Chapter 10
Set High Team Goals While Motivating on an Individual Level
No Two Players (Just Like No Two Employees) Are Exactly Alike
Arriving at Michigan State
I was excited and energized about the challenge of coaching at Michigan State; however, I knew that my first priority after saying yes to the job was taking care of Jack. I was determined not to make some of the mistakes I had made after Maddie was born, primarily not rushing immediately back to working full-time.
My eight years of head coaching experience at Maine made me much more comfortable in transitioning to Michigan State. I was confident in my abilities to coach, and I knew what was involved in rebuilding a program. I knew I would feel comfortable coaching in the Big Ten because of my experience playing in the league myself. I was familiar with the schools and the towns; I didn’t see my move to East Lansing as anything less than a tremendous opportunity.
As any couple that has gone through a job change and relocation knows, this is not a simple process. Once again, however, I had the advantage of being married to a great husband who took care of most of the details. While I was home recuperating in the month after Jack was born, John and his great friend, Stan Bagley, went to East Lansing, found us a house, bought it, and arranged our move. I didn’t even see a picture of it, but I had that kind of faith and trust in John. This was an example of the confidence John had in himself, as well as a testament to his ability ...
