What’s a Coach?

First the disclaimer. Both my brother and father (picture above) were basketball coaches for many years. Plus, I’m currently a practicing certified health coach. One could say coaching is in our genes.

While my brother has moved on to a new career the impressions he had on players and teammates still resides, as does that of our father, Coach Sherrill Hanks or to some just Coach. If short on time you can skip to the tributes at the end of the post.

Let’s dig in!

The definition of a Coach

Defined by Merriam-Webster

• a person who teaches and trains an athlete or performer
• a person who teaches and trains the members of a sports team and makes decisions about how the team plays during games
• a private teacher who gives someone lessons in a particular subject

But what’s the real meaning?

Luc van der Hofstadt (CEO of Mentally Fit) said in a recent course I completed; coaches are “agents of discomfort.” The journey leader that guides change that can at times bring discomfort.

From a health coaching perspective, coaches are the individuals that support you moving from the past into the future, realizing your goals, helping you let go of the past and moving you forward towards your unique vision. For sure there is some “discomfort” along the way.

Recently a New York Times article stated, “We Could All Use A Health Coach” there is definite truth to the fact we all need support in the journey of life. Having an outside eye, a trusted companion and overall accountability partner is key to making change be it nutrition, exercise or life in general. Be it a coach, mentor, colleague or trusted friend.

“If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try.”

~Seth Godin

A coach is also someone who sees you in the good times and the not-so-great ones. They witness our vulnerability, our strengths and help us figure out a plan to move forward.

Having grown up with a father, Sherrill Hanks who coached many young men during his lifetime at Quincy High School and Quincy University, as well as a brother, Mike Hanks who coached on the collegiate level for Samford University, University of South Alabama and Saint Leo University and internationally for the Manchester Giants and Crocodiles of Caracas of Venezuela, I’ve witnessed their positive influence on numerous lives. (See comments below)

It’s not the number of wins on their records (while certainly impressive) but the lasting impact coaches have on individuals’ lives. That’s the real meaning of a “coach” in my eyes.

“I’m a success today because I had a friend who believed in me, and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.”

~Abraham Lincoln

The journey through life continues to demonstrate that it takes a village to thrive. We all need a support team to grow and flourish. From time to time we might add or subtract players to our team but having a coach means having a trusted companion in life. Be it a coach in sports or a coach in building health skills the bottom line is finding support.

Whether you feel you need a coach or just some outside input into your current lifestyle regime, companionship and partnerships can often be a road to success. In this age of going solo, virtual and primarily away from our long-standing social interactions, it might be time to build back those bridges, that can last a lifetime.

Below is a collection of “Coach” comments I’ve received from players, managers and individuals over the years. The tributes are grouped to each coach individually as well as those involved with both. Enjoy.

In memory Coach Sherrill Hanks 9/19/1925~~10/18/2010.

On Coach Mike Hanks-Brother

“Mike Hanks had an uncanny ability to identify strengths in individuals that went beyond basketball. He sought and found players who had grit and a determination to win. This went way beyond basketball. Yes, we played the game of “round ball goes in the rim”, but if you were just a good or even a great basketball player but lacked the grit and determination to win than Mike was not your guy. It’s as though his people skills, (the psychology of motivating people), unlocked something in certain players that transcended the game of basketball. I personally have overcome career challenges, relationship challenges, and health challenges and if I was to pinpoint the why and the how, than without a shadow of a doubt it would be my time playing for Mike and him unlocking that “thing” within me that makes me compete like HELL in all that I do. I can still hear his ass telling me “Is that all you got Sean? I sure as hell think not” in his Midwest accent that to this day gets me to compete like HELL in all I do.”

~Sean Wood-former player at Saint Leo University, currently VP of Sales at ADP

“Some people are lucky in their lives to get to meet that one person that really lights a fire in their soul. Mike was that guy for me!!!!

Not everyone gets to meet that guy, but I did.”

~Brett Slaughter, former player at Saint Leo University and currently has 7 hospitality/restaurants/bars in Australia

“Mike was young – just 28 or 29 I believe – when he was hired at Samford, not much older than many of his upperclassmen players.  Mike brought a lot of “Bobby Knight” with him to Samford.  He was demanding and played a lot of mind games designed to challenge his players, which honestly didn’t affect me because I knew exactly what he was doing.  For example, Mike would occasionally throw me out of practice, knowing that I didn’t deserve it but also knowing that I could handle it.  His goal, I think, was to send a message to the other guys, to wit, “If he threw Matthews out of practice, we better start busting our asses.”  Mike’s style made us better and more competitive. 

My sophomore year under Mike, our record was 10-17.  My senior year, we went 22-8.  Quite a transformation.  We were one heartbreaking loss away from winning our conference tournament and making the NCAA D1 national tournament.

Playing for Mike, I learned the difference between “playing hard” and “competing”.  Most teams play hard, but they aren’t willing to make the commitment and give the effort required to get to that next level of truly “competing”. I learned that “competing” requires despising losing more than you like winning, having a healthy dislike for your opponent, and playing with an edgy asshole attitude – which admittedly was easy for me. 

Truly competing means you cannot make excuses.  Instead, just figure out a way to produce and win.  Mike emphasized that.

Mile also emphasized that competing as a team requires teammates to hold each other accountable.  As a result, the team develops a camaraderie and culture that creates a special bond.  To this day, I would do anything for Mike and my teammates, even though I haven’t seen many of them in years. 

In sum, Mike taught us mentally how to get to the next level of truly competing.  I have been a practicing trial lawyer for 34 years, and I apply those lessons of competition and not making excuses to this day.”

~Bernie Matthews, former player at Samford University and practicing Trial Lawyer

“Coach Hanks recruited me as assistant coach from Ole Miss and then again as head coach from Samford.  I have many fond memories of your brother as my coach.  I know y’all have some fun family get togethers.  I spent over 30 years in management from mid-level to the senior executive level.  Coach Hanks showed me the importance of knowing what motivates a person and more important on how to help that person get better.   He balanced the pushing and pulling of coaching to help us accomplish success. He did that by building trust, respect and a feeling of family.  From what I heard it was a gift he got from his father.”

Rob Drum, former player at Ole Miss and Samford University, currently Real Estate Investor

What carried over most from Coach Hanks was things that don’t require talent on the court. He taught me how to outwork others & push through adversity! The importance of being prepared! I’m grateful those lessons stuck with me in my life outside of basketball.

Daniel Fallon, former player at Saint Leo University, currently Manager for Macquarie in Regulatory Assurance

“Mike has been a great influence on me and my family. I met my wife and had a baby in my final year of university. Not ideal, bit of a struggle really, living in a different country with no family support. Basketball fell back on my list of priorities. Moving off campus, child on the way etc… I had played for Mike three years prior, team captain, starting point guard, now a senior with a child. Mike and I still maintained a health, positive relationship. The whole time,  Mike is being measured on wins and losses and now, I am not really contributing in a positive way. He was still great to me and very supportive. He was a father figure, when my father was back in Australia.”  

~Daniel Palmer, former player at Saint Leo University, currently Detective Senior Constable

“Mike was a wonderful assistant because he was organized, had a great work ethic and was relatable to the players in great part because of his young age but also maturity.  He developed great credibility with the players through personal involvement in their lives and was always their voice of reason.“

~Coach Bob Weltlich, former Head Coach for Ole Miss, University of Texas, University of South Alabama, Florida International University and USA Basketball, currently retired

On Coach Sherrill Hanks-Dad

“Outside of my father your father was probably the most influential man in my life. What made him such a good coach is that he had his teams prepared. He made us think about the opponent and got us ready to go. Most of the time we were not the most talented team. But I can honestly say we were usually the smarter team because of his preparation. I have had many conversations and scolding (LOL) from your father. Lots of love and respect for Coach Hanks. But the biggest lesson I learned was probably to be prepared for the task in life.”

~Darrell Douglas, former All-State Quincy High School basketball player and football player, currently retired

“Being a great coach starts with an ability to relate to a player as an individual. The great coaches see something unique in each player that they don’t even know they have in their self. Most importantly, they give them the confidence to believe they can succeed and then inspire them to work hard to get there. Coach Hanks was the best I’ve ever seen at this. He was a confidence builder, who had an uncanny confidence in himself, which permeated through each of his players and his teams as a whole. He had swagger and so did all of his teams. This is an incredible gift to give to a high school kid: to believe in their self. It goes beyond sports by putting them on a path of understanding of how to succeed in life. That’s why Coach Hanks is so revered by so many players.”

~Jim Wisman, former All-State Quincy High School & Indiana University basketball player, currently retired

“Coach enjoyed a unique relationship with us and us with him. First and foremost, he was a dedicated, traditional hard-working person. But he was so much more than that. He was a motivator. He dressed like a rockstar. He was funny, clever and used his sense of humor to bring us together. We gave him everything we had to give…including year-round dedication to improving, attention to his practice demands, 110% personal respect and 100% effort. He gave us freedom within the confines of basketball. Your Dad gave me the confidence to excel.”

~Bob Spear, former All-State player at Quincy High School and Illinois Wesleyan University, practicing MD

“Your Dad was my coach from 1965-68, He was a great man and I owe him a lot, he made me who I am today, he made a man out of me. He has been my mentor all my life, he kept me out of trouble in high school, and I have had a very successful life because of him, I will miss your Dad.”

~Terry Good, former player at Quincy High School and retired Police Colonel

“When you reach your 40’s, 50’s and 60’s, you do have some time to reflect back on those individuals who made an impact in your life. Some will call a teacher or professor, some a priest, minister or rabbi who played a major role in shaping our young lives. I do not think it an exaggeration that hundreds of alumni would vote Coach Hanks as the most influential person in their high school years, excluding family. His record demonstrates he was a great coach and a great man. I never met anyone who did not have great respect for the Coach. He was a father figure to the young men who played for him and a role-model for everyone.”

~Steven Kirsch, former team manager at Quincy High School and practicing attorney at law

“I don’t know if words can explain his influence on Quincy basketball,” Elbe said. “What he did for Blue Devil basketball, he set the foundation for the tradition that is Quincy basketball today.”

~Mike Elbe, former Quincy University player and president John Wood Community College

On Coach and Son

“Over the years I’ve had a number of players whose fathers have been coaches. it seems to me that they have a better understanding of the game, realize the importance of the team concept (working together) and have greater appreciation for the amount of work that goes into being successful.”

~Tim Garl, Head Athletic Trainer, Indiana University Men’s Basketball

“Every year your dad came down to Saint Leo over the Christmas break, and with basketball being a Winter Sport, we still had practice. Your dad was the most passionate, high-energy coach I have ever seen. He was hilarious, some of the things he used to say if a players missed a box-out or was slow to get back on defense or missed an opportunity to cut to the basket. I always admired the way Mike would take a step back and allow his dad to get in there to coach us and if anyone acted if they were not receptive Mike would lose it on them. I always appreciated the bond they had, and I always found great joy when your dad came to town. I wish I could have taken advantage of the time to get some stories out of him because he had a great Basketball Mind.”

~Joe E. Phillon, former player at Saint Leo, currently Associate Director for Telecommunications Co. and volunteer Youth Basketball Coach

“The Greatest/Value compliment I received working under the tutelage of Your Father came from Mrs. Sondra Hanks – she told me since you came aboard “ Coach sleep peacefully “

~Cornell Benford, former Quincy University player, currently retired