All opinions expressed are mine alone, and if Coach Auriemma ever reads this I hope it brings a smile to his face and laughter to those he shares it with!
Situation #1: A prized recruit struggles with attitude, conditioning & performance?
-WWGD? Geno would rather lose than play a player like her. The team, not talent comes first. Rewarding the negative jeopardizes the tradition of the program. A player will never change the tradition, but this tradition will change them.
Situation #2: A player tells Geno she wants to be the best player there ever was?
WWGD? Geno would ask, 'Are you sure you want me to take you through that process? Are you sure you want to be great? Are you sure you want to be the best?' Most players do not know what they are asking for. High-school has come easy. Being a role player comes easy. Being the best comes with hard work and a mentality few will ever know. The pursuit of perfection now must be chased. Excellence will not be tolerated. Anything less than domination will not be permitted. The pressure must be welcomed. Two bad days in a row cannot take place. The constant criticism must be embraced. Feeling never good enough must be welcomed. And being responsible for the entire team is now your job too. Getting another level out of you will be demanded. And there is no turning back. You will be the best and feel like the worst. Satisfaction comes afterwards. Celebrations will be postponed. Looking back will be allowed in the weeks following the season. There is no rest for the winner. You still want to be the best? It's the road less traveled by. It is a lonely road. And only I will be on it with you. Just me, you and your dreams.
