Chop Talk: Ouch!
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Last week, we walked into a buzz saw named Virginia Tech. Coach Nachlas had his team better prepared to play than I did mine. It was great being 13-0, since it was the first time we had ever achieved that accomplishment. Last week, however, we didn’t lose, we got beat. They were quicker to the ball and played with more passion than we did. My hat is off to them.
Now what? For those of you that have never coached, I want to be the first to tell you that losses have a far more negative effect on the coaches than wins have a positive effect by a power of 10. Other than a few fleeting moments, my memories from any of our victories over the years are vague; however, I can recall almost every detail of our losses. Coming out of a loss, I feel personally inadequate and question everything I have done up to that point: did we practice too little, did we practice too much, did I prepare them mentally as best I could, should I have installed a new offense? The list goes on.
I am sometimes tired after a victory, but I am always exhausted after a loss. The exhaustion will usually last at least 48 hours. The elixir is practice and another game on which to focus. I know we can get better and play better. Now that the time of the year is upon us when every victory counts even more, we must perform at our highest level of the season.
This week we end our regular season in Gainesville against University of Florida. The atmosphere will be electric, and I am looking forward to this competition more than any other game of the season. A lot is riding on this game for both teams, as it has significant playoff consequences. At this moment, both teams have their destinies in their own hands.
I love this stuff…this could give Chris Mathews tingling up his leg…
Bill Harkins started coaching back in 1967 in a summer league. He has coached at the high school level and has been the Head Coach of Florida State since 2004. He also is an assistant coach for the German National Team.
