Characteristics of an Effective Coach

Tom Crean and Ralph Pim co-authored a book titled "Coaching Team Basketball: Developing Players With a Team-First Attitude." Most know Tom Crean as my alma mater's, Indiana University's head coach, and Dwayne Wade's college coach at Marquette. Ralph Pim was also an extremely successful coach in his time at Barberton (OH) High School, Alma (MI) College, William & Mary, NW Louisiana, Central Michigan, and Limestone College. I have become a big fan of Coach Pim's writing, particularly he and Jerry Krause's "Lessons from the Legends", and have enjoyed hearing he and Coach Krause speak annually at the NABC Convention. Coach Pim gave Coach Crean his first college coaching job at Alma in 1986 and they partnered together again to write this great book, published in 2007.

One of the things they discussed in their book was "Characteristics of an Effective Coach". This is a great list for a coach at any level to remind themselves of on a regular basis...

- Be trustworthy.
- Be passionate.
- Be knowledgeable and competent.
- Be a team builder.
- Demonstrate personal courage and mental toughness. - "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - MLK, Jr.
- Be a communicator. (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) - "Most players only hear. The key is listening to what you're being told, what's being said, what is expected of you in your role as part of a team." - Bob Knight
- Be a teacher and motivator.
- Be compassionate.
- Be competitive.
- Focus on the important tasks. - "In the Army, this principle is accomplished by completing a Mission Essential Task List. This list identifies tasks that are the most important in accomplishing the mission. It helps team members prioritize their work since there is only so much time in every day. Army Field Manual 25-101 clearly states, "Do essential things first...Nonessentials should not take up time required for essentials."
- Be a Guardian of the Game.
- Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
- Learn from the legends.