Time-Out Feature: How to Get Your Team Focused on Academics

Southwestern College head coach Matt O'Brien shares insight on building a strong academic culture in the Fall 2016 issue of NABC Time-Out Magazine.

The following interview article appears in the Fall 2016 edition of NABC Time-Out Magazine. To read the full Fall 2016 issue, click here.
By Matt O’Brien, Southwestern College
Getting your team to focus on academics is a tough task for many college and high school coaches. During my seven years as a head coach at the college level, I have learned that the key is providing our players with the information as to why their grades are so important.  There are a variety of ways that you can communicate that information, but communicating that information is paramount.  Our administration, faculty and fans all want a program that they can be proud of both on and off the floor, and motivating our players to understand that is a key component to having a successful program.
 
It has been said by many coaches, “You are what you emphasize.”  I address the team a few times every week formally in the locker room about their academics and their future.  Even more powerful than this are the conversations I have with my players on a daily basis about their upcoming assignments and tests.  I make it a point to look at their syllabus, put their tests on my calendar, and make sure I tell them good luck or ask them how they did.
 
I also give them the gpa they need to obtain in order to be recognized by the institution, the conference and nationally.  It is amazing how many players strive to achieve a 3.5 gpa for a chance to be an Academic All-American.  I make sure each player that achieves academically is praised and receives as much attention as possible via our website, local newspaper and other campus media.
 
Another great way to motivate is through a team incentive of some sort.  If we achieve a 3.0 team gpa, they will receive new uniforms.  I have found that even 21- year old college players get excited about this. We have over-spent our uniform budget in the last two years but having our players develop a culture of “getting it done” in the classroom is well worth it. 

 
Study hall has also been successful for our team.  We meet once a week for one hour and 30 minutes.  All freshmen are required to attend, as well as anyone who has below a 3.0 gpa.  We have found it to be amazing the extra effort some of our players will give to ensure they have a high enough gpa so they may have back their Sunday nights and study at their own leisure.
 
In addition to study hall, our players are required to complete grade check sheets throughout each semester.  We usually try to limit the grade checks to twice per semester, keeping in mind that our faculty can be overwhelmed if we are constantly requesting information on our athletes. Along with their current grade, we want to know a few key things about each student’s progress in their classes.  Have they submitted all of their assignments?  In most situations, if the player has not completed an assignment we will give him a deadline to complete the task, with consequences if that deadline is not met.  Have they missed or have been tardy to any classes?   When a player is struggling in a certain class, our staff will make contact with that instructor to monitor his progress more carefully.

 
Assistants can play a huge role in monitoring academics.  I am blessed with a hard-working staff that understands the value of academics, as well as the work ethic needed to keep our players accountable.  They want them to succeed just as much as I do.  This really helps in developing a winning culture for our program.   This spring my assistant coach who monitors study hall was eager to calculate the team gpa,  especially after all of his hard work with monitoring study hall, distributing grade check sheets and following up with instructors throughout the entire year. He  has “skin in the game.”   Our entire staff feels equally responsible for each player’s development on the court and in the classroom. 

 
At the high school level, I would suggest working with the players to determine their goals.  Do the research to find out what the admission requirements are at the schools they are interested in.  It could also be really beneficial to find a local college coach to talk to your team about the importance of academics. 

 
I am fortunate enough to work for a president and athletic director that not only value our on-court performance, but appreciate the effort and diligence that it takes to succeed off the court.  I want our players to understand that we have a continuing responsibility to create an atmosphere of excitement around men’s basketball and also a responsibility to be a part of the total picture of Southwestern College, with strong academic and athletic performance.  Our coaching staff works hard to ensure that each player reaches their full potential at Southwestern, not only as basketball players, but as young men.