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The Coach That Knew More Than John Wooden
By Coach Randy Brown

A challenge must be issued to all basketball coaches and coaches of any sport. Regardless of level or sport, every coach faces problems, obstacles, and frustration of the job. Coaches, you can become razor sharp as long as you have a mentor to guide them and provide accountability. If you are coaching alone, it leads me to ask this question, "Coach, who are you listening to?"

Name the biggest names in business, education, politics, and coaching and you will find a commonality. Each of them have made great use of leaning from others. Business leaders have "business coaches" just as politicians have "advisors. Not only did these leaders lean on successful businessmen on their way up, they lean on them to stay at the top.

Here are two critical questions that all coaches must answer for themselves honestly:

If the greatest leaders in our country rely on mentors, why don't you? and..................

If you aren't listening to a mentor, then WHO are you listening to?

Those that are serious about coaching to their potential, winning more games, or moving up into a better job will allow themselves to seek those that can help them. Here are some of the hurdles that keep coaches from having a mentor:

1. Insecurity

It takes a secure coach to ask for help, especially when they are not sure what the feedback will be. An insecure coach will keep questions and problems to himself and believe they will be worked out on their own.

2. A sign of weakness

This is one of the most false believes we can have. The opposite is actually true. Those that ask for help or look to others for guidance are actually show strength by reaching out. It's the coach that will not reach out and be vulnerable that is the weakest.

3. All knowing

There are coaches that feel they have the game figured out and another voice would only screw them up. Let's all agree here and now, that NO coach has ever figured it out. If you think that is a bold statement then why did John Wooden consistently ask questions seeking to become a better coach. Read anything about this legendary coach and you will learn that he studied the game and sought advice from many other colleagues in the profession. Without the humility to ask for help, the message is that you know more than John Wooden!

4. Not able to take constructive criticism

A coach that hides from confrontation, advice, and criticism will be adverse to seeking a mentor. Listening is a special skill especially when the advice is not all positive. Facing your weaknesses and mistakes is the ONLY way to grow and learn as a coach. What may seem like a step back when facing criticism is actually a huge step forward. We tell our players that the only way they learn is to make mistakes. If that is true for our players then why is it not true for us?

5. Where do you find a mentor?

This excuse can be used only by the brand new young coach. All of us know more experienced coaches in our area and accessing them is as easy as a phone call. The hesitation to seek a mentor cannot rest on not knowing where to find one. If you want to grow, learn and win more games you will find one with no problem.

Ask yourself which one of these five points applies to you? If you don't have a mentor you will not improve like you can. In the end, by keeping your coaching and problems to yourself, you are hurting yourself and the young men that you coach. You owe it to yourself and your players to give them your best. Mentoring is a crucial part of our profession. You can take the plunge and partner up with a mentor and begin to realize your true potential as a person and a coach.