In the “HOF Insights”, I ask a group of successful, veteran coaches to share their thoughts on a variety of topics. Each week, I ask a different question. The questions can be focused on helping coaches, parents or athletes to have a more successful athletic experience.
For this post, I asked coaches what are things they picked up from their mentors and important people in their lives. What were examples that these mentors set that impressed you, and/or what were words of wisdom that they shared.
Kimberly Barth- Washington
You can't control the officials, the other team, the outcome, or what other people think. You can control your preparation, your effort, your attitude, and how you respond.
Whether you're coaching, leading, or spending time with your family, be present. Don't let what's coming next prevent you from appreciating where you are right now.
“At the end of the day, they may not remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel.”
That applies to coaching, education, leadership, parenting, and life.
Mike Tracey- Alleman, UTHS
Many of the points that made an impression on me were made by people and coaches who I cannot remember their names.
Little League baseball:
“Use your eyes and ears more than your mouth.”
“ You’re never always right and you are never always wrong. Just play as hard as you can.”
Say “thank you to your coaches and players.”
“No excuses.”
My parents gave me many nuggets of wisdom:
“You’re the oldest of six kids. Take care of your brothers and sisters. “
“ They do anything wrong, we are blaming you.” This was not debatable.
Ralph Gallo- Richwoods
One of the first things I learned in life was to have a great work ethic. My father was a tool and dye worker who put in 55 hours a week to make our family comfortable. He would work 10 hours a day on week days and 5 hours on Saturdays. He still found time to attend our activities.
Mary Kay Hungate was great at keeping her emotions in check. Her halftime talks were always even keel. I guess when you win 198 out of 204 games you can stay even keel.
Wayne Hammerton was great at adapting his game plans to his talent.
Probably the most impactful advice was listening to John Wooden at a clinic when he talked about his pyramid of success. I went over this with our teams. The base of the pyramid is what everything is built on. The base consists of hard work, respect for teammates, loyalty to yourself and all that depend on you, cooperation and enthusiasm. The rest of the pyramid is built on that foundation.
John Gross was great at making in game adjustments. He was always prepared to make a change if needed.
Watching other coaches I learned to pick and choose your battles with officials. A coach who constantly complains won't be heard when it matters.
One thing I learned from all my experiences is to be yourself. Don't try to be something you're not.
Evan Massey- Galesburg
Kelly Kane- “When you discipline players, don’t do something you wouldn’t be willing to do to the starting quarterback.”
My Wife- “As a coach, you make enough people upset with you accidentally, don’t do it on purpose.”
My Brother- “When an administrator asks you what you need to work on to improve, tell them you need to do a better job alphabetizing your files.”
Mike Owens- “Head coaches can’t just show up 5 or 10 minutes before practice starts, you always want to be the first one there.”
My Wife- “If coming into shoot on their own is important, you can’t tell them that you can’t make it today when they ask to shoot.”
Clinic Talk- “You are never as bad as you think when you lose, and you are never as good as you think when you win.”
Clinic Talk- “Shooting makes up for a multitude of sins.”
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Past articles in the HOF Insights series….
HOF Insights- Coaching Panel
Bob Anderson- Williamsfield (Boys Basketball) Retired
Bob is retired as boys basketball coach at Williamsfield. At a school of only 89 students, in 45 years, his teams won 732 games along with numerous tourney and conference championships. His 1997 team made it to the Elite 8.
Kimberly Barth- Washington (Girls Basketball) Retired
Coach Barth, a State Championship coach whose passion for the game began at a young age, inspired by her father and coaches who help shaped her love of the game. In her 10 years at Washington varsity head coach, she earned 8 IBCA COY Awards. In 2025 the Panthers took 3rd in State, and in 2026 they won the Illinos State Championship. While her accomplishments speak to her success in the court, her greatest impact has been developing young women through the game she loves- teaching them to compete, lead, persevere and believe in themselves.
Greg Bennett- Lewistown (Football, Track, Girls Basketball, AD) Retired
Jay Hatch- Alleman, Riverdale (Softball, Basketball) Active
Coach Hatch has won 4 State Championships- 1 in Girls Basketball and 3 in Softball. In 32 years coaching at West Des Moines Valley (Ia), Alleman, and Riverdale, has a record of 651-351, has won 19 Regionals, 8 Sectionals, 3rd in State (2002) and 1st in State (2005). Jay is in the IBCA Hall of Fame and the Alleman HOF.
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