Phone Conversation with a High School Coaching Legend

I have many great mentors whose characteristics I admire. One of my mentors, Bob Spencer (one of the first women’s college coaches to reach 500 wins), is a big time note writer. He will read an article about someone, cut the article out of the paper, and send that person the article with a note with some of his own thoughts. Most times, Coach Spencer knew the person. Sometimes it was just random.

Back in February, I read a New York Times article on Coach Leta Andrews, the Head Girls’ Basketball Coach at Grandbury High School in Texas. Coach Andrews recently won her 1,346th game making her the winningest high school basketball coach in the country. Although I don’t know Coach Andrews personally, in true Bob Spencer fashion, I decided to write Coach Andrews a random note congratulating her on her 1,346th win.

A month went by and I forgot all about it. One day out of the blue, Coach Andrews called me. I was very flattered that a coach with her level of success took the time to respond to someone like me. Maybe that’s a lesson in itself. Don’t forget to acknowledge the people who look up to you and never underestimate the positive impact you have on others. I had a similar experience once with Dean Smith. I wrote him a note about his Point Defense and he was nice enough to write back. I kept his letter and have it tucked away at home.

While I had Coach Andrews on the phone, I took the opportunity to ask my standard question I always ask the veteran coaches, “What advice do you have for a young coach like me?”

Coach Andrews responded with the following:
1. Work Hard - One thing you can always control is your effort.
2. Set the Bar High - Be demanding of your team-high expectations.
3. Players need to work on their own commitment. They need spend extra time in the gym.
4. Teach the Fundamentals - You can’t go from A to C to E. You need B and D.
5. Have Time to Laugh - Coach Andrews said “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

I really appreciated Coach Andrews taking the time to talk with me. Her advice seemed so simple, but it is very consistent with the advice I’ve received from other experienced coaches. Maybe that’s what experience teaches you. Keep it simple, otherwise you forget the obvious.

To read the NY Times article on Coach Leta Andrews:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/sports/basketball/15coach.html