It’s safe to say in every occupation, you need to work hard to get to the top. In the coaching business no one gets a head coaching position without first spending time as an assistant coach. Some work as an assistant for a very long time.
Final Four week is upon us in Indianapolis and besides Michigan State, Butler, Duke, and West Virginia battling each other for the 2010 NCAA championship, college coaches are moving from job to job. Some are getting fired while others get hired.
A head coach who does well becomes the hot name. The assistant coach working for the team that does well in the tournament gets a look from a school with an opening.
But how do these coaches get there? How do they become “hot”?
Realize one thing, it’s not easy.
Tom Izzo is the men’s head basketball coach at Michigan State University. Izzo’s been the head coach for 15 years. Prior to that he was an assistant coach for 12 years in East Lansing.
After starting at the high school level where he spent one season, Izzo coached at his alma mater Northern Michigan; A D-2 school.
A two month cup of coffee at Tulsa came first for Izzo before he returned to Michigan to work for Jud Heathcote at MSU.
It’s safe to say, Izzo has paid his dues. Hard work, accountability, loyalty…three traits Izzo has displayed to get where he is.
John Stansberry of College Insider.com with a good story on Izzo.
Jim Calhoun is two for three in Final Fours and the same can be said for Billy Donovan. But neither of those coaches has consistently navigated their teams to the sport’s final weekend the way that Izzo has. In an era with no Wooden, the last thing Izzo should have to do is defend his postseason record because it stacks up with anyone’s.
“No one can do everything, Everyone can do something”
-Source Unknown
-Coach Finamore
Hoops135@hotmail.com
All I can say is that Coach Izzo is one helluva coach.
I think that says it all Greg. Thanks for your comment. Enjoy the games.
good reading.
my question is to you after reading this article on “the climb”.
with all the people you know and write about in coaching, all the positive hype stories and the connections you have made in coaching why is it that youre stuck coaching at the junior college level?
please dont take this as an insult, im just trying to figure out how some of these young coaches get hired to lead big programs without paying their dues while others who have dedicated their lives to the sport and know the game cant catch a break.
thanks,
rich
Big Rich,
Not insulted at all. Actually I was at the D-1 level in 2005 at Saint Peter’s College. The job at Jackson Community College came open and I applied for the head coaching position. I was hired and have been a head coach ever since 2006.
I never played college basketball, I don’t have any connection. I do know some guys but I guess I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. LOL. I worked at Michigan State as an undergraduate asst (manager) in 1999-2001.
It’s been a ‘climb’ for me. LOL
Plus, I don’t have access to big time HS players (lots of D-1 coaches will hire guys who have players).
I love the Juco level, I get to run my own program.
Thanks for writing, and please stay in touch.
Finamores not “stuck” in coaching JC richardson, he’s building a career in coaching a game which he has loved his entire life. Most of the guys who hire coaches know nothing about basketball and have a short list handed to them, probably right off the internet
Thanks Claud…It’s a climb for sure. Also forgot to mention I got into the college game a little later than most. Never had a desire to coach at the collegiate level until my early 30′s. Loved the HS level but not a teacher so it makes it harder. Thanks for stopping and hope you are well.
Gota Chime in here. There are a lot of great coaches at all levels. I’ve coached middle school ball for years and have a network and friendships with some great coaches on all levels as well. If I never make to college coaching or a high school varsity job I am more than content with what I’ve done at this level. I’d like to think that I coach at the most crucial level in our sport a point which was echoed by Stan vanGundy. The fundamnetals must be taught at those early ages and I love teaching our sport to young men and women. A good bit of kids have gone on to be solid high school and college players. An old guy once told me love of what I do should always come before compensation. I love teaching our sport.
Greg, good call. Coaching is coaching, right?
coaching is coaching, but i am a little dissappointed in how coaching high levels has become an “oldboys club”. I’ve seen guys coach JC for 30 years who are a better coaches then lavin, and others. did you know Izzo only head coaching job before michigan state was high school? could that be replicated today? the good ol boys club of college coaching, be a part of it!
Right on Coach F
Claudy, it would be very hard today for Coach Izzo to get the head job after Heathcote retired.
There is a JC coach at Mott who is very good, Steve Schmidt. A much better coach than a lot of guys at the D-1 level.
thanks coach.
great comments from everyone that responded.
its evident “the climb” for some coaches isnt a climb at all and for others a real long journey.
@claudy: youre so right. theres so many great coaches at the hs,,d2 and juco levels thats better in their trade than many d1 college coaches. st. johns hired lavin a west coast guy who hasnt coached in years. in my opinion a horrible move that opens the door for local ny aau leeches to have a bigger input in who goes there. not to mention limited east coast connections to sign the blue chip players from nyc into that program.
thanks
rich
Big Rich, thanks for adding your comments. Appreciate you on the visit. Some coaches are content where they are, some like to move up. A lot of HS coaches who are certified teachers at the school have a good thing going on and enjoy their town. College guys want to move up, but it’s best to do it if you are single because when you have a family, it gets tougher. As for Lavin, he’ll do fine as long as he hires someone who can recruit and is tied in to East Coast.
The art of coaching directly coincides with teaching. Many coaches spend numerous years absorbing as much knowledge as possible so that they can eventually climb through the ranks. However no matter what school you coach its just as important to understand the impact of teaching. A coach is a teacher of how to play the game, on and off the court. Best of luck to you and keep on teaching this young players what you have learned. You may coaching the next LeBron James or you may be teaching the next Tom Izzo. It would be nice if those impacts were one in the same.
http://huebnerj.wordpress.com
Thanks for stopping…
Izzo is a total class act. I saw him at Best Buy in Okemos and struck a conversation with him for about 5 minutes. Good guy…
Sean, he’s the best. Hard to find one better.