Bernie Koontz

When I was hired to coach varsity basketball at just 26 years old I thought I was God's gift to basketball. You couldn't tell me anything. I knew it all. Well, heading into Christmas break in my first season I was 0-9. And I realized quickly how little I knew. My players were getting suspended. My offense was messy. My emotions were all over the place. I dreaded people asking me how it was going. Quite frankly my team was awful and I had no control. I quickly felt like maybe coaching wasn't my thing. After I got done throwing a pitty party for myself, I hit the reset button. I started asking others for help. I read more books. I hired assistants. Every week I'd text or call another coach and pick his or her brain. Turns out, you're much better off with others in your corner than standing alone with your chest out. Shocking. I know. But as coaches it's what we default to. "My stuff is the best." "I don't need to adjust." "I don't have time to read." "It's the kids not my system." So when I finally won, the emotion that overtook me was gratitude. I was thankful for every person that poured into me when I didn't deserve it. I was thankful to God for giving me a platform that I didn't think would ever happen. I found myself extra grateful for every little thing that I had disregarded beforehand. My advice to young coaches entering the field...Acknowledge that you don't have all the answers and that you need help. Find a good staff. Ask for a mentor. Read. Watch extra film. Success starts with humility.