Coaching...Risk and Reward

This is currently my 10th year of coaching and my 7th as a head coach.  Having taken a "quick" road to head coaching as a 23 year old, I have seen the risks and rewards of this profession.  I can't say that the rewards have been substantial in gratitude, awards or great success record-wise, but I can say they have been great in terms of the things that really matter.  I am talking about relationships, teaching the game, building toughness, and being part of something special. 

In 2 of the 4 head coaching positions I have held, the risk far out-weighed the reward.  Being a young, inexperienced (in terms of PR) coach was difficult in the situations that I took over.  The two programs had very little recent and historical success, and I was naive enough to think that knowing the game of basketball was going to see me through.  Boy was I wrong.  Those were huge risks to my career and longevity because of my naivety and bravado for wanting to be the "head guy".  With those two stops, I have compiled a record that many casual observers would deem to be poor.  Fans or "experts" not looking at the state of the programs, the players talent and ability level, and the overall negativity and lack of overall support were all reasons that these jobs were not right for a fiery, young, passionate coach.  I thought my knowledge of the game could see me through...Risk taken, reward limited...on to the next opportunity.

Luckily for me, I have a wife and children now that need a stable place to live around family that cares about us.  My options 3 years ago were not much better than when I began, as well as being in many different corners of the State.  The best decision I ever made was not even mine to begin with.  It was the help of a wife and a couple veteran coaches that lead me to where I am now.  Thank God for all of them because, despite the inevitable criticisms and second-guessing that comes with coaching, without them I would not be where I am and enjoying building a successful program.  I was within a couple of weeks of changing my profession from teacher/coach to law enforcement officer...I can't see myself doing anything other than what I am doing now, but the toll of all the hatred, negativity, back-stabbing, lack of support, and criticism brought me to a crossroads.  If not for a few people that cared about me I would probably not be doing this right now.  I must thank them.  They came through for me at the right time and I am never looking back.

Coaching is still a fickle profession unless you win every single game.  You will never be liked, you will never be the most popular.  It is a relatively thankless job that only certain individuals can ever do with any success and longevity.  Through the help of a small support system, some mental toughness, and a love and respect for the positions that I hold I hope to be one of the few that get to do this until it is my time to decide to hang 'em up.  Winning isn't everything, but to many that is all that truly matters in the end.  My job and goal is to marry the winning with the building to make a long lasting tradition of excellence.  To represent the school and community that I serve, and to build the young student-athletes I lead into great citizens and winners in life.  I know that I always have things to work on, change and make better, but I never stop trying.  When you think you know everything you actually know nothing.  Hopefully I get the opportunity to be one of those veteran coaches that can help the younger ones out someday.  I have only ever wanted to be like my Dad...my coach and hero... , and I hope that I can continue in my climb to do what I enjoy for the rest of my life.

Thanks... To my father for being my role model and allowing me the opportunity to learn the game of basketball.  To my mother for loving me and believing I could do whatever I wanted to do...and trying to keep my ego in check!  To my wife for being so supportive and understanding...and for always being the devil's advocate and helping my see the error of my ways.  And finally to the coaches/mentors/friends that believed in me and helped pave an avenue for me to have a chance to be successful in this business.  I am forever grateful and can never repay you enough.