On Being A Coach

[GoZips]

Personally I am deeply saddened by the loss of coach Jeff Boals.That loss was compounded last evening at the post season celebration jaunt held at the JAR.When coach Boals spoke he broke down in tears. His emotions showed. He fully realizesthat what I am about to write is completely true.In coaching, as in life, we often come to a point in our own life where we must make a choice.Usually the options are just two. To turn left or to turn right. To go forward or to turn back.It is rarely a positive choice verses a negative choice; although those occur such as when choosing to do evil This article is not about that kind of choice. Here I am looking at choosing one positive verses a different positive.A coach is a person who teaches another person or persons how to succeed. It is as simpleas that. A teacher, any teacher or mentor is a coach. We are all coaches most of the time.Let us not digress. This is about being a sports coach, particularly a college sports coach.There is no better example of the two aspects of coaching than that found in collegiate sports.Coaches coach to make a living; for personal gain; to win; to build character (all aspects ofcoaching directly affect the student's character and to a lesser extent the character of the coach).Some coaches deeply enjoy the satisfaction of seeing their players develop and producepositive results; usually measured in wins. Other coaches make the choice to follow a career path that leads to their own personal gain. The adulation and money associated with beinga coach at a major program that is hell bent on winning all the marbles.Few coaches ever get to that pinnacle though many try. Few programs ever vie for the crown.Those that do are led by men driven to be recognized as the best. And, the financial rewardsthat go with that success.Two years ago I sat in a bar watching the national championship game in men's basketballbetween Kansas and Memphis. The person sitting to my right is a former college great anda long time NBA star. He mentioned to me that there on the court were the best paidcollege players in the country. He meant it. He, too, had been a paid college player for a well known program that was quite willing to chuck ethics for the crown.Then there are the men who rarely obtain more than a passing moment in lime light. Coacheswho spent their lives coaching at a lesser program that will never play in the Final Four. Theybuild a life time of their players success stories. They and the men they mentored lead successful lives not tainted with cheating and the trappings of climbing over others for theirown personal gain.I can offer five success stories, even though there are several more, of coaches that builtsomething out of nothing. They left behind a legacy. First, John Wooden, who build a dynastyat UCLA by signing a vaunted recruit, Lew Alcindor. UCLA was up to that time never a major player among the bigs. Coach Wooden, a coach who most likely would never have gottento the bigs without that one recruit made UCLA a force in college basketball.Next was John Thompson at Georgetown. The Hoyas were for all practical purposes just that .. hoya.John changed the fortunes of Georgetown. He did not do it over night. It took years.Then there is Billy Donavan who took over a moribund Florida program and guided them to two national championships. Florida was never a national power. They were a joke.By now many of you are thinking , well, these are "big" name schools. They were small potatoeswhen these coaches started building those programs.Now, two men come to mind who made their unknown, as Georgetown had been, school a respected,feared and copied program. Jim Laranaga, who failed at Bowling Green, took George Masonto a Final Four. Coach Laranaga showed the mid-majors that it can be done. The other coach, arecent coach, that coached before most of you were old enough to enjoy college basketball isJerry Tarkanian. A man so successful with an obscure program that he was investigated year after year by the NCAA. They never proved a thing. In fact, a famous quip of coach Tarkanianwas, "I love transfers. They already have their new cars." Sadly, I fear for Coach Boals. I fear he chose the path of following the money. Akron, at best,can achieve the status of a Gonzaga. That is a lofty goal for a middle of the pack mid-majorprogram in a mid-major conference. There is only enough money to support one's family.No mid-major coach, not even Mark Few at Gonzaga is wildly rich.But, these mid-major coaches build a legacy that lasts well beyond their own lifetime. Theseare the coaches that truly earn the respect of their peers and the community they live and work in.I am proud to know Coach Dambrot. He sets the example for the young coaches he mentors.His progeny might not ever win a national championship. But, they will populate the officesof many, many universities before Coach Dambrot retires.Go Zips.

[Hilltopper]

Nice writing GoZips. I'm not sure that I would call out Jeff Boals just yet on looking only for the $$$. Nothing wrong with learning how another program does things, he still might end up being a KD type of coach.

[Dave in Green]

Some really good thoughts there, GoZips. I felt it in my gut when coach Boals got choked up, because it was so obvious that one side of him did not want to be leaving. But I agree with Hilltopper that it's really not possible for us to know if money was the motivating factor in his decision. There are many challenges in life that motivate people. Money is certainly a powerful one. But some people are simply motivated by bigger and bigger challenges. I'd like to think that coach Boals is more motivated by bigger challenges than by money. Like everyone else, I wish him all the best. As much as he will be missed, I'm confident that KD will find a replacement with similar abilities, potential and character.

[Valpo Zip]

Gozips, no need for bitterness here. We know that losing coach Boals hurts but why can't we be classy fans, thank the guy and wish him luck? He can't be a great person if he stays with us and than a drakula, evil, no ethics, cash hunter just because he moved on to a better opportunity.What is wrong with changing jobs for more money? won't you do that if you have a chance?I am sure KD is selling this point in his new search to fill the position. You can go after ambitious young coaches and tell them that Akron is a great place to use as a stepping stone. You come here, work hard for 3 years and you move on. Win-win situation in my opinion.

[Quickzips]

It was nice having Coach Boals on the bench, but you're either with us or you're against us. Right now, he's against us. I'm not going to disparage the guy on his way out the door, but I'm also not naive enough to think that it has to be all sunshine and puppy dogs while he leaves.

[Blue & Gold]

I sure don't wish him luck anymore. From his point of view I'm sure he has a laundry list of reasons for moving to Columbus. But from our point of view his move is well defined as treason and he is now, as painful as it is to say, nothing less than an enemy of our basketball program. There is no grey area here; JB's interests are now diametrically opposed to the furtherance of the UA basketball program.And Columbus of all places?! OUCH!! The only stab in the heart that would have been even more painful would have been for him to move to Can't.If he had moved out of the region it would have been much, much easier to accept this loss and I could have sincerely wished him well. But a move 2 hours away to Columbus?! Where he will be recruiting the same players he was recruiting for Akron?! Dirty, dirty move. Because I'm a fan and supporter of The University of Akron basketball program I've now gotta say that I hope JB fails miserably and, of course & as always, Columbus State right along with him.Ouch. This must be what a messy divorce feels like.

[RACER]

my god where are all these hatefull comments coming from? basketball is game,and that's all this is.unfortunately fans from all schools get carried away,and make it something more than this.it's not life, and death.we are not fighting a war,and nobody is dying.we are talking about a simple game not star wars the dark side.99% of the posters on here complaning about jeff would leave the same job for more $$.they would not even give this a second thought.somehow this is different i guess.how is jeff a traitor now? i know alott of zip fans hate osu; so maybe that's pat of it.i love the zips, but i keep an open mind about my school.i wish jeff the best,and congrats on his new job.

[Zip Watcher]

This is really sad to read this crap here. I wish I could say I'm surprised.Someone ought to consider what an assistant coach in this conference makes before they spew this crap about running for the money. If you have a family, you have a spouse .. you have kids .. it's your responsibility to provide for them.Were JB to be an up and coming 35 year old engineer who has a chance to get promoted into a situation with a different opportunity and a bigger upside to providing for the future of his children, this would be a story about a great UA engineer moving and being successful, and what a good example he'd be .. but since his career path (that's what it is) is basketball coaching, he's a greedy traitor? Please!This is one of the consequences of having a good program. Having a successful program. And Jeff's aspirations are to be a head coach. It's the career he's set out to pursue. It's not an easy career, and he needs to make the best moves for that career. This isn't just some hobby, it's the guys livelihood.Did he somehow take Zeke with him to OSU and only Go Zips, Blue & Gold & Quickzips have heard about this? He's not taking Zeke with him. He helped bring him here. He helped the Zips start to shoot higher on the list of ranked recruits in a way we never thought possible.I don't understand why there needs to be such drama and bitterness here. Does any of you really expect a guy to spend his entire career as an assistant in one place (be it here or otherwise)? You going to begrudge his taking an opportunity to coach in the high majors? Are all of you sitting in your fabric box, content to sit and do your current job and not look to grow your career to serve your family?There's a school of thought out there that says that once you're comfortable in your job, able to do all aspects of it well and you've mastered it in its entirety, it's time to look upward and onward. Jeff leaves the program in better shape than it was when he arrived. He helped the program, he represented it well .. and if you were there Friday, you should understand he doesn't take such a move lightly. It was a challenging decision. He's not flippant about it .. at all.Best of luck to Jeff and his family .. and I'm embarrassed for the Nation if he happens to read this thread.Go Zips!! B) B)

[zippypitt]

Wow, maybe GoZips can tell us a story about how he had a Dortmunder with Gandhi to help me forget the bitterness on this thread

[72 Roo]

These are unbelievable and shameless responses. Coach Boals gave us everything he had while he was here. We were lucky to have him. He has weighed his options and decided OSU was a better situation. And, of course, it was. He'll double his income, make more off of summer camps, be in the Big Ten, be with a program that has been to the Final Four, keep his Ohio contacts, see how another top program runs, put his family in a great city (Columbus) and place himself in position for the next move to a head coach. How can you possibly disparage a fine man for deciding in favor of this?The Nation is something that continually reminds me of how proud I am to be a Zip. But some of these responses are pathetic and not worthy of any Zip poster.

[WinZip]

Well let's be honest, it's natural as fans to feel a little betrayed because..oh wait...that's part of the game.I'm thankful for the hard work and dedication that Coach Boals put into taking Akron to another level. The time he gave will show for many many years to come! I understand, he made his decision and he should do what's best for his family. To provide for them and accomplish the career goals he established, it is a perfect opportunity! I can honestly say I wish him the best of luck...cus he'll need it...Akron is gonna be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. I would have no problem cheering against Coach Boals from this point forward...hey its part of the game (remember). Now we turn the page and continue where we left off. Though we may compete on the court, never forget the important things in life. Thank you again Coach Boals! Best of luck

[Zip_ME87]

Count me among those who are disappointed by the negative comments on this thread. In addition to getting choked up during his speech, Coach Boals came across very sincere in a one-on-one conversation about his time at Akron and it's being difficult to leave.During the celebration, Coach Dambrot made us take an oath to keep the faith in this program (referring to what he knows many fans were doing when the Zips were losing in the 1st round of the MAC Tourney against Toledo). He's absolutely right, everything doesn't play out exactly the way you'd like it to, but KEEP THE FAITH. Shaka Smart moved on, and KD found Jeff Boals. Jeff Boals is moving on, and I trust that KD will find another great assistant. (By the way, when I told KD one-on-one that we had a good man...referring to him, he immediately replied "I'm not going anywhere".)Again, best wishes Coach Boals.

[RACER]

im glad to see most of the zipnation feels the way i do.the people that attack jeff would not say these things to his face.i was starting to worry that i was only one who feels this way about jeff.i do remember when we lost do dayton this year.there were some poster's who were upset with kd,and is he the right coach for the zips? now that kd went to the ncaa the same posters who ripped him are saying he is best coach in b-ball.fans are so fickle these days.i just hope with akron winning in b-ball this does not draw these type of people to our program.they attack our asst coach when he leaves for a new job.then kd is a bad coach(dayton loss),but all of sudden he is now a great coach.these same fans will turn on him/players coaches if we lose even just one game.i hope we keep these guys away from akron b-ball.we don't need these type of people nor do we want them.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Two years ago at a Meet the Team event I introduced myself to Jeff. I told him I was a moderator for ZipsNation and asked if he could answer a couple questions. He in turn answered all the questions, then gave me his cell # and offered "If you ever have any questions about the program in the future, please call me." I only took him up on the offer a couple times, but when I did he responed thoroughly and immediately. He'd occasionally pass along "inside info," the type of thing all of us on the board live for. Jeff respected our board. That a person in his position would place trust in some goofball adult who calls himself Captain Kangaroo on an internet message board speaks a lot for what he is about - a guy that gave his all to the UA hoops program. Whether it was bringing the most heralded recruit in the program's history on campus, or doing his best to get fans interested and excited about the program by passing along information.I sent him a short text message and congratulated him on his new position. In typical fashion he responded immediately. He expressed gratitude to UA and pride in the Zips accomplishments during his tenure, then finished with the statement "I'll always be a Zip!" Considering he's an OU grad, I thought that was pretty cool.Jeff is a great coach, great family man and a great ambassador for UA's hoops program. Like any fan of the program should, I'll miss him. And who knows, maybe a few years down the road he returns?Hey...anyone have his replacement's cell # handy? ;-)

[GP1]

My oh my there are some really stupid comments degrading this coach for leaving. Some of you are acting like bunch of school girls who got dumped by a boyfriend. I would expect more adult behavior.I'm sorry I didn't post sooner about how good I feel about Zeke's maturity and his handling this situation. From his mom's post, we see a kid who understands this is a business and a job for those working in the business. It's funny that an 18 year old kid understands that, but for whatever reason, there are some adults unable to understand it. Some wax romantically about how in the past college sports weren't a business. That's all crap. It is now and has always been about making money....so much so that years ago, the NCAA had to pass rules agains revoking a scholarship because of poor performance. Let's not kid ourselves about what we go to watch. It is a business centered around the performance of young adults between the ages of 18 and 23.

[ctmjbowes@sbcglobal.net]

Oh for crying out loud, PLEASE stop talking about Boals as if we all need to walk on egg shells because he's such a wonderful human being. This is a FAN board, as in FANATIC. College sports. Boals has left the program. He did good work while he was here, but he is now working against UA. If any of you believe that he isn't, as I type, working against the interests of UA and IN the interests of his new program, a program many of us here HATE, you're fools. Jesus, I hope some of you made out with him before he left, with the way you're whimpering about his departure. Get your silly man-love in check. He's gone. He is now the enemy, in the context of college basketball, which is why we post on this board.To the new OSWHO assistant Boals, good luck bro, but I'm hoping that UA crushes you and your new program on the basketball court for many years to come.KERBLAM! Now let's get on with it. There's no crying in college basketball! STZ

[Quickzips]

Like I said before, I'm not going to go out of my way to disparage the guy, but he's not a part of our program anymore. Have we had some good memories with him in the program. Ofcourse. Did he do some great things for our program. Ofcourse. However, some of you who are naive enough to think that a coach leaving a program is a time for sunshine and puppy dogs and campfires with Koombaya need a little reality check. It's perfectly alright for guys to feel like they've been abandoned by a Coach who has done so much for this program. There is no reason to get down GoZips throat for this one. Coach Boals is gone and it's time to move on without him.

[Class of 82]

1) Coach Boals is a young coach doing the logical, intelligent, responsible thing both for his career and for his family. To begrudge him that is just so wrong-headed... not to mention petty and selfish. 2) The day larger schools are not interested in our coaches is the day when our coaches won't be very good.3) Go Zips!

[zip37]

I had a choice similar to Jeff in the 70s, to either transer to Columbia, SC, or stay local and get a higher grade as the position locally took on more and more responsibility. Either way the top of the grade was available, but sooner at Columbia.I stayed, while another guy took 3 transfers, and ended back in the office, and we both retured at the top of our grade level. Different choices are neither right or wrong-- just different.Jeff wants to be a head coach, a very worthy goal, and his chances of acieving that here are VERY limited, so he moves on. GOOD FOR HIM, he is nothing but CLASS, and will do well when he finally gets his HC job.My prediction-- KD will hire somkeone that will do the same job.Shaka was competemtly replaced by JB and JB will be capably reploaces by __________________. [Fill in name].I was talking to JB once and told him, as a fan, it's difficult to really love the guys in the program, then see them leave I knew he had offers prior to osu.He undersood but said it's the nature of the business, but despite his OU roots he would always be a Zip.

[Zipmeister]

Congrats to Coach B. I appreciate his efforts on behalf of Akron and I hope his new team never wins another game.

[Zip_ME87]

Jesus, I hope some of you made out with him before he left, with the way you're whimpering about his departure. Get your silly man-love in check. He's gone. He is now the enemy, in the context of college basketball, which is why we post on this board.STZ

It's not "man-love" to appreciate good people and to let them know they are appreciated. Sorry that you choose to have such a depressing outlook.I come to this board to get up-to-date and inside information on all things UA and maybe talk some smack. But, I don't come here to bash people.Quickzips - I didn't have a problem with GoZips original post. I thought it was well written.

[Dave in Green]

As always, when we make comments about other people, our words reveal more about ourselves than those about whom we speak.

[zipboy]

Good luck to Boals, absolutely the right move if he wants to be a Div 1 head coach. Is Lamont Parrish ready to step into the #1 role or does KD go outside to bring someone in? When Sean Miller left Xaiver, I thought here is a program that I would love for us to be in 10 years, elite 8 every 3 or 4 years, pretty much a guaranteed round 1 winner, usually sweet 16, 10K fans per game, top 25 team. And their top guy leaves every 4-5 years. Unless you are a top 20 program, there is always a better job for the successful ones and good assistants have more frequent turnover than that. osu lost their top assisstant twice in the last 4 years. What makes Akron unique now is they have a guy who knows what he is doing in Dambrot who may stay long term. As long as he is here, I feel good. I wish Boals (but not osu) well. Fast forward to 2 years from now, if Geno does not right the ship, does he become a candidate for that job? I have to imagine he will be on the radar for MAC openings in the future. And hopefully if football has the year that I hope it does, we will be sitting around having the same discussion about JD.