| 1. From Day 1, what are the most important things to effectively set the tone for your new program? |
| *More about your actions and less about what you say (non-negotiables and show it) |
| *Sense of urgency, guide and coalition (more than one voice), develop the vision and strategy |
| *Meet with each player individually (promote trust, vision) **BOOK: John Kotter (Leading Change) |
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| 2. TIMELINE: To establish a strong foundation, what are you doing in the first: |
| *30 days: understand personnel and implement X’s and O’s according to what you have (flexibility) |
| *60 days: off the court (meet with administration, alumni, supporters, fundraising) build relationships |
| *90 days: build team chemistry, watch film on opponents/coaches in conference, set player roles |
| *Gauge the team mentality because this can prevent the chemistry from being positive |
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| 3. What are the 5 pillars of your new program (what do you stand for)? |
| How do you demonstrate/model/impement them? |
| *Enthusiasm, Communication, Community, Brotherhood, Integrity, Unselfishness, Character, “All In” |
| *CTR – Critical Time of Reaction (how bad do you want it?) |
| *More about your actions and less about what you say (non-negotiables and show it) |
| *Mamba Mentality – Passion, Obsession, Relentlessness, Resiliency, Fearlessness |
| *Set the tone, reinforce, praise those who demonstrate what you and the program stands for |
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| 4. What characteristics are you looking for in Assistant Coaches/Support Staff? How do you surround yourself with the best staff to fit your personality and counter your weaknesses? |
| *Assistant coaches: loyalty, share the vision of the program, younger coaches to relate to players, enthusiasm, work ethic, urgency, communication with community, experience in player development |
| *Balance out strengths and weaknesses to bring out the best in yourself and the program |
| *Character in all coaches, “hide” some weaknesses (ex. You are defensive minded, hire offensive mind) |
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| 5. X’s and O’s: How do you go about choosing the right offenses, defenses, etc.? |
| *Personnel – you must evaluate your team and understand abilites (adapt to personnel) |
| *Establish man to man principles but can still implement zones, etc. |
| *Change defenses or run a set play after “dead ball” situation (can steal a possession or change tempo) |
| *Depends on shot clock or no shot clock and depends on opponents strengths and weaknesses |
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| 6. School/Community Excitement: What are your strategies to build hype around your program? |
| *Meet with stakeholders in community, alumni, student body to establish trust and communication |
| *Find out what will bring people to the stands and establish the best environment to play in |
| *High character players will bring people to support you… Do well for others (respect) |
| *Build relationshiop with other programs in your school… support them and they support you |
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| 7. Fundraising: A MUST FOR MANY PROGRAMS…. What are you doing? |
| *Tournaments – promoting the campus, school, raise money while players/staff work together |
| *Identify parents who will help with concessions, fundraising then “groom” underclassmen parents |
| *”Extended team” will start to form through marketing and fundraising (builds excitement) |
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| *EXTRA STUFF |
| *Integrity – Intensity – Intelligence….. *Autonomy, Purpose, Mastery (driving motivation) |
| *Who Are You Coaching? (Past Experience, Expectations, Hopes, Goals of coach/players in program) |
| *What Are Your Standards? (Community – Classroom – Court) *DEFINE them and DEFEND them |
| *What Is Your Accountability Structure? (Tracking/Charting, Consequences, Reinforcement, Continuity) |
| *DO’S (Be yourself, remain vigilant, fight for program each day, remember your good fortune) |
| *DON’T (Ignore relationships, expect them to “get it” the first time, teach what you don’t fully know) |
