Tony Skinn on Kevin Willard

[Halldan1]

Here's a quote from from Tony Skinn that appears on the Trove in response to my question at Media Day, what makes Kevin Willard a good coach?

I thought his reply should be seen by all SHU fans so I am adding it here..


"The thing that stood out to me with coach (Willard) and it's easy to say is he really really, really takes care of his guys. I say that from the standpoint of when you get in here and work as hard with the players as we do, and you're here as the head coach, and instead of delegating much of the work that other coaches might delegate you take it upon yourself to focus on the skill development of the players."

"And then off the court.... you know in my opinion he's cares about his players as much as any coach in the country. It's not just about what the players can do to help you win games. It's about what you can do to make them better people. That's special. And that helps us when we go out to recruit. You can't sell something that you don't believe."

 

[hallgrad80]

We have to figure a way to get out in the public eye more often just who Kevin Willard is both as a coach and a person and an clear example of that is the positive comments about Kevin by Tony. It’s a shame Kevin and his program get so little coverage in NJ and the NY/ NJ metro area.

 

[Halldan1]

Since day one when Willard was hired there has been one common refrain from everyone I talked to regarding his practices. And that is he's a great (not good) teacher. One of the best. I have heard this from other coaches not on his staff, from those in the business that know him, from our players and assistants as well as with my own eyes in the practices I have attended.

What I like personally when I view a practice is that Willard sees everything. I am constantly amazed at how little escapes his eyes. And when he sees something he doesn't like he stops practice, not to yell, but to instruct the player who made the mistake while the rest of the team learns as well.

What I say above seems simple, but it's not. I have had many coaches that yelled and screamed and after a while that gets old and often players tune them out. But Willard just has a way about him that earns the respect of the players as he gets his message across.

 

[statenman]

One thing that stands out with Willard is the fact that we never really had a starter transfer out, which is amazing with how prevalent it is. I know Gibbs did, but perhaps I should say we never were hurt by a player transferring out of the program. It's speaks to what Tony Skinn was saying.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

One thing that stands out with Willard is the fact that we never really had a starter transfer out, which is amazing with how prevalent it is. I know Gibbs did, but perhaps I should say we never were hurt by a player transferring out of the program. It's speaks to what Tony Skinn was saying.

Gibbs and Jaren Sina

 

[statenman]

both were huge additions by subtraction...pretty sure nobody here would argue against that

 

[Halldan1]

Truthfully, I thought losing Gibbs would hurt but Derrick Gordon was the perfect final piece to that team's puzzle.

Best locker room leader I have ever seen.

 

[ShuVol]

Truthfully, I thought losing Gibbs would hurt but Derrick Gordon was the perfect final piece to that team's puzzle.

Best locker room leader I have ever seen.

I will never forget that time when Derrick decided to hold a team meeting when we hit that losing streak in late January / early February. He had said something to the effect of 'I heard about some of the stuff that went down in the locker room in the previous season and I want to make sure that does not happen again when I'm here." IMHO, that was undoubtedly the turning point of the season that ultimately led to capturing the BE Tournament championship.

 

[Pirate64]

Gibbs and Jaren Sina

They were bad for for the program.

 

[BakedBeansPirates]

Sina and especially his dimestore Lavar Ball father were cancers

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

They were bad for for the program.

Why?

 

[batts]

Why?

Mergin Sina demanded that Jaren remain a starter even though Carrington was clearly a much better player. The fact that Jaren started over Carrington did not sit well with the freshmen thereby causing a riff in the locker room.

 

[hallgrad80]

Mergin Sina demanded that Jaren remain a starter even though Carrington was clearly a much better player. The fact that Jaren started over Carrington did not sit well with the freshmen thereby causing a riff in the locker room.

If that occurred as you describe then the person who deserves the criticism is Willard for letting that happen .

 

[batts]

If that occurred as you describe then the person who deserves the criticism is Willard for letting that happen .

In part, yes. He shares some of the blame.

 

[statenman]

Sina storming off the court before the Gtown game, when he found out he wasn't starting, was absolutely terrible. Willard letting him come back and play was 100x worse. The inmates were definitely running the asylum that year.

 

[Halldan1]

Amazing how some posters can morph a sterling tribute from our new assistant coach to what I am now reading.

Pitiful.

 

[Piratz]

We needed Sina when he came. I think it was a lesson learned for KW when it comes to promising playing time.

 

[Piratz]

Here's a quote from from Tony Skinn that appears on the Trove in response to my question at Media Day, what makes Kevin Willard a good coach?

I thought his reply should be seen by all SHU fans so I am adding it here..


"The thing that stood out to me with coach (Willard) and it's easy to say is he really really, really takes care of his guys. I say that from the standpoint of when you get in here and work as hard with the players as we do, and you're here as the head coach, and instead of delegating much of the work that other coaches might delegate you take it upon yourself to focus on the skill development of the players."

"And then off the court.... you know in my opinion he's cares about his players as much as any coach in the country. It's not just about what the players can do to help you win games. It's about what you can do to make them better people. That's special. And that helps us when we go out to recruit. You can't sell something that you don't believe."

This is great. We’ve had our ups and downs, but I really appreciate Willard turning us around.

It’s big to be relevant again.

 

[batts]

I am a huge supporter of KW. His players love him which speaks volumes on the positive impact he has made on them.. Like all successful people he has learned from his mistakes. I hope he stays at SHU until he retires.

 

[anon_x0d8d0dquuo4t]

The coach has been a coach in training his entire life. His Dad is obviously a great mentor (and unfortunately a Pirate killer, W.Ken.) i can see how a recruit looking to mature in all ways, besides bball, would want to come to SH.... If Desi doesnt get hurt, maybe the team wins that last game and we're having a different discussion about underachieving (how he missed that short hop in the press at the end of the game, I still can't believe.).... Sounds like a good interview with Coach Skinn.

 

[Halldan1]

Mike, the remainder is on the Trove and my gut talking to him and having info about Skinn from others I trust is that he is going to be a home run for the Hall. Obiagu is just the start.

 

[shupat08]

Gibbs and Jaren Sina

They left and we became BET champs

 

[TomD82]

Amazing how some posters can morph a sterling tribute from our new assistant coach to what I am now reading.

Pitiful.

LOL. Sticking on topic Skinn looks like a hit it out of the park hire. If Fred had lost some of his fastball lately adding Skinn to the staff with his
solid connections could be a huge upgrade.

 

[SHUHoopsFan]

Amazing how some posters can morph a sterling tribute from our new assistant coach to what I am now reading.

Pitiful.

God is great. Beer is good. And people are crazy.

 

[The SHUttle]

But what's the price of the pretzels to go with that beer?