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Friday, December 22, 2023

Basketball: "Any Idiot with a Whistle Can Coach"

Once a coach demanded, "you will address me as Coach." That went well. 

“Too many leaders, Plutarch laments, think that the “greatest benefit in governing is the freedom from being governed themselves.” - Ryan Holiday, Discipline Is Destiny

Leadership is uncomfortable with accountability to discipline, energy, sacrifice to bring your best version every day. 

Leadership means asking yourself hard questions. Did I do enough? What can I do better? 

Leaders make leaders. Consider a few names from the last group of players I coached. Ava Wenzel, band leader, winner of every accolade and award the Melrose Band can deliver. Seven members of the Girls Soccer team who made it to the Elite Eight for the first time. Sadie Jaggers with the triple of volleyball All-State and All-Scholastics from The Boston Globe and The Boston Herald. Cecilia Kay, Boston Herald Dream Team, three year All-Scholastic going into her senior year. GPA 4.95. Basketball scholarship to Division 1 American University. These young women will mold future leaders. 

Leaders Eat Last, writes Simon Sinek. Leaders put their 'troops' in position to succeed and sacrifice willingly time with their families to organize and conduct practice, to watch film, to scout opponents, to teach and communicate. 

Yet Brad Stevens asserts, "coaches get more than we give." We develop close ties with players, families, other coaches as part of the effort to take others where they cannot go by themselves. Shared vision, shared sacrifice, shared results. 

I've heard and read, "any idiot with a whistle can coach." Yes, anyone with a whistle can coach, but not everyone with a whistle deserves the honor to be called, "Coach."

Lagniappe. "You plus motivation equals success."  


 

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