If You're Not Getting Coached Up Like This, It's Because Your Coach Knows You Don't Have It In You
I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but I feel like the tides are finally starting to shift. 5 years ago, this moment between Maryland head coach, Brenda Frese, and Oluchi Okananwa would have completely blown up. There would be 7 different programs on ESPN all leading their show with why Brenda Frese needs to be fired. It wouldn't matter what was said, or what type of relationship this coach and player have been operating with all season long. People would have seen this clip on social media, and immediately rushed to get her fired.
But the pendulum is swinging back in the right direction, and I think most people realize that this is exactly what great coaching looks like. It's intense, it's fiery, but it's all rooted in believing in the athletes and just wanting/demanding the best out of them.
"I need you to lock in and stop being distracted. Right? I believe in you, but you've got to want this moment. This is not my story".
People see a player getting chewed out on the sidelines, and they think the coach is just being a dick to be a dick. But the best coaches and best players know that the most important thing is what is being said, instead of how it's being said.
You want to know who isn't getting chewed out on the sidelines like this? A player who the coach has zero faith in whatsoever. If you're not getting coached up like this, it's because your coach knows you don't have another gear to get pushed into.
It's great to see an athlete like Oluchi Okananwa respect and appreciate that style of coaching. Even after a tough loss against North Carolina when it's easy to just be pissed off about everything. Great coaching, great response by the player, shitty result for the Terps. But that's the way she goes.