HoopClinics

by Coach Ken Sartini

When I was interviewed for the position of Head Coach, one of the questions they asked me was … ” How are you going to handle the press? “  I knew what they were referring to, the coach before me used to say things about his players to the press and they would print it.  My reply to them was. ” What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room.”  ” One or two kids don’t win or LOSE a game, it’s a team effort and that includes the coaching staff. “  ” I will not air our dirty laundry in the press! “  That seemed to make them very happy since I got the job.

Be careful what you say to reporters.. sometimes they don’t hear you correctly and they will print something you didn’t say.  That can come back to haunt you quickly.

I always talked pretty slow and made sure they understood what I was telling them.  IF there was something they asked and I didn’t want it printed, I would say “OFF the record?”  They knew I wouldn’t say anything if it would make one of my players, the team or the program look bad.  AND when they interviewed any of my players I expected them to treat the kids the same way… do NOT make them look bad in the press.

I had a pretty good relationship with most of the reporters and there was one that was always looking for human interest stories when the season was over.  He had a column in a local paper along with sports reporting.

That’s what amazes me about some of the radio talk show hosts.  They cant understand why the coaches don’t call out their players in the press…… I say, its none of their business or ours what they say to their players behind closed doors.  They protect their players if they possibly can…. there is NO need to embarrass them in front of the public.  That can be counterproductive!

Basketball Coaching