- Loved my Detroit childhood
I grew up on the west side of Detroit, and a lot of who I am was formed there. My parents taught me love, family, and character. Detroit taught me toughness, resourcefulness, loyalty, and how to climb the mountains of adversity. Those lessons have followed me into every part of my life and every gym I have coached in. - I did not play high school basketball
Ball was life in the city. The HS leagues were among the best in the nation, our college teams experienced conference and NCAA tournament success, and the competition on the blacktop was fierce, but I did not get my first organized opportunity until my best friend suggested I work out for the local junior college. I became obsessed with improving every moment of every day, and it maybe the first time I felt God’s presence in my athletic life. - My faith became my foundation
I committed my life to Jesus at vacation Bible school my mom sent us to. We had a huge Bible on the living room table. My mom, grandmother, and most of my family are believers. I became more conscious of how to have a living faith in my late teen years and into college. I saw results in my life and in my game, and I saw gains faster than others. I am a witness to miracles in my life and others' through the game. - Being a father influences how I coach, and vice versa
I am the father of two daughters, Crystal and Journee. Fatherhood has been a blessing to me and having girls is the icing on the cake. My coaching philosophy and desire to mentor have a lot to do with my parents and coaches, and the opportunity for me to live both roles. I want the best for my daughters and every young lady I get to coach. I want them to know they are powerful beyond measure and nothing is impossible if they truly believe. - If you can see it, you can be it
One of my favorite parts of coaching is taking a vision – personal, program, organization, and building it into something real. Building the philosophy, creating the culture, developing the system, and using it all to bring all types of people together is a passion and purpose for me. The challenge of building something special exhausts me, and inspires me at the same time. When you do it with like-minded individuals with similar values, it becomes even more special. - 1% better every day
I have a special appreciation for the growth mindset. I am passionate about the process of taking every experience and seeing the gold in each. I celebrate the good and look to correct the bad, but the real opportunity is getting better no matter what. Life becomes so much more purposeful when you see it that way. - I believe basketball should improve how you live
Sports teaches us how to be better people. That's why I believe if sports is played and coached properly, it will produce high-value people that will help families, communities, and organizations thrive. Discipline, accountability, resilience, trust, teamwork, communication, and conquering mountains have been reinforced by the great coaches and players I have connected with throughout my life. I live to pass those lessons on to others. - My career has been a perfect blend of everything
I have been coaching for about 30 years now. Wow. I have experienced it all. Winning it all, and losing it all. I have been to almost every state in our beautiful country, and a few abroad… all because of this game that I am grateful and blessed to be a part of. My former boss and brother, the late Jim Jabir, introduced me to Siena, and I am forever thankful for the relationships built with all members of the Siena family, and the people throughout the Capital Region. I have watched young women and men grow up here, and I have grown here too. That kind of experience makes this more than a job. It has a special place for me. - Evening vacations
As you may suspect, coaching is a pretty involved experience. All of your family and friends are pulled into the experience with you. I have learned over the years that I cannot wait to vacation at the end of the year, so I started what I call evening vacations. This is the time I take to disconnect, recharge, reflect, open my mind to other walks of life, other industries, etc. Those few moments of mindfulness allow me to see the value of life, those around me, and the value I can give to others every day the Lord gives me. - I believe my biggest chapters are still ahead of me
How awesome is it to live with passion and purpose every day? At 51, I am grateful for where life and basketball have taken me, but I do not feel finished. I still have big goals as a man of God (who relies on his grace every day), a family man, a professional, and a leader. I want to keep building, keep growing, keep impacting people, and keep pursuing things that are meaningful to God and valuable to people. And, I do not want to waste one moment.
. 
. 
