
Paul Hewitt would visit the families of his current players 1st & foremost
Ivy league doesn’t have summer school workouts
Strength coach gives them a workout packet
Harvard believes it’s better to go do something in the summer than it is to be in a classroom
Good for coaches and players – gives them a break and they come back excited
When thinking about philosophies:
What was the hardest thing for me to guard as a player?
The more passes a team made the harder it was to defend in his mind
Hence, his offense is built around that thought
Coach K was never afraid to change something mid-season, stick with it and make it work
Referenced Saban QB change in championship – that takes guts
Big difference between a system and a philosophy
You can use multiple systems within a philosophy
What legacy do you want to leave when you are done at Harvard
Hopes the players can say “I’m glad I went there and I’m glad I played for that guy.”
