What Frank learned from Cael - great lessons re: mindset
- Thread starter GogglesPaizano
- Start date
Building a dynasty is not only about collecting great wrestlers like certain fan bases would like you to believe. There are many programs that are loaded with talent who either never win a title or win far less than maybe they should considering who was in their lineup.
To win in the manner that Penn State has done over the last decade you need to not only develop these great wrestlers, but figure out how to get them to perform at their absolute best when the biggest moments arrive.
Clearly this is no easy feat when you consider the emotional and physical toll of tournament wrestling and the wildly different personalities that you are dealing with on a team. When all is said and done, Cael will be viewed in the same class as coaches like Wooden, Walsh, and Jackson who were viewed as masters of psychology in their sports.
To win in the manner that Penn State has done over the last decade you need to not only develop these great wrestlers, but figure out how to get them to perform at their absolute best when the biggest moments arrive.
Clearly this is no easy feat when you consider the emotional and physical toll of tournament wrestling and the wildly different personalities that you are dealing with on a team. When all is said and done, Cael will be viewed in the same class as coaches like Wooden, Walsh, and Jackson who were viewed as masters of psychology in their sports.
I totally agree with you, but in all fairness, you have to include Gable in that list too. He had an instinct for knowing how to get the best out of his teams just like the others who you named. It would be interesting to hear from someone who is really in a position to know, where Gable and Sanderson are similar and where they are different in respect to getting the best out of their wrestlers.
The results are similar, but I think it's documented enough to say the methods are not. Gable was all about toughness, and knowing you can go deeper than anyone else. Cael is more like Phil Jackson, in his lighter touch, and overall philosophy of competition.
FYI - I saw something with Gable that I never forgot. At the awards ceremony for the 1988 NCAA tournament, when an Iowa wrestler stepped on the podium for his medal, Gable was always waiting to personally congratulate him afterwards. He would walk with his wrestler and talk to him, most likely saying something very personal. He stayed with each guy until they reached the Iowa section in the arena and then he stood with his guy while the Iowa fans cheered. He was the only coach that night who did that, and it really left an impression on me.
