We Speak Coaches
“Be Different, Be You”: Coach Ty’s Mission To Build Men, Not Just Wins
For Coach Ty, basketball is more than a sport, it’s a lifeline, a classroom, and a calling. From being saved by the game as a young man, to now guiding others through it, he’s built his coaching career on purpose and passion. Whether he’s leading his team through adversity, or encouraging a player in an one-on-one conversation, Coach Ty brings authenticity, heart, and a drive to develop better athletes.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Coach Ty.
Coach Ty, What first inspired you to become a coach?
I was inspired by the desire to give back through the game of basketball. This sport saved me from a lot of trouble, and coaching became a way for me to return that blessing. I want to guide others through the same path that once gave me direction.
What’s the most rewarding part of coaching for you personally?
The most rewarding part is watching these young athletes grow not just in basketball, but as young adults. Seeing them become better people, students, and leaders off the court is what keeps me going. That development means more than any win.
How do you define success beyond wins and losses?
Success to me is about growth and learning from every experience. If you can take something away from each situation and avoid repeating negative patterns, you’re already winning. It’s about constant progress, not just the scoreboard.
What’s one lesson your players have taught you?
My players have taught me patience,real patience. I’ve learned that mistakes are part of the journey and not the end of the world. They’ve shown me how important grace is during development.
How do you help your athletes grow as people, not just players?
I focus on teaching them right from wrong and how to trust their conscience. Life is full of choices, and I want them to have the tools to walk away from anything that doesn’t serve them. The game is temporary, but their character lasts forever.
Share a moment that truly moved you during your coaching career.
One moment that really stuck with me was watching my players go up to college coaches at a live period and introduce themselves. They came back proud, bragging about getting numbers or business cards. It showed me how confident and hungry they were for the next level.
How do you keep your team motivated during tough times?
I remind them that no matter how bad things feel, someone out there is going through worse. Encouragement and perspective go a long way. We lean on each other and keep pushing forward together.
What’s your favorite team tradition?
My favorite tradition is how we hype each other up. We bring that energy every single day and act as each other’s biggest cheerleaders. That kind of love fuels us.
What’s something your players might be surprised to know about you?
Most people don’t know that soccer was actually my first love. Before basketball, I was out there kicking a ball and dreaming differently. It’s a big part of my athletic roots.
What’s the proudest moment you’ve experienced as a coach?
Seeing my players grow into respectable, confident young men is my proudest achievement. It happens day by day, and I notice the little changes. That transformation means everything.
How do you handle pressure and expectations as a coach?
I leave what I can’t control to God. I focus on doing my part. I show up for my players by being present. That faith helps me carry the load.
What’s a fun ritual or superstition you have before games?
Before each game, we huddle and pray together as a team. Sometimes a player will dunk after warm-ups, and the rest of the squad jumps around in hype. It sets the tone.
How do you stay connected with former players?
I check in with them on social media and keep in touch by calling them. It’s important to me that they know I’m still in their corner. Our relationship doesn’t end when the season does.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to young coaches just starting out?
Stay consistent in everything you do. Be true to the kids you coach and hold yourself to the same standard you expect from them. Your example speaks louder than your words.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I want people to say Coach Ty really cared deeply. Whether I coached you or just talked with you, I hope you felt that I wanted the best for you. That’s the legacy I’m building.
How has coaching shaped you as a person?
Coaching has kept me grounded and focused. Knowing I have young men looking up to me keeps me away from the wrong paths. It gives my life purpose beyond the game.
How do you handle the emotional weight of being a role model for young athletes?
I live by the same expectations I set for them. If I want them to be great, I’ve got to model that in my own life. Being that example helps carry the responsibility.
What’s your coaching philosophy?
Never quit, outwork your opponent, and keep the energy sky-high. Be the biggest dog on the courtmentally and physically. That mindset makes all the difference.
Can you share a game that changed your life as a coach?
Honestly, every single game changes me. Just getting the chance to be on the sideline and pour into these athletes is life-changing. Win or lose, I’m grateful every time.
What’s the most unexpected moment you’ve had as a coach?
Getting a phone call from one of my players saying they’d been shot was heartbreaking. That moment reminded me how real life can get outside of the gym. It shook me and fueled my mission even more.
What’s the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from a certain loss?
Losses don’t define you, they teach you. Let it sting, let it humble you, but make sure you learn from it. Growth is born in those tough moments.
How do you nurture leadership within your team?
I push them to treat each other like family first. Leadership starts with how you care for those around you. If you lead with love, the rest follows.
What is one piece of advice you constantly repeat to your team?
Stay together and bring energy ,on the court, and on the bench. No matter what, we ride for each other. That unity wins games.
Do you have a signature phrase or principle?
“Be DIFFERENT. Be YOU.” That’s the standard. I tell them to never try to fit in when they were made to stand out.
What is the toughest coaching decision you ever had to make?
Letting a player go from the team was one of the hardest decisions I’ve faced. You build relationships and want to help everyone. But sometimes tough love is necessary.
How do you stay current with the game to keep evolving as a coach?
I still play and study the game daily. Watching how it changes helps me adapt. You’ve got to stay a student if you want to teach.
What would your players say about you as a coach?
They’d all probably have different things to say, but I hope they’d agree I’m loyal and true. I care for them deeply and want what’s best for them. That’s my heartbeat.
How do you want to be remembered as a coach?
I want every player to know I had their back. That I showed up, stayed real, and never stopped believing in them. That’s the mark I hope to leave.
Have you earned any championships, awards, or honors during your coaching career?
Yes, I won back-to-back championships at Hillsdale Baptist during the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 seasons. I was named 2nd Team All-American and still hold the school’s record for most assists in a single game with 13. That chapter of my life taught me how to win and lead.
Whether you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or sports fan, I’d love to hear from you. Have a story idea? Want to collaborate on coverage? Looking to feature your team or athlete? Use the form below to get in touch.
We Speak Coaches
Building Champions On and Off the Court: The Heart and Dedication of a True Basketball Mentor
Coaching is more than just a job; it is a calling fueled by passion, purpose, and a deep desire to make a difference. For this coach, every practice and game is an opportunity to shape lives, build character, and inspire the next generation both on and off the court. Driven by the memories of mentors who guided him and a commitment to give back, he does not just teach basketball skills; he teaches respect, resilience, and belief. His greatest joy comes from watching young athletes grow into confident leaders, proving that coaching is truly about molding people, not just players.
What first inspired you to become a coach?
I was inspired to become a coach because I wanted to help the youth. Coaching is my way of giving back through basketball and repaying the coaches who supported me throughout my own basketball journey.
What’s the most rewarding part of coaching for you personally?
The most rewarding part of coaching is making the players believe in themselves and in each other. Seeing their confidence grow both on and off the court is what drives me every day.
How do you define success beyond wins and losses?
Success to me is about growth. It’s not just about winning games, but about improving from season to season—not only in basketball skills but also in attitude and character.
What’s one lesson your players have taught you?
My players have taught me the importance of always showing them that their coach believes in them. That belief is what fuels their motivation and effort.
How do you help your athletes grow as people, not just players?
I emphasize respect constantly. We talk about how you have to be respectable and give people something to respect. When they’re off the court, I encourage them to carry themselves with maturity and sense.
Share a moment that truly moved you during your coaching career.
One moment that really moved me was seeing a kid who couldn’t even walk with a basketball transform into the man on the court. Witnessing that kind of growth is incredibly fulfilling.
How do you keep your team motivated during tough times?
I remind the team that we are a family and families go through ups and downs. I encourage them to keep pushing forward because things will get better if we stay united.
What’s your favorite team tradition?
After every game, our team does 24 push-ups. It’s a tradition that builds discipline and reminds us to keep working hard.
What’s something your players might be surprised to know about you?
My players might be surprised to know that I wish I could have them all live with me. That way, I wouldn’t have to worry about them when I’m not around.
What’s the proudest moment you’ve experienced as a coach?
One of my proudest moments was starting DFEelite alongside CEO and Coach Tweezy. Building the 14U team has become like a family to me.
How do you handle pressure and expectations as a coach?
I handle pressure by focusing on growth and staying grounded. I trust the process and refuse to let outside expectations distract me from helping my players develop.
What’s a fun ritual or superstition you have before games?
Before each game, we clap our hands together and say, “We want all the smoke.” It fires us up and builds team energy.
How do you stay connected with former players?
Social media helps us stay connected and keep our relationships strong even after they leave the team.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to young coaches just starting out?
I tell young coaches to coach their players hard on the court but always show them love off the court. That balance builds trust and respect.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I hope to leave behind a legacy where DFEelite continues to support the Richmond community by helping kids grow through basketball and mentoring.
How has coaching shaped you as a person?
Coaching has given me the chance to share my knowledge of the game and help younger players develop. It has made me more patient and dedicated.
How do you handle the emotional weight of being a role model for young athletes?
I try to put myself in their shoes and always remind them that I’m tough on them because I care. Being a role model means balancing discipline with genuine concern.
What’s your coaching philosophy?
My coaching philosophy is simple: keep working and stay locked in. If you do that, the results will come.
What’s the most unexpected moment you’ve had as a coach?
One of the most unexpected moments was watching a quiet, overlooked player suddenly step up and lead the team when no one expected it. It reminded me that potential can come from anywhere.
What’s the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from a certain loss?
I’ve learned that sometimes losses teach you more than wins ever could. It’s about how you respond, how you lead, and how you grow afterward.
How do you nurture leadership within your team?
I nurture leadership by giving players responsibility and encouraging them to lead by example. True leadership is about actions, not just words.
What is one piece of advice you constantly repeat to your team?
I always tell my team that if they put in the work in the gym, the results will show up on the court.
Do you have a signature phrase or principle?
Yes, my signature phrase is: You can be a dawg, but make sure your teammates are dawgs too. It’s about building a strong team culture together.
What is the toughest coaching decision you ever had to make?
The toughest decision was releasing a player because we couldn’t manage the situation with the parents. It was a difficult choice but necessary for the team’s wellbeing.
How do you stay current with the game to keep evolving as a coach?
I stay current by constantly studying and watching the game. Basketball is always evolving, so I make sure to evolve with it.
What would your players say about you as a coach?
My players would say I’m tough on them but that I love them. They know my discipline comes from a place of care.
How do you want to be remembered as a coach?
I want to be remembered as a coach who really cared about his players—not just on the court, but in life.
Whether you’re a coach, athlete, parent, or sports fan, I’d love to hear from you. Have a story idea? Want to collaborate on coverage? Looking to feature your team or athlete? Use the form below to get in touch.
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