I interviewed Coach Ika, who coaches JV and Varsity girl's basketball, as well as Freshmen boy's basketball and football. It proceded as follows:

Karl: Thank-you for meeting with me, Coach Ika. I'd like to ask you some questions about your coaching philosophy and why you do what you do. What would you like to accomplish as the coach?

Coach Ika: For myself or the team? For the team, I want the young people that are inexperienced, or eager to learn, or hungry to have the positive experiences that will help them learn to love and understand the game and want to continue to another level.

Karl: Next; as a coach, what are your priorities?

Coach Ika: I want to develope a positive relationship with the athletes so that they know where I come from, what my goals are, and catch the vision. It's not so much to WIN, but learn, enjoy the game, and apply the lessons to life. It's about building the team.

Karl: Very good. Now, let's talk about the responsibilities you have as coach.

Coach Ika: I am a father figure, and they are like clay. I help form them with standards, rules, accountability, and consequences. The students and their parents sign an agreement. It has the structure, boundaries, and consequences for not being responsible. I reinforce the what their parents do, but also try to be sensitive to a situation at home, or consider how I treat those with less talent, or those who feel down. I want to pick them up, too.

Karl: What can you share with me about your teaching methods?

Coach Ika: The coach needs to know the team. I can be harsh or tough, but this guy here, he needs to know that I care about him more than the game. I look for individual needs; I want to build him up, especially those who don't get it very often. I will take extra time aferwards, so he knows I care. I want him to see how all this applies to life.

Karl: There's a lot of talk about success. How do you define success?

Coach Ika: What is the end result? When I see a young man or young woman that's timid or reluctant, I want to see them excel, get to the varsity level, to be able to hold up their head because they earned it. I want to see them acheive something according to their talent or ability. I coached a young man that the other coach wanted to cut. I worked with him, he made varsity, and he went on to set the 3 point record at our school that I think still stands. I want them to see how all this goes with life, and to be a good citizen, go to college, enter a profession, and make a better life.

Karl: How will practices and games be organized?

Coach Ika: As a staff, we have an agenda. We plan before, who's going  to do what. After practice, we have a program review to see where everybody's at, to plan for the next practice. We allow for the coaches input, and try not to micromanage. I mean, everybody has a job and they do it. There's no demeaning or belittling. The timing for correction is very important, like at the coach's meeting. I need to be positive in my word, my action, and my belief.

Karl: Please tell me about the team rules and consequences.

Coach Ika: No profanity or stealing, or you're off the team. No drugs, or you're off the team. Of course, no fighting, or you're off the team. It's all in the agreement they signed in the beginning. If they're sick, we need a note. Test makeup, we need some communication. We sign a contract so the athlete and the parents know.

Karl: Finally, how will you communicate your philosophy?

Coach Ika: Not to boast, but I've had other coaches talk to me after I present my philosophy to the athletes and their parents, and they say things like "Wow, that was powerful!" I want them all to know that the students are more important than the game. I tell them at our first meetings, and in pep talks, and at half time, and after the game. Well, I tell them at the beginning of the season, where the parents and students sign the contract. I'd better not be a hypocrite. I need to do what I teach them. I show that by taking on special assignments. You know, with certain athletes, especially if they're uncooperative, or think they're a rogue, as a few can be in the beginning. They think they want to do it differently, or their own way. I bring them back in by doing what I taught them. I try to live my philosophy.