First Time Coach Learning Lessons

Fred Hoiberg, hired by Iowa State with no prior coaching experience, has found some early success and this article from the Wall Street Journal examines some of the factors Is this guy Hoiberg for real? Hoiberg said he learned much from his former coaches - Larry Bird with the Indiana Pacers and Kevin McHale with the Minnesota Timberwolves -who took their first coaching jobs with no prior experience. "Neither of those guys had experience, but they were great at communication and surrounded themselves with the right people," says Mr. Hoiberg. Hoiberg hired former Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz who offered this advice - how to "tell people 'no' from time to time" in order to balance his coaching, recruiting, public speaking, administrative and family responsibilities; and when to play the tough guy. Some excellent lessons for all of us coaches.