Why is this season different? Why aren't the locker room issues of the past rearing their ugly heads again this season as they have previously.
I have a theory.
Forget about Willard's X's and O's. I know most readers here have not agreed with me when I have noted the man knows the game as well as any coach I have ever spoken to, but that's not important in this discussion. That was never an issue to me. Especially on the defensive side of the ball.
My problem with KW has always been translating his knowledge to the players.
But why is this team different than past ones? Why hasn't chemistry issues again derailed a promising season?
My theory.
Willard had an amazing run at Iona. Inheriting a 2-28 team and in three short years finishing the 2009-10 season 21-10. Those Iona teams had few me first players. Few let's call them high maintenance players. The locker room was peaceful and to a man they all abided by the law set down by the head coach.
Now let's move forward to Willard's career at SHU. Beginning with a team inherited from Bobby Gonzalez and moving forward.
Here is a list of just some of the problem children in his locker room.....
Jeff Robinson
Herb Pope
Keon Lawrence
Aaron Cosby
Freddie Wilson
Brian Oliver
Add in these disgruntled players
Ferrakohn Hall
Jamel Jackson
Sean Grennan
Sterling Gibbs
Jaren Sina
And you see two things. Players who weren't happy at SHU and players who strongly effected team chemistry in a negative way.
Willard had few if any of those type players in his previous stop. When he moved up the coaching ladder and came here he was in culture shock almost quitting before he started.
Willard is not good with players who don't easily conform to his coaching (although he is getting better). That caused major locker room issues in the past. Issues that IMO derailed a few of our seasons during his tenure.
But this team, this group of kids is by far the best squad that Willard has had in his 6 years at the Hall.
No malcontents. No high maintenance players.
Of course here and there as with all young men you will have a problem or two. Desi being one earlier in the year. But Desi is in no way a bad kid and his immaturity was nipped in the bud quickly by Willard and teammates close to Rodriquez on the team.
In short what I am saying is that Willard excels when he has a team that listens to him. That doesn't challenge his authority. This squad is that type of team.
Want proof? All you had to do was listen to Willard in the SJU post game press conference when unsolicited he sang the praises of what he said was one of his favorite SHU players Khadeen Carrington, calling him the lowest maintenance player on the team.
The kind he excels with.
That to me is the difference between past locker rooms and this one. High maintenance players vs low ones.
That plus they have an incredibly strong personality in Derrick Gordon as their leader and policemen.
These kids know each other well. They hang together and they really like each other. In short there is a harmony behind the scenes that has never 100% existed before.
Willard can be and is the boss of this team. His authority is unquestioned and because of that his BB only focus, which is his strength, is allowing this group of players to reach their potential.
I have a theory.
Forget about Willard's X's and O's. I know most readers here have not agreed with me when I have noted the man knows the game as well as any coach I have ever spoken to, but that's not important in this discussion. That was never an issue to me. Especially on the defensive side of the ball.
My problem with KW has always been translating his knowledge to the players.
But why is this team different than past ones? Why hasn't chemistry issues again derailed a promising season?
My theory.
Willard had an amazing run at Iona. Inheriting a 2-28 team and in three short years finishing the 2009-10 season 21-10. Those Iona teams had few me first players. Few let's call them high maintenance players. The locker room was peaceful and to a man they all abided by the law set down by the head coach.
Now let's move forward to Willard's career at SHU. Beginning with a team inherited from Bobby Gonzalez and moving forward.
Here is a list of just some of the problem children in his locker room.....
Jeff Robinson
Herb Pope
Keon Lawrence
Aaron Cosby
Freddie Wilson
Brian Oliver
Add in these disgruntled players
Ferrakohn Hall
Jamel Jackson
Sean Grennan
Sterling Gibbs
Jaren Sina
And you see two things. Players who weren't happy at SHU and players who strongly effected team chemistry in a negative way.
Willard had few if any of those type players in his previous stop. When he moved up the coaching ladder and came here he was in culture shock almost quitting before he started.
Willard is not good with players who don't easily conform to his coaching (although he is getting better). That caused major locker room issues in the past. Issues that IMO derailed a few of our seasons during his tenure.
But this team, this group of kids is by far the best squad that Willard has had in his 6 years at the Hall.
No malcontents. No high maintenance players.
Of course here and there as with all young men you will have a problem or two. Desi being one earlier in the year. But Desi is in no way a bad kid and his immaturity was nipped in the bud quickly by Willard and teammates close to Rodriquez on the team.
In short what I am saying is that Willard excels when he has a team that listens to him. That doesn't challenge his authority. This squad is that type of team.
Want proof? All you had to do was listen to Willard in the SJU post game press conference when unsolicited he sang the praises of what he said was one of his favorite SHU players Khadeen Carrington, calling him the lowest maintenance player on the team.
The kind he excels with.
That to me is the difference between past locker rooms and this one. High maintenance players vs low ones.
That plus they have an incredibly strong personality in Derrick Gordon as their leader and policemen.
These kids know each other well. They hang together and they really like each other. In short there is a harmony behind the scenes that has never 100% existed before.
Willard can be and is the boss of this team. His authority is unquestioned and because of that his BB only focus, which is his strength, is allowing this group of players to reach their potential.
