How did you get started coaching the system? What did you think of the System the first time you heard about it?
We had a year where we were below .500, we lacked enthusiasm, and our numbers were not what I thought they should be. I was looking for something to boost our numbers. In our conference the two best teams were successful by slowing things down and making it a half court slug fest. We tried to press and run but they still controlled the tempo. I felt we needed to go to something more extreme to get the game going. And finally based on our strengths- depth, lack of size, and shooting- I thought "The System" gave us the best chance to win.
Would you ever go back to traditional basketball? Why or why not?
Yes, I would go back if the following happened-
A- I felt our players 8-13 were just going through the motion feeling playing time was guaranteed.
B- If I felt our talent dictated a different style to better our chances to win.
I would prefer to remain "The System" but I prefer winning more.
What is the number one thing you enjoy about the system?
I really like the feeling that I am less concerned with evaluating players and more concerned with coaching them. I never realized how much energy I spent deciding which player the best was -ranking my players.
I like the feeling that when things are going well that we are completely dictating how the game will be played.
Do you or have you ever regretted changing to the system?
I think regret is the wrong word. The first year after about every game until Christmas I would wonder how we would have done with traditional style. This year we started out 1-2 and had critics but the players and the coaches all felt good about what we were doing.
You talk about your wife’s influence on you as a coach, how has she affected you the most?
My wife does not really enjoy basketball. She really likes my players and gets involved following them and rooting for them, but she is not into the sport itself. She is a social worker which I think allows her to see the big picture better than I do. Critics and the negative people don't seem to faze her; as a result she has always been positive about me going to "The System." She has helped reinforce that "The System" makes educational sense- more participation, more emphasis on playing hard.
What do you have to do next year to go faster and score more points as a team?
Good question. We got a little slower this year. We went from 70 ppg to 67ppg. We went from 17 wins to 28 wins. Our group next year has potential to be very good three point shooters that will be a start. I think the biggest thing is if we can become better defensively, get more steals and more easy- quick baskets.
What was your most satisfying game this year as a coach?
To be honest, we had several pretty satisfying games. Probably our most satisfying was in our Sectional championship (in Illinois we go Regional, Sectional, Supersectional, State), we defeated the #1 team in our area and we scored 52 points in the first half. It was an awesome display by our girls.
Where did you get the passion you have for basketball?
My father was a retired hs basketball coach when I was young. He put hoops at each end of our basement. So I grew up around bball and went to all the hs games from about 3 years old. I got into girls bball because I wanted something without as much pressure, then we won, and now it has the pressure.
What are your thoughts about the years you invested coaching basketball at the high school level?
I would not change things. Each team has its own identity and is fun. And I really like the chance that hs offers to work with kids in the summer.
What s your passion outside of basketball?
Sadly I don't have much life outside of bball. My family and my son are my interests. When we get a chance to travel I really enjoy that. We have gone to San Fransisco, Washington DC, Gettysburg, the Disney thing, Savannah. We try to go on trip each year. And my son and I are huge Wisconsin Badger fans so we invest a lot of time watching them in person or on TV.
Do you have any regrets about basketball?
Just every stupid choice I made at the end of game that resulted in a loss. You always want those back. Right now there are a couple teams that I look back and wish I had used System then to see how it would have worked.
If you could change one thing about your time in high school basketball what would it be?
What I would like to change is the direction hs sports has taken in our state with two things- 1) the number of transfers. It would be nice if you didn't have to play all-star teams. 2) the AAU movement. Sometimes it seems like it makes hs sports an after- thought with some players and parents.
Who are three people you would like to have dinner with?
I just like to eat so I would eat with any three people. But I think if I could choose-
For an entertaining evening- Charles Barkley, Bill Walton, and Jon Stewart
For an enlightening evening- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Clinton, and Pat Summitt
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