I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MICHAEL PECK WHO IS THE ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO ROADRUNNERS IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS IN THE AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE IN NCAA DI COACHED BY STEVE HENSON FOR SHARING ADVICE FOR YOUNG COACHES WITH THE CANNON NETWORK. HE SHARED,
“AS YOU HAVE PROBABLY ALREADY SEEN AND EXPERIENCED, IT IS/CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO BREAK INTO THE PROFESSION AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL, ESPECIALLY NOWADAYS. THAT BEING SAID, MY ADVICE TO YOU WOULD BE TO REACH OUT AND EXHAUST ANY AND ALL CONTACTS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE IN THE COACHING PROFESSION. KEEPIN MIND, THOSE THAT YOU (TRULY AND GENUINELY) KNOW (AND I MEAN REALLY “KNOW”) ARE THE ONES THAT CAN AND WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU THE MOST/BEST. IT IS AND CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET HIRED BY SOMEONE THAT DOESN’T “KNOW” YOU OR HAVE SOME SORT OF CONNECTION TO/WITH YOU (IE. CLOSE TO A FAMILY MEMBER OF YOURS, KIN/FRIEND TO YOUR HS/AAU COACH, KIN/FRIEND OF AN OLD TEAMMATE/CLASSMATE, ETC.). IF YOU ARE TRULY/GENUINELY SERIOUS AND COMMITTED TO BEING IN THE PROFESSION HERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT I WOULD SUGGEST:
1. BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT ANY COACHING POSITION AT ANY LEVEL (HS, AAU, JUNIOR COLLEGE, D3, D2, D1, GA, VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT, GRADUATE MANAGER, ETC.). 2. BE PREPARED TO MAKE LITTLE TO NO MONEY. 3. LISTEN MORE, TALK LESS. 4. DON’T JUST BE WILLING TO LEARN, BE EAGER TO LEARN. ABSORB AS MUCH INFORMATION/KNOWLEDGE AS POSSIBLE. 5. BUILD, DEVELOP, NURTURE AND MAINTAIN “REAL,” GENUINE, SINCERE, LONG-LASTING RELATIONSHIPS. TRUE, GENUINE RELATIONSHIPS TAKE TIME…BE PATIENT. 6. ACT, SPEAK AND LOOK PROFESSIONAL. COLLEGE ATHLETICS IS A “BIG-TIME” PROFESSION, CONDUCT YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY. 7. BE DILIGENT, THOROUGH AND ACCURATE IN YOUR WORK/WORK LOAD. TAKE PRIDE IN THE PRODUCTION OF YOUR WORK. 8. BE ALERT AND PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS/SMALL THINGS. 9. THINK AHEAD. “WHAT’S NEXT?” MINDSET. 10. MAKE YOURSELF VALUABLE THROUGH YOUR PRODUCTIVENESS, EAGERNESS TO SERVE/HELP (GENUINELY). MAKE YOUR ROLE AND YOURSELF A “NEED” NOT JUST A POSITION. YOUR ABSENCE SHOULD BE FELT. 11. DON’T SEEK PRAISE OR CREDIT. 12. BE ALL ABOUT THE TEAM/PROGRAM. LOYALTY IS THE #1/TOP PRIORITY FOR ANY AND ALL MEMBERS OF A TEAM/STAFF/PROGRAM! 13. DON’T GET CONSUMED WITH THE “FAST TRACK.” WORK HARD, WORK “RIGHT,” LEARN, BE PROFESSIONAL, MAINTAIN YOUR INTEGRITY AND, IN TIME, THINGS WILL WORK OUT! ANYTHING IN LIFE WORTH HAVING/ACHIEVING TAKES TIME.”
