Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.
(originally published on January 1, 2015)
It’s the first day of the new year. This is a day of new beginnings. It is a day that gets people thinking about change. I went to the gym this afternoon for my normal exercise session. There were a number of new people there that I haven’t seen before. I think this will become the new normal…at least for a month or so. New Year’s resolutions abound. Promises are made. Commitments are revealed.
(originally posted on May 22, 2015)
In the last issue of THE ENCOURAGING LEADER, we highlighted some of the best books to help you become a better leader. This issue’s theme centers around quotes. We asked a number of leaders to write about their favorite quote and what it means to them.
The new leader of Marion Giants athletics brings collegiate-level experience and a vision for maximizing student-athlete potential, supporting coaches, and generating community excitement.
Jamy Bechler will take over as director of athletics at Marion High School starting June 2. He was approved by the Marion Community Schools Board of School Trustees during its regular meeting on May 14.
(originally published on December 19, 2013)
Today I read an article by a financial “expert” saying that people should not listen to Dave Ramsey and his financial advice because people’s lives are too complex and important to be boiled down into short cookie cutter answers or platitudes. Unfortunately, many other financial analysts have also had problems with his method of advising people on how to be financially successful.
written by Wade Neely for www.GoRedHawks.com – originally published on December 16, 2013PULASKI, Tenn. – In addition to guiding his squad to one of the best starts in program history this season, RedHawk Women’s Basketball head coach Jamy Bechler recently made program history on a personal level as he became the program’s all-time winningest head coach earlier this season.
While watching ESPN’s 30 for 30 entitled “Broke”, I heard Herm Edwards say “Every goal needs to have a plan or else it’s just a wish.” The context was regarding athletes and the way they handle money, but I thought it was a perfect quote for more than just money. [Read more…]
“Success is a Choice” … I first heard this phrase when Rick Pitino wrote a book that had this as the title. It is one of the best quotes I have heard. In fact, I have borrowed it as the primary motto for my basketball program over the years. It goes on all of our letterhead, locker room posters and motivational pieces. In general, every person has the choice of how they act and behave.
The following excerpt is from Bill Plaschke’s article in the L.A. Times (originally posted on March 31, 2013) about Kirsten Moore, the head women’s basketball coach at Westmont College. She recently led her team to the NAIA National Championship. This story is an amazing example of perseverance and overcoming adversity. Kirsten is a first-class individual and is well-respected in the coaching profession. She certainly has a bright future ahead of her in the coaching world, but as you’ll see from Plaschke’s great article, it is her past which fuels her present and future.
It has often been said that “Defense Wins Championships”. In fact, I previously wrote a post that talked about it. As a college basketball coach, I am certainly aware that there are a lot of factors that work together to contribute to a team winning a game and eventually a championship. However, I am convinced that defense is the most prevalent common denominator when it comes to successful teams. As I recently served on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Basketball Tournament Committee, I got a first-hand view of the importance of defense (originally posted on March 30, 2013). 
(originally published on March 20, 2013)
This is the time of the year when there are a lot of open basketball coaching positions. Most good athletic directors should have some kind of a working list of potential replacements if they should ever have an opening in one of their sports. Yes, they can accept resumes but they should have some names and ideas of people that they might want to go after. This is the same whether you are a DI athletic director or a small college athletic director.