The way of college athletics is now about WINNING… WIN and the world is good…LOSE…and they will not coach in the game very long.

                        Coaches have to find a way to balance that knowledge with “their love for the sport” and their “love of the kids and teaching the game of life”.

                        With that said, a team MUST win to keep a coach employed…so the coach becomes the CEO of the program.  And his/her ‘hires’ are critical.  The highest paid (full ride scholarships) are expected to be DIFFERENCE MAKERS…in the winning directions.  Difference makers in the statistical department, in the CLUTCH department, in the work ethic department, in the attitude department, in the overall success of the program department.  THAT IS PRECISELY WHY THEY GET THE MAXIMUM SALARY…to make a difference!!!  When the highest paid employees (full ride scholarships) do not make that kind of impact…often times, JOBS are in jeopardy.  Maybe the coach made a mistake in the hiring process, and the employee really hasn’t ‘earned’ that salary…BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT to cut salaries…so, instead, coaches get cut.  MAKING THE RIGHT HIRE (recruitment/selection of players) IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING A COACH CAN DO!!!  Sometimes, employees think that getting offered a salary (scholarship) indicates reason to relax and celebrate…when in fact, it is just the opposite…it is time to EARN and RE-EARN the confidence of the coach who thought YOU WERE WORTH A TOP DOLLAR INVESTEMENT.  I, as a coach, make it my goal EVERY SINGLE TO DAY…to re-prove to my athletic director that they made a good hire…and if questioned EACH day…that athletic director would hire me again TODAY!!!!

                        Bottom line, winning is a two way street…the coach needs to work to EARN their salary and put a winning product on the field, and the players…especially the highest paid need to do exactly the same…ANYTHING LESS equals losing…and for some losing means losing a way to support their family and be involved with the game…it is just the way it is…