And before I go any further, this isn't just for women's basketball assistant coaches. For the first time, there is a weekend just for men's assistant coaches with some of the top collegiate men's assistant coaches in the country. Check out the line up: http://bit.ly/HXerNP. Of course the women are not be out done with their list either: http://bit.ly/HlCBCM.
Recruiting
A Step Up has brought in some of the nation's best recruiters to discuss everything from organization, telephone and mail communication, in-home visit and official visit strategies. As with every topic from every speaker, there are visual presentations and passouts for you to take home. In fact, they give a notebook full of material that is worth the cost of information because it is information that you can't find anywhere else. Presenters come from all levels of college basketball because they know that many schools have limitations on budgets and resources.
Crisis Management
This was actually my topic last year that I shared along with Notre Dame assistant coach Carol Owens. Here are some bullet points from my notes:
Crisis Management (Part I) http://bit.ly/pbvtOA
Crisis Management (Part II) http://bit.ly/qxNBc4
Scouting
This was my topic the first year. In past years, Al Brown (Duke) and Greg Brown (UCF) have spoke on this topic giving insight on what to look for when breaking down video, how to organize your thoughts, and how to give the information to your team.
The Use of Social Media
Again, this was another topic of mine from last year where I tried to impart not just the proper way to utilize social media as a coach but how you can maximize the various means to benefit your program.
Ethics
Love the various way Felicia and Johnny work this in each year. It can deal with ethics in recruiting, among ourselves as assistants or loyalty to our head coaches. Here is a blog post by John Margaritas on loyalty and other traits for assistant coaches:
http://bit.ly/mO7Ws0
What Head Coaches Really Want
The symposium will also bring in head coaches to speak -- so they can tell you what they are looking for in assistant coaches. Last year, former National Championship head coach Carolyn Peck did an incredible job of letting us know what she looked for as well as some great lessons she learned from some Hall of Fame mentors:
http://bit.ly/jIIh1Q
What Do AD's Look for in Head Coaches?
Want to learn straight from the mouth of the decision makers? There are going to be a panel discussion each year at both symposiums with actual Athletic Directors as to what they are looking for when they hire a head coach as well as their expectations for their current coaches.
It wasn't that long ago that Karen Aston was one of the nation's top assistant coaches before head coaching stops at UNC-Charlotte and North Texas. Last week she was named head coach at the University of Texas. She did an incredible job of presenting at the first symposium and on a great subject matter: How To Position Yourself As A Valuable Part of Your Program. Here is my blog post on her presentation:
http://bit.ly/caRjJ8
Specialist
Looking for the best in the industry? Felicia and John deliver every year. Last year we were treated to an afternoon in Tim Grovers' facility in Chicago to watch him and his staff work out some athletes. Afterwards, Tim addressed our group and answered questions. My blog post on Tim Grover:
http://bit.ly/k9RVun
Legends
Each year "A Step Up" features a retired great who comes back and addresses the group. This is certainly one of my favorite parts. First, I think it incredibly important for young coaches to meet, listen and learn from the ones who paved the way. One my idols, Jody Conradt is speaking this year. Last year, Hall of Famer Theresa Grentz spoke -- here are my thoughts:
http://bit.ly/k2of9D
Round Table Discussions
Need A Job?
First of all, this is an incredible place to network and meet people -- the most important thing in getting a job. Second, Felicia takes time out of session to introduce any coach that doesn't have a job and let them address the group to tell them a little about themselves.
I close with two more thoughts. First, my biggest regret is they didn't have this symposium when I first started coaching -- it's that special! You will leave after the weekend with the best feeling knowing you have learned actual things that will immediately make you a better assistant coach. Second, I don't know of two people that care deeply about assistant coaches more that Felicia and Johnny! Like I said earlier -- THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE INVESTMENT IN YOUR FUTURE -- I hope to see you there!!!
To register for the men's symposium: http://bit.ly/HXerNP
To register for the women's symposium: http://bit.ly/HlCBCM
