Home: Winston-Salem, NC. Age: 57. Birthplace: New York, NY. Profession: College coach. Organization: Wake Forest University. Title: Head baseball coach. Significant other: Single. Alma mater: Georgetown University (finance); George Washington University (MBA).
Current project: Get in the Game nonprofit. Recent recognition: Surpassed 900 career wins; coaching for the U.S. Collegiate National Team this summer. Latest accomplishment: Son recently engaged; both children gainfully employed and thriving. Latest contribution to others: Fifth annual KEDD event for Get in the Game. Hobbies: Hiking, golf, exercise. Recent travel or adventure: Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington. Last book read: All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. Recently viewed and recommended: Bad Monkey. Recent unique acquisition: Golf simulator.
Personality profile: Be humble, be kind, always be a gentleman. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Loyal. Moral compass: What would make my mom proud. How do you define a perfect friendship? Challenging each other every day and making each other better. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Mutually beneficial. What is your greatest joy? Seeing my players and children grow into the best versions of themselves. What is your greatest fear? Disappointing those I love. What is your guilty pleasure? Iced tea with Sweet’N Low. What word or phrase do you use far too often? It is what it is. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? School teachers. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel and experiences (sporting events, concerts, etc.). What is at the top of your bucket list? Hike Kilimanjaro. How do you relieve stress? Exercise. What is your go-to workout? Peloton, Hydrow, treadmill. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Good company, walking distance to restaurants and shopping.
What was your first paying job? Working on a playground. What was your favorite college course? Philosophy of Ethics. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Big Wheel. What book have you repeatedly read? Legacy, by James Kerr. What movie have you repeatedly watched? My Cousin Vinny. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Pictures of my kids. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Coach Dee Dee Osbourne. What’s the best advice you received growing up? You can accomplish anything you dream of. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Be yourself. What is your favorite app? Teamworks. What is your go-to source of news and information? Internet. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? My children and my players. What company or organization do you most admire? Wake Forest University. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? Hurricane Katrina. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? My divorce.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
More one-on-one meetings.
What change would you like to see in the world? Pay teachers more. What message do you want to send out into the world? We are in this together. What widely held belief do you reject? Today’s young people don’t work hard. What mega-trend most excites you? Making mental health a priority. What mega-trend most concerns you? NIL in college athletics.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Living the dream. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? George Clooney. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Babe Ruth. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? Major League Baseball player. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Pictures of my kids. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my kids on the golf course. What advice would you give your younger self? You can’t please everyone; stop trying. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? Beating LSU in Omaha. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? The time right after Hurricane Katrina.
Personal mission: Do more, be better. Personal motto: Be humble, be kind. Favorite quote: “People will forget what you said and did, but never how you made them feel” (Maya Angelou). Desired epitaph: He was a great dad and a man for others.
