Greener Grass?

In his book WINNING EVERY DAY, the former Notre Dame football coach, Lou Holtz, tells the story of the Trappist monk who was allowed to say only two words every three years. After the first three years, he met with the his order’s Brother Superior and  said, “Bad bed!” 3 years later, he came back to say, “Bad food!” After 3 more years of silence, the monk said, “No TV!” Another 3 years passed. This time, when the monk met with Brother Superior, he handed him his robes and sandals and announced, “I quit!” Brother Superior said, “Well don’t expect me to try to dissuade you. You’ve done nothing but complain since you got here!”

Complaints, excuses, envy, ambition...we’ve all been there.  Unless you are in a perfect place (which would make you an Angel), the grass may appear to be greener on the other side of the fence. The truth is that every job, every person, every situation has some flaws.  Until you own your circumstances, you will never truly maximize the potential of your situation.

Coach Holtz repeatedly has commented, “Make the big-time where you are at.”  Your job isn’t as good as another?  Your department doesn’t have what another has?  Your budget is too low?  Maybe you should start watering the grass on your side of the fence a little bit more.

Success and happiness are not always about resources but rather being resourceful. Andy Carter,  my athletic director when I was at Newberry College,  used to say “If it was easy we wouldn’t need you.” If you complain too much or make too many excuses, then you are indirectly saying that you are not the man for the job.

The late, great UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden, used to say, “Don’t let what you can’t do interfere with what you can do”.  Yes, he had all-time greats Bill Walton and Lew Alcindor.  However, one year he also had the shortest team to ever win a NCAA basketball title.  He was forced to find a way to win without height, thus bringing the game of basketball the 2-2-1 full-court trapping defense.

As Albert Einstein used to say, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” You are in your position for a reason.  Own your situation.  Make it perfect for you.  How will you take advantage of your opportunities?  How will you make your grass greener?  Each of us has a water hose...the question is “will we use it”?

Defense Wins Championships

All of us sports fans have heard it said that "Defense Wins Championships".  Though that axiom has a lot of legitimacy, it is hard to say whether it is 100% true.  Lots of things go into winning a championship. However, I must say that this year, it seemed that I noticed more winning coaches praising their team's defensive efforts as the main reason for their success.  This has gotten me to thinking about my team and whether or not we should emphasize defense even more next year. It probably can't hurt. Regardless, here are some of the examples that I am talking about when it comes to defense helping a team win a basketball championship.

Rob Edmisson, coach of the NAIA championship Oklahoma City University women's team, said "We defended so well, especially on their All-American (Lavanda Ross). We held her (Ross) to very few looks and really made it tough for her to be effective. Defense wins championships, we say that all the time and it proved itself tonight."

Rick Pitino may not have won a championship, but he did lead his unsung Louisville Cardinals to the NCAA's Final Four before bowing out to the eventual champions.  His team made a tourney run with, arguably, the best defense in the nation.

Kentucky's John Calipari obviously had the most talented team all year.  They were balanced on offense, exciting in transition and have futures at the next level.  However, in the biggest game on the biggest stage, they brought a suffocating defense.  "They won it on defense,'' said Calipari. "Unbelievable defense to get that 18-point lead in the first half."

Brittney Griner, the national defensive player of the year, was undoubtedly the most dominating force in women's basketball all year.  At 6'8", she seems to impact every possession of a game.  Combine this with her teammate's defensive tenacity and it is understandable how Baylor University and coach Kim Mulkey were able to take care of some unfinished business and win its' second National Championship this year.