Coach Miles

I have never been a Coach Miles fan but after reading Coach Starkey's blog post today I have a new respect for the man. I copied the material that Coach Starkey placed on his blog check his site out at www.hoopthoughts.blogspot.com

COACH MILES MAKES A VISIT
I received this email from Coach Dale Brown this morning -- after reading it, I'm not surprised. Coach Les Miles obviously comes from the Dale Brown School of Coaching. I wish I could count how many times while working for Coach Brown that he told me that coaching was simply a vehicle to do good things for others. I do not know exactly where this email originated so I will simply post it as Coach Brown sent it:"I have a personal story to share. My cousin, Charlie Cangelosi, was shot after the Alabama game while trying to help a pregnant lady that was screaming when being robbed by some evil-doers. The perpetrators sped off in a car that night while Charlie laid on the ground with a bullet through his mid-section. Charlie survived, and the media picked up the story about how Charlie risked his life to save another in need. On Wednesday after the shooting, Charlie’s parents got a call from the OLOL administration, with a message from Les Miles asking for permission to visit Charlie. Being big LSU fans, they granted permission. Les indicated he would be there around 6 pm on Wednesday. Right on time, Les showed up … alone, no cameras, no bodyguard, in his coaching outfit. He was extremely kind to the parents and was allowed to go into the room where Charlie was still in critical care. Though Charlie had been in a medically induced coma and had intubation in his mouth preventing verbal communication, Charlie was able to see Les and communicate with eye-blinking. Les told Charlie that the world needed more people like him, that he was a champion and that when he was better (remember, at this time he was “touch and go”), Charlie could come to any home game next year and stay on the field with the team or sit with Les’s family in their box. Les then pulled out an autographed LSU football for Charlie. After this pleasant visit, Les explained that he had to leave. It was Game Week (the Monroe game was coming up) and Les had to prepare for his radio show that was just a few minutes away. When listening to the radio show that night, Charlie’s family heard that it was Les’s birthday, too. OK, so this man took an hour of his day during Game Week, on the day of his radio show, and on the day of his birthday, to say thank you and give a game ball to a stranger? Wow."

10 Pointers for winning the state championship

In preparing for the opening of our season I made the decision to look through some Don Meyer coaching notes! Everyone starts the season with the goal of a state title. These pointers are a great road map to start with. If you havent already get out and purchase How Lucky You Can Be: The Story of Coach Don Meyer by Buster Olney it is a great read. GOOD LUCK!

10 Pointers for winning the state championship
1. Get there
Gear for it.

Everything is pointing to getting there!"

Practice to beat the best" - Dick Bennett

Must have a system to accomplish that,

Chuck Daly had that system with the Pistons and stick to it. Princeton plays to beat the best

2. When your team gets there - it´s not a big deal.
Don´t make it a big deal. A big deal is winning the championship. Our Attitude: We are going there to win!!

3. Do what you did to get there.
Freak out with changes vs. Faith in the system.

Ordinary players making ordinary plays everytime = extraordinary players

On good team, two players will do the dirty jobs (take charges, get on the floor, etc).

On GREAT teams, all the players and coaches do the dirty jobs.

4. Be Aggressive.
Look for ways to win.

Play to win, don´t play not to lose.

Pete Newell like to press on the first possession and he wasn´t a press coach. He just wanted to come out and be aggressive early in the game.

Avoid Super Bowl Stupor.

5. Rest.
Mentally and physically; short, intense practices.

Duke goes dummy in tournament practice. No real contact.

More gold medals are lost by overtraining than undertraining.

6. Give no easy baskets.
No lay ups - no uncontested shots - block out - no putbacks.

7. Get easy baskets.
a. Run - Must run but don´t have to shoot.

b. Offensive rebounding - only possible flaw in Princeton system.

c. Get fouled - neutralize athleticism (make more free throws than apponents attempt).

d. Take the ball at their best player or any player prone to foul.

8. Make free throws.
Big part of our skill developement workouts.Free throw swish...swish = +1, rim make = 0, miss = -1...play to +2 or -2

9. Make lay ups.
Emphasis: perfect lay-ups in practice - no rim touches, net only.

Pressure lay-ups in practice with a defender.

You can also use reduced rims.

In all drills, if not using reduced rims stress the clean lay-up.

10. Give your team a reason to win.
"Deserving victory" - Pitino.

Those who work hardest are the last to surrender.

Fight the feeling of championship games against team that are inferior to a team you have already defeated.

In a championship tournament you will likely have a bad night. You must play hard enough to win when the ball doesn´t bounce right.

Bear Bryant's Secret to Success

1. Never compromise with what you think is right.

2. Find your picture, your own self in anything that goes bad. If it's bad, you're the head coach, you're responsible. If we have an intercepted pass, I threw it.

3. "Don't ever give up on ability. Don't give up on a player who has it."

4. "Dont over-work your squad. If you're going to make a mistake, underwork them. Our 1961 national championship team went five weeks without pads on for practice."

5. "Don't give up before a game starts."

6. "Don't lose your game at the half. Concentrate on winning the second half. Don't waste time on stuff that can't help you."

7. If you start to make a decision, go ahead and make it. Don't mealymouth around.

8. Don't ruin a practice by not disciplining yourself. If you're upset, don't take it out on your team."

9. "Make sure you don't kill your team off early. Have your studs ready when you need them. Rest that great football player some."

10. "Don't over-coach them. Let them play some."

11. "Don't do a lot of coaching just before the game. If you haven't coached them by 14 minutes to 2 on Sunday, it's too late then."

12. "Don't change your game plan if you don't have to."

13. "Don't talk too much. Don't pop off. Don't talk after the game until you cool off."

Building a Program

The following are some notes from former Auburn assistant coach Dave Lebo: While speaking at the Alabama All Star Coaches Week.

1. Starts with YOU- Have a passion for success.
2. It is more than x's and o's.
3. You have to persevere and not give up.
4. Teach Fundamentals and demand them.
5. Selecting your team. "Work your horses, shin you stars, cut the dead wood.
Get your JV coaches to develop 2 guards every year.
6. Teach your kids how to handle losing. After a loss get right back in there and get after it.
7. Be organized and pay attention to detail.
8. Be a communicator
9. Belief in a program concept. Be in control of the entire program. ALL grades!
10. Never stop learning.
11. Be Yourself. Be above average
Most valuable thing a coach can give a player is time.
3 things players want from a coach
A. Sincerity
B. Honesty
C. Discipline

12. Establish basketball mania. Make things exciting.
13. Evaluate your program. What do we have to do to get better.
14. Have fun. Basketball court is the greatest classroom in the world.

Favorite Quotes this week!

"To finish first; you've got to run like you're in second."

"The best teams in the nation at all levels, Do the difficult things together."

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

"Setting goals is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving them, and then staying with that plan." Tom Landry

"Today I gave all I had; what I've kept I've lost forever."

"It's rarely crowded on the extra mile."

"Everyone wants to be successful. But very few are willing to make the effort and the sacrifices to become successful."

"If opportunity doesn't knock: build a door."

"It doesn't cost a thing to do things right or be nice." Bear Bryant

"Spend more time listening than you do talking; it will add greatly to the effectiveness of what you say."

To become GREAT you must be Driven!

During the end of the 1996-1997 regular season, Tim McCormick of the NBPA had an opportunity to go watch a Chicago Bulls practice. The Bulls were pursuing their 2nd straight (5th overall) championship and had set an NBA record with 72 wins the previous season. As excited as he was to be there, he was a little disappointed because he assumed he wouldnt get to see Michael Jordan practice. After all, the Bulls had just played 4 games in 5 nights and he assumed MJ would take a well deserved day off. Especially since they won all 4 games and his Airness had scored something like 38, 42, 46, and 34 points (and played over 40 minutes) Much to his surprise, MJ showed up 45 minutes before practice. He began with some form shooting and then quickly moved to a variety of up-tempo shooting drills. He got up 200 shots. He was focused and intense and was in a full lather of sweat by the time the rest of the team arrived. Sensing his team needed a light day: Phil Jackson told the team that practice was only going to consist of a scrimmage to 20 baskets. MJ proceeded to score 12 of his team baskets and assisted on 3 others. He dove for loose balls and took a charge!!! On a day when he deserved to take a day off he still outworked everyone. His commitment to excellence and competitive fire never stopped. Michael Jordan wasn't great by accident.

Becoming a GREAT Shooter

After watching our players shoot the basketball the past couple of days I have decided we will spend tons of time working on improving that skill this season. Our players must be committed to correcting their mistakes and breaking bad habits. They must find time to shoot the ball on their own thats where shooters are made. Going through some notes I ran across this information GREAT STUFF!
There is no excuse for not being a good shooter. Shooting is a matter of practice. There has never been a great shooter who didn't shoot every day. But you can't just be a casual shooter. You need to pay close attention to correct mechanics, proper footwork, and progressing to the point where you are taking game shots, from game spots, at game speed. Take a look at how some "extra" shooting adds up:
100 extra shots x 5 days a week x 50 weeks a year=25,000 extra shots a year
200 extra shots x 5 days a week x 50 weeks a year = 50,000 extra shots a year
400 extra shots x 5 days a week x 50 weeks a year = 100,000 extra shots a year
How could you not be a great shooter if you took an extra 100,000 shots a year?!
WHY ARENT YOU DOING IT???

Thoughts from Butler Head Coach Brad Stevens

1. Understand and believe in greater good.

2. Thad Matta told him to think like a head coach everyday, even when he was the director of operations.

3. Learn, Watch, Listen.

4. Take lots of time planning practice.

5. Doesn't talk about goals, instead talks about the process.

6. As a head coach, just be yourself.

7. Be Authentic

8. "Soar with your strengths."

9. Believes in short precise workouts. "Deep practice philosophy."

10. Teach them specific things that are applicable for success on the floor.

11. Come up with new challenges daily, get them to try to achieve something.

12. Every player, every practice has to get up 100 shots in practice, this doesn't include pre or post practice.

Kevin Durant

Sam Presti- Executive VP & GM of the OKC Thunder. Why Kevin Durant is a superstar?
A. Notable Teammate- He has relationships with everyone in the organization. From the guy who sweeps the floor to the team owner.

B. Impressive Practice Player- As hard as he plays in games, he practices even harder. He knows that improvement comes from practice.

C. Focused on the process and the long term. He isn't in search of a magic bullet. He embraces slow, incremental gains. He knows greatness takes time.

D. Takes care of his body- Lifts weights year around, ice after games, eats well, isn't a party animal. His commitment shows in his daily workouts.

E. Teams unofficial off-season leader-He organizes group workouts and pick up games. Wherever he is, he is always setting up places to play and inviting (and encouraging) his teammates to join him.

F. Loves to play basketball- Passion is pure. Respects the game.

Izzo

Do you know what Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo had his team do at their first practice of the 1999-2000 season? No shooting drills. No ball handling drills. No defense, no rebounding, no passing, and no sprints. At the first practice he had his players practice cutting down the nets. That's right, they practiced cutting down the nets!! It must have worked because less than 6 months later Coach Izzo and the Spartans did cut down the nets at the RCA Dome after they beat Florida for the National Title. Success can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The Ultimate Coaches Clinic: Jeff Van Gundy

The players dont care if you are short or tall, black or white, a former player or not, all they care about is whether you can help them.

When I was 29 and an assistant with the Knicks, Pat Riley told me I could be a head coach in the NBA. Then Pat said, "Remember these four things, and you can lead anyone. 1. Competence-know your stuff 2. Sincerity 3. Reliability 4. Trustworthiness

John Wooden and Dean Smith were right focus on the process and not the result. That is how you get better. The more you talk about winning the less winning you do.

Don't accept in victory what you won't accept in defeat. You can't overlook mistakes when you win a game, because they will come back to haunt you later.

Coach Bryant

Story told by Paul Bear Bryant at a touchdown club meeting…

I had just been named the new head coach at Alabama and was off in my old car down in South Alabama recruiting a prospect who was supposed to have been a pretty good player and I was havin’ trouble finding the place. Getting hungry I spied an old cinder block building with a small sign out front that simply said, “Restaurant.” I pull up, go in and every head in the place turns to stare at me. Seems I’m the only white ‘fella’ in the place. But the food smelled good so I skip a table and go up to a cement bar and sit. A big ole man in a t-shirt and cap comes over and says, “What do you need?” I told him I needed lunch and what did they have today? He says, “You probably won’t like it here, today we’re having chitlins, collared greens and black eyed peas with cornbread. I’ll bet you don’t even know what chitlins are, do you?” I looked him square in the eye and said, “I’m from Arkansas, I’ve probably eaten a mile of them. Sounds like I’m in the right place.” They all smiled as he left to serve me up a big plate. When he comes back he says, “You ain’t from around here then?” And I explain that I’m the new football coach in Tuscaloosa at the University and I’m here to find whatever the boy’s name was and he gives me directions to the school so I can meet him and his coach. As I’m paying up to leave, I remember my manners and leave a tip, not too big to be flashy, but a good one and he told me lunch was on him, but I told him for a lunch that good, I felt I should pay.
The big man asked me if I had a photograph or something he could hang up to show that I’d been there. I was so new that I didn’t have any yet. It really wasn’t that big of a thing back then to be asked for, but I took a napkin and wrote his name and address on it and told him I’d get him one.
I met the kid I was lookin’ for later that afternoon and I don’t remember his name, but do remember I didn’t think much of him when I met him. I had wasted a day, or so I thought.
When I got back to Tuscaloosa late that night, I took that napkin from my shirt pocket and put it under my keys so I wouldn’t forget it. Heck, back then I was excited that anybody would want a picture of me. And the next day we found a picture and I wrote on it, “Thanks for the best lunch I’ve ever had, Paul Bear Bryant.”

Now let’s go a whole ‘buncha’ years down the road. Now we have black players at Alabama and I’m back down in that part of the country scouting an offensive lineman we sure needed. He’s got two friends going to Auburn and he tells me he’s got his heart set on Auburn too, so I leave empty handed and go on to see some others while I’m down there. Two days later, I’m in my office in Tuscaloosa and the phone rings and it’s this kid who just turned me down, and he says, “Coach, do you still want me at Alabama?” And I said, “Yes I sure do.” And he says o.k. He’ll come. So I say, “Well son, what changed your mind?” And he said, “When my Grandpa found out that I had a chance to play for you and said no, he pitched a fit and told me I wasn’t going nowhere but Alabama, and wasn’t playing for nobody but you. He thinks a lot of you and has ever since ya’ll met.” Well, I didn’t know his granddad from Adam’s housecat so I asked him who his granddaddy was and he said, “You probably don’t remember him, but you ate in his restaurant your first year at Alabama and you sent him a picture that he’s had hung in that place ever since. That picture’s his pride and joy and he still tells everybody about the day that Bear Bryant came in and had chitlins with him. My grandpa said that when you left there, he never expected you to send that picture to him, but you kept your word, and to Grandpa, that’s everything. He said you could teach me more than football and I had to play for a man like you, so I guess I’m going to.”
I was floored. But I learned that the lessons my mamma taught me were always right. It don’t cost nuthin’ to be nice. It don’t cost nuthin’ to do the right thing most of the time and it costs a lot to lose your good name by breakin’ your word to someone. When I went back to sign that boy, I looked up his Grandpa and he’s still running that place, but it looks a lot better now; and he didn’t have chitlins that day, but he had some ribs that would’ made Dreamland proud and I made sure I posed for a lot of pictures; and don’t think I didn’t leave some new ones for him too, along with a signed football. I made it clear to all my assistants to keep this story and these lessons in mind when they’re out on the road. And if you remember anything else from me, remember this – it really doesn’t cost anything to be nice, and the rewards can be unimaginable.

Coach Bryant was in the presence of these few gentlemen for only minutes, and he defined himself for life, to these gentlemen, as a nice man. Regardless of our profession, we do define ourselves by how we treat others, and how we behave in the presence of others, and most of the time, we have only minutes or seconds to leave a lasting impression – we can be rude, crude, arrogant, cantankerous, or we can be nice. Nice is always a better choice.

“I expect to pass through the world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness I can show to any creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it, for I shall not pass this way again.” -Stephen Grellet

Sean Payton: Home Team

Just finished Coach Sean Payton's book called Home Team. Great read gives a background about his rise through the coaching ranks to eventually leading the Saints to the Super Bowl.
I am going to share a couple of my favorite parts: 1. Coaching is a small fraternity. People talk. Relationships matter. Take good care of them.
2. Parcells take on the Saints job: "You've got to figure out what's kept that organization from winning. Quickly. Figure it out quickly. Or three year from now, they'll be having another press conference announcing the hiring of another new coach."
3. Thoughts of rebuilding the Saints: These jobs were open for a reason. Whatever the dysfunction might be-it had to be repaired top to bottom, across the organization. How we traveled. How we ate. How we sold tickets. And, yes, how we played football. We had to look at everything. We had to look at everything under a microscope. We had to find the right quarterback and the right guys working in the locker room. And we needed a whole organization to support what we were doing. We will WIN as a ORGANIZATION, not just a team."
4. Core beliefs were: Character, Toughness, and Intelligence

Game Changer

Took a trip to Huntsville yesterday to watch the Nick Saban Documentary: Game Changer. Very good movie that shows just how driven Coach Saban is to be successful. The movie also shows how he cares about his players off the football field and how the succeed in the game of life. I am going to share 4 of my favorite ideas from the movie.

1. You have all heard about the PROCESS when it comes to the Saban way! It all started in 1998 when his Michigan State team was 4-5 and went into Columbus, Ohio and knocked off then #1 Ohio State. He said thats when he realized he had to get his players to focus on the games one play at a time. Whether you have FAILURE or SUCCESS you must move on to the NEXT play.

2. Coach Saban holds a staff meeting at 7:30 everyday to set the tone for each day. Every member of his organization knows what is expected of them on a daily basis.

3. The morning after the national championship win over Texas Saban held a staff meeting. When he entered that meeting he already had a plan on how to keep the Tide moving forward.

4. Strength Coach Coachran leads the 4th quarter conditioning program. He talked about how the players had to buy in and believe in the process. During the 4th quarter of the near defeats to Tennessee and Auburn he walked the sidelines shouting YOU GOTTA BELIEVE! The players bought into the process 100%

Practice Thoughts from Rebound Rules: Rick Pitino

When we start practice, we always tell our players this: When they cross the lines onto the court, they cannot be anywhere else. It's not possible. They cannot be back in the dorm relaxing or out with their girlfriends, so while they're here, why not be the very best they can be? Practice is the task at hand; excel at it. To make that message effective, we as coaches must approach practice the same way; total focus with maximum enthusiasm. When you go through the motions, you tacitly give players the leeway to do the same. When you hit the court brimming with energy, it will spread throughout the team. When people see the tedious tasks being accomplished enthusiastically it should produce a domino effect throughout your organization.

The Power of Habit

You may know me. I'm your constant companion. I'm your greatest helper. I'm your heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am at your command. Half the tasks you do might as well be turned over to me. I'm able to do them the same every time if that's what you want. I'm easily managed, all you've got to do is be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want it done; after a few lessons I'll do it automatically. I am the servant of all great men and women; of course, servant of the failures as well. I've made all the great individuals who have ever been great. And I've made all the failures, too. But I work with all the precision of a marvelous computer with the intelligence of a human being. You may run me for profit or you may run me to ruin, it makes no difference to me.
Take me. Be easy with me and I will destroy you.
Be firm with me and I'll put the world at your feet.

Who AM I??
I'm HABIT!!

The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world make you king for a day,

Just go to the mirror and look at yourself

And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or wife

Whose judgment upon you must pass,

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one staring back from the glass.

You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum

And think you're a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says You're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

He's the fellow to please--never mind all the rest,

For he's with you clear to the end,

And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test,

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years

And get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be heartaches and tears

If you've cheated the man in the glass.

Eight Suggestions for Succeeding

Fear no opponent. Respect every opponent.

Remember, It's the perfection of the smallest details that make big things happen.

Keep in mind that hustle makes up for many a mistake.

Be more interested in character than reputation.

Be Quick, but don't hurry.

Understand that the harder you work, the more luck you will have.

Know that valid self-analysis is crucial for improvement.

Remember that there is no substitute for hard work and careful planning. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

Doc Rivers Coaching Thoughts

Coach‟s ego: Is it about you or about the team?
o "Beginners are open and experts are closed. When you become an expert, stay open!"
o Character vs. Character (s)
o You have to protect your team culture.
o The little things matter. Example: Celtics won a game against Cleveland on jump ball.
o Important little things: Extra pass, closeouts
o Build your staff around the team that you want to have: Loyal, hard working, disciplined.
o Sets up staff like a football program: offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator.
o Do you trust the people on your staff?
o Give them room to do their strengths.
o Cannot ask players to fill roles unless you let your staff fulfill their roles.
o Players must buy into your system of play.
o Have a theme/purpose to the season.
o Doc took Big 3 on parade route they would ride for winning the championship. (same route Patriots and Red Socks used) Develop direction and image.
o Ask players "Do you want to win? " Most say yes, but only if it‟s comfortable for them.
o Fight for your system/culture every day.
o Eliminate the S‟s in your program: Selfish, Stubborn, etc.
o Cannot let a talented player affect your thinking.
o Talking to players after the draft: "You only have a number for one day. After that, it is all up to you"
o If you steal something from someone, make it your own.

Nick Saban on Discipline

Discipline is getting people to do what they are supposed to do, when they're supposed to do it, and the way it is supposed to be done. Discipline is not punishment. Discipline is changing someone's behavior to get him to do what you want him to do.

It is our responsibility as coaches to get them to do the right thing, not enable them to do the wrong thing.

PERSISTENCE

Michael Jordan once did a commercial for NIKE in which he got out of a limo and was walking into a gym. The announcer started calling out a lot of stats from his career. He said he missed 26 game winning shots and he had missed 9,000 shots as a NBA player, and he had lost 293 games in the NBA. Michael looks up at the camera and says, "Because I FAIL is why I SUCCEED."

Rules for Being Human

Rule #1: You will learn lessons.

Rule #2: There are no mistakes-only lessons.

Rule #3: A lesson is repeated until it is learned.

Rule #4: If you don't learn the easy lessons, they get harder. (Pain is one way the universe gets your attention.)

Rule #5: You'll know you've learned a lesson when your actions change.

Thoughts from John C. Maxwell

FAILING FORWARD

The Harder You Work, The Tougher It Is To Surrender

Truly persistent people never give in to mental or physical fatigue. Truly persistent people don't give in, period.

African Parable

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows that it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows that it must ourtun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle: When the sun comes up you better be running.

John Wooden's "Pyramid of Success"

Enthusiasm-Your heart must be in your work. Stimulate others.
Cooperation- With all levels of your co-workers, help others and see the other side.
Loyalty- To yourself and to all those dependant upon you. Keep your self-respect.
Friendship- Comes from mutual esteem respect and devotion. A sincere liking for all
Industriousness- There is no substitute for work. Worthwhile things come from hard work and careful planning.
Intentness-Ability to resist temptation and stay with your course. Concentrate on your objective and be determined to reach your goal.
Initiative- Cultivate the ability to make decisions and think alone. Desire to excel.
Alertness- Be observing constantly. Be quick to spot a weakness and correct it or use as the case may warrant.
Self-control- Emotions under control. Delicate adjustment between mind and body. Keep judgment and common senses.
Team Spirit- An eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of all. The team comes first.
Skill- A knowledge of and the ability to properly execute the fundamentals. Be prepared. Cover every detail.
Condition-Mental-Moral-Physical. Rest, exercise and diet must be considered. Moderation must be practiced. Dissipation must be eliminated.
Confidence-Respect without fear. Confident not cocky. May come from faith in yourself in knowing that you are prepared.
Competitive Greatness- "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Be at your best when your best is needed. Real love of a hard battle.
Success- Success is a piece of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.

These notes were taken by Dean Lockwood of the University of Tennessee. He had the opportunity to do what many of us coaches out there would have enjoyed doing.....picking the brain of Coach Wooden.
Coach Wooden on Teaching:
1. What he misses most about being out of basketball is teaching. He loved the teaching. He also misses practice; the planning and the organization.
2. When asked what he felt was the single most important element that made him a great teacher, Coach Wooden quickly responded, "Listening. Listening is so important to teaching well."
3. Teach quickness; allow players time to learn but keep it moving quickly.
4. Coach Wooden said he learned to say less and be brief as the years went by. (when teaching)
5. Be SUCCINCT
6. In practice, keep stops to a minimum. Pull 1 player out to talk to if you have to or need to; he did not like to continually stop and talk to entire team for something 1 or 2 individuals were doing.
7. He likes fundamentals, teaching, and philosophy more than X's and O's.
8. Believe in what you are doing and be able to teach it.
9. Never expect perfection, but keep working for it.

What Type of Player Are You?

1. "Winners"
A. Make big plays
B. Turns tide of game
C. Can't afford to play without

2. "Won't get you beat"
A. Consistent performer
B. Makes few errors
C. Plays well enough to beat the majority of our opponents

3. "Will Beat us"
A. Makes mistakes
B. Not executing
C. Just don't play well
D. We dont want these!!!

Notes from Don Meyer Basketball Camp: Treasury of Time

If you had a bank that credited your account each morning with $86,400 that carried over no balance from day to day-allowed you to keep no cash in your account-and every evening canceled whatever part of the amount you had failed to use during the day-WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Draw out every cent, of course, and use it to your advantage.

Well you have such an account-and its name is INDIVIDUAL IMPROVEMENT. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night, it rules off as lost whatever of this you have failed to invest in improving yourself as a player and a person.

It carries over no balance. It allows no overdrafts.

Each day, it opens a new account with you. Each night, it burns the record of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposit, the loss of a chance to improve is yours. There's no going back.

There is no drawing against the "Tomorrow." It is up to each one of you to invest this precious fund of hours, minutes, and seconds in order to get from it the utmost improvement. Both in your individual performance as a player and in helping others or influencing them in a positive way. ONLY YOU AND TIME WILL DETERMINE YOU DESTINATION IN THE GAME OF BASKETBALL AND THE GAME OF LIFE.

May each day's journey be filled with attitude, effort, concentration, communication, demonstrated ability leading to the confidence that builds improvement daily.

Don Meyer: Team Building

T.E.A.M.S. Toughness, Effort, Attitude, Motives, Servant Leaders
Team Building Requirements--Shared Ownership-Players must invest in the team.
Shared Suffering-You must have tough practices.
Individual Responsibility
Collective Pride-WE, OUR, US
"Never sacrifice toughness and attitude for size and quickness."
"You can pick captains, but you cant pick leaders."

Don Meyer: Building a Championship Program

1. Everybody takes notes. Everybody is courteous say "Please and Thank You" Everybody picks up trash! Leave the locker room better than you found it (even on the road). Everybody do the dirty jobs.

2. Wise people are humble. Arrogant people are not wise.
3. Make fun of yourself.
4. Leadership starts at the top.
5. A person who lives their life focuses on revenge must dig 2 graves.
6. It pays to be a winner.
7. Your best player needs to be your hardest worker.

Six of Life's Puzzlers

Something to think about from Coach Wooden's Book.

Why is it easier to criticize than to compliment?
Why is it easier to give others blame than to give them credit?
Why is it that so many who are quick to make suggestions find it so difficult to make decisions?
Why can't we realize that it only weakens those we want to help when we do things for them that they should do for themselves?
Why is it so much easier to allow emotions rather than reason to control our decisions?
Why does the person with the least to say usually take the longest to say it?

THE MOST VALUABLE THING IN THE WORLD

I am the most desirable thing in life. Without me no one can be healthy, happy, or useful...without me , the hidden wealth and vast resources of this earth would have no value.

Men and women who try to get along without me are characterless, selfish, undeveloped, useless, and unprofitable members of society.

I am behind every fortune, every art and science, every achievement, every triumph of man.

Rich men and poor men alike often try to find substitutes for me, hoping thereby to secure a larger measure of happiness, peace and satisfaction, but they are always bitterly disappointed. Instead of gain, every substitute for me brings them loss.

As the creator is greater than the creature, so I am greater than wealth, power, fame, learning, or any other acquired possession of quality of man, because I am the source from which he acquired them.

I am WORK.

Dont Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will, and the road you're trudging seems all uphill. When the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile, but you have to sigh. When care is pressing you down a bit, rest if you must, but dont you QUIT. Life is queer with its twist and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns. And many a failure turns about, when he might have won had he stuck it out.
Dont give up though the pace seems slow, you may succeed with another blow, success is failure turned inside out, the silver tint of the cloud of doubt, and you can never tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems to far. So stick to fight when you're hardest hit, it's when things seem worse that you must not QUIT!

Winning

When I play basketball, I'm playing to win, nothing else. Not to score, to rebound, to excel in one particular area of the game, but to win. That means I'm a rebounder, a scorer, a passer, even a cheerleader.
It means I'm going to be an example to my teammates of what having a winning attitude is all about.
It means I'll have an attitude of unselfishness that keeps me craving for more championships for my team, not glory for myself.
It means I'll set an example at every practice by practicing longer and harder than anybody else.
It means I'll challenge myself, I'll set goals.
It means I'll think "WE" and not "ME," every time I step onto the court.

Magic Johnson

Nick Saban on Organization

1. Every practice plan and set of game notes, going back as far as I can remember, I organize into huge binders that I can refer to when I need to.

2. I keep a pen and paper with me at all times during practice to quickly write down items we need to correct.

3. Our pregame routine is organized down to the minute, and areas on the field are assigned for position groups.

4. I prepare an agenda and a list of items to cover before all daily staff meetings so nothing is left out.

I really think its important to be organized. I plan every practice down to the last minute I think this helps you accomplish everything so you dont forget. In my office I have compiled binders from my coaching days at Wellborn and so far at Florence with every practice plan. Its a great resource to look back on and gain ideas for the next season.

Coach K

From the book "Leading With the Heart"

There are five fundamental qualities that make every team great: communication, trust, collective responsibility, caring, and pride. I like to think of each as a separate finger on the fist. Anyone individually is important, but all of them together are unbeatable.

What it take to be a CHAMPION

1. YOU have to be willing to discipline yourself.
2. YOU have to be willing to sacrifice.
3. YOU have to work to be a champion.
4. YOU have to be willing to fight, scratch, and give 100% on every play.
5. Teamwork is the name of the game.
6. You have to learn to take your licks and yet fight back.
7. You have to learn that when you are so tired you think you are going to die, instead of quitting you have to learn to fight a little harder.
8. When your team is behind, you learn to "suck up your guts" and do whatever it takes to catch up and win the game.
9. You learn to believe in yourself because you know how to rise to the occasion, and you know you will get the job done!

Seven Point Creed

Coach John Wooden

Great ideas to live your life by:

1. Be true to Yourself
2. Help Others
3. Make each day your masterpiece.
4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
5. Make friendship a fine art.
6. Build a shelter against a rainy day.
7. Pray for guidance, and count and give thanks for your blessings every day.