This is from another sport. But it's about the essence of coaching. In the mid 90's Harry Sinden, GM of the Bruins was attempting to lure legendary college hockey coach Jack Parker away from Boston University to coach the Bruins.
Harry Sinden: I liked everything about him, especially his character.”
Ironically, that’s what sank Sinden’s chances.
Parker had taken his seniors to lunch.
“It’s something I like to do, just to thank them for what they gave BU and me,” he explained. “I said, ‘Fellas, you know I have a big decision to make. So let’s go down the line; I want each of you to tell me what I should do and why.’
“One said, ‘Hey, Coach, you’ve been here almost 25 years.’ I said, ‘Yeah, that might be a good reason for leaving, but it might be a good reason for staying, too.’ Another said, ‘You’ve won championships,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, but we can always win more.’ And of course someone mentioned the money; I said, ‘Yeah, but I’m doing OK; I’ve got my boat and I’m happy.’
“Finally I told them, ‘Guys, you don’t get it. The best part of my job isn’t that you played for me this year, or that we had a great season together.
“ ‘No, the best for me will be running into you 10 years from now, maybe when you and your wife are pushing a stroller down the street, and I hear, ‘Hi, Coach!’ The Bruins can’t give me that, and, for me, that’s what it’s all about.’ ”
And that’s why Jackie Parker didn’t have to win Saturday night to be a winner here.
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By the way if anyone is into hockey and didn't see Saturday night's championship, it has to be shown sometime soon as an ESPN instant classic. BU was losing 3-1 with a minute left and won in overtime.
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