Q: You're in a unique situation at Moreau with a large number of underclass prospects -- I was wondering how do you keep them focused on the task at hand when national recognition is happening with more coming?
Frank Knight: "We told the kids when they decided to attend Moreau that they would really be part of something special. If they wanted to go to 'other' private schools with an already established winning tradition that's fine because there are plenty in the Bay Area, but if you want to really do something transformative and want to be challenged in the classroom and on the court, then Moreau would be a good fit.
So we knew for the most part that everyone who showed up on the first day of school wanted that challenge (not everyone did as we lost Jordan Matthews 6-foot-6 basketball/football player to Mack in Oakland and 6-foot-5 Calvin Lau to Capitol Christian).
We only have one senior and one junior, the rest of the roster is comprised of sophomores and freshman. It's tough to keep them focused because they are so young and college is literally three and four years away, but we remind them that that senior night games comes quicker than you think. We've had Creighton, Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, St. Mary's, USF, Washington State, New Mexico State, New Mexico, Loyola Marymount, Air Force, and Pepperdine on campus this fall for open gyms. From time to time, you will get players who shoot shots they normally wouldn't shoot but when those coaches are on the sidelines, and your a basketball player, you think that this is your chance. We remind them over and over that a scholarship is earned over several summers of club and several years of high school hoops. We have a self improvement program where once a month we have guest speakers who come in and address important things about the whole recruiting process including speakers from the positive coaching alliance, a speaker on the use of social media, and recruiting 101. Even speakers on how to do an interview, and a dealing with priorities workshop. The kids have bought into the better we do as a whole, the further they will go as individuals. But my phone is constantly ringing.
Q: I can see other schools making a run at getting a few to transfer.
Frank Knight: There have been some schools that have told our players that they would/could start at the other school or shine more. Or that the platform would be better if they went elsewhere. We have lost two players already and could possibly lose others but I'm confident that the group that is here now wants to finish the work we set out to accomplish when they decided to come to Moreau. I recognize with all the choices in Catholic/private/charter and public schools in the area that Moreau Catholic may not be the best fit for everyone. You will be challenged on the floor and in the classroom, but the ones who do stay and commit will have more than a few avenues to continue their educational and athletic careers.
Q: Plus you also have the parents of these kids to deal with.
Frank Knight: All of the parents have their child's best interest at heart. I know that I have four sons and I want them to be successful in the things they decide to do. So I try to approach them like I would want to be approached concerning my sons. I explain to them the benefits of playing under me, someone who has done what your son is attempting to do, earning a college scholarship. That the goal is a free or partially free college education, so that means D-1, D-2, D-3, NAIA are all on the table because few if any will play professionally. That the ball will eventually stop bouncing and what plan do we have to make sure that when it does your son can take advantage of the resources around him? And that I will do everything in my power to make their son the best basketball player I can, prepare them for college level basketball, and teach them life lessons along the way that will go with them forever.
Thank you Coach Knight.
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