Lee Ott

Husband, dad, brother and basketball coach

[Lee Ott @LeeOtt11]

@CoachLync MOVER

[CoachLync | Tools & Playbooks @CoachLync]

The Finer Points of Basketball

via Dick DeVenzio

[Traces of Texas @TracesofTexas]

The Texas Quote of the Day is a collection of quotes by the great Mike Leach, former football coach at Texas Tech:

"Golf’s pretty much for people that don’t swear effectively enough or need practice at it, and so there are people that need golf. I don’t think I do."

******

"I do have a Viking axe by the bed if I need to whack someone. My wife bought me a Viking axe. The axe side curls down so you can grab the adversary around the neck and you can use it to climb walls, as a grappling hook.”

*****

“I ought to have Mike's Pirate School. The freshmen, all they get is the bandanna. When you're a senior, you get the sword and skull and crossbones. For homework, we'll work pirate maneuvers and stuff like that.”

*****

"Growing up in Wyoming, I can tell you that If a pinecone war breaks out you have no choice but to engage in it. There are no neutral countries in pinecone wars."

*****

"If you're calling 50% run plays and 50% pass plays, you're 50% stupid."

*****

"First advice — elope! Just eliminate all the family input aggravation, change of constant, change of course that exists with planning weddings, and the anxiety and the pressure that almost drives people to divorce before they even start."

*****

"They’d start talking about evolution, like if you don’t use a certain part of your body, as time evolves over century upon century, in natural selection, that part of the body disappears and even that animal might disappear.

I’m genuinely fearful that, on our team, if me and the other coaches don’t get them right, that about a generation from now our receivers' kids and their grandkids won’t have hands. Because from a lack of use those hands just disappear. Maybe they’ll be like this (Leach does raptor hands at the podium), like those dinosaur hands like this. And you’ve got like a Tyrannosaurus Rex, which is clearly really good at eating things, with big ol’ jaws and all that stuff, certainly athletic and can run. But those hands are like this (gestures again).”

*****

""Well eggs create life, so you could argue this is the most important game there is." --- Mike Leach, explaining how important the egg bowl game (between Mississippi State and Ol' Miss) is.

*****

"There's 3 tigers in the SEC. Well, that's what makes it a tough conference." ---- Mike Leach, as part of an exploration as to who would win in an SEC mascot brawl

*****
"First of all, what kind of mystical powers does a sun devil have? We've got to consider that. I'm going to say the wildcat's out. The Trojan, does he have a horse or is he on foot? Does he have a bow and arrow or just his sword? The bruin is definitely formidable. Another bear up there at Cal. The tree... I imagine that tree is going to get chopped down unless we're going to go with the bird and then someone might get pecked or something, I don't know. And then the duck. The duck might lose interest and fly away and get out of there which may be good advice under the circumstances. The husky, no chance. The beaver? Well, we'll see how long that beaver can hold his breath. The Ute? Again, we're back to: is he on horseback? Does he have a bow and arrow? Did he trade for a rifle? I mean, because if that Ute's got a rifle, there's some definite problems. You know, you'd have to get one of those Harry Potter activists to read up on how you kill a sun devil because there's a lot of outside stuff there. Just as far as a beast alone, a buffalo is going to be pretty hard to tangle with. I mean, a buffalo is utterly outstanding. Butch (the Washington State mascot) is going to have to be clear minded and crafty. I mean, Butch will find a way, there's no question. The cougar will find a way ---- clear minded and crafty, a combination of stay out of harm's way and attack when you get your chances or your openings." ---- Mike Leach, exploring who would win in a Pac-12 mascot brawl

[Coach Jeff Barnes @JeffBarnes52]

As an AD, one of the hardest things I witness our coaches deal with is a parent wanting it more than their child. Coaches use offseason work ethic, skill, athleticism, and what is most valuable to the team when determining playing time.

Parents often hear from their child that the coach does not like them, that it is unfair, or that favorites are being played. In many situations, the harder truth is that the child simply does not love the sport as much as the parent does.

That can lead to parents fighting battles with coaches that their child should be learning to handle themselves. One of the most important lessons sports can teach young people is how to communicate, compete, handle adversity, and advocate for themselves.

Playing time is rarely about one conversation or one moment. It is usually about consistency, effort, preparation, attitude, and trust built over time.

This has become an ongoing trend in sports today. The athletes who grow the most are usually the ones who learn to accept coaching, respond to challenges, and take ownership of their role instead of relying on others to fight their battles for them.

[Corbin Byford @Corbinbyford]

A lot of people whose children go to private schools make all the decisions for public schools in Oklahoma. Doesn’t really make sense to me.

[Mikli @CryptoMikli]

Stephen A. Smith explains why Michael Jordan is the GOAT over LeBron James

“I don’t call Lebron James the GOAT. Michael Jordan is the GOAT, there’s nothing to discuss. When people say otherwise, all you’re showing is your age and your ignorance”

“Michael Jordan has 10 scoring titles, nine time All-NBA Defensive Team member, won six titles, six NBA Finals MVPs, and never once allowed a championship series to get to a Game 7. Never once. That was in his 13 years in Chicago, and we’re not counting the two years with the Wizards”

“It was significantly more physical back then. You can’t even touch him today, but back then you could mug him. They created rules to stop him. Watch The Last Dance, when they were talking about Michael Jordan, and John Salley said one of the biggest components of the Jordan Rules was to attack him before he got airborne, because he wasn’t human”

[AirJordans23 @AirJordans2323]

Obviously @DennisRodman is 100% correct about bagless overrated @KingJames , who has zero skill without a wide open lane.

But he's a bit unfair to @KDTrey5, who is very skilled though too thin for the 1990s.

Overrated Lebron would NEVER SCORE DOUBLE DIGITS against DPOY Rodman.

[Drew Maddux @DrewMaddux]

As a leader or coach...Your culture is a combination of what create and what you allow! 💯

[🇺🇸𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓭🇺🇸𝓗𝓪𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓸𝓷🇺🇸 @Texas_jeep__guy]

Exactly how I was raised. You?

[Ajay Joe @joedelhi]

Left behind in Kabul. Alone. He waited 47 days.

K-9 Chaos was not a dog who did his job. He was a dog who had DECIDED, completely, permanently, without reservation, that Lieutenant Marcus Webb was coming back for him. No matter how long it took.

At Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, on the morning of August 30th, 2021, a three-year-old Belgian Malinois sat in an empty aircraft hangar. The last American plane had left six hours ago. The evacuation was over.

Chaos had been left behind.

Not intentionally. The chaos of the withdrawal. The panic. The rush. Webb had been separated from Chaos during the final evacuation. Put on a different plane. Told Chaos would be on the next flight.

There was no next flight.

Chaos survived the first day alone. Waiting at the hangar where Webb had left him.

Chaos survived the first week. Scavenging food from abandoned military supplies.

Chaos survived 47 days in Taliban-controlled Kabul. Alone. Hiding. Waiting.

Because Chaos survived on the belief that Webb wouldn't leave him forever.

Back in the United States, Webb was losing his mind. Filed reports. Called congressmen. Contacted rescue organizations. Went on the news.

"I left my dog in Afghanistan," he said on CNN, his voice breaking. "I left my brother. And I'm going to get him back."

The military said it was impossible. Kabul had fallen. Taliban controlled the airport. No way to extract a dog.

Webb didn't care about impossible.

He contacted Pineapple Express, a veteran-run extraction operation. Gave them Chaos's last known location. Sent photos. Videos. Anything that could help.

For 47 days, Webb didn't sleep. Didn't eat properly. Just waited for news.

On October 16th, 2021, his phone rang.

"We found him," the voice said. "We found Chaos."

A rescue team had infiltrated Kabul. Used Webb's intel. Found Chaos still at the hangar. Still waiting. Forty-seven days later.

Chaos was emaciated. Dehydrated. Traumatized.

But alive.

The extraction took three days. Smuggling Chaos out of Taliban-controlled territory. Through checkpoints. Through danger.

But they got him out.

On October 19th, 2021, Chaos landed at Dulles International Airport. Webb was waiting on the tarmac.

When they opened the crate, Chaos didn't move. Stared at Webb like he was seeing a ghost.

"It's me, brother," Webb said, kneeling down. "I came back. I promised I'd come back."

Chaos stepped out slowly. Walked to Webb. Collapsed into his arms.

The reunion video went viral. Seventeen million views in three days.

But what people didn't see was what happened after.

For six months, Chaos wouldn't sleep unless Webb was in the room. Wouldn't eat unless Webb fed him. Wouldn't go outside unless Webb went first.

"He's terrified I'll leave him again," Webb said in an interview. "And I don't blame him. I left him once. In the worst place. At the worst time. He waited 47 days for me. And I'll spend the rest of my life making sure he knows I'm never leaving again."

Three years later, Chaos still sleeps with his head on Webb's chest. Still follows him everywhere.

Still making sure Webb doesn't disappear.

K-9 Chaos. Survived 47 days alone in Kabul. Extracted by heroes. Reunited with his handler. Home.
https://t.co/t4eYGPJPrk

#LostAndFound
#doglover #seniordogs #animalwelfare #militarydog #k9hero #dogrescue #Kabul #47Days #LeftBehind #BroughtHome

[Austin Capps @AustinCappsMO]

I agree! 💯

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Dabo Swinney shares his mindset on toughness and why smooth hands don't get rings.

"I love the Rocky movies, man. We live modern, but we train old."

"That's a mindset so that you don't lose the perspective."

Then he said something every team needs to hear:
"You just fall in love with the grind. It's a grind, and you gotta love it."

You can't be successful if you just love the results and hate the process. You have to show up and earn it every day.

"Our strength coach always says, 'They don't put championship rings on smooth hands.' You gotta put the work in."

"The quality of the construction is based on the commitment of the crew...You gotta have guys and coaches and staff that are committed. That's my job every year: to make sure that we have that in place."

There are no shortcuts, you have to show up and do the work.
• It means commitment.
• It means toughness.
• It means sacrifice.

[The Sport Parent @TheSportParent]

When MJ did not make his Varsity basketball team, his Mother did NOT:
1) complain to the school
2) call the coach
3) demand a meeting with the AD

Deloria Jordan simply told MJ “work harder.”

~ via @JMMontgomeryCo

[Jamy Bechler @CoachBechler]

KIRBY SMART ON BEING GREAT

"There's one way. The right way. The hard way. There are no shortcuts.

When the alarm goes off...if you wanna be a really good player, you're gonna get up & go to class.

You've gotta do something somebody else isn't willing to do."

~@TerryCollege

[The Winning Difference @thewinningdiff1]

“To look in the mirror and see yourself. Challenge yourself to be the very best and to always do the right thing. Never compromise your principles, never lower your standards. Whatever you do in life, have the courage and commitment to do it to your absolute best,” Pat Summitt

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Tony Bennett shares a masterclass on humility and why most people get it wrong.

"When we talk to our young men about what humility means, it's twofold and sometimes it's not what you think."

"Don't think too highly of yourself. If you wanna turn people off, walk around arrogantly thinking you own this place."

"But we also talk about the other aspect: don't think too lowly of yourself. That's false humility."

Most people only see one side. Real humility is balanced.

"Have sober judgment. That's what humility means - to really know who you are as a player, as a team. And know who you're not."

It takes self-awareness to know who you are and where you want to go.

Then he shared a definition that changes everything:
"I heard Timothy Keller give the definition of humility as this: It's not thinking less of yourself - it's thinking of yourself less."

That's the difference. Not self-doubt, but selflessness.

"We're all so selfish. When your team gets past that, that's when you have success. It's been about the team and less about yourself."

"People look at humility as a position of weakness. But I think it is true strength. There's power in true humility."

It takes humility to be willing to learn and listen.

It takes humility to be willing to admit you don't know yet.

It takes humility to be unoffendable and put the team first.
(🎥 UVA Basketball)

[Arpita Gupta @Ar81200]

इंसान तो इंसान ये pats भी फुल ड्रामेबाज है 🤣🤣🤣

[Oklahoma State XC/T&F @run4okstate]

THE OLDEST SCHOOL RECORD IN THE BOOKS GOES DOWN‼️

Nate Collier breaks a 55-year-old program record in the Discus Throw with his mark of 56.70 meters at the TCU Alumni Invitational!

#GoPokes I #run4okstate

[Lee Ott @LeeOtt11]

@CoachLync HOUSTON