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Article Written By Taylor Valentine
Asst. Coach at Centre College
Top Inspirational Quotes By College Coaches
College coaches at every level are some of the most brilliant individuals I have ever met. They are highly creative people and have the unique ability to learn from mistakes, and turn negative situations into positive outcomes. Historically, for as long as I can remember, coaches have been making powerful statements that are considered jewels or golden nuggets that serve as motivation and learning tools for generations to come.
Below are some of the most famous quotes I have used to inspire others and myself. I know many athletes who take quotes very seriously, which is a part of their daily lives. I know a player who wrote his favorite quote in the mirror in his bedroom and read it every morning and night before he went to bed. He lived by that quote since the age of 14 and went on to be an NBA player.
"Basketball will introduce you to some great people who cherish that"
I started playing basketball at the age of (7). Whether playing or coaching, the game presents opportunities for me to meet and associate with incredible people. Many of those encounters turned into unique relationships. Many of those people will have an impact on your career, whether it basketball related or not. The game is unique in many ways, but one of the main ways is it creates lifelong relationships.
"If you're not willing to work for it, then don't complain about not having it"
Being a student-athlete is a difficult task. However, if it were easy, everybody would be doing it. Regardless of the profession or job, hard work is the foundation of success. Throughout history, you often read or see interviews with some of the most talented and successful individuals from every profession who talk about how hard they work. Many athletes want the dream, but not all of them are willing to pay the price to make a dream come true. You only get out of the game what you put in it.
"A coach will impact you more in one year than an average person in their lifetime"
The coaching field, regardless of sport, is an integral profession in every community because they not only teach a sport, but they shape and build future leaders. Coaches spend an enormous amount of time with athletes building the concept of teamwork, accountability, responsibility, how to handle adversity, work ethic, and commitment. Good coaches who have a positive impact on athletes from peewee league to professional levels relationships will last forever.
"Champions create distance on Fridays"
Many athletes take Fridays off to relax and hang out with friends. The great Kobe Bryant, instead of going to the party, clubs, or hanging out with friends, would use those opportunities to go to the gym and work out. The extra time in the gym can separate you from the other players. Committed players who put in the extra work are definitely character traits that attract college coaches during player evaluation.
"Players: If a coach can't trust your effort on the practice floor, during training sessions, or in the classroom, how much can you be trusted during a crucial part of a game?"
Players expect and trust coaches and parents to work extremely hard to provide access and opportunities that allow them to participate in sports. On the other hand, parents and coaches need to be able to trust athletes to do the right thing on and off the court.
"There is no glory in practice, but without, there is no glory"
Growth and success in sports are like a debit card, and you can only get out of it what you put in the bank. Practice should be so hard that the actual game is easy. Practice prepares you to expect the unexpected and deal with it accordingly. Do not waste time in practice. Make sure you approach each practice positively regardless of how you feel.
"The more things we can get kids to do off the court, the more they will do on the court"
Athletes need to get in the habit of doing things the right way the first time. Doing the little things like making the bed, taking out the trash, doing your homework without a reminder, prepare the night before are all personal traits that transcend to doing the little things on the court that win games.
"You are only as good as the last game you played"
This quote is a reference to never becoming satisfied or complacent. There is always room to improve and get better. When your performance in your last game was not good, that means your game is not perfect, and there is plenty of room for improvement.
"The moment you give up is the moment you let someone else win"
Often we watch games, and it looks like a blowout, but the team that is behind keeps playing hard and never gives up. When the game gets near the end, we look up only to see the team that was behind is now ahead only because they never gave up. Resilience, hard work together, and a never quit attitude will always give that team a chance to win, no matter the score.
"Basketball Never Stops"
Many players think the sport is seasonal, but to be good, you must work and improve your game year-round. I once heard Allen Iverson say that sometimes he went out to have fun, but Kobe Bryant always went to the gym. Just remember every day you do not work, your opponent or the person challenging you for your starting spot is working out. Do not miss out because you are unprepared and ready to compete at your highest level.
