When I joined the LSU basketball program as a walk-on, I knew right away that I was stepping into something much bigger than myself. I wasn’t there to be the leading scorer or the star of the show—I was there to be a sponge, to learn, to work, and to grow. What I didn’t realize at the time was how much that experience would shape my desire to become a basketball coach. After my first year with Will Wade, I saw firsthand what great coaching looks like, and it lit a fire in me to one day lead my own program. Over my four years in the SEC, I paid close attention to the way coaches operated—the way they communicated, motivated, and inspired. I began to understand that great coaching isn’t just about drawing up plays or recruiting top talent. It’s about investing in personal relationships, building trust, creating culture, and developing young men both on and off the court.
Understanding the “Why” Behind the Game
The best coaches don’t just teach basketball—they teach purpose. From day one, our coaching staff at LSU made it clear that we weren’t just there to win games, we were there to become better men. That meant showing up with discipline, being accountable, and understanding how the game connects to life. Great coaches constantly help players find their “why.” Why do you get up at 6 AM for workouts? Why do you stay after practice to shoot free throws? Why do you sacrifice personal stats for the good of the team? A coach who can connect effort to purpose will always get more out of his players. That’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned: you can’t lead anyone effectively until you’ve helped them connect their actions to something bigger.
Building Relationships That Matter
A common theme I noticed among the best coaches is their ability to build real relationships. Not surface-level ones—but real, consistent, trust-based connections. College athletes are under a lot of pressure, and a coach who genuinely cares can make all the difference. I watched as coaches remembered players’ birthdays, checked in on families, and made time for personal conversations even during the busiest parts of the season. Those moments mattered. They created loyalty. They made players want to run through a wall for them. I also saw what it looked like when there wasn’t genuine relationships between player and coach, and let’s just say it did not lead to wins. If I want to be a great coach, I know I have to start by being a great listener, a steady presence, and someone who always puts relationships before results. The wins will follow when the foundation is right.
Mastering the Details
What separates a good coach from a great one? Attention to detail. Every drill, every scouting report, every conversation, every timeout strategy—great coaches sweat the small stuff. And they don’t do it to be controlling; they do it because there are no small things! I remember how our coaches prepared before every game. They’d spend hours breaking down film, learning opponents’ tendencies, and finding the smallest advantages. That level of preparation showed me what excellence really looks like. As a future coach, I want to bring that same intensity to my preparation. I’ve learned that players can sense when a coach is fully locked in, and they respond to that energy. Great coaching starts before anyone steps on the court.
Communicating with Clarity and Confidence
One of the most underrated parts of coaching is communication. Coaches don’t just talk—they lead with their words & body language. They know how to inspire, how to correct without tearing down, and how to speak in a way that every player can understand. I watched my coaches deliver halftime speeches that completely changed the direction of a game. I saw them pull players aside for one-on-one conversations that sparked breakthroughs. I realized that communication is a skill that has to be developed, just like shooting or ball-handling. Great coaches know their players well enough to know how to get through to them—and they’re always clear, confident, and intentional with every word.
Creating a Culture That Wins Beyond the Scoreboard
Culture is everything. It determines how a team practices, how it responds to adversity, and how it treats one another. I was lucky to be part of a program where the culture was strong—we pushed each other, supported one another, and held each other to high standards. But I also saw how fragile culture can be if it’s not intentionally built and protected. As a future coach, I want to create a culture where every player feels valued, where competition and character go hand in hand, and where winning isn’t just about points, but about growth. That kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident. It takes consistent effort, clear expectations, and buy-in from every level of the program.
Leading with Heart
At the end of the day, I believe the best coaches lead with heart. They show up every day with passion for the game and love for their players. They model consistency, humility, and resilience. They’re willing to make hard decisions but always put people first. That’s the kind of coach I want to be. I may not have been the most talented player, but I’ve been in the locker room. I’ve seen what real leadership looks like. I’ve experienced how one coach’s belief can change a player’s life. And I want to be that person for someone else.
Looking Ahead
Now that I’ve graduated from LSU with a degree in Management and spent four years immersed in high-level basketball, I feel more motivated than ever to pursue coaching. I know the road won’t be easy. I know there’s still a lot to learn. But I’ve got the blueprint. It was built in the practices, conditioning sessions, road trips, and locker rooms of the LSU basketball program. And with that foundation, I’m ready to step forward— I’m ready to lead, to teach, and to give back to the game that has given me so much.
