TCU Coaches Clinic

My favorite coaching staff (TCU) held their annual coaching clinic today. This weekend is the THSBCA convention and a few universities across the state try to cash in on the insatiable quest for more knowledge (and food) by the baseball fraternity here in Texas.

Any coach worth his gray hair should continue to grow professionally through these types of gatherings. In attendance were up and coming coaches hurriedly jotting down notes and feeling a bit overwhelmed by  coaches who looked like they knew what they were doing as they confidently walked to each station.

Yet, each coach has in the back of his mind thoughts about what it would be like to coach D1 (or at the proverbial 'next level'), thoughts of comparison (which either brings affirmation or discouragement), thoughts wondering what other coaches think about them (if they think about them at all), and some may think about their accomplishments only they and a handful of players remember.

This morning, Coach Roye and I were trying to remember who beat TCU last year in the College WS. That could be an indictment on a number of things, our memory most of all. Be that as it may, it is all fleeting. We won state in '08 and my ring sits in our computer hutch behind old Journey CD's. Yup, it's that important. Comparison is the thief of joy and there is always someone to whom you can compare to your position in life vocationally/professionally and wonder if you've missed the mark.

Cory asked me tonight, "So, what resonated with you?"

I thought that was a good question (she asks good questions; often thought provoking at the most inopportune times according to my time table. Good none the less!) At any rate, "What resonated with me", I responded, "was Coach Schloss explaining his 'extreme hustle mentality' and that he tells his players, 'If I have to coach your effort and attitude, you are going to be out of this program'".

He's right. We shouldn't have to coach effort and attitude. It's been said that examples aren't taught, they are caught.
It's either a part of who you are or it's not. Your effort and attitude is a by product of the daily choices you have made. We are creatures of habit. Our habits give others a good view of who we are, day in, day out.

So, what do you coach and teach, better yet, how you livin'?