“You Only Lose When You Quit!”
What happens when you make a major mistake that negatively affects both you and those whom you lead?
Do you acknowledge it publicly, taking responsibility for the mistake? Do you stay silent hoping it will blow over, or that your involvement will never be discovered? Or, do you make it worse by lying about it, even repeating the mistake?
Please allow me to share short story..
Prior to leading a college basketball team Coach B served as an assistant coach at Boston College, Stanford, and Iowa. His first head coaching job was at Southern Indiana where in 1995 his team won the Division II national championship. In 2001, Coach B became the head coach at Milwaukee where his teams had 4 winning seasons earning a berth in the NCAA tournament. He was on track to lead a Division 1 team.
In 2005, Coach B was recruited to lead the Tennessee basketball program. Under his guidance, Tennessee achieved a 145 – 61 record, making the NCAA tournament in all 6 seasons. The team was ranked as a #2 seed twice. Plus, they were 1 point away from reaching a Final 4 Championship. During his 6 years at Tennessee, Coach B won the hearts of the fan base and had terrific success in recruiting top talent for the team.
In 2008, Coach B violated NCAA recruiting rules by hosting some high school juniors at his home for a barbeque. As is the case in many mistakes, the cover-up was worse than the violation. He lied about this event, hoping to cover it up. 2 years later, one of those players who was at the barbeque shared this event with the NCAA. In September, 2010, Coach B admitted what he had done. However, in the same month, he violated the same recruiting rule. He was suspended for 8 conference games in the 2010-2011 season. In the NCAA tournament, Tennessee lost in the first round, 75-45 to Michigan. Coach B was fired. The NCAA suspended him from all recruiting for the next 3 years.
In 2014, with 3 months remaining on his suspension, another SEC university took a chance, hiring Coach B. Over the last 7 winning seasons, each with 20+ wins, Auburn has won the SEC regular season twice and the SEC tournament twice. In 2019, Auburn played in the Final 4 NCAA tournament. Coach B is Bruce Pearl. His current Auburn team is ranked #1 in both the SEC and the NCAA.
What can we learn from this true story? (1st) The penalties for dishonesty can be quite severe. (2nd) When you make a mistake, admit it, and own it. {3rd) The cover-up is always worse than the original mistake. {4th} Do not allow your mistakes to define who you are nor prevent your future success.
Remember that the biggest lie is the one you tell yourself. That includes thinking you can cover up your mistake. Thinking that you won’t be found out. Thinking that it won’t change your life if you are found out. If you make a mistake, admit it, own it, and ask for forgiveness. If the worst happens, then start again with the tools God gave you. He deserves your best. And, so do you.
“You Only Lose When You Quit!”
That is today’s Morning Minute.
