Rewind to 2007-2008 and some background info: 2007 I'm right out of college, young, energetic and hungry to prove myself that I belong as a coach. But in reality I thought coaching was all about Winning. My first year as JV Head Coach we went 3-15 (very humbling, lol). My first year as a Varsity Head Coach we started out 0-9 (a lot of youth). We won our first game over Christmas Break in the Frank Spencer vs Parkland. We went on to finish that first season 9-17 (so it was a good turnaround once we got the first win).
During my 2nd year as a coach I had been involved in a coaches bible study through Coaches Outreach at our school with other coaches. This is when I started maturing both as a coach and as a Christian and better recognizing that coaching isn't all about Wins and Losses. I already had good relationships with guys on this Varsity team, but knew I needed to invest more and grow relationships better. I wanted our good relationships to be great. I wanted the guys to know I thought more of them than just as a player on the court. That (2014) season I saw something online, or read an article and wanted to apply it to my coaching. It simplified to this: "You're not a four year investment, you're a forty year investment". That's the approach I wanted to take as a coach, teacher, mentor etc. I started applying it the best I could. Every year at our coach/player/parent meeting it's something I would always mention. And I did my very best to keep that perspective. Fast forward to now and I honestly feel like my relationships with players have grown stronger and stronger. During these past several years I've also been blessed to have guys who are great to be around, funny, hard working and talented. Since that first season I've been able to experience with these guys 4 Conference Championships, 3 guys win Conference Player of the Year, several All-Conference, All-Tournament and All-District players. It all sounds great, but you may have heard it from other coaches too, I didn't enjoy the Wins as much as I should. Part of that is because Wins aren't long term fulfilling. Neither is money, possessions, etc. Only God can fill the void that inside each of us. For me I know teenagers have a lot of struggles, temptations and opportunities that can lead them in the wrong direction. That's why Now our team discussions are more geared towards things in life beyond winning a trophy or an award. I've actually told my players I'd take every basketball trophy in the case and trash them all if it means they grow up and make good life choices, grow their faith and eventually become good husbands and good fathers. I absolutely LOVE coaching basketball. And admit it use to be all about the Wins and Trophies. However by continuing to grow in my faith, having to experience former players and students who've made poor choices and got in trouble, continuing to stay involved with Coaches Outreach, having absolutely great family support and prayers I now have a better understanding of why I coach. This has always been a personal goal, and now God has helped me recognize he wants to use me as a tool to help my players learn more than the game. I hope my players know I love them and I hope they understand I want nothing more than to see them grow up and be successful. I want them to know one of the things that gets me most excited is when they randomly call me on the phone, send a text or come to watch a game! Coaching them isn't 4 years and we're done. It's 4 years of investing, growing, learning together so the next 40+ years are more memorable and more fulfilling than the 4 years of high school. #ALLIN #PUSH #40over4 #WhyICoach |
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