For a while now, I have used Spring Break as a time to not only relax and recharge...but also as a time to self-reflect and self=evaluate. Many a times, we as coaches will ensure that we evaluate our players but fail to effectively evaluate ourselves.

I'm a tough coach to play for. I know that. It's intentional. To be clear...when I say "tough," that doesn't mean that I yell at and berate my players. [Don't get it twisted...I definitely raise my voice when necessary.] When I say "tough" I mean that I teach my guys that the STANDARD is the STANDARD. Players that play for me will have to meet the standard to continue to play for me. Again...it's intentional.

A huge part of my self-evaluation is to remind myself what the STANDARD is... and what it isn't.
What the STANDARD IS...

• Players will strive for academic success and attempt to exceed their potential
• Players will become better citizens within and outside of their community
• Players will transform into leaders of their own flock

What the STANDARD IS NOT...

• Players must gather a certain amount of offers
• Players must win a specific accolade
• Players must attain a certain level

One of my favorite stories success has absolutely nothing to do with a basketball game. I love to talk about my players that were initially failing multiple classes. But, by the end of their high school careers were passing 100% of them...AND... helping other students to pass theirs. Their conversations to the younger crowd..."Don't do what I did." The gravity of that statement from a player that had failed at something, to attempt to prevent the next player from failing at that same thing is insurmountable. That's a story of overcoming.

Let's keep it real coaches...what is the GOAL? If the answer to that is to win ball games, then you've definitely missed the mark. The goal is to create LEADERS. Understand, that leadership comes in different shapes and forms. While we could be cultivating the next president of a country or company, we are most of all cultivating the next father and husband. As minor as it sounds, the goal begins on the micro level.

For clarity, I am a VERY...and I mean VERY competitive coach. When that ball tips, I'm trying to send you home with an L. But during those times of self-reflection I try to remind myself of the STANDARD. As coaches, we have to readjust our thinking. What "W" is most important? It's important that we adjust to the STANDARD.

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One aspect that I have definitely learned during my 10 years of being an educator is that relationships matter. As a coach and a teacher, I've found that it doesn't really matter what you know or how well versed you are in your topic if you cannot identify and understand your "who." The "who" go by many names, but as a coach we understand the jargon, "Jimmys and Joes." And neither Jimmy nor Joe cares about your X or O (curriculum) unless you establish a connection with them.

I'll take sports out of the equation (because generally players within a sport inherently want to participate in that sport) and only look at my Economics/History courses. After 10 years of teaching, I can count on one hand how many students walked through my threshold excited about learning the nuances of market structures and the degrees of competition. I can also count on one hand how many discipline referrals that I have filled out. I attribute that last statement to simply having a connection with students that exists outside of what was created by pure scheduling. It was my job to teach and this student was placed in my classroom because his/her curriculum stated that he/she needed credits in my course to graduate. For me it was important for this to not be the only connection with my students; I eagerly wanted to know them on another level than that of being simply subject matter teacher and subject matter learner. So I attempted to ensure that I went out of the way to talk to students about something other than the subject matter. What is your favorite show on Netflix? How are you feeling about the game tonight? I'm the eldest child in my family just like you; do you feel the same pressure to be a role model? All of these are examples of conversations that I'd have with my students to create that separate connection with them.

I say all of this because as we enter another go round of virtual learning while the pandemic continues to loom over us, relationships will matter more than ever. While I loudly applaud my school district and the others who have made the difficult choice to begin the school year virtually, I would also implore my colleagues to take a little extra time to look over your rosters and establish connections with their soon to be "Zoom students." It might be the difference from that student attending virtually everyday or never. Remember, relationships matter.

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