Most Valuable Asset-Our Players

One of the most impressive things about this weekend was the fact that 2 assistant coaches from national championship winning Texas A&M were there and eager to learn. Associate Head Coach Kelly Bond was also one of the speakers and she spoke on "Our Most Valuable Asset-Our Players." Sometimes we get so caught up in recruiting, scouting, and all of the other components of our job that we forget about why we have a job-and that is the players. Here are some notes for Coach Bond:

• Our most valuable asset above all else is ourselves, If we don't take of our selves we can't take care of anyone else. That includes spiritually, mentally, and physically.
• What did you promise players while you were recruiting them?
• 1.) That you would take care of them
• 2.) Opportunity
• Nothing about playing time or winning games.
• The environment of your program can be divided into layers of protection. At the center is the student athlete. She is surrounded by the head coach and assistant coaches. Next layer is the seniors and the captains. Next layer is the TEAM. Next layer is the players' family and the other teammates' families. The next layer is the community and the university.
• 1 layer could possibly break but not all 6 layers.
• At Texas A&M after wins the whole team stays on the court while the families of all of the players come and join them and then everyone goes into the locker room including the families.
• They want the community to know Sydney Carter not #4.
• They want the community and other people to invest in their people not their players.
• Upon arriving in College Station after winning the national championship, the players signed autographs for 5 hours until every single person there had gotten one.
• Team played for something more than themselves.
• By giving back it takes the focus off of the player and allows them to humbly give back.
• Strength coach had bible studies before every game and every single player on the team voluntarily attended.
• Sometimes right or wrong people are identified by their presentation and their look. So she and Coach Harris take interest in the players and teach them right way to dress, act, etc. Take them shopping, let them look in your closet, etc.
• In recruiting they tell players "No one will care as much as we do."
• Bring in people the players can connect with for their next career. TV reporters, doctors, accountants or whatever.
• Teach them financial responsibility. How to pay bills, how to balance a check book, how to use the bank.
• Their coaches always keep up with deadlines for Pell grants and other things the players need to do to receive the most help. Sometimes players aren't even aware of all of the programs and things they can use.
• Be creative with meals and housing to make sure your players are receiving the most help possible.
• "The bench is the majority of the team, the bench can't be neglected and expect to be successful."
• Their players take pride in the scout team and Coach Bond joked that some of them don't want to switch off of scout team to go to 1st team at practice sometimes.
• Bench is really involved in every part of the game and the program.
• As assistant coaches we are firefighters and it is a daily job that must be done.
• Make sure you know of all of the services available to players such as counseling services and other free resources. Must be willing to reach out and help because all players have baggage.
• When coaching kids never make it personal. You may hate the way that someone is playing but you don't hate that kid and you must find a way to get that across to the players.