Reboot #3. This is the third time I am trying to kick-off a newsletter. My previous newsletter last launched almost five years ago on April 15, 2021. Now, is the time to reboot and stay consistent with it!
I recently have taken some time for myself to organize my professional life. After coaching college basketball and tennis for 12 years, working in admissions, information technology, summer baseball, training and development and headhunting recruiting, I decided to take a step back.
As I figure out what is next I am planning on doubling down on the Fired Coaches Podcast. More episodes, weekly newsletter and many other things building up in the hopper.
How did Fired Coaches Podcast start to begin with? Technically, it started May 2020.
But, the original thought started in April 2018 after an opportunity at my alma mater didn’t go as planned. After applying, completing the traditional phone interview, going through a three day interview process, I was told that I was a runner-up for the head men’s basketball job…I felt empty (more to follow in an upcoming FCP episode).
Having an inkling that this could be my only shot at a head men’s basketball college coaching job, I began to realize this happens every day. To college coaches, professional coaches, business leaders, etc. I realized I was not alone on this journey. That is when the idea for Fired Coaches Podcast was born. I always wondered why head coaches who got let go for whatever reason, suddenly disappeared from the limelight.
My goal is to interview coaches, scouts, media and others connected to the sports world that fell from the mountaintop. They were fired, resigned or told that their contract would not be renewed. Level does not matter. The story does.
Episode #63 - Adam Nelson
Episode #63 with Adam Nelson, who some would call a legend in the basketball world. The trusted source when it comes to job openings and movement in the men's and women's basketball world on Hoop Dirt.
Adam Nelson details his career coaching that started as a student at South Carolina and Boston College. He then spent many years in Division III and Division I as an assistant and head coach. Including head coaching stops at Becker, Newbury and Suffolk.
We talk about his coaching experience, building Hoop Dirt, being trustworthy, how NIL and transfer portal has changed predictability on coaching changes and work-life balance.
Ironically, 8 years ago I was mentioned on Hoop Dirt for the first and only time!
Book Review
(2020)
SWOT
What makes you different from your competition?
Know your weakness along with your competitions weakness
Master three things that you do better than them
How do you keep growing and evolving?
You need to have truth tellers
Advisors being direct and honest with you
Dead Mentors
Who are those that are no longer here that you look up to for inspiration?
Treat company money like it is your own
Hire slow, fire fast
Document code of conduct
If you don’t have one, how do you respond to conduct issues?
What makes each person tick and what makes them feel appreciated?
Create replacement game
Document everything
Easier to train and speed=momentum
Systems
What is measured can be scaled and improved
Process
Build the process
Remove steps to make it digestible
Test it
Adapt the process
Constantly refine the process
Sins
Refusing to adapt
Comparing yourself to others
Use data, history and logic to predict the future
Stay paranoid, never be satisfied
The Truth
Biggest concern for any organization should be when the most passionate people become quiet.
Worth Your Time
Just finished watching this last night. Maybe you have seen already? If not, well worth your time. Never stop learning. “The Kid” is still getting coached up all these years later. Enjoy the final rounds of the Masters this weekend!