Coach...

I had just spoken with my beautiful girlfriend for about 15 or so minutes catching up about the days activities. We hung up about 6, and immediately after we hung up, my phone rang again. It was a number that I didn't recognize, so I usually don't answer. After I let it go to voicemail, it showed up that I had received a new message. I checked it to find out that it was my old boss at KSU, Coach Wooldridge. Coach was calling to see how I was doing and what was going on. Said a few other nice things and I tried to call him back shortly there after. Got his voicemail, and so I left him a message and am waiting a return call from him.

Most of you that are reading this understand my respect for Coach Wooldridge, w/o a doubt though, this shows how high character of a person he is, and how much he cares about people. (See Wichita Eagle article from Sep 27th) As a coach, you can only hope that you can build those type of relationships, b/c after all, life and Coaching is about relationships isnt it?

Nebraska Game...

This weekend I am going to do something I have been looking forward to for quite some time. I am going to Lincoln to watch a game in Memorial Stadium. Nebraska is opening Big XII play with KU.

I am looking forward to the atmosphere. I have heard so much about the Stadium, it's going to be awesome to experience it.

Two of my best friends....

2 WEEKS...!!!

In 14 days I will be in Eugene, Oregon!!!! YES!!!!

Proud of our guys...

Our Fall league continued on Sunday, which we won by 8 in the first game, and by 47 in the second game, although that doesnt tell the real story...

I've OFTEN heard coaches talk about how the team "takes on the personality of their coach". Although I am new, and it's only fall league, I have tried to instill certain things that are in my personality into the kids.

Those of you reading this, know how much I like to win, more importantly, hate to lose. Having said that, we played a team in our second game last night and were up 47-20 at half. I told the guys about how we have something to play for, b/c we need to get better. They responded well, executed well, and outscored them 33-13 in the first ten minutes of the second half. Then, b/c of our aggresive, never give in attitude, the opponent started to play cheap, and committ hard, cheap, fouls. The official at one point warned he would stop the game if it continued. Well, it did, and after a hard foul the game was declared over and we had scored 80 points while limiting the opponent to 33 in only 30 minutes, and a running clock.

I equate it to a boxer trying to stay in a fight by head butting, and hitting below the belt, until finally the referee calls it because the boxer has no opportunity to win, and has been beaten. It was a great feeling, and needless to say, I was extremely proud of our guys.

Enjoy your Monday.

It's Friday...

'nuff said...

Oh, and this...
http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=2598383

Lifestyle...

As I sat in the bball clinic last night in KC, I realized how much of a lifestyle difference there is between the D-1 game, and the High School game. Having expierenced it at the D-1 level, I've seen all the time demands, public appearances, private pressures, that are different from the high school game. In the HS game you still have player on/off court problems, parent problems, etc. It's a lifestyle choice though.

Without going into detail, I had conversation with a friend last night who is stressed and overwhelemed. They just feel a constant pressure to work. That is all they are doing, is working and working towards working, and thinking about working and when am I going to be working...

I remember being in HS and being in love with wanting to be the next Roy Williams. I wanted to coach in College worse than anyone could ever imagine. I was always asking people about how to break in, what to do, etc. Then I got to the point where I would ask all of my coaches why they didnt coach in college. The prevailing answer that I got from all of them was the lifestyle. At the time, I thought that was the most silly thing in the world, how could that lifestyle not be the greatest thing ever? Having been through it for 3 years, which I LOVED, I realize all the positives and the negatives. I loved sitting in front of 16,000 people on Wednesday Saturdays for 3 years.

Basically what I'm saying is what I heard President Bush say when I heard him speak at KSU in January. "Priorities give us perspective".

Something to think about...

Almost friday!!

Clinic...

Today the KC Bball Coaches association is putting on a clinic featuring Steve Alford and Mike Anderson. The school is paying for it, and our staff is going to go over and listen to it. I am really looking forward to learning some things, and meeting some people.
A few things im pondering as well:

• Royals still need to win 5 games to avoid another 100-loss season.
• Counting down the days until October 10th, when I head to Eugene
• Looking forward to Saturday's Royals game with Jody and Larry
• Trying to figure out teacher certification process
• I miss Penny and Jax, nothing is better than a good dog, which both of them are.
• Oh, and the Royals preliminary schedule came out for next year, how about the Red Sox to open. Anyone interested in going...?

Have a good one!

A few thoughts...

Yesterday and for 2 periods this morning I have become increasingly annoyed with some of the attitudes/actions of the students that I have in my Study Hall. Although you wouldn't think that this job could be stressful, when you see approach 600 Students a day, I am seeing about 500 more than any other teacher in the building.

I have a firm set of expectations in place, they were given in a handout at the beginning of the year, and I expect the students to follow them. As the semester has gone on, the majority of them have followed, there are groups of kids that think they can get away and act however they want with an obvious disregard for what is in place. This was REALLY annoying to me, because after all, how difficult can it be to sit and be quiet for 50 minutes a day.
What really blew me away was the fact that some students didn't think the rules/expectations applied to them. They know they are not going with the expectations, but yet still continue to act in a way inconsistent with the expectations of the class. That just blew my mind, but then the more I thought about it...

I realized that this is great for me, because it's taught me a couple of important keys for communicating with people, and successfully implementing expectations of a large group.

• It shows me that I should follow the rule of "treating all my students fairly, but not equal" because there is a group that doesn't deserve equal treatment, but yet fair treatment for how they are acting towards me.
• It shows me that you can never waiver in your expectations/beliefs, something that is important, and I already believe in strongly.
• You can only control certain things, so the ones that you can, make sure that you do control them, and then be able to adapt to the things you can't.
• Being well liked and well respected could not be two more different things. I have a wonderful family, a terrific group of friends, and the most wonderful and beautiful girlfriend anyone could ever imagine, so I don't need the students to like me, I just need them to respect me.
• It shows me that being assertive is an important trait to have. You also must be well thought out, and speak clearly and precisely to the students, so they understand exactly where you are coming from.
• Lastly, it shows me that once you think you know, you sure as all heck do not. Always learning, always changing.

Well, I suppose this is what a blog is for, ridiculous rambles. Hopefully you understand where I'm coming from, and I know most of you can certainly relate.

MAKE it a good day!

Monday...

I usually don't have too difficult of a time getting up on Monday's b/c I've rested over the weekend, today was an exception.

Saturday I was up early, for Gameday at 9, and stayed up late. What a day of college football.
Sunday I coached our varsity team in 2 games, a loss by 6, and a win by 51, go figure that.

The highlight of my weekend by far was having two london broil steaks on Sunday with the family back at the house. Been about 3 weeks since I've been that full after a meal. Man they were good.

Normal Monday activity otherwise.

Could NOT make this up...

First, I hope that all of you have an enjoyable weekend. Huge weekend of great college football games, so you all know what I'll be doing.

Secondly, I am not funny as is, nor could I even DREAM to make something like this up. This REALLY did happen during my 3rd hour today.
Student: Can I get a pass to go to the Library
Me: Yeah, it's right there, fill it out and I'll sign it
Student: Oh, whats the date today
Me: The 15th
Student: (Laughs) Oh yeah, I shouldve known that, its my birthday.

Swear to you this happened...

Have a good weekend!

Think about...

• When deciding between talking and listening, realize listening has a lot less competition.
  
• Promise less, and deliver more.

Golf

Only if I could play this well when I am on the real course...I shot a 35, hole #8 got me...post your score...
I may have a match play tournament later...

http://members.shaw.ca/faithshannon/mini-golf-swf.htm

Coach Mac-35
OJello-35
Coach Myro-28...incredible #, may not be beat.

Overheard in Study Hall...

I never thought that it would quite come to this, but after reading every possible newspaper on-line and in print, I have decided a blog might be of interest...
So, here are just a few things that have been said or happened in 3 weeks of Study Hall...

• (Two JV football players chatting)I am so glad we get to play our game today here at the high school. Buddy-->Yeah, oh hey, are we the home or away team?
• A senior when told about a seating chart: That is stupid. My response: You know what else is stupid, that a 18 year old cant follow simple orders to sit for the first 5 minutes so I can take attendance, get to your seat.
• As I had my head down reading/working on something a young girl walked up to me and said something, I couldnt understand. By the time I looked up, she repeated herself..."I am having women problems"

That is just the trifecta of what has happened. Trust me I have much more.

Thanks for taking the time to read, let me know what you think...