Contacts Episode #184: Brian Katz

Welcome to this edition of the "The Coaching Journey," a newsletter dedicated to sharing insights and advice from experienced coaches. In this edition, we revisit with first time author, Brian Katz, 2015 NCAA Mid-Major Coach of the Year, as we discuss his new book, The Road More Traveled. Read on to discover the wisdom he gleaned throughout his career.

Full Episode HERE

10 Key Insights from Brian Katz:

• Deep Inner Confidence: Coach Katz emphasized that players with deep inner confidence are able to overcome challenges and mistakes more quickly, leading to faster improvement.

• Culture of Honesty: Establishing a culture where honesty is valued above all allows for genuine growth and learning, avoiding unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings between players and coaches.

• Parental Support: Parents play a crucial role in an athlete's development by offering proper support and enabling the coach to mentor their child effectively. Parents thanking coaches for discipline and recognizing the long-term benefits is highlighted.

• Leadership through Followership: Recognizing when to lead and when to follow is crucial for team dynamics. Jesse Satterfield's understanding that growth and leadership comes from knowing when to follow, especially during the integration into a new team culture.

• It’s OK to Be Great: Kevin Bland's story taught us that encouraging players to embrace their strengths and not shy away from standing out due to their talents can lead to personal and team success.

• Importance of Relationship-Building: The bonds formed between players, and between players and coaches, outlast the game. Katz stresses the life-long connections and the importance of these relationships beyond basketball.

• Winning Players vs. Talented Players: Katz distinguishes between merely talented players and winning players who understand that success on the court is about contributing to the team's overall success, not just personal accolades.

• Accepting Roles for Team Success: Players who accept and excel in their roles, even if it means not being a star player, are crucial for a team’s success. The example of Travis Jackson and AJ shows the impact of embracing one’s role for the benefit of the team.

• Learning from Players: Katz shares how much he has learned from his players over the years, emphasizing that the coaching relationship is mutually beneficial and not just a one-way street.

• Adversity as Opportunity: The stories shared highlight how facing and overcoming adversity, both on and off the court, serves as valuable learning experiences that shape individuals into better players and people.

For a deeper dive into these lessons and more, check out Brian Katz's book, "The Road More Traveled," available on www.coachbriankatz.com and Amazon.

Listen to his episode here

Watch his episode here: You Tube

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Best regards, Justin Clymo

What Keeps Contacts Going.