Blue Collar Basketball was at Miller Grove's Thursday 5:30am practice. Yes, that's right, 5:30AM. Miller Grove has started the season 3-0, coming off a Tuesday OT win at SW Dekalb. We visited with head coach, Sharman White, afterwards to learn more about the man behind Miller Grove Basketball. White came to Miller Grove in 2004 from Carver High School where he led them to a 2003-04 state runner-up finish. Miller Grove enters this season as the favorite in Class AAAA, coming off three straight State Championships.
BCB: Blue Collar Basketball
SW: Sharman White
BCB: How did you get started in Coaching? Always know you wanted to coach?
SW: "I coached middle school for six years and was a varsity assistant at Therrell High School. I then became head coach at Carver where the team was 3-17 the year before. We lost in the state championship in 03-04. I knew since I was a little kid that I wanted to coach."
BCB: Where do you draw most of your coaching influence and philosophy from?
SW: "I get my philosophy from John Wooden. I like John Thompson, Bobby Knight, Coach K. Tactically, I would say Wooden and a blend of a lot of different coaches. I apply it to my personality and depending on the talent of my team."
BCB: What do you like your teams to be known for? If asking your players, what would they say you are about on the court?
SW: "Defense! It's what team basketball is about. Glory is in scoring but defense embodies the team. It takes a team. We talk about having 'five on a string'. We say, 'If we score, we might win. If they never score, we never lose."
BCB: How do you feel about this year's team?
SW: "Love this team. Teams have been different. Results been the same. This senior group has endured the most. They've had a taste of it all. This team could be the most garnered team we've had here."
BCB: Coaching, particularly in-season, can be very demanding of your time. How do you find balance between your job and personal (family) time?
SW: :"One of the most challenging things. My wife tells me in a supporting way 'what you care about you will make time for'. It's a partnership - buy in from both sides. I'm big on family."
BCB:What has been your favorite coaching memory?
SW: "Most defining memory - losing state championship. Favorite memory is probably the third state championship last year. We had to overcome lot of adversity - losing Henry Brooks in the quarters."
BCB: What do you love most about coaching? Dislike the most?
SW: "It's a ministry - happen to be coaching. Being around young people. I'm very fortunate and blessed." Dislike - "That one day when I can't do it anymore."
BCB: What attributes do you like the most and value the most in a player?
SW: "Naturally, talent. But also, the will to want to be successful. Competing, hard work, and commitment."
BCB: Has your coaching style/philosophy changed over the years? If so, how and why?
SW: "I've gotten softer - rolled with the flow of kids. Kids aren't perfect...you have to grow. It's like what Bobby Bowden said, 'the easy thing is to kick a kid off the team when he makes a mistake'. You've got to grow."
BCB: You have had the opportunity to coach some really good players here. What qualities do the good or great players posses?
SW: "The will to be the best. Don't stop till you get to the top [mentality]. And that's in every aspect."
BCB: Thanks Coach for your time and sharing with us some insight into the Miller Grove basketball program. Good luck in the upcoming season and the continued success.
Stay tuned for our next installment of Blue Collar Basketball Interviews
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