It seems like very few coaches get to walk into great situations when they take over a job. The job is often open because something was not going well. For the NBA’s 
Charlotte Bobcats, that is an understatement! They set a new record for worst winning percentage in NBA history (and I really respect Paul Silas). Maybe it’s because they are in my home state (North Carolina) or because my childhood hero (Michael Jordan) nows owns the team, but I think this job has potential. I’ll never forget when the NBA first came to North Carolina and many experts said it wouldn’t work in a college-crazy state, but it did until some bumbling ownership soured things to the point that the Hornets left town.
“There is nothing I can do for Mike Dunlap, but he was willing to reach out to me anyway. This is a great example of coaches helping coaches and expecting nothing in return.”
Now, after an extensive search the Bobcats hired a star in coaching circles, but a unknown coach to many fans- St. John’s assistant coach Mike Dunlap. He has NBA experience as an assistant and head coaching experience at lower levels (including two DII National Championships), but no NBA head coaching experience.
Earlier this year I got to hear Mike speak at the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) Convention at the Final Four, and I was as impressed with him as any basketball speaker I have ever heard. I loved his rapid-fire, no-nonsense presentation. You could see and feel his passion for the game and for playing the game the right way. One thing is certain, this guy knows how to coach basketball.
I was also very impressed because although almost every speaker says to contact them if you have any questions, it seems rare that they actually mean it. I was pleasantly surprised when Coach Dunlap immediately responded to me to answer some questions I had for him. It is even more impressive when you consider that there is nothing I can do for Mike Dunlap, but he was willing to reach out to me anyway. This is a great example of coaches helping coaches and expecting nothing in return. We need more of this in the profession!
Coach Dunlap has three videos available through Championship Productions (Two on the 1-1-3 Matchup Zone Defense and one on Transition Offense). You can get them by clicking this link Mike Dunlap DVD & Videos. Already have them? Then let us know what you thought!
St. John’s Head Coach Steve Lavin had this to say, “The Johnnies basketball family is ecstatic for Coach Dunlap’s opportunity. Mike’s selection as the Charlotte Bobcats’ head coach is a well-deserved honor. To make the unprecedented jump from college assistant to NBA head coach is testament to both Mike’s abilities as a teacher and our basketball program’s marked improvement over the past 27 months” on RedStormSports.com.
To read a recent article about Coach Dunlap’s thoughts on the upcoming NBA draft click the link below.
Until next time, Coach ’em up!
Hal Wilson
After coaching and working with basketball teams at the college and high school level in a variety of roles for 18 years, I have returned to finish my Ph.D. in Kinesiology. This www.CoachingBasketballWisely.com website is a way to share the coaching tips, strategies, and techniques gathered in a career in coaching. See more info on me here. Please sign up for our free newsletter at the top right of the page.
If you like what we do PLEASE leave us a rating on iTunes & sign up for our free newsletter at the top right.
Click a Button to Subscribe to the CBW Podcast:
Our Coaching Basketball Wisely podcasts are way to help basketball coaches of all experience levels learn how to coach basketball, and how to coach basketball better, faster! Whether you are a youth basketball coach, a middle school basketball coach, a high school basketball coach, a college basketball coach, or a professional basketball coach we all need to keep learning! If there are particular basketball coaching tips or topics that you would like to see covered in future episodes please let us know!!
