Thing's I've Learned

The last few days have been really tough. The sadness seeps in not so much when thoughts of “what am I going to do for a job” come into my head but more so when I think about my wife, who was born and raised in East Tennessee, our 5 month old daughter and leaving so many great friends. My family and friends are whom I work to make proud every day. It’s honestly them I look up to. But now, my wife is looking to me with wide, curious, nervous eyes asking what’s next? I can’t answer that yet. One thing I do know is I’m not just sitting still.

The son of a father who’s a former college basketball player, current medical sales rep and a hall of fame high school volleyball coach, my family was raised to be competitive doers. The word “can’t” — no joke — was not allowed in my house growing up. I can still hear my dad today saying, “We don’t say that word.” So, I’ve taken the approach that with every ending there is a new beginning. I’ve been on the phone, computer and setting up meetings at the Final 4 to try and find something new. I strongly believe those who wait around for something good to happen to them, blame others, or feel sorry for themselves during tough times will get left in the dust. This entire situation has forced me into a new journey. But I can guarantee you, I’ll find a way to reach my goals, somehow, some way at God’s speed.

Although miserable at times because I feel as though I should always be doing something, this experience is teaching me a lot. It has already taught me that there truly are tons of great people out there. Your supportive emails, tweets and blog comments I could never accurately communicate to you how much they have meant to me. In addition, the messages from so many former players such as Chris Lofton, Wayne Chism, Jordan Howell and Dane Bradshaw to former walk-ons Quinn Cannington and Tanner Wild, have been the best! However, the biggest blessing of all this has been the extra time I’ve gotten to spend with my wife and daughter. My wife accurately joked with me the other day that I’ve been around more the last week then I have been throughout an entire month of the season.

During this time off I have learned a few other things as well. The following is a list of these things:

1.     I like hearing my daughter cry just as much as I like hearing players cry and complain…I can’t stand it

2.     Do not blast your music in your head phones while your daughter is in child care at the gym because if she start’s crying and your name is called over the intercom to come get her you definitely wont be able to hear. (Yes, I’m an idiot.)

3.     The coaching fraternity is a tight group. You need as many friends and supporters as possible in this business.

4.     Feeding your daughter is not as easy as it sounds. My daughter grabbed her bowl of cereal and then rubbed it on her face Wednesday morning.

5.     Sweetened condensed milk, contrary to my belief, is not in the milk section of the grocery store. I guess that is what happens when I pick up the things on our grocery list.

6.     Babies really do sleep a lot and I am jealous they get to wear “onesies” all day every day

7.     This is the first time in my life I have not had something basketball related going on between 2:30-6:00pm for a couple days in a row since, ummmm, grade school???

8.     I can and will start going to watch AAU events, visiting coaches at practice and working out player’s since I am not currently employed by an NCAA institution.

9.     Just because of the amount we got back on our tax returns yesterday, I suggest getting married and having a baby every year!

10. Pandora’s Disney station is awesome and “Hakuna Matata” is probably the best Disney song ever.

In addition to learning these things I have been vigorously working on my resume and contacting different places at all levels with potential coaching openings. I will leave Thursday for the Final Four in Houston with my principles and coaching philosophies in my head, my resume in hand and my fingers crossed, eager for an opportunity. I don’t wish things to happen, I work to make them happen so hopefully this work will all pay off soon.

Thanks for reading!

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