Hard Work vs Talent

Building a good work ethic early is extremely important to building a program. It's difficult to tell 4th graders that they need to work hard on their game and then expect them to understand that. I have worked hard on finding ways to make our youth understand it by doing two simple things: First, is to make learning the game fun. If kids are not having fun doing something they won't develop a work ethic to improve. I make them understand that we come in, work hard and then we play games, have contest etc afterwards. They leave the gym hungry for more and will go home and work on what they have learned. The second thing I like to do is give them quick wins. What that means is I have come up with some specific drills on footwork, ball-handling and shooting that will improve their game almost immediately. They have to see it for it to be effective, so with this process if they see they are getting better then they will begin to develop that work ethic. As kids advance, so do the difficulty of the drills.

I've seen schools just ride out the natural talent and then fade away until the next talent comes through instead of developing talent and having a strong program year in and year out. The development of the work ethic makes this happen. The schools that are always good year in and year out have great feeder systems in place, consistent coaching and a proven process of how to get that done. So even your lean years you should still be competitive and not starting over all the time. Hard work will build your program for the long run.

Building Relationships

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I hope you all have a great day!

I have always believed that half the battle in coaching is getting kids to want to play for you. In order to do that you have to build a relationship early on built on Respect, Communication and Trust.

It has always come natural for me to connect with most of my players. I always tell them based on my own life experiences that I have lived their life and probably have gone through whatever they might be going through so there starts the bond. It helps that I consider myself a BIG kid anyways so I can have fun when it's time to have fun too! We use the term Sir and we always shake hands everyday in order to strengthen that respect throughout the season. In the social media world, I'm in contact with them all the time so there is no gap in communication. It all seems to work out well as our coach-to-player-to-coach relationship builds.

Unlike a lot of coaches I presume, I get down on a personal level with my players. I know their lives, their stories, listen and talk to them on their level. They call me when they need advise or someone to listen to them. I don't talk down or degrade them for that will hurt the building process. My players remark how on the court I'm all business and off the court I'm just like them! lol! This is big part of my process. I don't clock out from the gym and disappear from their lives until the next practice. We do things outside of practice too and that is huge when building the relationships. I found over the years that it's the little things that can make the biggest difference in a kids life. Like checking on them when they are sick, visiting them in the hospital, or a simple text before or after school to see how their day went. My kids know they have someone in their lives they can come to with any problem that they might not be able to go to anyone else for. Having someone like that in your life is golden in today's world and a big part of my process of building a program.

With all that being said you might wonder how I avoid favoritism. There are certain kids I connect with more than others sure, just like your friends and co-workers in the adult world too. But my players will tell you I'm not afraid to call them out on something and pull a starter, or discipline anyone regardless of the relationship. Everyone pays the price for violation of team rules and no one slides. If I let that happen then it just creates problems and those problems you do not need when building a program.

At the end of the day we are all on the same page, we have and show respect for each other and that creates a great environment, a good work ethic and a great season!

I Don't Like "OFF" days!

As if I needed anymore proof about this passion. It's so bad I don't like days off! Now there are two reasons for this: For one...I get bored sitting at home knowing there is a gym not being used! Two...I love spending time with my players! We have a good time on and off the court! If we go too many days in a row then I'm probably bouncing off the walls and they are falling behind and it take a few days to get back in the groove. In my next blog I will discuss half the battle of coaching...buy in and building coach-to-player and player-to-coach relationships.

Stop Playing in Fear!

Do you play in fear? Are you afaid of making mistakes, getting yelled at, missing a shot? Playing in fear is something a lot of athletes do but most will not admit it but they can't hid it during the game. You are never going to play a perfect game...ever! Michael Jordan will tell you that! There is no such thing as a perfect game. I try to not be one of those coaches that players fear. I have watched some coaches put that fear in their players and you can tell by the way they play. I'm honest with my players so they know what to expect...that being said they only thing they have to fear is if they continue to keep making the same mistakes over...and over...and over.

If you know you are doing your best, work hard in the off-season, putting in the extra time when you have the opportunities then why play in fear? Any reasonable coach can tell if you are doing all those things. If you're not and you're capable of so much more...then I can see that being an issue in your career. Let it go! If you love the game then work at it non-stop until you limit your mistakes...then learn from those mistakes and you will see a change in your performance.

Follow your Passion!

Regardless if it's sports, computers, building roller coasters or flying planes...one should seek to follow their passion! Nothing fullfills that void in your life than doing what you want to do. It may not be possible to do that right now for some, but you should always be thinking and working towards that goal. That one thing that make you get up everyday excited to get going. For me the answer to that is simple...basketball.


Before I got into coaching, it was all about playing the game but once I entered the coaching world a whloe new passion came about. After my first year of coaching 5th grade boys basketball I was hooked. You ask most coaches and I'm sure they will say the same thing. Once coaching is in your blood...it stays there...it keeps growing and has consumed every second of my life! My wife calls it an obsession...and she is right!. Yes I said it..."she is right!" lol!


I have spent the better part of 12 years being a human sponge! I have had the privilege of working with and around some very good people. From coaches, employers, administrators, mentors, buisness people...anyone and everyone that I could learn something from. I paid attention to detail to steal the good from a lot of different people I respected to form my own coaching identity. That combined with my own life experiences growing up, I developed my process of doing things. Is it the right way? I like to think so. Is it the only way? No. I continue to take in what I see, hear and do as it will always be a working process. You never can learn everything about this game...if you think you do, then you're done.


If you have something that your passionate about then what are you waiting for? Time goes by faster the older you get so don't waste anymore time talking about it...JUST DO IT!