A continuing feature at Outside the Huddle during basketball season, we will connect with area coaches on occasion to get their takes on big wins, huge matchups upcoming and more.
This preseason, we wanted to learn more about some area coaches before their seasons got going. For today, tracked down Churubusco boys basketball coach Gabe Garman.
Q: What first inspired you to become a basketball coach, and how has your coaching journey evolved over the years?
I have been blessed to be coached and mentored by some great coaches throughout my playing and coaching career. In fact, both of my high school coaches I played for, I now consider my friends. When I got into college, and began to reflect, most of the men that I respected, helped shape me into the man I am, and had an impact on my adult life were a lot of my former coaches. That realization is what propelled me to purse education and coaching high school basketball.
I am a very competitive person, and I hate to lose. That will never change. But, as a young coach, I know I probably wasn’t a very good coach. I lacked some coaching knowledge, but mostly I wasn’t a great communicator. Over the years, I’ve learned that, for the most part, high school kids want to please their coach. And, I believe the players are under more stress than me, since they are the ones playing the game on the court. I am not perfect by any means, but I try to be a great communicator and help to instill confidence in my players to perform on the court. But, the thing that has helped me grown the most as a coach and with my competitiveness is my Faith. I’ve grown to realize, at the end of the day, it’s just a basketball game, and I’m pretty sure God doesn’t care all that much about a basketball game.
Q: Who have been some of the biggest influences on your coaching philosophy, and what lessons have they left with you?
As stated earlier, I have been fortunate to be around a lot of great men and coaches throughout my life. However, both of my high school coaches: Kent Lochmueller and Rob Irwin had great influence on me as a young man. Then, as a coach, getting to work alongside Glenn Heaton, Trent Lehman, and Marty Beasley at different points in my career, helped develop my own coaching core values that I hope to pass along to the young men that play for me.
Q: How would you describe your coaching style — both on the court and in how you lead your players off of it?
I don’t know what my “style” is…probably a better question to ask my players, I’m sure they could tell you! But, my Dad raised me to value hard work, discipline, and commitment to the people you are connected with. As a coach, I want my players to display those qualities on the court, in the classroom, and in their relationships with their peers, families, and adults in their life.
Q: What’s one lesson or philosophy you try to emphasize to your team every single year, regardless of wins and losses?
Simply: Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together. Do those 3 things with a great attitude, and try to get 1% better at them each day.
Q: How do you adjust your coaching approach based on the strengths and personalities of each year’s group?
Probably one of the most challenging parts of high school basketball is competing with the cards you are dealt. Program-wide, including youth, junior high, and high school teams, terminology and specific offensive and defensive fundamentals are vital to success. However, and especially at a small school, creativity and putting my high school players in the right spots to be the most successful, ultimately helping our team to do the best, is a new process every year. Thankfully, I’ve hired some great and knowledgeable assistants that are a huge part of that process.
Q: What were the main areas of focus for your team during the offseason, and how do you build up those plans each summer?
We have a lot of guys this year with very little varsity minutes played. Also, we will not have a lot of size. Since June, our team’s focus has been putting our players in as many live playing situations as possible, as well as working on our strength and physicality to help us defend and rebound at a high level.
Q: Looking long-term, what do you hope your players take away from their time in your program — as athletes and as people?
I am grateful that I get to lead the Busco Boys Basketball Program, and I thank the community and all our boys basketball sponsors for their generosity and support. My prayer and hope is that, my small sliver of mentorship in the life journey of the young men that play for me, will have a positive and lasting impact on them in their adult lives.
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