A STEP UP ASSISTANT COACHING SYMPOSIUM: STEVE PROHM

The following are a few notes I took from Steve Prohm, head coach at Murray State.  I took the notes at A Step Up Assistant Coaching Symposium -- one of the best things an assistant coach can become involved with if he or she wants to grow in our profession.

Surround yourself with good people.

Started as a manager at the University of Alabama.  As a manager he would constantly grab players and say "let's get some shots up."

Worked 12 of 13 years for Billy Kennedy.

Two things he learned from Mike Gottfried:
1. Make yourself invaluable to your head coach
2. When you think there's nothing to do -- find something

4 prongs to his recruiting methods:
1. Spirituality
2. Academically
3. Socially
4. Basketball

3 Characteristics of special teams
1. Character
2. Toughness
3. Great ability

Don't seek honor -- honor will find you

Work like it's your name in the headlines.

When he was an assistant at Centenary
     1. Sold ads for a team calendar to raise money
     2. Had no office, just a desk in the corner
     3. Leaks in the office area when it rained

Don't worry about your title, worry about results.

Max out your role

Bet on the jockey, not the horse.

Effective leadership flows from personal integrity.

He can't just want to be great from November to March

When he was a manager at Alabama, the staff was no cohesive.  The players would talk about it -- they noticed.  He learned as a manager that players pick up on everything -- good and bad.

Key to relationships -- invest daily