What coach would you love to play for?
Aug. 6, 2008 @ 10:09 a.m. by Joannaby joanna
The reason I ask the question in this post is I think it’s an interesting barometer about who you are as a person. It kind of gives a hint as to how you were raised, what motivates you, what kind of boss you’d like to work for.
When my boss took over as sports editor, he asked me at a convention what I wanted for him. For me it’s simple — give me some praise for something legit, then tell me where I need to improve. My weakness is when I hear all bad stuff, then I just get down. But if I get a smidgen of positivity, then I’ll work even harder to correct the negatives.
A co-worker and I once discussed Randy Smithson, when he was coaching at WSU and he threw the pop can across the locker room after a game. I said that I wouldn’t want to play for a coach who was so volatile. My co-worker was just the opposite, saying that’s exactly the kind of person he would play for.
But I don’t want the real laid back type of person, either. You know, the ones who sit there and you wonder if they’re comatose.
I think I’d like to play for Dale Faber. Now, I know him only from games and postgame interviews and I love him. He’s funny but intense. I’m highly competitive, so I love the intensity, and I could put up with the yelling because he’ll probably make me laugh (inside my head) at some time.
So how about you? This could be a coach you had when you were playing, it could be a professional or college coach, or a coach in the area.
Do you prefer the Randy Dreilings of the world or the Alan Schuckmans? The Carl Taylors or the Eric Hofer-Holdemans.
Let me know.
August 6th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Joanna you have to be kidding me. Randy Smithson and Dale Faber?I had a family member who played for both coaches.
I can give you Randy Smithson as possibly a head coach because he is a proven winner, but the antics, the way he treats his players is a negative, a snake is what you should call him. Practicing after games, twice a day during the season, neglecting time from family, running players to weight loss, long nights and early practice mornings, threatning to fight with players. The list goes on with this guy. A Coach I wouldnt send my son to play for..
And Dale Faber.. I dont know how he keep his job year after year.. Oh let me tell you.. HIS PLAYERS.. the more he sits and lets his players play.. the more he WINS.. but the second he tries to start “coaching” is when he loses. I believe (and I may be wrong) this is the reason why he hasnt won a Conference Championship. He’ll skate his way to the conference tournament.. place well and make the National NAIA Tournament.. securing his job for another year.. Im really laughing at this Selection Joanna.
Now Joanna.. If there was a coach I’d like to play for he would be.. Steve Eck. and I dont need to start listing his personal achievements.. But Dale Faber and Randy Smithson. Horrible Selection Joanna.
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August 6th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Whoo-eee, The Truth.
First of all, I didn’t think this would be a coach bashing post, since it was titled “What coach would you love to play for?”
Secondly, I didn’t say I’d love to play for Smithson. I said a co-worker said he could play for him.
But I do want to hear why you said Eck. Hence the name, what coach would you love to play for?
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August 6th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Tom Young.
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August 6th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Gary O’Hair. A good coach and even better guy.
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August 6th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Coach Faber would be a great coach to play for. I think Mark Potter would have to be right up there, too. I’ve talked to umpteen number of players who played for both and the positive comments are overwhelming.
As far as Steve Eck … I guarantee you’d always win!
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August 6th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
If you’re talking football, I think I’d want a combination of coaches. Many times having a position coach that is really tough on you and then having a head coach that builds you back up is a good mix, and it seems to work at many college programs.
It can work in reverse as well, having a head coach be the yeller and screamer and then having some assistants that are the “nice guys”.
I think it’s hard to have a whole coaching staff be the same way. The differing personalities are important.
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August 6th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I’m sure mine is pretty clear..WESTON SCHARTZ
Another great coach is Bo Black from Great Bend and last but not least wherever you went to school in Wichita people wanted to play for the Legend Coach Kriewel (Kapaun)
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August 6th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I’d drink beer with Randy Smithson. Wait, I’ve done that. :)
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August 7th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Mike Gehrer. One of the best coaches around. Only if I would have listened.
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August 7th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Kris, I’d love to hear what you mean about Gehrer.
TFL, you make a good point. It’s kind of like parenting — both parents can’t be screaming at the kids when they mess up. It’s the whole good cop, bad cop thing.
Green is Magic, can you give me a reason for Tom Young? (By the way, this isn’t me questioning your choice — I love Tom Young — but I love specifics.)
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August 7th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Excuse me Joanna I read wrong. But as far as “Coach Bashing” Im simply stating.. “TheTruth”
Steve Eck is a winner I dont think hes lost 100 games through his coaching career. He sends players Division I, he truely loves and has a passion for the game of basketball.
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August 7th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Play (run) for, Ollie Isom when he was a Butler.
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August 7th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Jim, I’ve got to admit that that’s a name I don’t recognize. I’d love more info.
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August 7th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Coach Smithson Coach Faber Coach Eck are all outstanding coachs. I would play for any of them. TFL hit it though you need a “staff” that has different qualitys but i will always take a Parcels,Knight,Drieling,Smithson type for the Head man !
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August 7th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I wish Coaches.. and “Old timers” would recognize that Sports are changing.. ‘Fballfn’.. those days of “tough ass”.. “hard as nails” type of Coaches are over with.. Student/Athletes are not responding to those types of coaches anymore.. Prime Example.. Tom Coughlin of the NY Giants.. one of the strictest coaches currently in the NFL.. he finally takes a backseat to his players and he wins a Superbowl.. Mack Brown of Texas.. Opened himself up for change.. (He admits Vince helped him with this) he wins a National Championship.. Here in Kansas.. Bill Self.. gives his players respect and Freedom.. wins a National Championship..
I believe this is why Parcells got drove out of Dallas.. Sports was changing and he couldnt/didnt want to adapt. Also with Bob Knight..
Pete Carroll of USC.. Bonafide Winner.. he adapted to the game and is highly successful.. These coaches that can adapt, also have a sense of hard work but they know times are different in relating to players..
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August 7th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Joanna, Coach Isom was the distance coach at Butler and produced many JC All-Americans. He gave Butler a national championship in CC in the 70’s. One of the kindest, gentlest persons I have known. I think the rawest thing I heard him say was “hamburger”. You would run through a wall for him if he told you it would help you get better. Never lied to you about anything. There are many more things I could write, but my fingers are getting tired.
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August 7th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I don’t know if those “tough ass” coaches are gone. I mean look at a guy like Carl Taylor from SE. How many times has he sat out his best players because they did something wrong or disrespectful. Got to respect a coach for that and no one crosses him if they want to see the court. Tom Izzo from Michigan State, or Jim Calhoun from Uconn. I think to say Bill Self is not “hard as nails” is far off. He is one tough SOB. You ever see him during a timeout. He can light up his team in a second if they are not hustling. Yes, he gives them freedom on offense, but heck even john Wooden gave his teams freedom on offense. Coaches are giving their players alot more freedom now a days on offense, but this doesn’t mean they will not tear these players down to make them tougher. Bruce Pearl, nut job and will make his players feel more like crap about a mistake than anyone except for some guy named Gene at WSU (2nd most wins in NCAA baseball) who probably eats nails. Coach I would like to have played for is Potter from Newman, his players never met a shot they didn’t like. The guy has more energy than that rabbit on those commercials. Also, Steve Eck just to see what makes his teams so dang good. On a dream level would loved to have even been a walk-on or water boy for any team that John Wooden coached.
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August 8th, 2008 at 6:17 am
I played summer baseball for Mike. At first, we didn’t hit it off too well. Then one day it finally clicked. The passion and love of the game was incredible. He is such a motivater. We played in the 16yr and under. We advanced to the nationals. Heck we even competed in the 18 yr and older. He even pitched a few games. I remember he took one off the head. I was catching. It scared the hell out of me. It was a line drive shot. He continued on. I loved it. Not only did he practiced what he preached, but he backed it up. Then he went on to Collegiate. He had a great career there coaching both baseball and football. He is one hell of a man and mentor. Thanks Mike for all of those good times. Only if I could turn back time. Live and learn.
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August 8th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Mark Schmit, pole vault coach at Andale. The guy has all the knowledge, but more importantly, knows how to relate to the kids and make it fun. I amazed at how much time he gives of himself to work with any of the kids that are interested.
Andale is truly blessed to have a coach like Mark. He could coach anywhere at any level and be successful.
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August 8th, 2008 at 9:01 am
“BillMangino”.. Honestly.. Coach Taylor from Southeast is going to win anyway.. its the Wichita City League.. bad example.
Tom Izzo.. and Jim Calhoun.. I can say I dont pay enough attention to comment..
But as far as Coaches period. Coaches are going to yell if you’re not hustling doing your job etc. its their job.. but as far as relating and adapting to your players.. Self has.. He is on Facebook.. Probably on MySpace.. he recruits well because players can relate to Self. and Bruce Pearl.. great example of how a coach can have fun.. relate to his players and still get things done.. Tennessee Men’s Basketball was nowhere on the map before he came.
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August 8th, 2008 at 11:00 am
I’ve played for Coach Faber, Potter, Eck, and Southern (AAU). I loved them all because they demanded from you perfection. They didn’t pat you on the back all the time and tell you how good you were. TOUGH LOVE! I’d love to play for Bob Knight.
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August 8th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
you’ve listed big high school coaches, but here are some smaller school coaches that i’ve watched coach, and really would want my son to play for:
Les Davis: Former Sedan Head Football, Boys Basketball and Baseball Coach
Mike Hevel: Waverly Head Boys Basketball, Head Football Coach
Lewis Wiebe: Berean Academy Head Boys Basketball Coach
Chuck Smith: Pitt Colgan Head Football
Wayne Chicon(sp): Pitt Colgan Boys Head Basketball
Kyle Green: Oxford Head Boys Basketball Coach
Ryan Cornelson: LaCrosse Head Football Coach
Travis Hermerick (sp): Colony Crest Head Boys Basketball Coach
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August 8th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
“truth” im well aware that its a dieing breed but i wouldnt call it “giving them respect”I cant even watch Basketball for the most part anymore its a joke to be honest for sure the nba.
Freedom didnt win a National Championship ,lol lack of disapline and free throw shootingby Memphis did. On that note i hope they enjoy it because the baskekball universe will be back where it belongs with ANOTHER title for UNC in 2009. Yall will luck into another one in 20yrs . Let me remind you how 88 was won with “Tubbs” being so stupid and not taking the ball inside but letting his team keep shooting 3,s a biddy coach could have done better. Argue all you want and KU has some GREAT wins in the last 20 years but those 2 games were as much or more the other team being brain dead and ku happening to be there to collect the ring.
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August 8th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Fballfn, I’ve used your same rationale when talking about how Dean Smith basically had championships handed to him, i.e., Chris Webber’s technical foul on the timeout, the errant pass that went straight to James Worthy.
But let’s be honest here, no game comes without mistakes. The winner plays well enough to win or takes advantage of the other team’s miscues. KU played well in that game, Memphis choked down the stretch. Can’t blame KU.
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August 8th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
The Memphis/KU game just came down to a player making a big shot and another team spending too much time in practice working on one on one moves and not ft shooting. Overall you also have a coach in Self which has more dicipline than Jonny C. Bill Self drills his kids and makes practice soo tough that the players become mentally tough and Memphis did not have that. Dean smith the same way, very disciplined coach. Truth, not sure what you mean by saying Carl Taylor is going to win anyway, its the city league? I mean look at heights back in the day when Doughty was there. Unbelievable talent and never won a state title when he was there. Heck one year had a team of 4-5 D1 players and I think 3rd in state. I think Goose did a great job but with a little more discipline he could have given Coach Eck a better run for his money. Taylor does a great job and without a doubt is old school tough as nails.
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August 9th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Roger Barta. Without a doubt. Teaches his young men to be responsible citizens first and foremost before championship football players, which he does pretty well at doing, too. Not the greatest of quotes, but he’s not one to put anyone down, either. I don’t believe anyone could have handled the 72-point first quarter vs. Plainville in last year’s playoffs the way he did.
HutchFootball, I have to agree with you on Chuck Smith. A true gentleman in every sense of the word. Whenever I’m at an event and I see him, I have to go out of my way to say hello.
Having watched Randy Dreiling on the sidelines at the Shrine Bowl, he’s a little more keyed up than I like, but I believe the Salthawks get even more out of their talent because of his abilities. Maybe a little difficult to work with as Joanna has described, but what championship coach isn’t sometimes?
Why haven’t we had any female sports coaches discussed on this board? For volleyball, I’d have to give my vote to Kapaun’s Terri Hessman. She gave a FABULOUS seminar at the coaching school this past week. And she’s tremendously organized and keeps her teams at or near the top of the City League, which is no mean feat.
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August 9th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Bob Knight. Would never wanna play for, or have my kids play for one of the soft coaches that has “adapted” to the modern athlete. And by adapt, I assume you mean sucking up to the kids or parents. There is no reason you have to change the way you coach these kids now days. That just doesnt make any sense. If your knowledge of the game is good enough and you know how to teach that to kids or young adults, then there is no reason you cannot still run a good dictatorship in sports. And God forbid if a coach lays his hand on a kid or cusses at him nowdays!! Parents run down to the school and cry about “your mean coach called little johnny a bad word at practice and now his poor feelings are hurt” Give me a damn break! For sure kids are alot more soft nowdays (not all, but as a whole), but a coach should make them adapt to his way. Not the coach change for whatever baby kids there may be at his school. That logic is crazy, if the kid is not responding then dont have crybabies on the team. Seems prettty simple. Again Bobby Knight, Woody Hayes (like that little slap to helmet hurt, whatever), Don Chaney.
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August 9th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Most of these coaches named are good, but they don’t stand up against Head Ball Coach! That’s right, Steve Spurrier of South Carolina. He is the ultimate college coach: mega success as a college coach, then went pro and SUCKED, then went back to college and kicked some more tail. That is the life story of any great college football coach, in my opinion.
Being a track and field athlete, and specializing in the hurdles, and also being a South Carolina fan, I would undoubtedly love to be coached by Curtis Frye (head track coach, U of SC). He has coached numerous national hurdle champions such as Allen Johnson, Terrance Trammell, and newly crowned national champ Kevin Craddock. He also has many new recruits including world junior runner up Booker Nunley of Garner, North Carolina. And of course my favorite athlete, the imortal Johnny Dutch. Dutch, one of the alltime highschool greats, finished fifth at the trials, and oh yeah, he is only a frosh!
All these athletes go to Frye, and if things work out for me in my senior year of high school track, I will too.
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August 9th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
jackporter, Spurrier is a god in my house. A freakin’ god. I truly cannot believe that the man I married is such a fan of the man I detested for so long. The only reason I cheer for the Gamecocks is because I like my man to be happy.
Also to jackporter, you’ve been cropping up on this site ever since J. Long mentioned you were in Tennessee and are a former Kansas, so give us some history, dude. Where are you from? What’s your connection to Kansas?
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August 9th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
And Joanna, I don’t very much appriciate you posting that I was the fastest hurdler in Tennessee with a 14.6. That was my state championship time after a rainout and only 20 minutes of warmup. My real top time was a fully automated 13.94.
Can’t have you making me look bad in my real home state!
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August 9th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
I hale from McPherson Kansas. I was coached by Mike Reith, and he is the reason I am so good. Umm, sixth at state frosh year in the 110s, and fifth soph year, but was ranked first going in. Moved to Tennessee and attend Blackman High School. Not much of a track school but they treat me great. I love this place.
Once track season started, my times were good, but didn’t take off till I sprained my left hamstring (ironic). When I did, I recorded times of 14.00h, 13.93h, and an FAT 13.94. Won state by .48. Sixth in 300 hurdles, and top returnee in the state in both events. Chasing both state records in the 110 and 300 meter hurdles: 13.84 and 36.58 respectively.
I love solving the Rubik’s Cube and am about to get in the new 7×7.
That’s about it. I am surprised that you remember me posting…
and how did you find out about me moving to tennessee and winning state?
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August 10th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Like Spurrier alot also!
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August 10th, 2008 at 10:15 am
jackporter, I didn’t know about you until J. Long, who worked in Tennesee, posted on this blog a short about you.
So you’re a Pup, huh?
So is Tennessee not as strong as Kansas (since you won state there but not in Kansas) or are you just that improved? Yes, I was trying to start something there. Hey, Kansas doesn’t get much love. Apparently there are too many folks who think there aren’t good athletes here.
Crazy.
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August 10th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Well I didn’t win state cause for some reason i just never run well at Wichita State, but I did also drop .67 seconds from soph to junior year. Wait till the Kansas Relays, then you will see how I match up against Kansas competition. The Walker twins, from Bonner Springs would be the best from Kansas next year. It should be a hell of a race, plus there might be a coupled kids from Missouri and Nebraska to push us.
But Kansas was incredibly surprising this last year in the hurdles. I mean INCREDIBLY surprising. You have three kids under the 14 second barrier, and then you have a few in the 14.3’s. Unfortunantly most of those times were handheld, but at state there were a couple under 14.1. Lawson Montgomery would be, in my opinion the best from Kansas, with Keith Hayes right there.
As far as other sports, most are the same… except of course for football. I thought football was big in Kansas, even know not much national recognition is shed on it, but i was mistaken. Football rules all in Tennessee. ALL. It is huge. I’m not sure even Hutch could compete with the likes of Smyrna West, Mariville, and other state champs from Tennessee.
And track and field sucks in tennessee. they hate that a Kansan dominated the hurdles this year. But the second best high school hurdler ever in Jackie Coward is in Tennessee. She went to Knox West. And theres the best Decathlete in the nation in Ben Davies from Brentwood Academy. But other than that not much.
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August 10th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I would have to say that i would probably be better than Kansas hurdlers this year, but not by much.
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August 12th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Yes Joanna i completely agree you have to take advantage of mistakes but in both of those games mentioned they allready had the lead when those mistakes were made,of course that dosnt mean they would or wouldnt have won.
I can hardly watch basketball anymore anyway with all the stupid selfish players on the floor. When a “fatman” sitting on his couch can hit more free throws than many of the “stars” there is real problem. I hear today about the Olympic team to win the gold they need to hit more outside shots. Every year its getting worse and it makes me sick to watch these kids who cant shoot and are never made to learn because they can “run and jump”.
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