I had heard of the 2005 movie about Coach Ken Carter, but must admit I never watched it. “Coach Carter” starred Samuel L. Jackson, and was the true story of the great success achieved by Coach Kenny Ray Carter, basketball coach at Richmond High School in Richmond, California.
Carter became famous for closing down the basketball program (with the team being at 25-0) until his players’ grades improved. He stood firm in his pledge, despite intense pressure from administrators and parents.
Carter’s plan worked. Players’ grades improved in line with Carter’s expectations, and play resumed. See bit.ly/coachcarternews. And their grades remained high. Other challenges came from some players’ involvement with drugs, but he helped them find the right path. One of the most troublesome player/students went on to become a doctor.
Carter was a keynote presenter at the recent PHCCConnect 2023 in sunny Cleveland. His multi-directional message was so inspiring. We’ve all heard similar messages at shows, but Carter’s was the best I’ve heard in a long time related to endurance and getting along with people.
He began with a look back at his childhood in Macomb, Mississippi, growing up with seven sisters and one brother, and very little money. “We were so broke, when we passed the bank, it set off the alarm, he joked. “No matter how hard my mom and dad worked, we just barely had enough.” He wrote his mother a note at age seven, telling her that someday, there would be a movie about his life, and he would be so successful he would be able to buy her a house, and she would never cry again over not having money. That note is framed, and on the wall of the house he did eventually buy her.
Carter spoke of being ready to play this game called life. “You may have difficulties in life, but there’s opportunities to do better. All you got to do is hang on. And the way you hang on is with better knowledge. Knowledge is not power; power is the execution of the right knowledge. You’ve got to be a lifelong learner.”
Carter was known for his use of pushups as a disciplinary measure. Players who didn’t meet his expectations on the court, or who messed up off the court toiled through thousands, in some cases tens of thousands of pushups. A gripping scene he showed during his presentation involved all players doing pushups for teammate Cruz, who was struggling to finish thousands, but couldn’t go on. One by one they got down on the gym floor and began serving Cruz’s punishment.
Pushups were included in Carter’s presentation, when he realized two in the audience were unaware of his record of 25-0 for their first 25 games. Following the plot, they were each allowed to delegate someone to do their 10 for them.
“You got to be ready to have fun with this game called life. You got to be ready to play this game called life. play this game called life.”
In your lives as managers, Carter said, you’ve got to meet people where they are. “Sometimes that’s what great leadership is all about. You don’t have to have the heavy hand all the time. Leadership is about where you meet people, how you meet people, and always being respectful. Being respectful was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. No matter what situation you’re in, or what you’re going through, is could be winter for you, but you got to remember springtime is coming. But if you don’t till the soil, guess what? You’re going to harvest if you put in some work.”
Carter continues to help young people succeed. His Coach Carter Impact Academy in Marlin, Texas is open to about 150 students in grades 8-12. Its mission is to build self discipline and academic excellence.
Near the conclusion of his presentation, Carter revealed that a sequel, “Coach Carter 2” was going to be made. I’ll try not to miss that one.