I’D LIKE TO THANK BRANDON LAIRD WHO WAS THE INTERIM HEAD COACH FOR THE SACRAMENTO STATE HORNETS IN SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA IN THE BIG SKY CONFERENCE IN NCAA DI AND IS NOW THE SPECIAL ASSISTANT/PROGRAM ANALYSIST FOR THE UC DAVIS AGGIES IN DAVIS, CALIFORNIA IN THE BIG WEST CONFERENCE IN NCAA DI FOR SHARING ADVICE WITH THE CANNON NETWORK. HE SHARED, “MY ADVICE TO YOUNG COACHES IS VERY SIMPLE: 1. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GOOD PEOPLE. FIND A HC & PROGRAM THAT OPERATES THE “RIGHT WAY” & THAT HAS A VALUE SYSTEM THAT CORRELATES WITH HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE. FIT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR YOUR GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT & CONFIDENCE. 2. OWNERSHIP. FIND A HC & PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK. TAKE ON AS MANY JOBS/ RESPONSIBILITIES AS YOU CAN. LEARN EVERY ASPECT OF THE BUSINESS. DON’T SKIP STEPS. EMBRACE THE LEARNING PROCESS BY DOING. 3. RUN YOUR OWN RACE. BE GENUINE & AUTHENTIC. DON’T TRY TO EMULATE OTHER COACHES THAT YOU ADMIRE… DEVELOP YOUR OWN STYLE. THROUGH HARD WORK AND PEACE OF MIND COMES A CONFIDENCE THAT YOUR PLAYERS & COLLEAGUES WILL RESPECT. “