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Coaches Corner interview with new Watertown Girls Head Coach Pat Ferdinand
We recently caught up with new Watertown Girls Coach Pat Ferdinand to ask him some questions for the Coaches Corner. Coach Ferdinand takes over a Watertown program which had a nice run under Coach John Rimas, but struggled last year to a 7-13 season. The loss of Fairfield recruit Brittany Obi-Tabot will make the transition tougher, but Beantownhoops has full confidence that Coach Ferdinand will build a successful program for the Raiders.How did you get started in coaching high school basketball?
Coaching a travel team while in college at the Waltham YMCA about 8 years ago, then started coaching aau for Mass Wildcats. I was hired by Cambridge School of Weston as the JV coach, on the first day of practice the Varsity coach quit. I had two teams at once and made things work the first part of the season. I called up a good friend of mine Tom Glynn (current Umass Lowell assistant coach) who coached the JV team. We built up the program and had some great success.
What is the most enjoyable thing about coaching?
I coach a wide range of ages and abilities from 3yr olds to college students. It all comes down to watching players develop, learn and feel confident about their game. It’s also a joy to drill and teach defense and watch your team lock down opponents.
What do you consider to be the toughest part about coaching at the high school level?
Players bringing bad habits, it may be about basketball or life.
What changes need to be made to high school basketball in Massachusetts to make it better?
More kids playing and receiving quality instruction at an early age.
Which coaches have influenced your style or philosophy?
My high school basketball Coach Berry , track coach at Waltham High Dan Keohane, Coach Julie Plant from Regis College, and I would say Billy Donovan.
Tell the readers of Beantownhoops.com something that many people don’t know about you.
When I was younger my mom forced me to play the violin, did it about 5 years and I’ve got a pet cat named Panthro from Thundercats.
What's new in the coaching world? PerfectPractice.net's daily thought
It's what great players do
It is my belief that in addition to skill development, individual development of players involves developing their mindset and mental toughness.Most players are willing to give a second effort and that is what your opponents will give too. What separates the great players and teams is the ability to consistently give the third and fourth efforts or as many efforts as it takes to make the play.
Strive to make it a mindset in your program that second efforts are expected and reward and praise the third and fourth efforts as those are what lead to never giving up.
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