Coaching Styles... More than One Way to Achieve Excellence

Scott and Tagg Bullock

As I Travel across the country, I have the invaluable and life-changing chances to meet people of all ages, genders, beliefs, professions, hobbies, etc... it is truly a gift of the highest quality on this earth. I have met hunting and fishing guides who are the cream of the crop in their industry. I have met a man who ran USA Gymnastics and turned our countries program into THE elite program in the world. I have met teachers and bankers and on and on. 

But the people that may be as impressive as any is the small group of elite coaches I run into. It is an interesting study as to why some are extremely successful-I define successful coaches as ones that win, actually coach, teach kids on and off the field, live their lives as exceptional role models for their kids and help produce and pass on their kids to the next level - and some struggle in one area or another.

The elite coaches take on the responsibility of running a program, not just coach a team. The differences between the two are as different as a Brandon Webb sinker and a Aroldis Chapman fastball. Running a program entails "living your program". Coaching a team requires showing up at the proper time and hanging out with the boys for a few hours.

The successful coaches do have some common traits such as organizational skills, motivational skills and of course, baseball or softball knowledge and teaching skills.

Two extremely successful coaches I have run into are Scott Bullock of Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins, Colorado and Tagg Lain of Cheyenne, Wyoming's American Legion Ball club, Post 6. Between the two, they have won about 25 state championships in the last 20 years. They are both young men, in their early to mid forties. THESE GUYS ARE FLAT OUT GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO!

But here is the interesting part... they are good friends, grew up near each other, both were excellent players... but their coaching styles are as similar as the Yankees history versus the Cubs history. They are opposite in many ways, yet create almost identical results.

They both have all the needed qualities I mentioned above to run a program. But they are different, very different in their approach to getting the most out of their ball clubs...which they do every year.

Coach Lain is already a legend and if you know him, you know what I am talking about. I call him the "John Wayne of Baseball". His numbers are ridiculous...cartoon like. He wins, he produces college and professional players and also produces great kids who become men under his tutelage.

He is one tough dude... physically, mentally and emotionally. And he coaches like he is one tough dude. Some people would call it "old school". When you graduate from the Post 6 program, you are ready to take on life. He is tough on the kids, but in a way that tough kids love it and "soft" kids either become tough kids or end up leaving the program. He expects you to play and practice hard and smart EVERY day. Not unreasonable...as a matter of fact, isn't that how you are supposed to do it? 

I know it is 2015 but athletic's are one of the purest platforms we have left to teach youngsters character traits that might be disappearing in our country to some degree; teamwork, competing, preparation (Coach Bullock is the best prepared High School Coach I know), getting up when you get knocked down, handling tough and pressure filled situations, etc. Coach Lain tells you how it is...if you do well, he praises you, if you don't he tells you it was not up to his standards. Refreshing to me in 2015 where we give kids trophies for participating? Are you kidding me?(Different subject for a different time)

Coach Lain is a master when it comes to getting his team ready for play and his kids ready for the world! Is he tough on them? yes. Does he expect them to compete like their lives depend on winning each game? yes. Does he bump or cross the line from time to time? yes (so do 99% of persons of excellence). Would I want my son to play for Coach Lain... ABSOLUTELY YES!

Coach Bullock has lead his Lobos to 5 or 6 of the latest Colorado State Championships. As with Coach Lain, Coach Bullock not only wins but he produces player after player that goes on either collegiately or professionally. 

Scott has a more subtle approach. Don't get me wrong, he is extremely intense but somehow translates that into being or saying something positive 99% of the time. His kids love and respect him. Scott is a teacher, a motivator and is very, very well prepared. 

Looking out at the 3rd base coaching box, you can't tell if the Lobos are up by 5 or down by 10. Constant, consistent, positive messages are always coming from the King of Colorado coaches. He is slightly obsessive about tradition, organization and doing things the "Lobo way" which is part of "living the program".

Coach Bullock, as does Coach Lain, gets the most out of his kids on and off the field. 

Would I want my son to play for Coach Bullock? ABSOLUTELY Yes!

So which way is better?

It is like choosing between watching Miguel Cabrera or Mike Trout take batting practice. Either one works... either one is exceptional ... and both are winners on and off the field.

Tagg Lain