Basic HTML Version
touchline
Interview
21
the following:
• A team in great physical shape
• A team that plays with relentless persistence
• A team that can handle adversity
• An assertive team
• A flexible team
• A great defensive team
• A “WE” team
Of course without explanation these are just
glib bullet points so everything must be fully
explained, formalised and workshopped.
What are your tips for the 2012 Olympics?
Do you feel at all torn when you are
coaching teams other than Australia?
My tip is that the USA and Australia will be
the two top teams. I think that Russia is on a
downward slide. I think the big dark horse is
France. I love the Australian team but I am not
torn in the slightest. If I am not a member of the
Australian team, but a member of their opposition
then that’s where my loyalty lies.
Can you tell us about some of your most memorable moments
in your career?
I’ve been fortunate to be a part of many great teams. All our wins
are special. Winning our first WNBL title was special. NZ making the
quarterfinals at Athens was a miracle. I’m immensely proud of China’s
semi-final berth at Beijing, but if l had to be pinned down to one game
it would be the Opals’ win over Italy at the world champs at OZ 94.
The team had failed to qualify for the ‘92 Olympics and we were about
to be knocked out early if we didn’t beat the highly ranked Italians by
14 points. We did and we went on to play in the semi-finals. That was
a special moment. After that Australia has never finished out of the
medals.
You have worked with so many talented players. Who have
been your favourites? Why?
My favourites were great team people and truly great players.
They were great at both ends of the court and were never beaten.
Fortunately, I can name 20 but that’s not the heart of the question,
so I’ll name my top three. Robyn Maher, Michele Timms and Lauren
Jackson are unquestionably three of Australia’s four greatest players.
Penny Taylor is the other one, but I only got to coach her when she
was a rookie so it doesn’t really count.
What have been the greatest challenges you’ve faced as a
coach?
“Challenges” means problems. It means handling problems well. Of
course you get the day-to-day problems that arise in any job but I
think to qualify as a great challenge it requires having to overcome
adversity. Getting fired is always a great test for the sporting coach’s
character. Coaches fire people all the time, they don’t pick them in
the team, they don’t start players that want to start, etc. It’s not good
when a coach gets fired and cries and moans foul play. If you are going
to coach, it’s unavoidable that you will at some stage get fired. It’s at
that time one has to show some character. In my third year at Hobart
in the NBL I was fired, and looking back I think that was a reasonable
decision as we were pretty terrible. Nevertheless I was determined to
take it on the chin and in the end proved something to myself.
What do you consider your greatest achievements as a coach?
You have had such terrific success, but are their particular
successes you are most proud of?
I have good technical knowledge. I have a sound philosophy.
I have a good style of play. I’m a team person and I have a
reputation for honesty. These are things that a professional
can be proud of. I might also add that I value some of
the friendships that I have made with people that I consider
particularly classy.
Is there anything that you would change about your
career trajectory?
No, it’s all good.