NABC Time-Out Magazine - Winter 2020 by Very Digital Communications

THE OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BASKETBALL COACHES

WINTER 2020

WINTER

2020

THE OFFICIAL NEWS MAGAZINE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BASKETBALL COACHES

COLUMNS

FEATURES

From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Ernie D Rick Leddy

NABC Coach’s Clinic Mike McGrath, Head Coach, University of Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Q&A with Executive Director Jim Haney. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Waivers for Immediate Student Transfers a Concern for Coaches National High School Basketball Coaches Association. . . . . . . 18 High School Basketball Coaches Update Dave Archer NCAA Eligibility Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Taking Action: Name, Image and Likeness Your Legacy: Four Ways to Take the Pressure Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Carey Casey

They were THE Best to play the game and THE Greatest at their schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Blair Kerkhoff, The Kansas City Star Transfer Waivers Process Must Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Andy Katz 2020 NABC Guardians of the Game Award for Service. . . . . . . . 16 Ron Krimmel, Saint Francis University NABC Coach’s Clinic Gary Stewart, Head Coach, Stevenson University. . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

NABC Chaplain’s Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Talent and/or Character Pastor Donnell Jones

National Association of Basketball Coaches 1111 Main Street, Suite 1000 Kansas City, Missouri 64105 Phone: 816-878-6222 • Fax: 816-878-6223 www.NABC.org ______________________________________________ NABC EXECUTIVE STAFF Jim Haney Executive Director Reggie Minton Deputy Executive Director Carol Haney Senior Director of Internal Affairs Troy Hilton Senior Director of Corporate Relations and Association Affairs Stephanie Whitcher Chief Financial Officer Rick Leddy Senior Director of Communications Rose Tate Director of Membership Ebony Donohue Associate Director of Membership Mark Heatherman Senior Director of Special Events Janelle Guidry Director of Convention Wade Hageman Director of Corporate Relations Jenna Wright Director of Convention Housing Eric Wieberg Director of Digital & Social Media

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2019-20 NABC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Brey, President, University of Notre Dame Jamie Dixon, 1st Vice President, TCU Gary Stewart, 2nd Vice President, Stevenson University Lennie Acuff, 3rd Vice President, Lipscomb University John Calipari, 4th Vice President, University of Kentucky Matt Margenthaler, Director, Minnesota State University Tommy Amaker, Director, Harvard University Bill Coen, Director, Northeastern University Pat Cunningham, Director, Trinity University Frank Martin, Director, University of South Carolina Matt Painter, Director, Purdue University Bob Huggins, Director, West Virginia University Cuonzo Martin, Director, University of Missouri Mike McGrath, Director, University of Chicago Pat Estepp, Director, Cedarville University Charlie Brock, 2018-19 Past President, Springfield College Phil Martelli, Director Emeritus, University of Michigan Ernie Kent, Director Emeritus John Moore, Director, Westmont College Dave Archer, National High School Basketball Coaches Association Thom McDonald, NJCAA and Two-Year Colleges

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS NABC Executive Director: Jim Haney NABC Deputy Executive Director: Reggie Minton Accountant: Brian Welch, Welch & Associates, LLC N ABC General Counsel: Dennis Coleman and Christopher Conniff, Ropes & Gray, LLP (Boston, MA) B oard Secretary: Rick Leddy, NABC Senior Director of Communications Dan Gavitt, NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Judy McLeod, Conference USA Commissioner and Chair/NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee Dan Guerrero, UCLA J eff Hathaway, NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee Kevin Lennon, NCAA Vice President for Division I Governance PHOTO CREDITS: Cover (L-R): J.D. Mayo (High School coach) representing Larry Johnson; Jodi Majerus (representing her brother, Rick Majerus); Scott Thompson (representing Lute Olson); Shane Battier; Calbert Cheaney; Ernie DiGregorio; Terry Dischinger; Homer Drew; and Todd Lichti. All photos from National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (David Riffel); Rob Krimmel (courtesy Saint Francis Athletics); Mike McGrath (courtesy University of Chicago Athletics); Gary Stewart (courtesy Stevenson University Athletics). Time-Out is published quarterly by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Printed by Allen Press.

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Mike Brey President University of Notre Dame

Jamie Dixon First Vice President TCU

Gary Stewart Second Vice President Stevenson University

Lennie Acuff Third Vice President Lipscomb University

Matt Margenthaler Director, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Tommy Amaker, Director John Thompson III Harvard University

Bill Coen, Director Northeastern University

Pat Cunningham, Director Trinity (TX) University

Frank Martin, Director University of South Carolina

Matt Painter, Director Purdue University

Bob Huggins, Director West Virginia University

Cuonzo Martin, Director University of Missouri

Mike McGrath, Director University of Chicago

Pat Estepp, Director Cedarville University

Charlie Brock 2018-19 Past President Springfield College

Phil Martelli, Director Emeritus University of Michigan

Ernie Kent, Director Emeritus

John Moore, Diretor Westmont College

Dave Archer NHSBCA

Thom McDonald NJCAA & Two-Year Colleges

John Calipari Fourth Vice President University of Kentucky

FROM THE EDITOR, Rick Leddy

Ernie D “How many people do you know who don’t have to use their last name?” – Dan Gavitt, NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Almost five decades have passed since Ernie DiGregorio led his Providence College basketball team to the 1973 NCAA Final Four in St. Louis. And yet, ask most people in Providence and the state of Rhode Island, who was the best ball-handling guard ever, there’s only one answer – Ernie D. “How many people do you know who don’t have to use their last name?” said Dan Gavitt, senior vice president for basketball at the NCAA. “It’s not a stretch to say Ernie D is one of the most famous people living in Rhode Island. He’s charismatic and very much a Rhode Islander.” Gavitt, a youngster during the Friars’ run to their first Final Four appearance, has literally known Ernie D for almost his entire life. Gavitt’s father, the late Dave Gavitt, was the legendary Hall of Fame Providence College coach, founder and first commissioner of the Big East Conference and one of the most influential figures in the history of college basketball. He was right there when Ernie, Marvin Barnes and Kevin Stacom, who would all go on to play in the NBA, carried PC to the brink of a national title. “Ernie, Marvin and Kevin were like Gavitt sons three, four and five,” said Dan Gavitt. “They remained close for many years and would get together for lunch with my dad at a Chinese restaurant near the Providence College campus.” Between 1970 and 1973, Ernie averaged 20.5 points per game with a program record 7.7 assists while heading the Friars’ fast-break offense. As a senior he averaged 24.5 points, leading PC to a 27-4 record. He was a consensus first team All-America selection, the most outstanding player in the NCAA East Regional and is the only Friar ever to be selected to the Final Four alltournament team. Ernie was the third pick in the 1973 draft earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors with the Buffalo Braves.

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“People looked at Ernie and said he was too small or too slow, but he was supremely confident – over the top confident,” said former Friars’ sports information director and Big East Conference commissioner Mike Tranghese. “In the East Regional final, Ernie torched Maryland, which had five starters, led by Len Elmore, Tom McMillan and John Lucas, who went on to star in the NBA,” said Tranghese. The Friars brought the entire Providence community together that year, which also marked the opening of the downtown Civic Center, now the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, most often referred to as “The Dunk.” It’s not the statistics, however, that describe the basketball genius of the six-foot guard from North Providence. Ernie loved the game from a very young age. “Everywhere he went he carried or dribbled a basketball, all day, every day, to the point where it seemed like a natural extension of his hand. He even dribbled back and forth to school,” said Gavitt. “Ernie’s play just captivated everyone,” said Tranghese. “No one saw the style of play with behind the back passes and the way he handled the ball. He and Pete Maravich did things that others could not duplicate.” “Ernie was so creative with the ball, an unbelievable passer with a unique vision of the court,” said Gavitt. “He was an outstanding individual player and a great team player who made everyone better.” Gavitt was there in Kansas City on November 24 when Ernie D was inducted as a member of the 2019 Class for the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in ceremonies held at the College Basketball Experience. “As always, Ernie was very gracious and engaging with the same confidence he displayed on the basketball court,” said Gavitt.

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Jim Haney

Waivers for Immediate Transfers a Concern for Coaches

Citing Lack of Transparency and Impact on Competitive Balance Tom Izzo recently made national news when he expressed his disappointment over a transfer student-athlete not being granted a waiver for immediate eligibility to compete for Michigan State. Furthermore, he resigned from the NABC Board of Directors. Can you shed light on the transfer issues around immediate eligibility? Tom has been a member of the NABC Board for 18 years. He has been a valued member for sure. The NABC board including Tom has been tirelessly addressing the problems associated with immediate eligibility for years. He is a good friend of the NABC and his resignation in no way reflected dissatisfaction with the NABC board or staff as he has stated. Before going any further it is important to note that coaches are not opposed to student-athletes transferring. What coaches in general oppose Is immediate eligibility believing it will lead to extreme chaos including massive transfers each and every year as student-athletes look for a better athletic situation. It is rarely the pursuit of a better academic situation that is the catalyst for transferring. Approximately a decade ago, student-athletes were granted waivers by the NCAA based on a parent or relative being sick. The thought being that the transferring student-athlete would be closer to that parent or relative and can help. Once the first waiver was granted, more and more student-athletes were seeking and being granted waivers. The NABC argued that these waivers, although appearing compassionate, were merely

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a means to play immediately at another school. If the student-athlete truly wanted to assist a sick parent or relative, he needed to be close enough to the sick relative to reasonably be present to help. Furthermore, would it not be better for the transferring student-athletes to sit out the basketball season to be available to assist the parent or relative? NCAA legislation was eventually approved that required the transferring student-athlete to sit out the first year, but that student-athlete would be granted an additional year to complete his four years of athletic competition. In essence a studentathlete would be granted a sixth year to complete his permissible four years of competition, if needed. That legislation was in place until several years ago when the NCAA Council brought back immediate eligibility for transfers based of certain criteria. We are in the third year with immediate eligibility and the first full year where student-athletes are free to put their name in the NCAA Transfer Portal at any time by merely notifying the athletic department of their intent to transfer. The number of transfers gaining immediate eligibility is growing each year. Although the NABC Board continues to express its deep concerns about immediate eligibility, the impact has been limited to modifications to the criteria under which immediate eligibility is granted. That is not the end of the story. Every studentathlete (and their parents) want to compete immediately. They want or expect the institution to apply for a waiver. College coaches look at the immediate eligibility waiver process as something they might wish did not exist but it’s there and as a

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result, let’s seek a waiver for our transfers. There are attorneys who are being hired claiming to know the secret language needed to apply for a waiver and being granted a waiver. So why do coaches like Tom Izzo become so upset? Student-athletes who put their name in the transfer portal are being recruited by other collegiate basketball staffs. They also know the background of what triggered the student-athlete’s transfer. So I hear from coaches who say that we recruited this particular student-athlete and have knowledge of the situation and cannot believe he was granted a waiver believing that transfer’s situation did not meet the criteria for a waiver. To take the concern a step further, coaches see these waivers impacting the competitive balance within conferences. One conference institution gets a transfer granted immediate eligibility. That decision could take a team projected to be in the middle of the pack and suddenly, based off a waiver, is a front-runner to win the league. Another team in the same conference is denied a waiver for their transfer. As a result, they will be less competitive than they could have been. On a bigger scale, waivers for immediate eligibility could impact selections and seeding to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. A team that has a player who has immediate eligibility might get the nod over other teams that would have qualified for the tourney. At the end of the day, there is a great lack of transparency on why one waiver is granted and another denied. There is an increasing number of coaches who do not trust NCAA staff and administrators involved in the waiver process. It is my anticipation that the dissatisfaction with the waivers for immediate eligibility will grow in the future not only among coaches but directors of athletics and athletic department compliance officers. There is a problem for sure.

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Obviously, the NCAA is being attacked on many fronts. It is battling in courts over amateurism as well as the in state and federal legislatures specific to name, image and likeness. The investigation into men’s basketball has hurt the game. In the wake of much public testimony by the Department of Justice, great frustration exists over the slowness of the NCAA Enforcement staff to issue letters of inquiry. The waivers for immediate eligibility are yet another important issue negatively impacting the image of the NCAA. One more question, any updates on the search for a new executive director? With the season well under way, coaches, including those serving on the Search Committee are focused on their teams and schedules. That will be true through the season and post season play. The identification of a search firm to assist in the search is moving forward and will be determined prior to the end of the season. The pace of the executive search will pick up considerably after the 2019 NABC Convention and Final Four in Atlanta.

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C O A C H’S

C L I N I C

UChicago Blood Series Mike McGrath, Head coach – University of Chicago NABC Board of Directors

Our basketball program at the University of Chicago spends a lot of time on individual improvement and the development of our players. We devote a significant amount of time to that aspect and have found it to be tremendously beneficial to our efforts. As players become better, teams become better – no matter what system you run or how you choose to play. Skill development is the primary focus of our work. Shooting, ball handling and passing are the foundation for any good offensive player. We try to work on these skills every day and we do so in drills that are designed to isolate these elements. Our players get shots, both stationary and off the dribble, every day in practice. We also encourage our players and find time to work with them throughout the week during individual sessions. Finishing around the basket, off drives and in the post, also gets a lot of attention. We have always seen this work translate into team settings, both in practice and in games. A few years ago, our staff decided that we wanted to expand our individual work to include not only skill development, but also decision making. Our players were good at shooting, attacking, and passing, but we were not always making the right choices. Our staff started to design some drills that incorporated multiple aspects and decisions. When and how should we utilize the skills that we are developing? An interesting aspect of our skill development program, and researching and developing drills that improve players, is the amount of ownership that we give our assistant coaches for this. We have been tremendously fortunate to have some amazing assistant coaches over the past 20 years at the University of Chicago. Placing responsibility for player development with these coaches has really allowed them to grow and develop as learners and teachers. This has been vital to our program.

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We spend a lot of time reviewing film, of both games and practices, to identify areas that need improvement. Once these issues are identified we seek examples and concepts that are utilized by other coaches and programs in these areas. We then use this information and combine it with our own creativity to address the needs. This curiosity is important to so many things we do as coaches. The “blood series” is a collection of drills that we use with our players. The drills start with an advantage for the offensive player…the defense is “bleeding”…how do we finish the play? Is it getting to the rim and scoring? Is it a drop pass to the post? Or a kick out to the wing? Once the ball is passed to the wing, we focus our read on taking the shot or making the extra pass. We incorporate this series from different spots on the floor, including the wing, baseline, slot, and post. The diagrams shown here demonstrate the series from the wing. Coaches simulate defenders and take away different options from the driver who has to read and make the right choice on the play. We always emphasize that you must attach the basket thinking score first and make the next play when once the first option is taken away by a defender. We hope you find this helpful and best of luck with your season. Mike McGrath is in his 21st season as head men’s basketball coach at the University of Chicago in 2019-20. He is the school’s all-time leader in wins with an overall record of 298-209, including a 175-107 mark in University Athletic Association (UAA) play. A three-time UAA Coach of the Year, McGrath has guided UChicago to a NCAA Division III Elite Eight berth and Sweet 16 appearance, as well as four UAA titles. Over his career at UChicago, McGrath has been named Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Coach of the Year four times – 2000, 2001, 2007, 2008. He is in his first year a member of the NABC Board of Directors.

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2019-20 UChicago Blood Series - Wing

Blood Series - Wing

Frame 1

Frame 2

- Player 1 starts on the wing with the ball and his defender starts on high hip, creating an advantage situation - Player 1 drives hard to the rim - The first defender player 1 has to read is x4. Player 1's first option must always be to score himself.

Blood Series - Wing Frame 4

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- If his drop off pass to 4 is not available, 1 has to determine which of his teammates on the perimeter is open and kick the ball out to him. - Coach 2 should also vary his rotations.

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- If player 1 is stopped by x4, he must then read whether or not 4 is open or if a second defender has rotated from the perimeter. - Coach 1 should vary his rotations throughout the drill, forcing 1 to be a decision maker and react to the defense.

Frame 3

Blood Series - Wing

- On Player 1's kick out, the defense attempts to recover so the offense must again read if they should shoot it or throw one more pass to an open teammate.

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2019

National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Inductions

They were among

THE BEST to play the game

by Blair Kerkhoff, The Kansas City Star

There are more than 350 Division I men’s basketball programs, and well more than 1,000 that sponsor the sport in all classifications. Every one of them has a player considered the best in that school’s history. Now, identifying that player is a difficult exercise. Is it the career scoring leader, most honored, best pro career, a combination of all? The National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2019 includes several that could be considered the best their programs ever produced, at least by the time they finished their careers. Take Larry Johnson. Is he the best to emerge from Nevada-Las Vegas? A strong case can be made. After two years at Odessa Junior College, Johnson transferred to UNLV and in his junior season led the Runnin’ Rebels to the NCAA championship. A year later, Johnson was named national player of the year as UNLV arrived at the Final Four undefeated. Johnson went on to a successful NBA career. The first Runnin’ Rebels player to reach the Hall, Johnson averaged 21.6 points and 11.2 rebounds and Jerry Tarkanian once called him the best player he ever coached. How about Purdue’s Terry Dischinger? The proud Boilermakers program has produced many great players. Glenn Robinson and Rick Mount, a member of the Hall of Fame, probably top a list of all-time greats. But before them was Dischinger, who by the time he left West Lafayette in 1962, was the program’s top scorer and averaged 28.3 points per game during his three seasons. As a senior, Dischinger went into the final game tied for the scoring lead with Indiana’s Jimmy Rayl. That day, Purdue played at Michigan, Indiana at Ohio State. In the locker room before the game, Dischinger received a telegram from Ohio State: You do your thing and we will take care of Jimmy Rayl, it said.

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and the

GREATEST at their schools

Dischinger won the scoring battle by 12 points. “Coming from another team, it was the greatest compliment I ever received as a player,” he said. Ernie DiGregorio was one of the most artistic players in the game’s history and if he isn’t the best in Providence history, he’s the favorite son. A native of North Providence, DiGregorio did not consider attending another school and led the Friars to the 1973 Final Four when he averaged 24.5 points and 8.6 rebounds. Ernie D. was a ball-handling wizard in the mode of Bob Cousy, Pete Maravich or Curly Neal. More modern versions include Allen Iverson, Steve Nash and Steph Curry. But nobody worked harder on his game than DiGregorio. “The ball became an extension of my arm,” DiGregorio said. “For 10 hours a day, I’d bounce the basketball. When I played in a game, I didn’t have to look down. I could see the floor. When someone was open, I could deliver it because my eyes were on where people where moving.” At Stanford, Hank Luisetti from the 1930s was considered a transformational player, among the first to use a jump shot. But for decades, the basketball program didn’t generate much interest. There wasn’t an NCAA appearance after winning the 1942 NCAA title until 1989 - Todd Lichti’s senior season. Lichti, was an All-America in 1988 and 1989, averaged 18.8 points per game, and changed the course of Cardinal basketball under Coach Mike Montgomery. “I just believed the more I worked at something the better I was going to get, that was the equation,” Lichti said. Former UCLA coach Steve Lavin, who grew up in Northern California, said Lichti changed the basketball culture at his university. “He really is the one who elevated the program to national prominence,” Lavin said. “It all started with Todd Lichti.” Two members of the Hall of Fame contributed to the blue blood reputation of their programs. Indiana’s Calbert Cheaney and

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Duke’s Shane Battier were national players of the year who molded themselves into excellent players. “I didn’t have a lot of belief when it came to playing the game,” Cheaney said. “I didn’t really have any aspirations of becoming a college basketball player.” But the person who would become Cheaney’s high school basketball coach at Evansville (Ind.) Harrison High called him into his office. “I thought I was in trouble because he also was the discipline counselor,” Cheaney said. No, Cheaney was told he had athletic potential and had an opportunity to get a scholarship. “A light came on,” said Cheaney, who led the Hoosiers to the 1993 Final Four and won the Wooden and Naismith Awards in 1992. “That was the day my life turned around.” Battier made a career from being a leader and great defensive player, and like Cheaney, needed encouragement as a youngster.

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“So many people believed in me, and I always didn’t believe in myself growing up,” Battier said. “So many people in my corner told me I was good enough.” At Duke, Mike Krzyzewski tapped into Battier’s desire to prove he belonged. “He knows what button to push on every player,” Battier said. “For me, he never yelled at me and questioned my toughness or intelligence. But what Coach K did, he always questioned my ability to accept the mantle of leadership and be the next great player at Duke. He would say, ‘Christian Laettner never made that play. Or Grant Hill would have made that play.’ I said, “Coach by the time I’m done you’re going to talk about me the way you talk about those guys.” Krzyzewski does. Battier swept the national player of the year honors in 2001, and was the Final Four Most Outstanding player, when he led the Blue Devils to the championship.

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The greatest in program history idea applies to the three coaches enshrined in the Class of 2019. Arizona had short bursts of success, but nothing like the sustained winning shortly after Lute Olson arrived in 1984. In four years, he had the Wildcats in the Final Four and ranked first nationally. His 1997 team is the only team in NCAA Tournament history to defeat three No. 1 seeds on its way to the national championship. Olson won 781 games at Arizona, Iowa and Long Beach State and reached the NCAA Tournament in each of his final 23 seasons in Tucson. The late Rick Majerus won 517 games at Marquette, Ball State, Utah and Saint Louis and had one losing season in 25 years as a head coach. The pinnacle of his career: reaching the 1998 NCAA final, where Utah fell to Kentucky.

more than the program’s next winningest coach, Homer’s son, Bryce (124). But his greatest stat: Some 80 former players went on to coaching or teaching. That includes Bryce and Scott, who is Baylor’s coach. When evening schedules allow, Homer, Bryce and Scott will converse over the telephone and share notes about the game. “That warms dad’s heart,” Homer Drew said. “To be able, after all these years, to still have something to talk about.”

Of Homer Drew’s 640 career victories, 370 came at Valparaiso. That’s three times

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TRANSFER WAIVERS PROCESS MUST CHANGE. by Andy Katz The waivers aren’t unanimous. The process is flawed. And the need to change the legislation is now a must. But in what way, how fast and to what extent are still being debated. Yet, the sense is all parties believe the status quo can’t continue. Statistics provided by the NCAA show there were 77 transfer waivers approved, 44 denied and nine pending through the month of November. That means 64 percent of the waivers were approved, hardly a consensus either way. The two most likely scenarios on the table are to grant every student-athlete a one-time transfer waiver during their career — and that includes grad transfers — without sitting out a season, or no waivers at all and every player must sit out a season if the student-athlete transfers. Getting a unanimous decision on what to do next isn’t going to happen. There will need to be a compromise. But something must occur. “It’s a discussion point,’’ said TCU coach Jamie Dixon, who will take over as the next NABC president in April. “The waiver process brings too many questions.’’ The questions the waiver process brings range from abuses to confusion as to why one player would be approved while another denied. “I am completely against waivers,’’ said South Carolina coach Frank Martin, an NABC board member. “Either everyone gets a one-time transfer or everyone sits. I will lobby (to change it).’’ Technically here is how the transfer waiver process works, per the NCAA: There should be documentation that circumstances outside the student-athlete’s control necessitated the transfer. The school must show that the student-athlete’s transfer is linked to the circumstances outside of the student-athlete’s control. The school can appeal a NCAA staff’s decision to the Division I Committee for Legislative Relief. The committee may waiver a normal application when the extraordinary circumstances arise that are unintended consequences of the legislation.

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There are seven members — made up of NCAA Division I schools or conferences — on the Division I Committee for Legislative Relief. That committee sets the standards but here is the breakdown on how the waiver process works. The student transfers from one institution to another and the new school then files the request for immediate eligibility. The NCAA staff reviews the request using the guidelines set forth by the aforementioned committee. One staff member is assigned to each case and reviews the documentation. The staff member is looking for mitigated issues like egregious behavior at the prior school that could have forced the player to want to leave, mental health, or the player being run off. Academic records are reviewed, how the previous school reacted and supported or fought the transfer is also considered. The timeline is supposed to take 21 days, but the NCAA states transfer waivers aren’t considered urgent — even though they may feel that way for the player or the new school. If the request is denied, there is an appeal process that must be within 30 days of the decision. As a result, it’s easy to see why there is confusion, frustration and at times anger over the process. “I believe all players should sit, no waivers at all,’’ said Michigan assistant Phil Martelli, a former long-time head coach at Saint Joseph’s. “It’s too confusing. There are no standards that are evident to all. Players fighting through tough situations should be part of education. The waiver process hurts the credibility of the NCAA.’’ Should the NCAA staff be in the process of reviewing a player’s mental health, the extenuating circumstances of a family illness, or whether or not the player competing immediately would help the player? Is this just about playing time under the cover of a waiver to solve the problem? Are coaches only interested in this when it benefits them? There is no unanimity, another reason why there needs to be a decision on either a one-time transfer or not. Think about this — Wisconsin coach Greg Gard, who was angered by the denial of Micah Potter’s transfer waiver to play after sitting two semesters instead of three — is even against waivers.

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BUT WHAT DOES SOLUTION LOOK LIKE?

“I think it will become even more of a transfer circus if there’s a one-time waiver,’’ said Gard. “Our conference (the Big Ten) put forth a legislative change for a one-time waiver, but the Board of Directors wouldn’t take it further.’’ “We went 0-for-2 with our waivers, so I would just like to see some consistency with the process,’’ said Tulsa coach Frank Haith. “We had compelling arguments and reasons for our guys to get the waiver but for some reason we didn’t get it — when everyone else in our league got theirs. Granting immediate eligibility could create difficult circumstances, as there could be some behind the scenes issues with that, so I think having everyone sit out a year would be good from an educational standpoint, even graduate transfers.’’ Haith said he hates seeing the midlevel schools get “gutted’’ by the decisions. “I’m not in favor unless it’s an emergency,’’ said North Carolina Central coach LeVelle Moton. “When kids transfer to NC Central, the university doesn’t accept 20 to 30 of those credit hours. If kids can play right away, they’ll leave the university short of graduation - that doesn’t fit right with my spirit. The year allows them to retrieve those hours and get back on track.’’

Phil Martelli

Jamie Dixon

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Coaches can have a say by ensuring either their school or conference recommend new legislation by working with the NCAA. This is doable. The autonomy five conferences have more voting power. They can push this through the Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee and get it in front of the Division I Board of Directors. “If the NCAA can’t minimize the abuse, then eliminate the waivers altogether,’’ said UMass-Lowell coach Pat Duquette.

Frank Martin

Iona coach Tim Cluess said the player is being punished by sitting out a year. Cluess said he doesn’t understand why men’s basketball is singled out versus other sports.

Cluess said there should be a discussion on this that includes college coaches. “If it was a choice of everyone gets a waiver or no one gets a waiver, I would choose everyone gets a waiver, even at the expense of what it will probably cost lower and mid-level college programs,’’ said Cluess.

But then — even at the mid-level, at a school that has seen its share of players leave and go up a level — agreeing on what to do next isn’t happening.

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“The student-athlete has a short window in which to compete at their sport while attending school,’’ said Cluess. “Where else in our country are people limited on their choices of where they want to work, attend school, have an entrepreneurial spirit, find the right fit that fits their personality or have a chance to use their skill set to earn money for them and their family?”

Once again, the need for the NABC to have one voice on this legislation is critical. Support appears to be growing among coaches to compromise on the one-time transfer and get out of the stress of wondering if the waiver will be accepted or denied. And if a player wants to transfer a second time — after he received the one-time exception of playing immediately — then he must sit a year. It really could be that simple. But settling on a unanimous position will likely continue to be anything but.

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2020 Guardians of the Game Award for Service Rob Krimmel – Saint Francis University Having spent more than half of his life as a player and coach at Saint Francis University, Rob Krimmel has had quite an impact on a university with a larger undergraduate enrollment (1,726) than residents (1,255) of its location in Loretto, Pa. As a four-year player for the Red Flash, he was a three-year starter and two-time co-captain who led the Northeast Conference in three-point field goal percentage (43.5) as a senior and ranks fifth (39.8) on the school’s all-time list in that category. Krimmel was the NEC men’s basketball scholar athlete of the year as a senior and a two-time Academic All-America selection by ESPN The Magazine. A member of the men’s basketball staff following graduation, Krimmel was named the 21st head coach in the school’s history in April of 2012. Over the last seven seasons he has put the Red Flash on an upward projectory with three trips to the conference semifinals, two appearances in the NEC championship game and a berth in the NIT in 2019. Krimmel’s success at Saint Francis hasn’t been limited to his team or the Saint Francis community. He is in his eighth season as a head coach with the same number of years as a champion for Stay In To Win, a program

presented to middle school aged children with a focus on student success and dropout prevention. The program is sponsored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). “I became involved after receiving a call from program director Al Foderaro from a reference provided by my friend and Lehigh head coach Brett Reed,” said Krimmel. “We started as a team working with students at Altoona Junior High School in 2013 and it has grown each year.” While the program is focused on the young students, it has been beneficial for the Saint Francis players as well. “This program has provided an opportunity for the players to speak to a large group of students about their own experiences and shape some of their own beliefs,” Krimmel said. “They share a wide range of skills and interest with the middle schoolers, including working on academic skills and the importance of an education.” “Rob has served as a positive role model to his players by actively participating in the presentation of the Stay in to Win program to over 4,200 Altoona Junior High School students, who have benefited from learning about the Keys to Student Success from Rob and his players,” said Foderaro. “When it comes to a coach who has truly been supportive of the Stay in to Win program, Rob is certainly a loyal participant, one who represents the NABC and the coaching community in an extremely positive way on the court and within his community.” Krimmel unexpectedly received a real-time evaluation of the success of the program one morning while having breakfast with two players on a recruiting visit with their parents. “A local teacher approached me in the restaurant to tell me that the Stay In To Win program presented at the

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junior high by the Saint Francis team had literally saved the life of one of the school’s most difficult and troubled students,” said Krimmel. “Some six months after the visit, the student had turned his life around, was now attending school regularly and attaining significantly higher grades.” Krimmel noted a number of success stories for the Stay in To Win program in messages and thank you notes from the young students. “It’s interesting to see what messages we provided had the most impact and the notes are very rewarding for our coaches and players,” said Krimmel. While the Saint Francis team has made visits to Altoona Junior High School in the fall of other seasons, they will be going out during the season in 2020 due to some scheduling issues. “Altoona is building a new high school across the street from the middle school so it’s a little hectic there,” said the Red Flash coach. “We’ll see if our visit during our season may help as a pick-me-up to the students struggling in the school year.” The Red Flash team joined TEAM IMPACT early in February 2014, just as it was making a turn and showing great improvement on the basketball court. TEAM IMPACT is a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for those children by establishing and expanding vibrant team-based support networks.

Jorden, afflicted with Larsen’s Syndrome, a disorder of the development of the bones, wore number 43 at his first game as a member of the Red Flash when he was introduced to a standing ovation at Gol Arena as a member of the starting lineup. “Jorden seemed to acknowledge the motto in a press conference with a very positive ‘No can’t do’ attitude”, said Krimmel. “We have had a birthday party for Jorden and he has come to home and away games,” Krimmel said. “He’s now a senior in high school and may well follow in the tradition of his mother and sister, both graduates of Saint Francis, when he makes his college choice.” Recognizing all of the outstanding efforts of community outreach and service led by the Saint Francis coach, Krimmel will receive the 2020 NABC Guardians of the Game Award for Service at the AT&T NABC Guardians of the Awards Show on Sunday, April 5, in Atlanta as part of the NABC Convention and the NCAA Men’s Final Four. The show is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Sidney Marcus Auditorium in the Georgia World Congress Center.

With a team motto of “Do your best and don’t let the other team see you sweat”, Saint Francis signed 12year old Jorden McClure to their men’s basketball team. NABC

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High School Basketball Coaches Update

by Dave Archer, Sr. Director of Operations, NHSBCA Leaders of the NHSBCA met with leaders of the National Federation of State High School Associations and the NCAA at a Basketball Summit in Indianapolis toward the end of the summer. This Basketball Summit was to review the inaugural year of the June Scholastic Recruiting events as well as discuss improvements and the structure for the June 2020 events. These three partner organizations have continued to work closely as partners to design the implementation process. An improvement in the organizational structure of the NHSBCA focuses on eight Geographic Regions. NEW ENGLAND ( Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine); NORTH ATLANTIC (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania); MID-EAST (Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia); SOUTHEAST (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee); NORTHWEST REGION (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming); NORTH CENTRAL (Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin); CENTRAL (Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana); SOUTHWEST ( Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah). Each geographic region holds conference calls to discuss regional issues, share information and find ways to work together for the good of the game and of coaches. The NHSBCA continues to advocate for high school basketball coaches throughout the nation. Scholastic sports are an integral part of the education process and scholastic coaching is a very important profession in our society.

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These are very interesting and complex times to be a high school basketball coach. Adolescents today face many issues and challenges that do not go away when the school day is over and basketball practice starts. The mental and emotional health of a player needs the attention of a coach nearly as much as does their athletic development. It goes without saying that a high school coach needs to have a plan in place to work with the many facets of a student-athleteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life such as social media, parents and travel/club basketball. High school coaches play so many roles in the lives of their players. They must be good communicators and connectors in all directions. The NHSBCA is building a community of coaches. It is working to provide more resources and more tools for high school coaches to use in the performance of their job. The NHSBCA provides a network for basketball coaches throughout the country to exchange ideas, information and solutions to ideas and actions as they come up.

About the NHSBCA The National High School Basketball Coaches Association also serves as the High School Congress of the NABC. About thirty-five state basketball coachesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; associations and representatives of some states that do not have a basketball coaches association work together to improve scholastic basketball and scholastic coaches. The NHSBCA is the national voice for high school basketball coaches, working to foster high standards of professionalism and to support coaches. The NHSBCA conducts two general meetings per year, one at the NABC Convention and the other in July. Additionally, the NHSBCA Executive Committee conducts monthly phone conference meetings. For additional information about the NHSBCA, visit www.NHSBCA.org.

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Taking Action: Name, Image and Likeness.

The NCAA is best positioned to provide a uniform and fair name, image and likeness approach for all student-athletes on a national scale.

The NCAA is committed to allow name, image and likeness opportunities for student-athletes consistent with the college athlete model. The college athlete model is not the professional model, meaning students will compete against other students, not professionals or employees. The NCAA is best positioned to provide a uniform and fair name, image and likeness approach for all student-athletes on a national scale. NCAA Board of Governors In the Association’s continuing efforts to support college athletes, the NCAA Board of Governors voted unanimously in October to permit students participating in athletics the opportunity to benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness in a manner consistent with the collegiate model. Specifically, the board said modernization should occur within the following principles and guidelines: • A ssure student-athletes are treated similarly to nonathlete students unless a compelling reason exists to differentiate. • M aintain the priorities of education and the collegiate experience to provide opportunities for student-athlete success.Ensure rules are transparent, focused and enforceable and facilitate fair and balanced competition. • M ake clear the distinction between collegiate and professional opportunities. • M ake clear that compensation for athletics performance or participation is impermissible. • R eaffirm that student-athletes are students first and not employees of the university. • E nhance principles of diversity, inclusion and gender equity. • P rotect the recruiting environment and prohibit inducements to select, remain at, or transfer to a specific institution. NABC

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The board’s action was based on comprehensive recommendations from the NCAA Board of Governors Federal and State Legislation Working Group, which includes presidents, commissioners, athletics directors, administrators and studentathletes. The group gathered input over the past several months from numerous stakeholders, including current and former student-athletes, coaches, presidents, faculty and commissioners across all three divisions. The board also directed continued and productive engagement with legislators. Additional information regarding name, image and likeness is available on the NCAA’s webpage at ncaa.org/NIL. A series of questions and answers is available at ncaa.org/questions-and-answers-nameimage-and-likeness. These pages will be updated as additional information becomes available, so be sure to bookmark and check back regularly.

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Four Ways to Take the Pressure Off by Carey Casey, CEO & President of Championship Fathering

“ There’s a big difference between coaching to build up a great record and reputation for yourself and coaching because you’re building up young people and preparing them for whatever their future holds.”

I won’t claim to know all that a college basketball coach experiences and thinks, but from what I have seen, coaching can be a high-pressure profession. You probably thrive on at least some of that pressure. Maybe the heat of competition brings out your best strategic and motivational skills, and that helps your team win. There is also the kind of pressure that brings high levels of stress to your life, and it’s much more than a drive to bring out the best in your team. When we don’t handle pressure in the right ways, it can hinder other areas of life that are more significant in the long run: our marriages, our parenting, our character. Maybe it’s like when a team fails to handle full-court pressure: there’s a sense of panic, no one can think clearly, one mistake leads to another and another, and the frustration builds until things seem out of control and hopeless. It’s true in real life, too: letting pressures get to us can lead to our downfall— maybe in public ways. For me, there are four big-picture ideas that will help take the pressure off: habits to develop that will help you maintain your poise at all times. Invest in others. There’s a big difference between coaching to build up a great record and reputation for yourself and coaching because you’re building up young people and preparing them for whatever their future holds. It says a lot when you show care and concern for the people around you— players as well as trainers, managers, administrative staff, reporters, and so on. Be their greatest fan! Those kinds of relational investments are worthwhile all by themselves, and they often help to create a winning atmosphere as well. Give credit away. I am most impressed by coaches when they show humility at times when they could easily bask in the glory of the moment. When Roy Williams left Kansas to come and coach at my alma mater, North Carolina, he had every reason to be arrogant because of all he had accomplished with the Jayhawks. But he commented that he would never be as great as long-time North Carolina coach Dean Smith. Roy just wanted to play his role and help

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honor the legacy of what had come before him. Giving credit to the other guy shows real character and will earn respect from players. It shows an awareness that you’re part of something greater than you. And it helps when you aren’t worried about getting the recognition some may think you deserve; when it isn’t about you, then you don’t feel as much pressure. Be teachable. Are you the kind of coach who already knows everything? To me, that attitude is an open door to being taken down by life’s pressures. Humility is where it all starts. I hope you realize very clearly that you never really “arrive” as a coach, as a person. No matter how long you’ve been around, you have room to grow. It also means learning from mentors and peers, from books and speakers, and from people who are different from you. The proverb is so often true: pride goes before a fall. So, who’s teaching or mentoring you? We can all benefit from having close friends who are concerned for us, who are willing to ask us hard questions about our life and expect complete honesty when we answer, and who will be there for us during the challenges and difficult times. Enjoy the moment. I hope you’re able to savor the opportunities that are before you every day, whatever your situation may be. With that perspective, your coaching role can take on more purpose and meaning—even when it doesn’t feel all that purposeful or meaningful. Be secure in who you are. Live with humility. Learn from those around you. Realize that you’re part of something greater than you. And have so much fun along the way that you barely even notice the pressures of being a coach. Carey Casey is CEO, President, and the author of Championship Fathering. He has also authored the book Championship Grandfathering: How to Build a Winning Legacy and is the general editor of the book 21-Day Dad’s Challenge: Three Weeks to a Better Relationship with Your Kids. Carey and his wife Melanie live in Chicago. They are the parents of four children and have nine grandchildren. www.ChampionshipFathering.org The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the NABC.

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TALENT &/OR CHARACTER by Donnell Jones, Pastor, Grace Covenant Church DC www.GraceCovDC.org

“ Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character.” John Wooden

As a character coach for the University of Maryland Men’s Basketball Team, my primary role is to coach men. My focus is character not talent. Both are important. You need talent to play. You need character to stay. The door that talent opens for you is often the very same door that bad character closes on you.

Michelangelo said that he did not produce the statue of David. He claims that he merely “saw David sleeping in the block of stone completely intact. All he did was chip away at the stone to set David free from everything that wasn’t him.” Character is about chipping away everything that is not who we are really supposed to be.

Webster’s Dictionary 1828 defines talent and character this way:

Imagine yourself to be a block of stone. God is the artist. His tools are people and experiences he brings into your life to to cut away everything that is not who you are supposed to be. It requires significant intention to cut away lying and deception in order to forge truth and integrity. He chips away selfishness to bring about selflessness. With a steady hand he cuts out profanity, cheating, and stealing while forging humility, patience, and self-control. He works patiently creating a masterpiece.

TALENT, noun 3. Faculty; natural gift or endowment; 4. Eminent abilities; superior genius; as, he is a man of talents. CHARACTER, noun 1. A mark made by cutting or engraving, as on stone, metal or other hard material; 4. The peculiar qualities, impressed by nature or habit on a person, which distinguish him from others. Talent and character are not the same. Here’s how I like to explain the difference. Talent is Born. Character is Formed. Webster calls character a “mark.” Each of us have been marked in ways that influence our thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and habits which shape who we are. What qualities does God intend to mark your life so as to distinguish you not only from others but to reflect his obvious hand in your life? Michelangelo’s David is one of the world’s greatest works of art. Standing an imposing 16 feet 9 inches in height, this sculpture was forged from a very large block of stone. It’s amazing!

Do you recognize the people and experiences brought into your life to chip away what’s not you? Who have you given permission to shape and forge what needs to be developed in your life? Who has regular and ongoing access to coach you in the process of transformation from a block of stone to a masterpiece? Coach Wooden said “be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” Pastor Donnell Jones is pastor of Grace Covenant Church in Washington, D.C., Character Coach for the Maryland Terrapins and Chaplain of the NABC. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the NABC.

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C O A C H’S

C L I N I C

Eight Essential Characteristics Needed to Build a Championship Basketball Team Culture Gary Stewart, Head Coach, Stevenson University NABC Second Vice President Having sustained championship success in any team sport requires several different characteristics such as talent, discipline and a sound schematic approach. Establishing a championship culture is of upmost importance in how a team consistently functions and performs. There are two distinctive ways to developing a team culture. The head coach can allow the culture to emerge on its own. This is often referred to as the “organic” approach. Essentially, the players create the culture. The second approach is called, the “top down” method in which the head coach leads the charge in a collaborative manner. While there are many benefits to both, I believe the “top down” method affords the best opportunity for sustained championship success. A team organizational culture and character is an expression of what you do, how you do it, and when you do it. Building a championship culture is a direct reflection of the head coach and staff’s ability to foster group engagement and foundational dynamics to a diverse group of student-athletes. It promotes attainable goals while driving group behavior. Simply put, the programs culture creates an atmosphere that permeates and drives every aspect of the team’s experience. The following 8 characteristics are essential to sustained championship success: Trust - Honest, open, consistent and direct communication is a critical foundational attribute to establishing an environment that supports and nurtures personal growth. Consistently expressing collective values, principles, attitudes, while embedding goals and behaviors, can lead to sustained championship performance. Being positive, proactive and engaging creates a supportive, high performing environment. Core Values – A pillar of any culture must be its core values. A teams core values guide the decisions and choices of every member in the program. When developing a road map to championship success, your core values dictate what is important and what you will spend your time on. When developing a championship culture, many aspects need to be flexible and adaptive but your core values must be foundational and transparent. Clarifying the Purpose – When dealing with a diverse group, it is imperative you understand each student-athlete’s why. Clarifying the purpose each year gives the head coach and staff the ability to adapt to the myriad of different or modified governing rules and regulations, policies and procedures while also taking into account the individual student-athletes developmental changes. A compelling purpose is the first layer in building a championship culture.

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Vision – The blueprint to championship success! A coach must have a complete understanding of where the program is now and what you need to do to have sustained excellence. A coach must have a solid vision in which they can inspire, mentor, encourage, motivate and teach to. Developing championship habits is vital to individual and team growth. Principles - Culture can be a direct reflection of the leader. As a leader, our beliefs, values, character, opinions, and even likes and dislikes will become the culture of the program. Because of this, it is important to pay careful attention to what kind of culture that we want to build. To ensure the creation of a championship culture, guidelines must be set in place. Team Chemistry - A championship culture is one in which team members can collaborate, share knowledge, communicate, and most importantly support one another. When there is cohesion amongst the group, they are able to accomplish great things. Conflicts are inevitable, but it is not about the conflicts, it is how the group handles them. Every conflict will test, and potentially strengthen the team’s fabric. A program’s culture has real implications on how athletes get along, and how they perform individually and collectively. Team Oriented Goals - With an established culture, the student-athletes within the program can develop their own goals, but in the beginning, team goals have to be clearly defined. The student-athletes need to believe that the goals are worthwhile and achievable. It is vital to understand the different interests of the individuals on the team; however, it is up to the coaches to align individual goals with those of the team. A team of distinct individuals must come together to achieve something that is beyond themselves. To launch a championship culture, the head coach and staff must create a culture that can bring both collective and individual success. Performance Standards - Think beyond the statistics, but more towards attitude and work ethic. As coaches, it is important to invest our time and energy to set, and to BE the standard of excellence. An established championship culture enables the program as a whole to embrace the norms of acceptable behavior. These norms can dictate how team members behave, communicate, cooperate and deal with conflict on and off the court. When clear behavioral norms are established and understood, players will feel implicit pressure to uphold that standard. Attitude is as important as capabilities, but with a right attitude, a team member can build capabilities.

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DEVELOP AS A COACH! GROW AS A LEADER! INVEST IN YOUR CAREER! The 2020 NABC Convention is the coaching industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier professional development event. Coaches from all levels of the sport will spend five days experiencing clinics, networking events and awards ceremonies - all alongside college basketballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest stage. Pre-register by February 7 at nabc.com/convention!