Tonight I want to just share a few thoughts about how lucky I have been in my life in one specific area of my life working with my assistant coaches. My coaching life was blessed at the start because I was lucky enough to work for three extraordinary head coaches..Mike Roller...Dan Hays..and Coach Meyer. All three were exceptional. And even though I suppose most anyone reading this is mostly familiar with Coach Meyer. You can all trust me when i say this...Dan Hays and Mike Roller are every bit amazing as Coach was. I use stuff that I learned from them both everyday. But this is really about my assistants. My first hire as an assistant coach was Bob Sain..now Dr. Robert Sain. This hire was one of the most important I ever made. I hired Bob because he was my friend. He loved me despite my faults and short comings and he listened to me and he cared. His wife..Amy.. and Bob were my friends when I moved to work at Union. I loved them then for taking a risk to follow me to Union and they were an extension of my family.They both worked so hard to help us lay the foundation for what was to come. I always knew Bob would be a principle..and Amy and Bob would be a great couple and would have a wonderful family. And I was right. The next hire was deciding to keep Eric Volbert on as a assistant after he played at Union. He was a great fit and always worked so unselfishly to help us learn the UNion way vs the Lipscomb way. I Loved Eric and his Family who supported us. The last guy I brought with me was Mark Campbell. This was a funny hire actually because Mark was such a good guy I think he might have taken a huge gamble to come to UU. Those of you who know Mark so well...know he is such a good Christiaqn that I think he could probably make The Apostles Paul and Peter feel like they were slacking...lol. Well obviously he was meant to be a coach and his grace centered attitude toward me was really a thing to witness. So my first hires were three of the finest men I have known. each gifted and special and each filled with a heart of acceptance and grace toward me and all my many faults and mistakes..basketball wise and personally. Ray Lynn Woods came to work with us about the same time that Dave..( now David ) Niven did. Ray Lynn was a tireless worker..and always had a heart of a servant. He was and still to this day is my friend. We talk about every other day. He is going to be a fantastic head coach when it is his time. David..came for no money having worked for another friend Coach Bob Hoffman..( Famous now for beating Duke). David was a volunteer. He was the best free coach anyone will ever get..lol. He was so ready to be a head coach..so prepared. His preparation took our team to another level. It is easy to see why he has been so successful as a head coach. He is the perfect match for Coach Campbell spiritually too. Between the two of them...wow..I used to think they would make Jesus feel guilty..( oh come on...that had to make you smile!)And he found his beautiful wife while he was my assistant and started his family too. Nothing made me happier than to see him named head coach after i left Union. He is a perfect man for the job. I have had other guys stop in their Coaching jouney to help us at Union..Brandon Wood..a great mind for basketball and one of my favorite players. Dexter Williams..mr State championships..a great coach in HS still doing it. Jonathan Kee..now a principle in west Tn....Michael Katrosh..a fantastic player , leader, and a great coach too.Had an awesome family always so supportive! Its so cool he is married to one of my favorite Volleyballers...Lindsey..:-)...sweet fam..Ryan Massey...another assistant..who is a great coach a great guy..and who married a volleyballer too! geesh ..Nice Job coach Brian Dunn. To think all those guys added to what we did..served..and always encouraged me. I know there are others I am leaving out...lol sorry...just to old to go look up names. But let me say this to everyone who knows you guys. All of you have blessed my life. I hope I told you that and I hope you felt that when you worked for me. i hope it was fun. I hope it was about family and winning but i hope it was about relationship. My luck just keeps on rolling even here in Colorado. I have been blessed from the start to have the guy who I think is the finsest assistant anyone could have....Tommie johnson. It took me less than 5 minutes into our first conversation to know how special Tommie is. . He is every bit the finest Christian man that Mark and David are. he loves his family ( and so do I ). He is a talented on the floor coach . he understands the game..and knows how to teach it. He is a relentless recruiter. There is no one better. If Coach K was smart he would come get him..because he is that good. But more than all those great things..he is a lover. He loves our players..he loves our program, and he loves his Family. It is such a pleasure for me to see him every day.and ..he is my friend. My first grad assistant was a super coach too ...Ken Moses. Ken was exactly what i needed. A young firey guy not afraid to disagree and yet willing to learn. He works for Kearny now (.traitor)..lol ) But his future is unlimited also. My new grad assistant is a former player from my first team...Ty Trahern. he was a coach on the floor when he played. one of my favorite all time players. And he is exceptional as a coach. he follows in a long tradition of great coaches from his family..from grandpa..to dad...to brother. He is in the makings of another Trahern coaching legend. There is one common thread thru all these guys. I used to think it and say it some, but as I have gotten older..I see the truth even more. I always was lucky to surround myself with guys who were better than i was. They all helped to bring out the best in me...helped to encourage me..or in some cases..correct me. They were always there to help me out. It is such a rare thing when the older guy is lucky to have younger guys to live as examples..but I always have. So my life has been so fortunate...to start with older and experienced coaches who are all hall of famers..and to end my coaching career..with so many younger guys who are so amazing in their ability to love me..encourage me..to lift me up and to always make me look better than i am. Thanks to all you guys. Tonight My heart is filled with happiness because of you.
Posted on: Sat, 31 May 2014 02:35:05 +0000
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