Coach K And Coach Knight

Coach K. (born Feb 1947)

- named America's best coach

- too many rules get in the way of leadership

- taught discipline by investing heavily in drills and shills

- liked getting inside a player's head, to understand where they were coming from

- communicated up close and personal, eye to eye to establish trust

- always aware of how he enters a room, body language is important

- family first, teacher 2nd, basketball coach 3rd

- often had players over for dinner

- worked hard to keep relationship alive

- worked hard to build connections and trust

- all business on court

- tough, but does not want fear to be primary motivator

- I love you guys

- You can't fake goose bumps

- He said, referring to the players on his team, "I have fifteen sons"

- Coached and mentored by Coach Knight

Coach Knight (born Oct 1940)

- The General, truly a 'great basketball coach'

- Unique approach to the game

- Passionate (often crossed the line) and demanding leadership

- Relentless drive

- Many rules that required to be followed to the last detail

- Stunning list of controversies, threaten players, abusive

- He loves to win, nothing is simple about Bob

- Pushed players to hard

- Need to intimidate people

- More will than skill

- Not concerned about being liked

- Players volunteered for Vietnam to get away from [that] drill

- A hidden heart, he raised 400k for his player that was paralyzed for life, Coach Knight named him captain of the 1982 team he would never play for.

Q. Compare and contrast Coach K and Coach Knight - how are they different?

- Coach K = more skill that will (verses) Coach Knight = more will than skill

Passion Obsession

Simple Complex

Seeks to understand Rule by terror

America's best coach America's most controversial coach

Loved by all Misunderstood by all

Recruited by NBA Limited by temper

Q. How are they the similar?

- Both share the passion for basketball, clearly understand the technical aspects of the game very clearly, both drive to high standards and high expectations of the players,

Q. Describe Coach K's leadership style.

- seeks to understand, inclusive, social, family is everything & he considers the Duke team his family, coined social intelligence = uses