The interaction between coaches and players

There has been a tectonic shift in the coaching ranks regarding relationships with players. The coaches who employ the "my guys have to adjust to me, not the other way around" mantra seem to be, however unquantifiable, diminishing.

It makes sense but do not mistake this for a transformation to unaccountability or as some would say "the inmates running the asylum."

Interactions with student-athletes is teaching, it's instruction, it's coaching and while a one size fits all approach can work to a degree, it's not a best practices approach.

For example, when Bob Knight could have the pick of the Indiana basketball litter, he won big. It was all Dick Vitale screaming throughout the basketball heavens in praise of one Robert Montgomery Knight. But his tenure at Texas Tech was less successful as a state's best was no longer vying to come play for him. Indeed, Knight's style worked for some but it was definitely still all my way or the highway in Lubbock.

Merritt College Coach Keenan McMiller acknowledges our overall national culture has changed and believes a good percentage of the basketball prospects are a little more sensitive.

But before you imagine soft string music playing and everyone receiving accolades and a trophy just for competing, McMiller is really describing different approaches but with the same bottomline accountability.

"There are multiple ways to talk to a kid, many different approaches. If something isn't working, giving guys smaller goals to build on and talking about the why of setbacks is appropriate."

HIS APPROACH

"We start out with certain goals to achieve, like in strength, mile times and running the canyon. We chart how each player does in scrimmages, like with free throws, turnovers and missed assignments

"I want them to play through mistakes but it can't effect the opportunity to win. A couple of mistakes in a row and I'll pull someone."

But he'll make it a learning opportunity and not a condemnation.

As the saying goes, tape doesn't lie but McMiller cautions that works only if the approach is done in a logical manner by all involved. When one party can't or refuses to see reality, not much can be done.

"It's also not all just about the basketball part. Sometimes, if you address other things then the basketball will soar. We want to work with them and slowly get them to see. But if you can't reach them, you can't coach them."

TALENT AND CHARACTER

Then there is the matter of evaluation. It's looking at talent and or sometimes versus character.

"Coaches need to get to know kids rather than rankings. If you're one of the Kentuckys of the world, that's different because you have a good idea what and who you are getting."

But with the next 100-150 talents, it's a crap shoot of sorts.

McMiller recalled this anecdote: in the latest Clint Eastwood film -- "Trouble With The Curve," -- about baseball scouting and specifically the group think that can cloud judgment.

"It's if they are looking at him, we should be looking at him."

But it's often minus digging deeper into learning about the individual and what, if anything, drives him. 

"I talk with both the high school and club coaches, plus the mother and the father, plus a secondary person. I want to know how a kid takes to coaching, how he does in the classroom? Does he try and be consistent? Does he treat people with respect?"

Skills can be taught and improved upon. The motivation and willingness to work hard, well, not so much. Yet coaches, possibly because of desperation, convince themselves that they can reach and transform Player X.

But try building a team around that.