Coaching Philosophy

"The rock stands still and the raging of the sea calms around it." -Marcus Aurelius

Two basic tenets of coaching

By following these two tenets, most ambiguity can be processed into a positive outcome.  Our number one priority as a coach is to take care of the physical, mental, and emotional well being of the athletes we are charged with.  As long as the decisions that a coach makes are in line with this principle, success will be imminent. The second tenet is crucial as a professional, and will also guide us to make the right decisions as long as tenet number one has already been applied.  Doing our job is the reason we are in this position, and as long as we are able to put personal feelings aside and do the job that we are assigned, no matter how tough or uncomfortable, we will be on the same path to shared greatness. 

In sports and in life, events happen.

That is how it all works.  Events that affect us in many ways happen all around us, and we are not in control of most of them.  However, we can control whether the total outcomes of these events are happening because of or in spite of our attitude.  Every event or situation is neutral until all factors are considered.

As competitors, we must have a proactive and positive mindset.  We cannot allow things that happen to us to influence how we approach the next day, the next play, or the next pitch.  Sometimes we need to be able to figuratively throw the first punch and stay ahead of circumstances.  Once we have established that we are in the arena to compete, we need to be relentless in our attack.  We need to not let up.  We need to fight and compete until the final bell, the final whistle, or the final out.  

But this mindset does not simply happen.  This mindset is not always natural.  It is a skill that can be developed.  We can put ourselves in controlled, uncomfortable situations and figure out our way out of them.  I believe that we can train our bodies and our minds to do anything that we expect them to do with the proper processes.  

The most basic element of these processes is discipline.  The discipline required to make good decisions as an adult is the kind of discipline that can be developed from working as part of a team to achieve a common goal. 

Discipline can be taught, and discipline leads to confidence.  When a player has the discipline to master the fundamentals of a craft, that player tends to relax and feel confident in his or her abilities during a performance or competition.  A relaxed, confident player will perform at the highest possible level when pushed to the limit.  

We can teach our athletes how to respond when the deck seems stacked against us.  We can teach them that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step, and if that step is in the right direction as it aligns with our goals, then progress has taken place. Consistent progress leads to improved abilities, and improved abilities lead to a competitive edge. 

As the leader of the athletic department, my job is to make a handful of hard decisions every day while at the same time charting the long distance course of the program.  I believe that there are two kinds of people in any group, and those are problem solvers and problem creators.  Problems cannot be avoided, but if we surround ourselves with more problem solvers than problem creators, our processes will run more smoothly and success will follow the processes. 

We can collectively work to develop our coaches and athletes into independent thinkers who make good decisions and take ownership of their success.  By developing strong relationships in and around our community, we can support each other and remind those around us that great things can be accomplished when belief and preparation meet opportunity. 

I'm not always going to be the smartest person in the room, but I have the skills necessary to elevate everyone's contributions to make the room smarter.