Jan. 28, 2002
by Tom Musgrave – Host Communications
The office belonging to UK head basketball coach Tubby Smith is decorated the way one might expect it to be. There are team photos, sports memorabilia, family photos, a few awards here and there. One artifact stands out, though. Behind Smith’s desk, nestled in a corner, is a real shepherd’s crook – the kind you see every year in church Christmas pageants or nativity scenes. The crook is tall – even towering over Smith – and made of strong metal. After holding it, even the most casual observer would surmise it would take a great deal of strength to break the shaft in two.
The shepherd’s crook was a gift from former UK basketball player Cameron Mills and his current partner in lay ministry Johnny Pittman. They presented it to Smith in front of his players, noting that it was a symbol of his job as head coach – to watch over his flock.
When asked about the crook, Smith will enthusiastically explain its symbolism and the parallels between sheep herding and coaching. “This hooked end was used to pull the sheep out of the brush if they left the flock,” Smith said. “You could also use it to beat the wolves if they try to get to your sheep. And on occasion you’ve got to keep the sheep in line.”
It’s a simple comparison, but one that Smith takes to heart. The fact that the shepherd’s crook is displayed so prominently in his office is a testament to that.
But the comparison ends there. Most shepherds don’t live in the fishbowl that is the Kentucky basketball program. They aren’t under the microscope on radio call-in shows or in sports columns. But to hear Smith talk about coaching, you’d have to say to yourself “that guy’s got the best job in the world.”
“Probably the most rewarding thing about coaching is the relationships you develop with the players,” Smith said. “Watching them mature, grow, become productive members of our society, take care of their families and become successful. Also helping staff members – whether they’re assistant coaches, managers, graduate assistants – reach their dreams or goals or becoming whatever they want to become: doctors, lawyers, coaches.”
He takes the same approach to parenting as he does coaching. Along with his wife Donna, Smith has raised three sons – G.G. (24), Saul (22) and Brian (17). All three are or have been basketball players and G.G. and Saul have played collegiately under their father. Perhaps that’s why there seems to be so many parallels for Smith when it comes to parenting and coaching. “I’d say the responsibility is the best part of being a parent,” Smith said. “Knowing that someone is looking up to you and counting on you to give them guidance, love, support and the nourishment they need to grow and become special. We think all kids are special and every parent thinks their kids are special. They are, and they should be treated that way.
“As a coach, I try to treat all my players the same way I treat my sons,” he added. “As a parent, you’ve got a responsibility to teach, guide and help (children) make the right choices – help them grow intellectually, emotionally and socially. And you have to help them understand what love and care means. The only way to do that is to show them.”
In separate interviews this season, a sampling of UK players have used the words “father figure” to describe Smith, making the parallels between his parenting and coaching philosophies no surprise. The consensus seems to be that, while Smith is tough, he’s the kind of coach a player will give his all for.
Not that he’d let them give anything less. To say that Smith is a vocal leader would be an understatement. Smith is intense – another popular word his players use to describe him. But his intensity isn’t born of anger or hatred. Even if he has to give one of his players a good “dressing down” from the sidelines, Smith keeps it under control.
His intensity comes from a love of competition. Put him in any sports situation and he’s in his element.”You fall in love with competing,” Smith explained. “I’ve always enjoyed it whether it was kickball, dodgeball, baseball, tennis and football. I’ve played it all and pretty much coached it all. I love sports. It could be bowling, it could be darts, I just love the environment. Something about competition is sacred.”
While he may feel comfortable on the sidelines of just about any type of athletic field, Smith’s respect for the sport of basketball springs from the quick pace, increased player interaction and real need for teamwork. “Basketball, probably more than any other sport, is more hand-to-hand combat, more contact – literally flesh on flesh – than any other sport,” Smith said. “In my opinion, it’s a more intimate sport because you know, and can feel, where you are in the midst of that competition. You know whether you’re being dominated or whether you’re dominating. “It’s immediate – either the gratification or the agony – in basketball versus some other team sports.”
As such, the game requires a lot of teamwork between players, which includes verbal cues, non-verbal communication and just plain instinct, based on knowing what your teammate will do in a given situation. “You have to instill that (in players) a lot because our society is such a ‘me’ society,” Smith said. “Even though our communications have improved, we’re still very distant. I try to help our players bridge that gap, come closer together. Not that I’m going to get someone to give up more than they have to give up. I’m just trying to help them come up to this level. That’s where we try to teach our players they’ve got to help their teammate raise their level of play so we can have a successful team.”
Once things click with the team, Smith said the most important thing is finishing what you start.”You’ve got to last,” he said. “If you don’t finish, you can forget about winning. If you don’t complete the drill, if you don’t finish the assignment, if you don’t complete the play, you’ll never have a chance of being successful. “I think that’s why we finish strong, why we win,” Smith added. “We teach our players not to give up. If you’re thinking ‘I’ve got to hurry and get done,’ that’s the way you’re going to play. You have to play like you can play all day and last longer than you need to.”
And Smith, the ever vigilant shepherd, makes sure his flock makes it through the night successfully.
“The game is never over,” Smith said. “Let’s finish the game the right way. Starts are good. Everyone wants a good start. What’s more important is: did you complete it?”
