I love Opening Day as much as the next guy. With two hours left until first pitch of Yankees-Red Sox, I'm almost too pumped up to write about baseball. So, I'll wait a couple days to get the early-season impressions fully developed.
With arguably the most exciting NCAA Tournament set to end tomorrow night in Indianapolis, it's an appropriate time to feature a coach who personifies the term "hoops dream" and even reminds you a bit of a Hoosiers actor in the process.
Watching Butler roll through the Dance with Brad Stevens at the helm has been a joy for so many reasons. Here are my top five thoughts on why the 33-year-old is officially the coolest coach in college basketball.
1. He followed his dream. As an aspiring sports broadcaster, I can understand the stresses of trying to break into an ultra-competitive profession. After playing college ball at DePauw University and landing a white-collar gig at Eli Lilly, nobody would have blamed Stevens for giving up the game he loved. But when a non-paying position at Butler opened up under Thad Matta, Stevens was quick to jump on it. The fact that he trusted his abilities enough to sign up for training at Applebee's says a lot about his character. And then, he reaches the top of his profession and coaches in a national title game within 12 years-- wow.
2. His story includes a wooden backboard and a driveway court. Can you script this any better? I envision a young Jimmy Chitwood asking the next-door neighbor whether he could borrow some court time when I heard about this one. Every kid in Indiana grows up hoping they can replicate a Milan High School run or come close to shooting like "The Hick from French Lick." I wish I still had a hoop to shoot at every day and outside of playing catch with your dad, that's about as all-American as it gets.
3. Stevens still hoops it up. Ask Gordon Hayward or Shelvin Mack what it's like to guard your coach-- they'll know pretty well. Despite denying that he was ever any good at basketball in Indy suburb Zionsville or in college, Stevens still averaged nearly 10 points per game at the Division III level. But, the part that makes him stand out from other coaches is that his competitive spirit forces him to challenge his students to 2-on-2 games. We always hear about Tom Izzo's free throws before practice (I feel for the poor guy-- high school sports moments stick with you), but having your coach cross you up and then talk trash must be a whole different experience.
4. He genuinely never wants to leave Butler. I know that we've been conditioned to stay cynical when it comes to the college basketball coaching carousel. And, I'm a person that never believes a coach will see out his extension or mega-deal when they are announced. However, for some reason, I really believe that Stevens wants to stay home. As someone who lived a mile from or at Rutgers University his entire life, I can understand his loyalty. He doesn't seem like he embraces the bright lights and just goes about his business. While I love to see the best coaches teaching the elite talent, I'm rooting for Stevens to sign a lifetime deal and get a statue outside of Hinkle Fieldhouse.
5. His sideline decorum is unmatched in college basketball. You have the older guys like Jim Boeheim and Jim Calhoun who sit down for the majority of the game and then go buck-wild on the first official that forgets they're around to display their executive check. You also have a younger "coach" like Bobby Gonzalez who doesn't stop whining from tip until buzzer. Stevens understands etiquette and stern teaching. He's calm, cool and collected during the game, but emotional on the practice court. He relates to his players and keeps them level-headed at the most trying of times. That's coaching.
Here's to Brad Stevens and good luck to Butler University on Monday night. You have one solid coach.
No comments:
Post a Comment