My philosophy is based on the belief that a coach of basketball is potentially blessed with fine young people with which to work. It is the very nature of the game of basketball that it requires the talents of the superior athlete; it is a fun, exciting and rewarding game to play; and young people who have a love for basketball usually possess the desirable qualities (exhibited in their classroom endeavors and behavior in general). A good program will foster and promote such athletes to enter, succeed and continue to influence others around them and those who follow.
     Most basketball theorists are similar in approach, but the real test lies in the application of your principles. As a coach, this translates to mean responsibility to and for your players. The coach’s example will definitely have some influence on their lives, perhaps more in later years. For this reason alone, the program must exemplify itself. With this attitude as a foundation, the coach must develop throughout the program courage, team spirit, the desire to learn and improve, and a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the team.
     There are two facets vital for a winning tradition: the desire to excel and the mastery of basketball fundamentals. The actual coaching of the players must always be directed toward having this winning tradition. Underlying this is the single most important aspect of coaching basketball: realizing and imparting to the players that it is a TEAM game. This attitude should be reflected in the team offenses and defenses and especially in the approach of the coach toward each and every individual player. No one situation is more important to the team. The players, individually and collectively, must give of themselves freely and willingly the industry asked by the coach. The coach who is respectful, honest and knowledgeable will receive the great team effort necessary to excel.
     The players have the right to expect their coach to possess expertise in all phases of the game and make decisions with the team’s and player’s best interest at heart. To coach and be responsible for a high school basketball program challenges a coach in all areas of one’s personality and character. To be equal to the challenge, the coach must do no less than display great strength, patience, self-control and understanding in every situation. This in turn demands that coaching basketball and working with people, especially the young, and a love of life in general be an integral part of the coach’s lifestyle. A coach’s family, spiritual life, and vocation present a triangle of obligations which command and reinforce values needed to meet that challenge successfully.
     The coach must also sacrifice. The immense amount of time necessary to develop, continue and keep a basketball program superior is a fact of life. Coaches and players must know that there are no short cuts to success - only hard work and complete dedication will result in excellence. At times also, the coach must be willing to sacrifice the immediate for the good of the future and overall good of the program and players.
     It is very important to remember that the basketball program’s goals can only be reached within the framework of the total school program. Athletics, in order to be a positive force, must add to a young person’s life and not detract from it. With this philosophy at its cornerstone, I am committed to presenting a program that will constantly reinforce and focus on the positive aspects (character, teamwork, fair play, humility, success, failure, self-control, understanding and patience) of life and culminating in a positive influence on the players, school, parents, and community.

~ KIM MORRIS, HEAD COACH