Coaching Basketball: Unboxed Wisdom

Eastern Oregon State College was my first and only head college coaching position. I had to change the culture of the program. The athletes were born winners. We only needed a shot of enthusiasm. That was my mandate. My mistake was trying to administer a DIII program like the DI program (UCSB) where I was an assistant for the past two years. My problem was I had difficulty communicating with the school's administration as I addressed in this book.

My second and third years at EOSC we productive, exciting and memorable. We went to the playoffs the first time in the school's last 12 years. We won a road playoff game where a school administrator actually hugged me after the game! We look at these highlights now and wonder how we could we have ever lost a game. Through no fault of the players, my inexperience hurt us. But we did manage to upset the number 6th nationally ranked team in the nation. I'll never forget the standing 'O' I got walking into Denny's after the game from the players and their parents. What a sweet moment!

In the book, I elaborate on one of my teams. These players and I had some rough times when most of them were sophomores. But their senior year we had tons of fun. This is the team that each of the starters had their own offensive set with plays. They were so talented that they all could play point or post positions. They challenged me and my staff's creativity. We were family. In my heart even to this day I feel their warmth and desire. Sons they will always be to me! (Note this game's final score!!)