MGoBlue.com Summer Sessions: Head Coach John Beilein
7/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 27, 2011
Each weekday in the month of July, MGoBlue.com will feature an interview with a U-M head coach. Wednesday's (July 27) interview is with men's basketball coach John Beilein, who discusses what makes July an extremely busy month, how he got the money to go to a basketball camp, and his golf game.
What makes the summer in men's basketball so unique?
There are a lot of unique situations, but July is the one month of the year where you are virtually out of the office working the entire month. There are always challenges with travel logistics, camp schedules, and we don't get to see the players on a regular basis, but we have a wonderful staff that work together to make sure all of our bases are covered. The biggest hurdle while out recruiting is keeping in touch with our players who are here in summer school. We do the best that we can.
Why are the summer months so important to the development of your team?
There is an old adage that teams are made during the season and players are made during the summer. We have a great group of guys who really understand what our program is about, and they continue to work together and teach each other during this time when we're not allowed to have formal practices or "coach" our players. Having self-starters is essential to development, and thankfully we have that.
What do you see as the team's biggest strength heading into next season?
We have really grown as a group over the last several years and we understand what it takes to win. We will continue to remind the players of the little intangibles that made them special last year, but I think they have an appreciation for our success and are eager to succeed even further this upcoming season.
What was your first summer job? And where?
I wanted to go to a basketball camp. Back in 1969 it cost $125 to attend the camp, so I had to raise the money. I did three things. First, I picked strawberries. Second, I transplanted cabbage plants. And finally, I picked cherries. That's how I made the money. When I got paid, I would go straight home and put it in a big jar. After many weeks of hard work, I had $125 and went to my first basketball camp!
Do you or did you have any special travel plans this summer?
We really enjoy going up north. We're getting to know different areas around Michigan. This summer we're going to travel around the north between Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor and Traverse City. Growing up on Lake Ontario, I have a great appreciation for the Great Lakes and just how wonderful they are, especially in August. We're really looking forward to some family time in northern Michigan.
Since your season ended, what is one unique thing you have done?
I played golf and kept score for 18 holes. It wasn't even a scramble. It was a friendly game with my son and son-in-law, just the three of us. We actually kept score, which I haven't done that in over 20 years. I'm not going to disclose who won, but it was a good time. I actually broke 100, which I don't recall doing that before, but thanks to some tremendous coaching lessons from (U-M men's golf coach) Chris Whitten, I was able to break 100. I might even try it again next year.
Past MGoBlue.com Summer Sessions
• Head Women's Gymnastics Coach Bev Plocki (July 26)
• Head Men's Gymnastics Coach Kurt Golder (July 26)
• Head Ice Hockey Coach Red Berenson (July 25)
• Head Women's Tennis Coach Ronni Bernstein (July 22)
• Head Field Hockey Coach Marcia Pankratz (July 22)
• Head Women's Basketball Coach Kevin Borseth (July 21)
• Head Men's Lacrosse Coach John Paul (July 20)
• Head Wrestling Coach Joe McFarland (July 19)
• Head Women's Track & Field Coach James Henry (July 19)
• Head Women's Golf Coach Cheryl Stacy (July 18)
• Head Rowing Coach Mark Rothstein (July 15)
• Head Women's Swimming Coach Jim Richardson (July 14)
• Head Volleyball Coach Mark Rosen (July 13)
• Head Men's Soccer Coach Steve Burns (July 12)
• Head Women's Cross Country Coach Mike McGuire (July 11)
• Head Men's Cross Country Coach Alex Gibby (July 11)
• Head Women's Soccer Coach Greg Ryan (July 8)
• Head Men's Tennis Coach Bruce Berque (July 7)
• Head Men's Track & Field Coach Fred LaPlante (July 6)
• Head Water Polo Coach Matt Anderson (July 5)
• Head Men's Swimming & Diving Coach Mike Bottom (July 1)
