Several years ago I read Rick Pitino’s book “Success Is A Choice”. I consider Coach Pitino one of the top 10 college coaches of all time. He certainly has had his share of success. In his 275 page book he spells out 10 steps to be successful as a coach, player, businessman, lawyer, doctor or anything else. Success is a choice, but as he says many times, it requires HARD WORK. There are no shortcuts, entitlements, or excuses. Coach Pitino has left quite a legacy. He is still going strong at 72-years old as the basketball coach at St. John’s. As is the case with most success stories, his success has not come without some setbacks and controversy. One of his 10 steps, #9, is “learn from adversity”. As he does with everything else in his life he meets it “head on”. He focuses on what he refers to as correct fundamentals, and uses setbacks to learn and grow. Unlike, many of our populous today, he dose not blame others or make excuses. You won’t find the word pity in his book either. How is this all related to this post and my definition of a coach? Coach Pitino has 10 steps to overachieving. I have 5 steps. I have tried to make my 5 steps easy to remember and applicable by using the acronym COACH. Each letter represents an important principle in being a successful coach.

‘C’haracter, are those qualities admired and recognized by others that distinguish one individual or group from another. Those attributes that enable a person to cope with the “agony of defeat” and “the ecstasy of success”. A person’s character is NOT made in defeat BUT revealed in defeat. Every coach should approach each day with this question, “What can I do today to help the young men or women in my charge better, more responsible, and more mature individuals”? Character is knowing what is right and doing it regardless of the circumstances or who is watching. Do not mistake being a character for having character.

‘O’raganization, demands that as a coach you have a goal(s) or plan. I coached for 22 years, at every level, and the biggest mistake I saw in most young coaches, during their practices, was wasted time. Not utilizing resources or time in a productive manner. Show me a successful coach, teacher, CEO, homemaker and I will show you a person that does not waste time. Goals and plans not executed are worthless. Develop SHORT range goals as well as long range goals. They need to be realistic and measurable. I have discovered that a well organized plan eliminates most “surprises” and keeps you from getting “bogged down” in less important objectives. Coach Pitino, “goals are simply the means you use to reach your dreams”.

‘A’bility, is that quality a person possesses that allows for the assimilation and transmission of knowledge in a way that your players can understand and execute in a timely fashion. As the coach, you must have a grasp of the subject matter. “Study to show yourself approved…..” is much more than a Bible verse. (2 Tim. 2:15) Every successful coach I have ever known was passionate about their work. I agree with Pitino when he says learn from role models. After 20 years in coaching I was still attending coaching clinics trying to learn something new. Coach John Wooden, the Hall of Fame coach at UCLA, said “Its what you learn after you know it all that counts.” Learn the “little” things that make the “big” things work.

‘C’ommunication, is by definition, an exchange of information between individuals by  common signs, symbols, or behavior. It doesn’t  matter how much you know if you can not communicate that knowledge to your players. X’s and O’s don’t mean a thing if you can’t get the Jimmy’s and Joe’s to execute them. It took me several years in coaching to learn that communication also means listening. The old adage that “no one cares how much you know unless they know how much you care” is about the ability to communicate. Listen to your staff AND listen to your players.

‘H’elp, means get the best people that you can around you. Coaching, at any level, is too demanding of your time, energy, and ability to try and “go it alone”. Don’t just accept help, seek it. Get people involved in your program. People who have a “stake” in something will do their best to see that it succeeds. The best jobs are the ones where more than you as the coach want to win. Every coach wants to win but does the administration? Delegate responsibilities so you have more time to focus on the most important thing, your players.

That is how I spell COACH. Coaching was a challenge when I retired in 2002, I think it is even more of a challenge today. It is a tough occupation but there are very few “jobs” more rewarding. I still get texts, phone calls, and emails from players that I coached 30 years ago thanking me for my contribution to their life. My hats off to all you coaches out there that read this. You make a difference more than you will EVER know.