December 3, 2011

Diary Series: Dylan Dudley, Asst. Coach - Tennessee Martin

In our third year of rebuilding or trying to establish our program here at UT Martin we have obviously seen many ups and downs.  From losing games, signing top recruits or trying to change the culture it can seem like a never-ending process.  We as coaches know what we want to implement and have a vision as to how we see events unfolding.  The timeline may change due to unforeseen circumstances, injuries or other setbacks, but holding true to our foundation has helped us make subtle changes that we believe has our program trending up!

Having heard this philosophy at a previous job and seeing it work there was no reason to try and re-invent the wheel.  It works for a reason!  Some people refer to it as “The How to Not Get Fired Plan” or the “Four Pillars.”  Choose whatever works I guess!

1.        Have a plan.  Planning involves every aspect of your program.  How in detail you get is your call.  We stuck to four simple ideas – recruiting, system of play, campus connections and community interaction.  Recruiting is obviously the life line for any program.  Be careful to address the negatives you face in recruiting battles.  No need to run or hide from them.  Face them head on, attack them, and be positive about the situation.  System of play; have an idea but be not closed minded.  It’s all about the players and players change.  Campus and community connections and interaction go hand in hand.  You better be the most visible coach and staff on campus and in the city.  Sell your program and players, not yourself.  No one comes to games to watch coaches coach, they want to see your players play and most importantly win.  If you want them to see you coach, then you better tell them to come to practice!

2.        Demand excellence.  There can be no substitute for this pillar.  There is no gray area.  It is either right or wrong.  You can have no slip ups or off days in this area.

3.       Get rid of selfish people.  This involves everyone from your players, coaches, trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and support staff.  There is no room for negative energy.  As we all know it only takes on bad apple to corrupt the whole corporation.

4.       Hold people accountable.  We are all accountable for our own actions.  The axe will fall on us in the end, you don’t want to hear from your former players the famous line, “I wish we would have performed better for coach.  He put us in the right positions we just didn’t do enough as players.”  Has to be the most sickening line in athletics.  Do your work ahead of time, hold them accountable.  This pillar goes hand and hand with #2.  Take it a step further and seek perfection!

It’s not going to happen overnight but your sense of urgency must be one to think it can happen and will happen ASAP.  Winning is never easy, it’s a daily struggle to get to the top as we all know.  In the end keep it simple, teamwork and effort and always BELIEVE!

Best of luck to everyone, I hope we all win every game!

GO SKYHAWKS!

Dylan Dudley