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- iHaveNet.com: Sports
By Roy Williams
One thing that makes college basketball so enjoyable, yet at the same time so challenging, is that each year the team is different. There are new players, and you may ask the student-athletes who return from the previous season to play new roles. Team chemistry changes, and the attitudes and relationships that ebb and flow from wins and losses always take on a new life.
The constant is a need for outstanding leadership. It's important to identify leaders, then nurture, guide, and encourage leadership on and off the court. Some years, the best leaders are your most gifted players. However, sometimes the most effective leaders may not be the best scorers or rebounders but players who set great examples by their work ethic, or by being vocal, or by carrying out less glamorous roles that coaches know are critical to a team's success.
I believe in three guiding leadership principles:
1. Everyone on the team must focus on the same goal. It's my job to effectively communicate those goals to the team.
2. Emphasize those goals every day.
3. Understand that although everyone has a common goal, individuals also have goals, needs, and dreams that must be cared for.
The third point may be the most challenging to address and is where leadership may be most critical. We remind our players that the name on the front of the jersey (
I've coached great players like
Hinrich poured his heart out every day, and his teammates had to feed off that emotion and play even harder just to keep up with him.
When I came to
lead. All-Americans
In 2006, we lost our top seven scorers from that team but won 23 games and made it to the second round of the NCAAs, something most experts doubted we could accomplish. We had a great freshman,
Three years later, we again won the national championship. Hansbrough, a four-time All-American by then, led with his work ethic and passion to excel. We had
That's the great thing about college basketball. Every year is unique. I can't wait to see what is in store this year. I know one thing. We have great kids who can lead and allow themselves to be led. I tell them all the time: Be led by your dreams, not pushed by your problems. Go out and chase your dreams.
© U.S. News & World Report
UNC Basketball Coach Roy Williams: Be Led By Your Dreams