November 9, 2011

Diary Series: Butch Pierre, Assoc. Head Coach - Oklahoma State

 

It’s a great day to be a Cowboy in Stillwater, Okla. The town is stirring with excitement about OSU Athletics, particularly because our football team is competing for a BCS football national championship. But the cold weather that brings on the even hotter basketball season is what I anticipate most every year.

My journey of being in college coaching over the years consists of winning a Sunbelt Conference championship, a Conference USA championship, an SEC championship and a Final Four appearance. This year, I’m excited about recruiting and the upcoming basketball season at Oklahoma State. We are approaching our fourth season at OSU and the foundation has been laid effectively as far as upgrading the facilities, recruiting players and continuing the rich tradition of competing to become Big 12 champions. Our competitors in the past few years have been the best in America from top to bottom, but we are up for the challenge. Not only do we play before sellout crowds, but we are faced with playing against pro-prospect players every night. Because of the youth of our team and our tough upcoming schedule, we’re one of those teams that nobody outside the program is talking about or expecting much out of. Hopefully by the end of the year, we’re one of those teams that are right in the mix.

It has been a joy to work with Coach Travis Ford, who has one of the most creative basketball minds in the business. I also enjoy the staff I get to work with every day: Coach Steve Middleton, Coach Chris Ferguson, Coach Tommy Wade, video coordinator Brian Lucas, assistant AD for operations Joey Biggs, athletic trainer Jason Miller, strength & conditioning coach Jake Manzelmann, sports information director Mike Noteware and Dr. Marilyn Middlebrook, our academic advisor. This staff that Coach Ford has assembled has implemented outstanding abilities in coaching, recruiting, managing and training at the highest level.

It was a surprise to many when I left the Southeastern Conference and moved to Stillwater. When I first visited Oklahoma State, the home and family atmosphere drew me in immediately. Once I visited with Coach Ford and AD Mike Holder, it sealed the deal on my already eager attitude in being part of the staff. After returning to Baton Rouge and discussing the offer with my wife, I said to her, “We are moving to God’s country.” Her first reply was, “He must have had a bad day.” But, upon moving and getting to know the people of OSU and Stillwater, she agreed with my theory of Stillwater being God’s country. Once we found out what Oklahoma State was all about, we loved the people and the small-town attitude with the big heart for the Cowboys. This atmosphere that drew in my wife and I also draws in recruits every basketball season, once arriving in Gallagher-Iba Arena in front of thousands of screaming fans. Along with the updated arena, the state-of-the-art locker room and outstanding facilities draw in fans, spectators, and players that are looking for a family and a team all in one.

This upcoming season, along with our returning players, there are many newcomers on the court, such as Le’Bryan Nash (a McDonald’s All-American), Michael Cobbins, Brian Williams, Cezar Guerrero and Philip Jurick. I’ve coached Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Brandon Bass, Stromile Swift and Tyrus Thomas. All those guys have the skill level to play in the pros. But, Le’Bryan -- as a freshman -- has the ability to impact our team and league just as much if not more than any of those players. This season and those of the past have consisted of togetherness, various preseason and voluntary summer workouts, team bonding, and positive attitudes. Now all this team needs is to accept the challenges that are brought upon by the preseason, conference play, and post-season challenges. Even though this team is young, the foundation that Coach Ford has set up will help them to overcome obstacles and bumpy roads together and in unity.

I am very fortunate and blessed in the way that this business has treated me, especially coaching at this level at this point in time. I am rejuvenated and excited every season to win and succeed. I still go through my daily tasks of waking up at 5:45a.m. no matter what time I go to sleep. Even if I sleep five hours or less, my 3-5 mile run and 45-minute weight-lifting regimen is something that I cannot go without. Even until this day, I do not believe in lunch breaks. As I learned from my college coach, Bob Boyd at Mississippi State, my rule has always been that as an assistant coach, you’re always in the office before the head coach arrives and never leave the office until after he’s left. Discipline, and more specific self-discipline, was his word.

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