Alright, so this whole Big Ten Coach of the Year award pops up every season, and everyone’s got an opinion, right? Pundits point at win totals, maybe tournament wins. Me, I got my own little ritual, my own way of lookin’ at it based on what I see throughout the year.
How I Start Tracking ‘Em
It really starts early, even before conference play sometimes. I just start watching games. Lots of ’em. Not just the big matchups, sometimes those Tuesday night games nobody’s hyped about. I wanna see how these coaches operate when the pressure’s maybe a little lower, and then how they change when it ramps up.
I’m looking for specific things. How’s the team’s energy? Are they playing hard defense even when shots aren’t falling? That tells you something about the coach’s message, if the team’s buying in.
Digging Deeper Than Just Wins
Wins are nice, sure. Like, you look at a guy like Izzo over at Michigan State. The guy’s won, like, everything in the Big Ten, right? Regular season titles, tourney titles, got the most wins ever for a Big Ten coach now. So yeah, winning matters. But it ain’t everything.
I pay attention to player development. You see a sophomore who looked lost last year suddenly playing with confidence, making smart plays? Coach probably had a hand in that. Did the team get better from November to March? That’s big for me. It shows the coach can teach and adjust.
I also watch the sidelines during tough stretches. Is the coach frantic, losing his cool? Or is he calm, making adjustments, keeping his guys focused? Body language tells you a lot. You want a coach who leads, not just reacts.
Remembering the Grind
I actually went to a practice once, years back. Wasn’t even allowed to stay long, just kinda peeked in. Wasn’t yelling and screaming like you see on TV sometimes. It was quieter. Lots of stopping, teaching, correcting little things. Footwork, positioning, communication. It wasn’t glamorous, just work.
That kinda stuck with me. It’s easy to see the wins and the highlights. But the real coaching happens in those practices, day after day. Building habits, building trust. Like building anything, takes time and patience.
Made me think about this project I worked on way back, felt impossible at the start. My lead then, she wasn’t loud, but she was consistent. Kept us focused on the small steps, celebrated the little wins. We got it done. Felt kinda like that practice vibe.
- Watch how teams respond after a tough loss.
- Look for smart in-game adjustments.
- Notice if players seem motivated and disciplined.
- See who gets the most out of the talent they have.
So, yeah. That’s my approach. Not very scientific. Just watchin’ the games, looking past the easy headlines. Tryna see who’s really building something solid, getting guys to play the right way, especially when things get tough. That’s the coach who usually earns my nod, at least in my book.
