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Tulsa Head Coach John Phillips Press Conference Quotes
4/9/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
April 9, 2001
"This is obviously a fun time for me and my family. I'd like to thank Judy (MacLeod) and Dr. (Bob) Lawless for having enough faith in me to be able to fulfill this job. I told them during the interview, I knew what this job was about and I probably know more than anyone what a great job it is. For them to put their faith in me and give me this opportunity, I'll forever be indebted. I told Dr. Lawless when I left the room that day that he would never regret this hire and I truly believe that."
"My life has been about coaching for so long, I don't really think I know anything else. I wasn't a very good player in high school, but I even thought back then about being a coach. The true inspiration for me was Coach Joe Shoulders, who was my coach at (Tulsa) McLain High School. He was very innovative, but the most important thing I learned from him was how to treat people and how to treat players. I've always tried to follow his lead when it came to that-treat players with respect, to be very demanding and to be a person they could look at and respect back as well."
"Let me address one thing when it comes to this particular job. I know there are some people who have addressed the fact that I have not been in a recruiting capacity and it's a concern to some. I want everyone to understand that I've been recruiting basically my whole life. Where I came from and what I was about was about recruiting loyalty and friends. I approach recruiting a little bit differently. My approach in recruiting is that parents and recruits will understand that I'm very sincere, honest and trustworthy. To me, those are personality traits that my father told me were important and they are not old school any more. I think parents and recruits want to know when they come to a place, they'll be treated fairly by somebody they can trust and who is honest. I guarantee I have a tremendous product here to sell. There is no doubt in my mind nobody can sell it better than me."
"I told the team last night and I truly believe this from the bottom of my heart, from this day forward the program, after we win the NCAA championship, the things we will discuss when we come back is the team and the players. And it will be that way from this day forward. I make that pledge."
"Coaching this team will be a different role for me when I coach them next year. But I feel very comfortable when it comes to that. I think they know I'm prepared to take them to the next level and I think they have the utmost confidence in my abilities. We can make the adjustment from me being an assistant coach to a head coach, there's no doubt in my mind. I not only appreciate their support, but the support of everybody in this room. I truly, truly mean this: I will always make you proud that I'm in this position."
