Pat Knight shows how NOT to treat your players

Lamar University lost to Stephen F. Austin last night in men's basketball. It's customary for key players from both teams along with the coaches to address the media after the game. A Lamar player was speaking when his coach, Pat Knight, interrupted him. Usually, I don't post videos this long but watch as much as you can. The first five seconds or so is of particular importance (email subscribers click here).

 

Did you catch what Coach Knight said to his player? "Alright, let's go. 'Cause I'm next and you don't have a clue of what it takes to win." Knight then goes on for another painful eight minutes berating, belittling and insulting his players. If your player doesn't know what it takes to win, then show him. That's your job as a coach. Knight airs all of his team's "dirty laundry" in this rant. Nothing is out-of-bounds. He talks about suspensions, grades and whatever else he can think of. Knight totally betrayed the trust of his players.

He'll be all over the highlight shows, but at what cost? What did he gain by doing this to his kids? Is it going to make them play harder? Will more of them make the Dean's List? If this team succeeds, it will be out of spite. And that's no way to get positive results. Knight actually accuses his players of stealing money relative to their play while being on scholarship. To make it plain, Knight did everything wrong in this press conference.

Please don't ever treat your kids this way. Positive Instruction + Positive Attitude  = Positive Results. Model the behavior you want them to exhibit. Teach them good practice habits. If they need help in the classroom, then help them or find someone who can. Have a receptive ear and not a raving mouth. Not once in 8 1/2 minutes did Coach Knight say he cared about those kids. It doesn't matter if it's on the court, in the classroom or at home. Kids won't do anything for you unless they know you care. Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol