Legendary Coaches: Pat Summit

We’re in the middle of a series of posts with quotes from the We Are Marshall DVD, specifically the legendary coaches special feature. So far, we’ve posted quotes by Jack Lengyel and Bobby Bowden.

Next up, Pat Summit, who has had an incredible coaching career, coaching women’s basketball at the University of Tennessee. Pat Summit made a couple great statements. “You want to win … you gotta roll up your sleeves, and you gotta work.” (Summit)

On initiative and hard work …

What I think we have to do as coaches is, we have to be ready to say, ‘This is not going to be easy. You want to win, and you want to win a national championship, then you have to understand, you gotta roll up your sleeves, and you gotta work. And no one else can do that for you. You must do it for yourself. And kids coming in today, it is, it’s about instant gratification. Well, it’s not happening. You make it happen.

On fear of failure …

Sometimes people are–they hesitate to go for what they want for fear of failure. I’ve never been afraid of failing. I’ve always focused on the end result.

Fear of failure keeps so many people from making an effort. But that’s the only sure way to ensure failure. You gotta take a risk!

For more on the movie, go to the We are Marshall page at imdb.com. Also, check out our review of the movie.

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