NCDS: Jeff Smith, Asst. Coach - Utah

I had a coaching friend text me recently to ask how the “Dog Days of December” were treating me, and I had to laugh.  Often, in our profession, this time of year brings with it feelings of fatigue from travel, practice, and non-conference play.  Some coaches and teams allow this time of year to wear them down physically and mentally, and I think it is simply because we can allow ourselves to be caught in a bit of a “time capsule” where time stands still.  Maybe the best part about this year so far is that we are not experiencing any of these feelings with this team.  While we have had our share of ups and downs with injuries, tough games, and challenging issues, this year’s team at Utah has been so enjoyable to coach.  Coach Boylen has emphasized enjoying the journey of the season, working to get better and closer as a group every day, and our team has maintained a high level of focus throughout.  There is a phrase Coach Boylen uses with our team which says it all – “Be a Daymaker, not a Daybreaker.”

Coach Boylen defines a “Daymaker” simply as someone who does everything they can to make the people around them better in a positive way.  This is not a term of fluff – A Daymaker works and competes with force and toughness, but he does so with the team’s success as the only goal.  Our players and staff have embraced this concept, and we are seeing the success on and off the court.  This is creating the culture of ownership and accountability Coach Boylen wants in our locker room, and it makes our interaction very positive.  Having this mindset has allowed for us to identify and address issues that need to be corrected, and our players then are able to correct them.  The season is a process, but those who are successful are the teams who can improve at the highest rate.  The approach of this team has been to get better every day, and we are making the most of each opportunity along the journey.

As we enter the final week of the first semester, we will soon have a few weeks with no classes.  That is a great opportunity to practice, grow, and improve in all facets of the game before league play.  In the meantime, we are going to work every day to make every day the best it can be.  To quote Florence and The Machine…. “ Dog Days Are Over”

Go Utes!