Duke women’s basketball HC Kara Lawson talks about adversity her team suffered starting the season 3-9, faced 6 ranked teams. Winners of 16 straight! People called for her job. I asked her about the heated discussions. “We don’t get to determine the length of our adversity”
From Jon Scheyer to Bob Richey to D2 coaches to NAIA coaches - they’re all talking about the “rollercoaster” ups and downs of coaching in today’s game.
It doesn’t matter who you recruit. Every year you bring in 3,4,5, or more new players. Recruit high schoolers, and it’ll take time for them to mature through college game reps. Bring in transfers, and it’ll take time acclimating to your program’s culture. The results will be ups and downs throughout your season.
Coaches can’t get too high with the wins or too low with the losses.
Strong cultures with transformational leaders and players who buy in and develop mental toughness will have the best chances for success.
Marcus Freeman shares why "leading by example" isn't enough.
"We don't love leaders by example. Because leaders by example are guys that do what they're told to do, they do everything they're asked, right?"
"But they don't say things when their teammates aren't reaching the standard. We can't have that."
Real leadership isn't just performing at the standard. It's protecting the standard.
"We need more leaders. Guys that are willing to hold their teammates accountable because it's gonna make your teammate better."
Accountability isn't about being hard on people. It's about caring enough to not let them settle.
"I wanna make everybody in our organization the best they possibly can be. So if I let you cut corners or I don't say something to you when you're falling under the standard, then I'm not helping push you to the best you can be."
Leading by example is the baseline.
Leading with accountability is the standard.
(🎥notredamebusiness )
Why Coaching Is Harder Than People Think (A Holiday Reminder)…
Because coaching isn’t just about plays, drills, or game nights.
It’s about people.
It’s about walking into practice every day and managing emotions you didn’t create but are responsible for.
Your own.
Your players.
Your assistants.
Parents.
Administrators.
Fans.
It’s about teaching kids who are all at different stages.
Different maturity levels.
Different confidence levels.
Different home situations.
And somehow holding them to the same standards while still meeting them where they are.
It’s about decisions that look simple from the stands but feel heavy from the sideline.
Who plays.
When.
Why.
How you communicate it.
And how that decision might land on a 16-year-old who ties their identity to minutes.
It’s about losing sleep over kids who won’t buy in.
Over conversations you need to have.
Over mistakes you replay in your head long after everyone else moved on.
It’s about being judged by people who see the outcome, not the process.
The scoreboard, not the hours.
The result, not the relationships.
And yet, you show up again.
You plan. You teach. You model. You care.
As the season slows and the holidays arrive, this is the reminder:
What you do matters.
Even when it goes unseen.
Even when it feels heavy.
Even when it’s hard.
Coaching is about influence. And influence lasts longer than any season.
That’s why coaching is harder than people think. And also why it matters so much.
As the year winds down, I hope you find a little rest, a little perspective, and a lot of pride in the work you’re doing.
🎄Happy Holidays, Coach.
Another one off the board….
CONGRATULATIONS to @davidfridia1 on his recent commitment to D3 Powerhouse @ClarkAthletics. The NEWMAC Champion Cougars will be adding a dynamic and athletic forward to the mix of an already strong roster. Just in time for a repeat trip to the 2026 NCAA tournament next year! Good luck at the next level!! #RollCougs @PABoysBball@PACoalitionAAU@HGSL_HoopGroup
CONGRATULATIONS to the following @PACoalitionAAU HGSL players for earning First Team Berks County honors:
2025, G, @shermarkillen8, Muhlenberg
2025, G, @bngaines4, Daniel Boone
So proud of you guys. Well deserved!! 🎖️🏅
🚨 @PACoalitionAAU TRYOUT DATES ARE SET 🚨
Calling all 9th, 10th and 11th grade basketball players in Central and Eastern PA and Western NJ!! Don’t miss your opportunity to compete on the Hoop Group Showcase League circuit, the best run and most well established independent AAU circuit in the country. Register below at:
https://t.co/w5KrRgEoOh
CONGRATULATIONS to the following @PACoalitionAAU players for earning EPC All-Conference Honors as voted on by league coaches:
2026, PG @Jakepuks, Liberty (1st Team)
2025, F @AjHines23, Whitehall (2nd Team)
2025, G @keithjacksonnn, William Allen (2nd Team)
2025, F Zach Prator, Pleasant Valley (2nd Team)
So proud of you guys. Well deserved!! 🏅🎖️🏅🎖️
CONGRATULATIONS to the following @PACoalitionAAU players for earning EPC All-Conference Honors as voted on by league coaches:
2026, PG @Jakepuks, Liberty (1st Team)
2025, F @AjHines23, Whitehall (2nd Team)
2025, G @keithjacksonnn, William Allen (2nd Team)
2025, F Zach Prator, Pleasant Valley (2nd Team)
So proud of you guys. Well deserved!! 🏅🎖️🏅🎖️