Monday, April 9, 2007

The Beginning

Welcome to my blog, “A Coach’s Journey to Division I Basketball!” I have decided to pursue a career in coaching basketball. I hope to end up being the head coach of a Division I basketball team before my career is over. It is my dream and my passion. I love the game of basketball and have enjoyed my time roaming the sidelines as much as anyone can. This goal is set very high, but certainly obtainable.

Here is a little background on me so you know where I am coming from. I played basketball from the time I could walk. In high school, I dedicated myself to the game and had a decent high school career. I ended up going to Tri-State University to play basketball. It’s a small college in Northeast Indiana and it was NAIA at the time I went there. I had a great time at TSU, but after my freshmen year I decided to transfer to Indiana University to be a full-time student.

After two years at IU, I was still undecided on what I wanted to do with my life. Every person knows that if you are not motivated results will be poor for obvious reasons. I had no motivation because I didn’t know what direction I wanted to go. This is when I figured out I should probably take some time away from school and work until I found what I wanted to do.

During the time I was away from school, I decided to see if the high school I graduated from needed any help for the upcoming season. I was just thinking something like game scouting or something like that, but they ended up offering me a position to coach at the middle school. This is where my fire was lit to the coaching lifestyle.

I was very lucky to work with a great man and excellent coach, Andy Houpt. He had a great coaching resume and is one of the best teachers of the game I have been around. He really helped me and encouraged me in my coaching. Without Andy, I would have struggled greatly and probably wouldn’t have liked coaching very much at all. I look to him for advice on all sorts of things and I think every young coach needs a mentor like that.

Currently, I am coaching an AAU team that is based out of Carmel, Indiana. It’s a freshman to be team. The team has great individual talent, but they have never played with players that are as good as themselves. They have struggled with many team aspects of the game, but many have shined independently. AAU is a different beast than school basketball. Different complexities and different problems, but it is a good experience in quickly meshing talent. I’m hoping to get some time assisting the senior to be team this summer. The more experience the better.

That should give you a good idea of where I am starting my journey. I have some hurdles to get over since I didn’t play for a Division I college for four years. I, also, have some connections and advantages that the average beginning coach doesn’t have. I believe with 100% certainty I will succeed in the coaching business and will have the opportunity to be the head coach of a D-I basketball team. Let the wonderful journey begin!