Coaching Temperament and the Effect on Players

[Lempface]

Just watched the player post-game from last night and I thought this was some really interesting insight into the mind of the players and how the coach's demeanor effects them.

It's often been discussed how Cal's tantrums on the sideline and how he would tighten up at the end of close games cost us over the years but really that was all speculation. I don't think we had ever heard from any player coming out and speaking negatively on the way Cal coached them specifically. (If I missed any instances of those, I'd be interested to see them.)

But during Almonor's interview we got some first-hand insight into how a calming presence has such a positive impact. I know this may seem like common sense to many of you, but getting it straight from the horse's mouth was pretty cool.

Interviewer: What is it about coach Pope that keeps you guys so confident even when things are stacked against you?
Almonor: He's very, very calm, like I've never seen a coach as calm as him, like ever. Like, he's super calm in any sort of situation, he's very, very calm, especially in high stress situations he's calm, and he helps... And you feed off that as a player, especially when he's not yelling at you or none of that, he's telling us we're gonna be good, stay confident, we'll be fine. So, it's just easy to feed off that as a player when your coach is that calm and that mellow.

Great interview if you haven't seen it, check out the whole vid but this segment starts around 9:00 in.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Just watched the player post-game from last night and I thought this was some really interesting insight into the mind of the players and how the coach's demeanor effects them.

It's often been discussed how Cal's tantrums on the sideline and how he would tighten up at the end of close games cost us over the years but really that was all speculation. I don't think we had ever heard from any player coming out and speaking negatively on the way Cal coached them specifically. (If I missed any instances of those, I'd be interested to see them.)

But during Almonor's interview we got some first-hand insight into how a calming presence has such a positive impact. I know this may seem like common sense to many of you, but getting it straight from the horse's mouth was pretty cool.

Interviewer: What is it about coach Pope that keeps you guys so confident even when things are stacked against you?
Almonor: He's very, very calm, like I've never seen a coach as calm as him, like ever. Like, he's super calm in any sort of situation, he's very, very calm, especially in high stress situations he's calm, and he helps... And you feed off that as a player, especially when he's not yelling at you or none of that, he's telling us we're gonna be good, stay confident, we'll be fine. So, it's just easy to feed off that as a player when your coach is that calm and that mellow.

Great interview if you haven't seen it, check out the whole vid but this segment starts around 9:00 in.

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Not true. If he doesn’t scream at the players, how will they know how to play? Rupp Rafters told me that’s how you win.

 

[WeWant9]

If you have an option between a calm or unhinged boss, which one you taking?

I do think you need a little balance between good cop/bad cop, but Pope’s demeanor will draw in more players than turn off.

 

[WebCatKy]

Not true. If he doesn’t scream at the players, how will they know how to play? Rupp Rafters told me that’s how you win.

And how will then know when to "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" 🤣

 

[jwphelps]

Just watched the player post-game from last night and I thought this was some really interesting insight into the mind of the players and how the coach's demeanor effects them.

It's often been discussed how Cal's tantrums on the sideline and how he would tighten up at the end of close games cost us over the years but really that was all speculation. I don't think we had ever heard from any player coming out and speaking negatively on the way Cal coached them specifically. (If I missed any instances of those, I'd be interested to see them.)

But during Almonor's interview we got some first-hand insight into how a calming presence has such a positive impact. I know this may seem like common sense to many of you, but getting it straight from the horse's mouth was pretty cool.

Interviewer: What is it about coach Pope that keeps you guys so confident even when things are stacked against you?
Almonor: He's very, very calm, like I've never seen a coach as calm as him, like ever. Like, he's super calm in any sort of situation, he's very, very calm, especially in high stress situations he's calm, and he helps... And you feed off that as a player, especially when he's not yelling at you or none of that, he's telling us we're gonna be good, stay confident, we'll be fine. So, it's just easy to feed off that as a player when your coach is that calm and that mellow.

Great interview if you haven't seen it, check out the whole vid but this segment starts around 9:00 in.

View embedded media

I love Pope's demeanor on the side lines, verses Cal's hysterics

 

[Orville Boggs]

How about BCG's approach sending Jorts to the bathroom stall during half-time and having to ride the equipment bus back to Lexington after a game. Jodie Meeks not wanting to come out of the locker-room at half-time dealing with that lunatic!

Cal's "go and run" was stellar coaching as well. Liked to throw players under the bus following bad loses!

Coach Pope does not belittle his player's and takes a positive approach and seems to be getting good results! Nothing wrong with breaking a chair, chalk-board, etc. to get there attention when needed.

 

[Bluegrassking]

Constant hollering and screaming tends to get more and more ignored but draws laser focus when it is rare from a generally cooler head.

Life at 11 on tje volume knob becomes background noise over time.

 

[coachcombs57]

Brea spoke to this as well. KSR article mentions it. Something to the effect of
"A lot of coaches bring you down, but coach just instill confidence"

 

[NerlensCat]

I have always been taught, you teach(correct/yell) in practice. You coach(lead and inspire) in games. I think Pope is still working on the teaching. But, he has the coaching down. We just need to continue to work on getting the right talent like Oats has at Alabama.

 

[stenchymouse]

I think that kids are going to want to come play for Pope, and I'll bet that we lose less kids to the portal as well.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

This makes me wonder about Pitino. World class motivator. His players always had confidence. But it’s hard to believe he didn’t peel paint. How did/does he lift players up without breaking them down? And how does Pope look back on Pitino’s coaching? I mean he obviously continues to celebrate the guy, but has he made a conscious choice to do things differently, and if so, how does that shape his view of Pitino’s coaching in hindsight?

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

This makes me wonder about Pitino. World class motivator. His players always had confidence. But it’s hard to believe he didn’t peel paint. How did/does he lift players up without breaking them down?

Players are very different today than they were 30 years ago. Some guys still like to be coached that way but some don’t. Knowing each of your players and the best way they respond to different types of coaching separate the greats from the rest. The key is getting your player to perform, not necessarily how you do it — there can multiple correct answers. Sometimes yelling works for a coach. Sometimes being calm works for a coach

 

[UKBB4Ever]

I always hated the way Cal acted on the sidelines and how he pressed in the clutch.

I love the way Pope stays calm and collected and just keeps coaching without pressing.

And the guys respond to it.

Maybe it won’t always be like that?

There’s something special about this team.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

I always hated the way Cal acted on the sidelines and how he pressed in the clutch.

I love the way Pope stays calm and collected and just keeps coaching without pressing.

And the guys respond to it.

Maybe it won’t always be like that?

There’s something special about this team.

Pope will recruit guys that fit his coaching philosophy. There is no one-size fits all in coaching, but when you are running such a team-oriented system, it might be in his best interest to have a cohesive group personality-wise.

 

[StubbornPenny]

Not a surprise he almost went into the medical field - you don’t panic as a doctor, you just don’t.

 

[Supafuzz75]

If you have an option between a calm or unhinged boss, which one you taking?

I do think you need a little balance between good cop/bad cop, but Pope’s demeanor will draw in more players than turn off.

I tried to fight one of my bosses at the mines once.. He would cuss me and the other workers daily.. Took all I could take one day and bucked up to him in the changing room one morning.. He wanted to go off the hill off the property to fight but I'd had enough and said nope we'd settle right there right then.. He then said he'd get me fired by owner and told him go see how'd that would turn it lol.. They fired him and said nothing to me but I'd warned em months before if didn't do something with him I'd hurt him and bury him underground..

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Pope will recruit guys that fit his coaching philosophy. There is no one-size fits all in coaching, but when you are running such a team-oriented system, it might be in his best interest to have a cohesive group personality-wise.

I think he will too.

But what player doesn’t want to be coached like that?

Who wouldn’t respond?

Reminds me a bit of Crum. I know he was the enemy. But I always liked his calm under pressure.

 

[Orville Boggs]

The bench is your motivator! Either give it all you got or ride the pine, drink gatorade and watch the game!