Bill Lang

Husband of One … Father of Two … Coach of All ... 🏐 Head Coach, Ironwood Ridge Volleyball Program 🏐 Director, Club Cactus Juniors Volleyball Club

[Steve Walker @CoachWalkerUA]

Arizona is Wildcat County 🐻⬇️
Very excited today to add some local talent to @ArizonaBVB’s 2028 stellar recruiting class! #comnitted

[CodeAI @codeorg]

The future is changing fast and we have to make sure students keep up. Teachers and students are being left out of the AI-influenced world ahead. This #GivingTuesday, you can help close the gap and open doors to opportunity. Every $6 powers a year of learning for one student.
https://t.co/iNJnYcY1Sm

[Jeff Janssen @janssenleader]

Every team has athletes who talk about wanting to win.
Few have team leaders willing to do the work, have the tough conversations, and continually set and raise the standard.
That’s what separates successful captains from those who just wear the "C" on their jersey.

[Greg Berge @GregBerge]

10 truths every high school coach learns:

1. Adversity is coming
2. Every player is different
3. Winning isn’t everything
4. You can't please everyone
5. Parents have tunnel vision
6. Critics will be loud
7. The hours are long
8. The impact is real
9. A supportive spouse is a must
10. The memories? Unmatched

It’s hard. It’s worth it.

[Jeff Janssen @janssenleader]

"We don't do that in our program."
"That's not good enough."
"We need more from you."
"We're better than that."
"You've got to step up."
"This can't happen."

When your athletes say these things
to their teammates, you've got:
- GREAT LEADERSHIP
- FULL ACCOUNTABILITY
#CultureWins

[The Winning Difference @thewinningdiff1]

It's not a line.

It's a measurement.
A measurement of commitment.
A measurement of sacrifice.
A measurement of respect.
A measurement of integrity.
A measurement of fortitude.
A measurement of effort.

It's a symbol to remind us that greatness lies in the smallest of details.

[Bill Lang @wml1970]

@ghansen711 One of the best. I was fortunate enough to meet Coach Utter when an assistant volleyball coach at Rincon thirty years ago. Coach is a consummate professional.

[Basic Apple Guy @BasicAppleGuy]

Happy 25th Anniversary to those who remember...

[Bill Lang @wml1970]

After much consideration and given the recent court ruling, I have decided to enter the Transfer Portal with two years of eligibility remaining…

https://t.co/Yz32FROZT9

[Chuck Cecil @chuckcecil26]

Thanks for all the support and check-in’s but I’m not entirely sure what all the fuss is about; I didn’t even notice I was bleeding, and it was a love tap, not a head butt! Clearly, turning 60 means I need to be a bit more careful with the thin skin, 🤦🏻‍♂️and maybe we should issue a disclaimer: ‘Kids, don’t try this at home; leave it to the professionals!’

Seriously, there’s nothing that I love more (aside from my wife and daughter) than the University of Arizona, our players, and the incredible Wildcat community. We need to come together, rally around our team/kids and work towards building a championship-winning program. That’s my sole focus and the reason I returned from the NFL—to contribute in any way I can. Let’s bear down and make it happen!
#BearDown 🐻🔽 #OldGuysRule #ShowMeDontTellMe

[Bill Lang @wml1970]

@janssenleader I agree. This is what happened at Arizona… DC Coach Anika got right in the middle and stopped it - both team’s players listened to the 68-year-old coach and backed off

Old School. Respect.

It starts at the top.

(Photo by Danielle Cortez, PHNX Sports)

[Jeff Janssen @janssenleader]

Call me old school but planting a flag on the opponent's logo after a win is CLASSLESS.
The athlete(s) who participate in this should be suspended for the next game.
The college should be fined $100k too.
I pretty much guarantee these consequences will stop it.

[Bill Lang @wml1970]

@AZSPORTSNETWORK I saw that too when reading the minutes. But that’s the narrative from the reporting school. So it was either missed, or they didn’t think it was an issue.

[Ironwood Ridge Volleyball @nighthawkvb]

Nighthawks take flight and defeat #12 Cactus Shadows 3-0 (25-14, 25-23, 25-12) tonight to advance in the 4A State Tournament.

Thank you to our Junior Varsity and Freshman Teams for coming out to support!

[AZPreps365 @AZPreps365]

No. 5 Ironwood Ridge over No. 12 Cactus Shadows 3-0 #azpreps365 https://t.co/HLFLE5N21I

[Bill Lang @wml1970]

@Coach_J_Allen @BJMedia1 Agreed. One of two solutions…

Either allow play-in games for #9-#24 if they don’t give Region Champions and auto bid - like we do for volleyball, basketball, etc.

Or give the Region Champions an automatic bid again in the top 16. Like we used to.

[Bill Lang @wml1970]

@azc_obert 100%.
It’s about time a coach embraces the challenge and doesn’t complain about enrollment or getting hurt. Playing at the highest level should be every team’s goal each year.

[Jeff Janssen @janssenleader]

FIGHT THE RIGHT BATTLE
👊🏻 Some athletes battle themselves.
👊🏻 Some athletes battle teammates.
👊🏻 Some athletes battle coaches.
👊🏻 Some athletes battle officials.

👊 Successful athletes battle opponents.

Which one are YOU?

[Greg Berge @GregBerge]

PJ Fleck GOLD 🥇

Always remember that the process is the prize. Focus on daily habits—done well—over time. Be relentlessly persistent in your daily habits.

Habits Win!

“Trained behavior becomes boring habits. Boring habits become elite instincts.”

- PJ Fleck