Introduction
Rising to the top of one’s profession is no small feat, but it becomes even more impressive when done against all the odds. One such inspiring story is that of Greg Lansing, a successful college basketball coach, who spent years fighting and clawing his way up the ladder to achieve his dreams. Despite all the challenges, setbacks, and obstacles that came his way, he never gave up on his aspirations. The steadfastness and determination of his character set him apart from others. In this blog post, we will explore the incredible journey of this amazing coach, uncovering the secrets to his success and what sets him apart.
The Early Years
Greg Lansing was born on March 30, 1967, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and grew up in a small town called Malcom. He attended HLV High School, where he played basketball, leading the team in scoring in his senior year. Lansing went on to attend the University of South Dakota, where he walked on to the basketball team. He earned a starting spot in his junior year and led the team in assists in both his junior and senior years. Upon graduating, he joined a team in Germany for a year before returning to the States, where he started his coaching career as an assistant coach at Wartburg College.
Breaking into Division I
After six years as an assistant coach, Greg Lansing’s big break came in 2000 when he was hired as an assistant coach at Indiana State University. Lansing worked under Royce Waltman, who was the head coach at the time. After four years as an assistant coach, Lansing was promoted to associate head coach in 2004. Later on, in 2010, when Waltman retired, Lansing became the head coach of the Indiana State Sycamores. Lansing’s hard work and dedication paid off, and he enjoyed a highly successful ten-year stint with the Sycamores, leading them to four postseason tournaments.
Bouncing Back from Adversity
Even the most successful people face setbacks and adversities on their journey to the top, and Greg Lansing was no exception. During the 2015-16 season, the Indiana State Sycamores had a disappointing season, finishing with a 15-17 record. While many head coaches in his position would have been fired, Lansing bounced back and led the team to 11 and 18 wins in the following two seasons. This was a testament to his resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The Importance of Hard Work and Discipline
Lansing’s success can be attributed to his habit of hard work and his unwavering commitment to self-discipline. He credits his disciplined approach to his Marine Corps father, who instilled the values of hard work and discipline in him from a young age. Lansing believes that success is the result of consistent and persistent hard work. He stresses the importance of owning up to one’s mistakes and learning from them rather than making excuses.
Developing Strong Relationships
Greg Lansing is known for his excellent interpersonal skills, which he developed over the years as a player and coach. He stresses the importance of building a strong rapport with his players, staff, and other coaches. Lansing’s players respect him and trust him because he invests time in developing strong relationships with them. This has paid off in the form of better teamwork, greater performance, and mutual respect.
The Importance of Goal Setting
One of the secrets to Lansing’s success is his emphasis on goal-setting. Lansing sets very high standards for himself and his team. He attributes his success to having the discipline to set and follow through on his goals. Lansing stresses the importance of developing a roadmap towards success and regularly tracking progress towards achieving one’s objectives. He believes that goal setting is the key to staying focused and motivated, even when the going gets tough.
The Importance of Adaptability
Lansing’s success in coaching can also be attributed to his ability to adapt to changing circumstances. He believes that the best coaches are those who can adjust to the needs of their players and the game. Lansing’s coaching philosophy is centered around the “next man up” mentality. When a player is injured or misses a game, the next player has to be ready to step up to the plate and make a difference. This adaptability has earned Lansing the reputation of being a versatile and flexible coach.
FAQs
Q1: What is the coaching philosophy of Greg Lansing?
A1: Greg Lansing’s coaching philosophy is based on hard work, discipline, building strong relationships, goal-setting, and adaptability. He believes in setting high standards and working consistently towards achieving them, while always being adaptable to changing circumstances.
Q2: What sets Greg Lansing apart from other coaches?
A2: What sets Lansing apart from other coaches is his unwavering commitment to self-discipline, hard work, and adaptability. His excellent interpersonal skills, ability to build strong relationships, and goal-setting strategies are the other factors that set him apart.
Q3: How does Greg Lansing build strong relationships with his players?
A3: Greg Lansing invests time in developing strong relationships with his players and staff. He emphasizes the importance of building trust, respect, and rapport with the players by spending quality time with them, asking them about their lives, and understanding their needs.
Q4: What is Greg Lansing’s approach to adversity?
A4: Greg Lansing believes that adversity is a necessary part of the journey towards success. He bounces back from setbacks by acknowledging his mistakes, taking ownership of them, and learning from them. Lansing’s resilience, perseverance, and adaptability have allowed him to overcome setbacks and emerge stronger than before.
Q5: What is the importance of adaptability in coaching, according to Greg Lansing?
A5: According to Greg Lansing, adaptability is crucial in coaching because it allows the coach to adjust to the needs of the players and game. The best coaches are those who can handle changing circumstances, the next man up mentality.
Q6: What role does goal-setting play in Lansing’s coaching strategy?
A6: Goal-setting is a vital component of Lansing’s coaching strategy. He believes that setting high standards and following through on them consistently is the key to success. Lansing emphasizes the importance of developing a roadmap towards success and regularly tracking progress towards achieving objectives.
Q7: What values did Greg Lansing’s father instill in him?
A7: Greg Lansing’s Marine Corps father instilled the values of hard work and discipline in him from a young age. These values became an integral part of Lansing’s character, influencing his coaching philosophy and approach to life.
Conclusion
Greg Lansing’s journey is an inspiring testament to the power of hard work, self-discipline, adaptability, and the importance of building strong relationships. Through his unwavering commitment to excellence, Lansing has become one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. If there’s one takeaway from Greg Lansing’s story, it’s that with the right mindset, dedication, and work ethic, anything can be achieved. And now, dear reader, it’s your turn. Use Lansing’s story as inspiration to achieve all that you are capable of and push your personal and professional limits to accomplish great things.