Coach Buzz's Summer Bookshelf

Oct. 6, 2010

Because we are limited on the amount of time we can spend coaching our guys, I have always believed it is imperative to find ways to create ‘touches’ to see them/spend time with them – even if only for a couple of minutes. Our guys have always singed in prior to practice during the season, or prior to close of business during the non-season, but I thought that we were not getting enough impact from that habit.

Before the school year started last Fall, I had a company install mailboxes for everyone in our program. Initially I wanted to do that, so that we could be more efficient as a staff with information, and to occasionally put something in the boxes for our players, thinking that the small surprise would excite them more to ‘sign in’ daily. As time transpired, I noticed that our guys were much more engaged in ‘signing in’ everyday, in hopes that something would be in their mailboxes. Obviously, I noticed that much more once the season was over, which coincided with our reduced time to be able to spend with them on the floor. All of which caused me to be more creative in what I put in their boxes.

Since the season ended, it seems as though I have read even more than normal. I have increased the websites my assistant peruses in search of things for me to study, and I have more than doubled the magazine subscriptions I receive. Because I have spent more time reading, it has allowed me to be more specific in what I put in the mailboxes everyday – not only for our players, but for everyone in our program. Sometimes it is something silly, but most of the time, it is specific for that person, relative to where they are at in their life, how they can grow as a person, ways to improve as a student, something based on leadership, etc..

Needless to say, I have read a lot of different things this summer, but here are some of the books:

“The Life God Blesses” by Jim Cymbala

I have tried to get to Cymbala’s church for the last couple of years, but it has yet to ever work out, relative to when we are playing nearby, or when I am in the area recruiting. He is a great leader, and I have studied all of the books he has written. It is always startling for me to study the depth of what he teaches. In one sentence, what I took from this book: A humble heart is like a magnet that draws the favor of God towards us.

“Home Team” by Sean Payton

Coach Payton was hired relatively at the same time I was in New Orleans, and I have followed his teams very closely since that time. I could relate to his path to his current position, and because I lived there, I completely understood the challenges he faced in turning their team into a Super Bowl winner. He has proven to be elite in his profession, and I appreciate the passion and motivation behind what he does.

“Open” by Andre Aggasi

This was suggested to me by another coach, and it was very revealing. A biography that appeared as though nothing was removed from the entire story. I admire his path, and have great respect for the honesty shown throughout. An unbelievably testimony to what the combination of talent and hard work will yield.

“Aspire Higher” by Avery Johnson

I love the story. This book is a combination of Coach Johnson’s story, including his leadership philosophy. That is a difficult combo to produce in my opinion, and I thought it was achieved extremely well in this book. There were several things that I learned and were reinforced to me in this book, but the most poignant for me was: Somebody’s watching to see how you handle prosperity and power. Somebody’s watching to see how you handle pressure and disappointment. Somebody’s watching to see how you handle your kids, or your spouse. Somebody’s always watching, even though you do not always realize it, or for that matter, even know who they are.

“Crazy Love” by Francis Chan

In reading a magazine article that mentioned this book, it sounded really good. Written by a pastor of a large church in California, it did not disappoint. Similar to Cymbala’s book, it was convicting for me to realize how much farther I need to grow as a person. In one sentence what convicted me the most: “The point of your life, is to point to Him.”

I re-read “The Energy Bus”, and “The Go Getter” as well.