Stanford Basketball 2013-14 November 2013, Issue 4.1 | Page 5

STANFORDBASKETBALL November 2013

everything from my MBA was suddenly applicable. All
of my b-law courses were like the NCAA manual. All of
my statistics classes were like the quantitative data we
study now. From a managerial standpoint, I learned
about quality control.
How do we teach through
empirical evidence? How do we eradicate fear? How
do you get everyone to function as one?
My MBA experience has helped shape my
coaching philosophy toward individual improvement.
We have to set individual goals in addition to team
goals and hopefully those two can meet at some point
in time. Using quantitative data and never forgetting
about the heart of the organization. I think it’s easy to
do on or the other but hard to do both. When I taught
at Fordham I created this course on how to create,
build, lead and sustain championship teams. What it
helped me do was look at my last 20 years in coaching,
look at the good, bad, indifferent experiences and try to
create this formula where people can put themselves if
they want to be part of a great team.

What are you most looking forward to about the
upcoming season?
I can’t wait to see our team come together and
compete as one on a daily basis. It’s already coming,
it’s there, now it’s just a question of when. Like when
Michelangelo said he released David from the marble;
we’re still hammering away at our marble. A lot of this
stuff that the staff has been building for the past few
years, the momentum is surging, and the energy and
strength of this core group is tremendously exciting.
What I love about this, the holy grail of coaching, is how
do you find synergy where the sum is greater than the
parts combined? I do believe with the crew we have,
we have this special thing because of all the
experiences they’ve shared and there’s a hunger and
desire. I’m excited, because I get to see it everyday,
and how do you keep our eyes on the prize, don’t get
too high or too low, how do you let this team grow into
what they can become. That’s always the fun part. I’m
really excited about this team because it has a lot of
great things in store.

Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow, Never Quit.
-U.S. Navy SEALs Motto
Shortly after reporting to campus for the season, the Cardinal participated in a a grueling on-campus
Navy SEAL training to build leadership and teamwork skills. Wearing plain white t-shirts stenciled with
their last names, the players and staff began the day by taking part in basic boot camp drills, answering to
commands, carrying large rafts above their heads and learning proper techniques for standing, turning
and crawling. Training on the court, in the pool and in the sand, the drills tested the physical limits and
mental toughness of the team.