Past Youth Basketball Coach of the Week Winners

November 22, 20113:39 PM EST

Coach of the Week: Shawn Otto

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
13-14, 12-1, LUYAA

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching? Wow! My father had been a long time coach and I valued the impact that he had within our community. I’ve just started out but I really appreciate the influence that you can have on these kids on and off the court. I’ve coached for 3 years, 34-2 over that time.

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I enjoy having the ability to add a little bit of edge and direction to the lives of our youth. These kids have grown up during a period of large-scale technological advancement. So they don’t necessarily have to participate physically in order to socialize. Some powerful attributes are lost in that tradeoff. It’s important for my generation to help provide and build that mental edge.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
I am more of an x’s and o’s coach and we compartmentalize our responsibilities on all of our teams. In my opinion, it depends on the players. Some players welcome challenge so adding to that challenge is a source of pride, but then there are others where you have to break things down into smaller quantities in order for what you are teaching not to become overwhelming.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
Aggression and length. Any basketball coach will tell you that having taller kids who play tall are an advantage to any team. I can get around not having shooters or even unpolished basketball players, but it’s extremely difficult to alter a player’s personality from being passive to aggressive. Usually kids have developed a long running series of habits by the time they reach me and certain behaviors can require more time than what is allotted to unravel.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it? Injuries!!! Our two loses in this league were directly related to losing two very good players each year. When you push a system of compartmentalization and unique formations injuries which require a player to do something they are not used to can really have an impact on the outcome of your season. We had to move players around and switch up our system and we were able to maintain our dominance after a period of close games.

7. What advice would you give to new coaches?
Patience… Not with the kids, but with how you should respond to them. Frustration can be a cancer for a person’s reputation and motivation. You should learn from them as much as they learn from you and sometimes you have to take some hits before you can swing effectively.

8. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? On this year’s team?
John Wall all around. He came on to the team as the 1st overall pick with very high expectations. He wasn’t very polished to begin with and struggled with jump shots. He suffered w/ injuries and dealt with organizational changes. He received a maximum deal and took criticism regarding his effort and skill and overcame all of it by practicing and working on his weaknesses. He thrived after receiving the maximum deal and proved why he was the number one pick. Now he is one of the best point guards in the league and has led his team to the playoffs. He has made basketball exciting and fun again in Washington

9. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment? The most memorable Wizards moment that I have was the opportunity to take these kids to a Wizards game and partake in all of the exciting activities that the Wizards have to offer. The kids had a blast.

Coach of the Week: John Perry

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
Currently 7th grade boys. getting ready to start this AAU Season and will pay in the DMV Elite Winter league, Then or the spring the Potomac Valley Basketball Spring league. And I normally play up one age group.

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching? Wow! Good question. Always wanted to coach football, which I really enjoyed, but like most parents I stated just helping a basketball Coach at Hillcrest Hghts Rec Ctr when my son was 7 years old, around 1991 0r 1992..

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
Coaching is so amazing; and being able to help influence the young fellas in a positive way along with giving them a chance to travel and experience different areas outside of DMV region. At the end of it all I enjoy creating memories for them and myself.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
As a Coach I love to WIN! And by recognizing that this game is about fun at this level and it’s about teaching. Which I do by teaching them the this: We will play hard, Play tough, Play smart, Play as a team that never quits and always compete…then we have won and winning will take care of itself. By doing this above this allows my parents and players to have fun and stay motivated

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
That would be the ability of a player wellness to be taught the game the correct way. A lot of players have skills, but is it that the correct skillset or mindset to increase their desire to learn and respect the game. As for characteristics, that would be players who are very honest and the capability to listen and learn as much as possible.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it? Well being able to balance Coaching and my Family Life is the greatest challenge because I love both so much. It’s a continued work in progress, and communication with my wife and a lot of advance planning.

7. What advice would you give to new coaches?
Always be honest, fair with yourself and the players within your program. Need to have tough skin but not cold temperament.

8. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? On this year’s team?
Caron Butler!!! For this year it is Marcin Gortat. The way he competes... He seems to make everyone around him work harder.

9. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment? I do not have any…but if I must speak about moments…it goes back to Wes Unseld and it would be the way he rebounded and passed the basketball getting the team into their transition.

Coach of the Week: Leonard Morrisey

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
I coach the U12 Fort Detrick team and we play in the Monocacy Youth Basketball Association.

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching? I actually grew up playing football and my appreciation of competitive sports grew from there. Once I had kids of my own, I started volunteering with their teams and eventually just took over as coach and I’ve now been a coach for six years.

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I really enjoy the teaching/learning aspect of coaching the age group I have. I remind myself that not every kid is at that level yet and it’s a reward to help each person achieve their individual goals. Also, since we’re a military community, it’s great to be able represent our military families and community as we play other teams.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
I try to pick up on what kids are in to and use that as a point of reference. Whether it’s a football reference or a show they all watch, I use those moments to connect with my players. They don’t always understand our world so sometimes you have to understand theirs.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
One of the first things I look for is for my players to show an understanding of the game. High basketball intelligence is one of the biggest factors of success.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it? One of the biggest challenges I face is that, since we’re a military community, a lot of my players and their families rotate in and out every 2 – 3 years. It’s hard to develop continuity when you aren’t able to keep a core group together for more than a few seasons. The best way we overcome that as a team is to focus on the goals we set as a team. This focus allows us to perform even if we lose key pieces from season to season.

7. What advice would you give to new coaches?
I would tell new coaches to always keep it fun. Remember the recreational aspect of the game and that many players are still learning the game of basketball. It’s about everybody learning and having a good time. If you’re no longer having fun with this then it’s time to move on.

8. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? On this year’s team?
My favorite Wizards player is John Wall. He played well last year coming back from an injury and I’m just looking for more.

9. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment? I’m not originally from this area but I look forward to the team making the playoffs this year.

Coach of the Week: Kashena Bowie-Swann

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
8th grade Girls AAU (16-8), / 2nd-5th Sertoma Off-Street (co-ed) (7-1) / 8th grade Girls Basketball for Mid-Maryland League(Thomas Johnson Patriots) (15-3)

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching? Started coaching when my now 18year old daughter was in 2nd grade. I coached both my son and daughter in the Sertoma League. So probably around 10+ years.

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
Teaching kids the fundamentals of basketball.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
I usually have a pep talk with my players, and either warm-up with stretching and a game of knock out.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
I really do not look for skills in a player because not everyone is basketball oriented, but everyone can learn to play the sport with lots of practice.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
Getting my team to play with heart, especially when they are up against an older team.

7. What is your most successful coaching moment of the season so far? Winning Championships!!!

8. What advice would you give to new coaches?
MUST have patience

9. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? On this year’s team?
I guess John Wall, is my favorite player now, but I loved when the Wizards had Michael Jordan, he is and always will be my favorite player, I wish I would have got the chance to meet him personally, when he played. But John Wall is also my son's favorite player, so I will go with him also- (laughing)

10. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment? Taking my daughter to see the WIZARDS/MIAMI game years ago. Hoping to take both of my kids to see more Wizards games this season.

Coach of the Week: Steve Winter

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
Capital City Public Charter School, Girls Middle School Basketball, grades 5th- 8th and Assistant Coach for Our Lady of Good Counsel High School.

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching? I have been coaching basketball for a little over 10 years. My father was an exceptional Football and Wrestling Coach and coaching was always in my bloodline. Basketball was my favorite sport to play and analyze. . Even as a teenager my friends and I ran basketball camps for Elementary School kids.

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
Without a doubt it is the relationships you develop with the young ladies. It is wonderful to get to understand what motivates them and to create an individual environment where they can feel comfortable enough to expand their thinking. From a basketball perspective, I am a gym rat and love the player development component of coaching.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
Put your trust into the players and they will reward you! I believe in being honest with players, setting realistic goals and offering them the chance to see success in their individual skills and team success. Also, it is important to tap into a players competitive spirit. I try to make almost every drill a competition.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
COMMITMENT TO GETTING BETTER! I want players to want to get better and are willing to put in the work to get what they want.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
Playing Time. It is hard to see a young lady who works so hard in practice not getting the time on the floor she so much desires. Balancing my commitment to play every player In every game with the need to play the right players at the right time is always a challenge.

7. What is your most successful coaching moment of the season so far? From a competitive standpoint, Winning the 8th Grade AAU Super Regional and Finishing 2nd in the tournament overall.
From a coaches standpoint, seeing my team come together as a unit and as friends.

8. What advice would you give to new coaches?
It isn’t about YOU! It is about your Players.

9. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? On this year’s team?
Elvin Hayes! I loved the Big “E” from the time I was very young. Listening to Bullets games on my transistor radio hoping my parents didn’t hear and come in and make me turn it off 
He had that great Turn Around Jumper and was a great rebounder. #11

10. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment? The Championship Playoffs! Beating The Iceman and Dr. J in back to back series to then take the Sonics!

Coach of the Week: Elle Carne and Daniel Thorpe, Capital City Public Charter School

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
Capital City Public Charter School, Girls Middle School Basketball, grades 5th- 8th.

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching? Coach Daniel: During college l started coaching a local recreation team and l have coached for three years.
Coach Elle: I helped coach 8th grade basketball as a junior and senior in high school while playing as well. I have been coaching on and off since then but this was my first year at Capital City.

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
Coach Daniel: Seeing a team come together and work as a team.
Coach Elle: Seeing players progress through the season and develop their basketball and leadership skills.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
Coach D: Knowing what motivates the player and giving individual encouragement.
Coach Elle: It depends on each situation and the players for the team, some do well with just the competitiveness while others need positive feedback.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
Coach D: Self-discipline, tenacity and giving 100%.
Coach Elle: Respect, teamwork, effort and attitude.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
Coach D: Working with a young team that are new to basketball concepts.
Coach Elle: This was the first year we had a middle school only team so many players were new to the game-we started with the basics and moved up through the season.

7. What is your most successful coaching moment of the season so far? Coach D: Having a talented group of boys on a co-ed team support a teammate on her first basketball team to score her first basket.
Coach Elle: Having a player who didn’t want to play at the beginning say that she would miss basketball on the last day of practice.

8. What advice would you give to new coaches?
Coach D: Have patience and keep drills challenging, but on the team's skill level.
Coach Elle: Have patience and make sure you enforce the fundamentals to make a strong foundation for the players.

9. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? On this year’s team?
Coach D: Michael Jordan
Coach Elle: Okafor-I remember watching him play for UConn and I also played post.

10. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment? Coach D: Going to my first Wizards game last season and it was my first NBA game.
Coach Elle: When our MS and HS girls got to go down to the court to give hi-fives to the players before the game.

Coach of the Week: Will Robinson

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
8th grade, boys, 27-4, Potomac Valley, Middle School and AAU.

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching?
Once the ball stopped bouncing for me. About 13 years ago.

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
Seeing the guys improve their skill set and compete at a high level.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
Practice, practice and practice. They will see the improvement when they face the challenge in game situation. A little game film won’t hurt either.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
Sportsmanship, confidence and passion for the sport.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
Make players and their parents to believe in the philosophy of the program. Time heals all wounds, they start believing the program once they see the results.

7. What is your most successful coaching moment of the season so far? Watching the boys win their middle school championship.

8. What advice would you give to new coaches?
Be true to yourself. You will see sunshine at the end of the rainbow.

9. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? On this year’s team? What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment?
Phil Chenier (Old School) and John Wall. Seeing Chris Webber and Juwan Howard go to the playoffs.

Coach of the Week: DeVarrow Day

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
From ages 11-15 boys. Our record was 13-3, City Runner up 2012-13 (D.C. Public Schools)

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching?
After I pursued a basketball career after college. I’ve been coaching for 7 years.

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
Giving back to the kids because I really didn’t have any guidance growing up as a youth.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
Stories of my past or of players I know personally.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
Work ethic and dedication.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge has been keeping the kids off the streets and into more positive things. I take some of the kids that are more likely to be in the street to games and other positive functions.

7. What is your most successful coaching moment of the season so far? Winning the Christmas Tournament we host every year. It was a way of showing the kids that hard work pays off.

8. What advice would you give to new coaches?
Learn your players and the environment they come from. Always stay positive with the kids even if they are not. Try to be more than a coach for the player so he will always have someone to talk to.

9. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? On this year’s team? Why?
Gilbert Areas because I have played in some summer leagues with him and he is a real down to earth person. He is very supportive of the kids. I would have to say John Wall this year because of the same reasons.

10. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment?
When Jordan scored 40 at the age of 40.

Coach of the Week: Mike Cassidy

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
I coach a 2nd Grade Boys basketball team called Gold Thunder in Vienna Youth Incorporated (VYI) league. (NOTE: At this age group there are no scores or standings)

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching?
I knew I wanted to coach youth basketball as soon as my son Jason started dribbling and throwing a basketball at two years old. I have been coaching basketball for three years since my son Jason was in Kindergarten.

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I enjoy the boy’s enthusiasm and excitement to learn the game of basketball. Coaching youth basketball is like the “fountain of youth” because as a coach you feed of their energy and excitement making me feel like a kid again!

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
I try to make it fun for the boys at practice and during the games which really helps motivate them. The other key thing I try to do with the boys is always be positive and encourage them following many of the tips from the Positive Coaching Alliance.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
I look for someone who listens and plays the best with intensity. I have been very lucky coaching a great set of boys the past three years who listen well and really play the game with a lot of intensity.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges when the boys are starting out is to ensure all the boys have a chance to shoot the basketball. I overcame this challenge by designing simple plays and having the boys practice and execute them in the game for all team members.

7. What is your most successful coaching moment of the season so far?
In the fourth game of this season watching the boys execute the concepts we went over in practice in the game to perfection. There shooting percentage for the 1st quarter was excellent and they really focused on taking quality shots.

8. What advice would you give to new coaches?
Two key pieces of advice, especially for coaches working with younger teams – Prepare and organize the practices and adjust them throughout the season. The second one is have at least one, preferably two, assistant coaches to help you out. My assistant coaches Dave and Scot help with ideas and run the games and practice making it a great experience for the boys.

9. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? On this year’s team? Why?
When I was younger I liked watching the “Bruise Brothers” with Rick Mahorn and Jeff Ruland in the early 80s. My favorite all time player was Wes Unseld. For this year I really like the way Bradley Beal is coming along and playing well now that John Wall is back.

10. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment?
When I was really young watching the Bullets win the championship against the SuperSonics.in the 1977 – 1978 season.

Coach of the Week: Francisco White

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
My team is 14u 8th Boys AAU basketball.

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching?
I have always wanted to coach. It gives me great joy watching the boys grow and develop. I have been coaching for 6 years.

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I enjoy building a family environment with my team. Watching the players work to achieve their personal best on the court and off the court in their school and personal lives.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
Our boys are motivated by success. We reward the kids for excellence in the class room and we recognize their accomplishments at other activities or sports they participate in. The players motivate each other by challenging each other to do their best on and off the court.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
My assistant coach and I hand pick the players we allow to join the team. We look for kids that are focused and willing to learn. We recruit players that understand they will need to first make it in the classroom before they can make it on the court.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge is facing teams that place older players in an inappropriate age bracket during tournaments. This is hard to overcome. Our boys are getting used to but it is frustrating for them and the coaches.

7. What is your most successful coaching moment of the season so far?
Winning the 2012 AAU D3 Challenge in Hampton Virginia.

8. What advice would you give to new coaches?
Get involved in your players lives on and off the court it will make a difference.

9. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment?
Winning the championship many years ago.

Coach of the Week: Bill Edmunds - Coach of the Potomac Valley Thunder

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
I coach the POTOMAC VALLEY THUNDER basketball team (www.PVThunderBball.com) which is comprised of 6th grade girls from the Bethesda, Maryland and Washington, DC area. The team is a member of the Potomac Valley Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) region and the national AAU organization. We compete in AAU leagues/tournaments and our record so far this fall season is 3-1 vs. 6th grade teams.

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching?
I have been coaching year round youth girls basketball for the past six years. I am a Washingtonian and graduate of the Bullis School and University of Maryland, and I have close ties to the Washington-Metropolitan area. I competed in sports my whole life and most recently developed a passion for coaching. I have been involved in AAU girls basketball since 2007. My approach to coaching focuses on skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and ensuring the players have fun.

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
The most rewarding aspect of coaching is seeing the players grow together as a team both in skill and relationship.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
I motivate my players with positive reinforcement. Every Potomac Valley Thunder player wants to do great things on the court. They work hard at every practice and game. It is impossible to be perfect on the court so it is my job to ensure the spirits remain high even if their game is off.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
During our fall tryouts, we looked for girls who were athletic and smart, but most importantly, good attitudes. Earlier this fall season we played an AAU team made up of 7th and 8th grade girls. We competed hard, but unfortunately lost by one point. As the buzzer sounded, I thought the Potomac Valley Thunder girls would be disappointed. However, they did not focus on the loss, but rather focused on the positive aspect that they almost beat an AAU team made up of girls who were 1-2 years older than them. It was great to see!

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I had as a coach was finding assistant coaches for the team who could bring in-depth basketball knowledge and someone the players could relate. I was fortunate to recruit three great female assistants coaches who just graduated college where they played basketball for four years and were All-Metro high school players from the area. They are invaluable to me and the team.

8. What advice would you give to new coaches?
Advice I would give to new coaches would be to keep the experience fun for the kids. Kids are traditionally attracted to basketball primarily because it is fun.

9. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? Why?
I grew up a big Bullets fan and started attending Bullets games when I was young and when they played at the Caps Center. In fact, I would go to the Caps Center to watch the NBA Draft. My favorite Bullet was I was younger was the “Big E” Elvin Hayes. With todays Wizards, hands down John Wall.

10. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment?
Selfishly, I would have to say when I was sitting courtside at a game around 1999 and Ledell Eackles took out the whole row including me, as he leaped to save a ball and landed on about 8 people. Pretty funny and memorable!

Coach of the Week: Michael Wills - Coach of the Virginia Diamonds

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
Virginia Diamonds consists of rising 8th grade girls. We finished the 2012 AAU season 45-10. We play in various tournaments through out Virginia, Maryland, DC, West Virginia, and PA. We have participated in Maryland Flames fall league and Fairfax Stars summer league. And we currently plan to participate in Cardinals AAU, VA Magic AAU, or Potomac Valley Basketball fall leagues.

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching?
I knew I wanted to coach basketball when I was no longer a player. I’ve been coaching basketball/football for over 20 years.

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
What I enjoy most about coaching is seeing that I’m making a positive impact in the lives of my players by building strong athletes as well as productive students in the classrooms and communities.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
This is quite simple; my players like me as a person, so motivating them is easy. I simply ask them to put forth the work in order to excel. Also practicing ethical behavior and showing them how to play with integrity is a huge motivating factor.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
I look for players’ willingness to listen and learn, and players who play unselfishly with heart and effort. I also look for athleticism.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge as a coach is teaching the fundamentals to players who lack natural talent, and I overcome this challenge by exemplifying immense patience.

7. What is your most successful coaching moment of the season so far?
My most successful coaching moment of the season is placing third place in the US Junior National Championship, and having other coaches recognize the exceptional improvements in my players.

8. What advice would you give to new coaches?
The advice I would give to new coaches is to make certain that their love for the sport and for the players is greater than winning. We all want to win, but it can’t be a “win at whatever means” approach.

9. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? Why?
My favorite Wizard player of all time was Michael Jordan. He was just the kind of player who drew people to the game. As for this year’s team, my favorite player is John Wall. He has earned numerous accolades as a Wizard player; specifically, being the third youngest player to get a triple double in NBA history.

10. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment?
My most memorable Wizard moment is when Michael Jordan scored over 40 points.

Coach of the Week: Donald Curtis Jr. - Coach & Co-Director of the Alexandria Kings

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
Our teams range from 8-17 years old. Currently there are over 80 boys involved; however, we are looking to expand this upcoming year to include girls as well.

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching?
Well I have been surrounded by basketball my whole life – I went to Amherst and studied sports management and became a graduate assistant. The opportunity to work with girls and teach them basketball, it’s great. Basketball not only helps them grow as a person but also enables them to find themselves through sports. A lot of men and women put a lot of time to influence me in my life and I wanted to do the same

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
To me, coaching is all about development with the students, not only in a basketball capacity, but also in a more holistic sense. We as coaches have a lot of responsibility and influence on individual’s lives – to help enable them and focus their attention on the positive aspects of life, rather than the negative. The most enjoyable things about coaching for me is seeing students leaving individuals as stronger, more holistic individuals than they came in.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
In my coaching style, I emphasize the importance of listening. I like to listen to what the players think. I think that creates a sense of mutual respect. I treat them like human beings while emphasizing discipline and structure.

5. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
The most important characteristic that I look for in players is commitment – I want to see these students do it for personal development and not just doing it for the moment.

6. What is the biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
Having to sometimes deal with losing players is the biggest challenge, especially when people perceive that to be because of lack of wins. However, I try to emphasize to my students that it is not always about winning on the court, there are other outside elements that we should all be proud of as we try to all become better people.

7. What is your most successful coaching moment of the season so far?
Taking the kids to Richmond for a tournament and making a stop at the University of Richmond to tour the facilities was a very proud moment for me. Touring the campus and having that experience really inspired some of these students to dream big and to continue their education. Educational trips such as these are really beneficial to the students and are in line with my holistic coaching philosophy.

8. What advice would you give to new coaches?
Be in it for the right reasons. Work with the kids to develop and mentor them and help them grow as individuals and not seek the coaching position for financial reasons. Be passionate, consistent and organized.

9. What is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? Why?
I really liked Rod Strickland growing up. I admired his ability as a facilitator as a guard.

10. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment?
My most memorable moment was when I went to a game as a child, at the age of 10. Going to the arena, and watching the Knicks. The arena was packed and the energy felt in the arena was electrifying. It’s a memory that will definitely stick with me.

Coach of the Week: Jody L. Patrick - Potomac Valley Vogues Girls AAU and Flint Hill School

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
I am the general manager of the Potomac Vogues and also the coach for girls ages 8 and 9.

2. When did you decide to coach basketball?
Well I have been surrounded by basketball my whole life – I went to Amherst and studied sports management and became a graduate assistant. The opportunity to work with girls and teach them basketball, it’s great. Basketball not only helps them grow as a person but also enables them to find themselves through sports. A lot of men and women put a lot of time to influence me in my life and I wanted to do the same

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
Seeing the improvement from one practice to the next, and seeing the players also taking that improvement to the court and also teaching kids and finally seeing kids when they have “Ah-hah!” moment, when everything clicks -- those moments are so fun. Finally, seeing the level of participation increase more and more for girls has been a great experience as well.

4. How do you go about motivating your players?
It’s the summer right now so I try to motivate them by emphasizing the time they are dedicating to the game right now will pay off as summer ends. I tell the girls that the players they are going to be competing against later this year, they’re out enjoying the summer and playing at the beach, so use this time productively and get better. Another motivational technique I use is to tell them to compete against each other on the court. You are all friends outside the court, but inside, compete against each other every day and get better.

5. What is your biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
Encountering a player that thinks she knows everything and doesn’t need to learn is one of the biggest challenges as a coach. However, I have found that leading by example and showing them techniques and skills is the best way to get through that barrier. A lot of these techniques require practice, and emphasizing that to these players is important.

6. What is your most memorable moment thus far this season?
Losing a game on Friday by 21 and then winning the next four games by 21 against teams that were better than the team we previously lost to has been one of those moments this season. It was one of those turning points where the season could have gone south, but we didn’t. We only had two practices between that loss and those four games, and I just took the time to break down that game and emphasize key points. You can’t let yesterday’s team beat you tomorrow too. We continued to have faith and went out there and played hard.

7. What advice would you give to new coaches?
Really get to know your players. Do not go in and think that there is only one way to do things. Create situations and do off-court things to build on-court chemistry. And just have fun with it.

9. Who is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? On this year's team? Why?
Wes Unseld and Elvis Hayes because of their commitment to the game.

10. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment?
The Bullets winning the championship.

1. What age is your team? Boys/Girls? Team's Record? What leagues do you play in?
VA Magic 16 year old and under Girls team, AAU team has not started playing again until the spring (April/May).

2. When did you know you wanted to coach basketball? How long have you been coaching?
I wanted to coach prove to my players that coaching isn't just a male thing, so me and my wife, Naja Brown, serve as Co-head coaches. I have coached for 10 years, with my goal continuing to be to "show you can work together to achieve all."

3. What do you enjoy most about coaching?
I'd rather give back to the community by taking kids that are committed instead of someone more talented, helping them to accomplish their goals..

4. What skills/characteristics do you look for in your players?
Players who are willing to work hard and that if I give time to helping out they will commit to my coaching as well.

5. How do you go about motivating your players?
I only coaches players who are committed so motivation come from the players themselves.

6. What is your biggest challenge you've had as a coach and how did you overcome it?
No big challenges, I set expectations from the beginning of the season to avoid issues. One of my expectations is If a players doesn't come to practice then they're the last one off the bench.

7. What is your most successful coaching moment of the season so far?
Our team raised $10,000 in money with a Free Throw Shot-a-thon to donate to the Tsunami flood victims and also we raised $8000 for Louisiana area flood victims. Giving back during activities taught his girls team very important life skills.

8. What advice would you give to new coaches?
It's not about winning and losing it's about developing players, commit to them and they'll commit to you.

9. Who is your favorite Bullets/Wizards player of all time? On this year's team? Why?
Wes Unseld and Elvis Hayes because of their commitment to the game.

10. What has been your most memorable Bullets/Wizards moment?
The Bullets winning the championship.

Coach of the Week: Brian Jamison

Brian Jamison has been named this week's Wizards and Washington Mystics Coach of the Week in recognition of his work as a volunteer coach and mentor in the local community.
The Wizards and Mystics Coach of the Week program honors youth basketball coaches who make substantial impacts on the sport of basketball and in the lives of their players.

For over a decade Brian Jamison has served as a volunteer youth basketball coach in the Maryland area. Jamison has coached with the Boys and Girls Club of South Bowie, Maryland's Catholic Youth Organization, and Team Takeover AAU program. Currently, Jamison serves a number of coaching roles at Riverdale Baptist in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Head Coach for the boy's middle school basketball team and Assistant Coach for the junior varsity and varsity teams. Jamison compares his role as coach to that of a potter working with wet clay. His goal is to "not only teach the sport of basketball, but to mold his young players into responsible adults teaching them values that will carry them through life."

Off the court, Jamison volunteers with the non-profit organization, Mentoring to Manhood whose goal is to develop strong character, communication skills and academic excellence with boys in middle and high schools and to provide them with the resources and tools to maximize their potential. When asked why he loves coaching and volunteering he said, "It's easier to build a young man into a man, than repair a broken man."