CoachBrendanSuhr.com
Official Website of Brendan Suhr
NBA TIP-OFF
Dec 18th
I’ve been excited to watch NBA TV in the last few days…we see training camp reports, news about Free Agent signings, Trade talks and rumors, analysis about each team in the league. The optimism that every team enjoys until actual tip-off and you realize your team stinks! I’ve been enjoying watching the NBA exhibitions the last few days, which normally occurs in early to mid October, we wouldn’t dare care about over College and Pro Football. We are going to witness teams playing 66 games in 120 days! Normally, we squeeze 82 games into 168 days. it’ll be exciting…pick your 8 Playoff teams in each conference and who’ll make it to the Finals. Do you think Dwight Howard will be traded? If yes- when…we’re in for a fast and furious ride. Please buckle your seat belts, because I can’t wait.
CONGRATS BILLY D
Nov 29th
Last night, the University of Florida beat Stetson University at the Amway Center in Orlando. That’s no big deal in the world of College Basketball, except that the coach of the Gators is a great friend of mine. Billy Donovan became the youngest coach to reach 400 career wins! There is so much to say about how wonderful he is and in many articles that will be written about him will describe in detail all of his virtues. But today I only want to talk about his professionalism, his incredible work ethic, his ability to teach the game, his never ending search and desire to learn and improve, a terrific husband and father, a devout Catholic, and a loyal and great friend. Those are the qualities that are the DNA of this Hall of Fame Coach. Congrats Billy!
COACH K
Nov 16th
903 wins!!!! it was one of those nights for those of us that coach for a living we will never forget. I saw Mike play in college at MSG for West Point. I was lucky enough to coach against him when he went to West Point in 1975. I was an assistant at Fairfield University and although I only coached in college for 6 years before going to the NBA, I felt that George Blaney, who was the Head Coach at Holy Cross and Coach K were the two BEST college coaches that I had coached against in my early years. I was lucky to maintain our friendship over the years and Chuck Daly and Mike became so close (Chuck was an assistant at Duke) that he hand-picked Mike to be his assistant on the DREAM TEAM. I believe that’s when he fell in love with the Pro game and its players and it has been great for his career. He is the perfect coach for our National Team. Most coaches believe it’s about the TALENT, the X’s & O’s, but I believe the difference maker is his Leadership ability, his understanding of the power of relationships and TRUST. Mike, congrats and your two friends Daly and Gavitt were loving every minute of it from their suite in Heaven last night.
ROLE OF THE COACH
Nov 13th
A lot has been written and said this past week about the role of a coach! I am NOT going to specifically discuss the role that consumed ESPN this past week and every major and minor publication,, blog, tweet,etc. After it was rehashed and analyzed everyone had an opinion and they made the decision-making process seem simple, but why then did ALL of these LEADERS drop the ball when it was passed to them? First, the role of the coach is to HELP take PLAYERS where they can’t take themselves! Secondly, Discipline as defined by Coach K Is don’t do anything that is going to embarrass YOU, ME, or this UNIVERSITY! Chuck Daly used to say that ALL DECISIONS are 50/50 whether they are going to be right or wrong. As an effective LEADER you must have a strong moral compass. You MUST have COURAGE! As coaches we want our players to buy into the concept of a TEAM…be part of something bigger than yourself! Like our military services, no one teaches it better than they do..think NAVY SEALS, MARINES, ETC. But when you put the Church, University, or office in the Senate above your people, than you missed your purpose. Then you have the appearances of a cover-up or conspiracy. As Hubie Brown, my mentor said: “the notoriety of a coach is dictated by the execution of his players under pressure.” In this case, the coach himself under pressure. I truly believe that the Penn State situation should be a CASE STUDY to teach about Leadership, ethics, decision-making, Team Building, Coaching , Character, and Courage. Let’s learn from this and NOT forget what happened to these kids.
11-11-11
Nov 12th
Yesterday was Veteran’s Day! What a special one it was, to watch UNC and Michigan State play on an aircraft carrier…WOW! Everyone in our country, especially loves and appreciates the men and women who serve us. We praise our Veterans who are lucky enough to return home from war alive. But what are we doing to help them get back on their feet? Many can’t find jobs, they have suffered horrific injuries and post war syndrome after seeing and living months and years of everyday someone is trying to kill you or blow up the vehicle you’re in. Less than 1% of our country serves in the military! Why don’t we have mandatory service at age 19 or 20, that you must serve your country for 2 years in some capacity. The protests that we see on Wall St. are fine, but it’s the 99% who all need to be involved and truly sacrifice for this FREEDOM that we all crave and want. What could you do to help take our country to another level? You don’t get to participate in the freedoms of our country, until you actively participate in the building of our country…NO EXCEPTIONS!
ANSWERING THE BIG QUESTION
Oct 23rd
I was on a conference call with the VP of a business that I was going to speak to in January and he was going over his companies problems at the present time. This is an exercise I do with every client that I speak to, because I want to make sure that their expectations are met and the client is happy. My questions vary with each business, but usually cover these topics: 1) biggest challenge from competition 2 )biggest internal issues 3) morale of your workforce 4) leadership issues? 5) branding, etc. the VP then suddenly stopped me and said “Coach, our BIGGEST problem has become how are associates are handling failure, disappointments, loss of sales, not reaching goals, etc.” I responded by saying we have to take a NEW approach: MENTAL SKILL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT! We will cover some ideas in my next blog.
THE ENERGY BUS
Oct 14th
As the Co=founder of COACHING U LIVE with Kevin Eastman, we’ve dedicated our professional lives to the development of ALL coaches and Leaders to improve their skills, to maximize the performance of both individuals and teams. I recommend that every coach on a staff read “THE ENERGY BUS” by Jon Gordon. It’s one of the BEST books to use in coaching. Jon is a fantastic person who understands people especially coaches. He’s a great friend who I trust for any coach to have come in to speak to your team. I use him…off the charts, he hits your players between the eyes. Coaching tip: Just because you’re starting practice don’t stop learning and doing team development. Don’t tell me you don’t have time! Good Luck!
THANK YOU STEVE JOBS!
Oct 6th
Last night Apple announced its founder and Chairman died after a long battle with Pancreatic cancer. It’s like rating great players…everyone has their own opinion. I believe Steve Jobs has to be the most influential person of my lifetime. The impact that he has made on people and the world is seen everyday in almost every walk of life. I have a Mac Book, iPod, Shuffle, iPhone, and iPad. My businesses are all run on the Internet with my 2 websites, my blogs, my tweets, emails, texting, etc. I use 100′s of Apple’s apps, my library is now on iBook and all my podcasts you can listen to on iTunes! You were a visionary like none other…thanks Steve in helping me…RIP.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
NIKE CLINICS? HELL YEAH!
Oct 3rd
I walked into the Venue at UCF at 8 am Sunday morning and some coaching friends asked me, “why are you at your competitors clinic?” Obviously, they were referring to the NIKE BASKETBALL CLINICS, run by our friend Ed Janka. You must please understand that Kevin Eastman and I did not start Coaching U Live to hurt NIKE…we did it to fill a boutique niche of a high level teaching experience, where our customers (coaches) were hungry and committed to learning from the top NBA Coaches who were willing to share, teach and learn from other coaches! Kevin and I are tied at the hip to sharing and inspiring our coaches to greatness! We support every Clinic where teaching and sharing are the focal points. That’s why Kevin and I were so committed to the Brayden Carr Clinic.
TEACHING THE GAME!
Sep 25th
Yesterday was a GREAT day for me…I got to do what I love to do, that is to teach the game of Basketball to Coaches of any level. John Combs is a terrific Coach at Ridge View HS in Columbia, SC for the SC Basketball Coaches Association. I had the pleasure to conduct a Full Day 1 man Clinic, by doing four, 90 minute segments. A big thank you to all the coaches who attended…I believe we all had a fun day and I appreciate you letting me live my dream of “Coaching Coaches.”
