BasketBall Connect

Personal Coaching Philosophy

By Steve Mergelsberg

Coaching is much more than just following a set of principles or a well-established program. Coaching is interaction in young people’s lives. The athlete who comes into the weight room is the same person who is a student, a family member or friend to someone. They are the same person in all areas of their life. The same personality, ideals, character, flaws, and struggles. It is the responsibility of the coach to help his players make right and mature decisions in all areas of their lives. To develop character, discipline, self-motivation, self-worth and an excitement for life.

To achieve this objective you must raise the standard that they and others have set for themselves. Then help them reach for those standards by developing appropriate relationships with them that are based on respect, care and character. When character development is the foundation for your program, athletes will get the most out of their athletic experience. And, the interesting thing is when that happens; you also get the most out of your athletes and their training, for that is what champions are made of.

The most successful coaches are not necessarily the ones who win the most games. Coaches who have successful experiences focus on team cohesion. The desire to see the athlete learn and the ability to effectively improve their skill is the key to an effective coaching program. I am committed to using all of my knowledge, abilities and resources to make everyone on my team successful. My focus is to promote an atmosphere of teamwork, mutual respect, and commitment. By achieving this we will be successful, and we will also win.

Steve Mergelsberg has over twenty-two years experience coaching on the interscholastic and professional levels. He is currently an assistant coach at Rutgers-Newark, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ