Nice Guys Don’t Finish Last

(St. Louis, MO) – Ricky Byrd is a contradiction for our times. He is a throwback and not just on Thursdays. In an era when college basketball coaches are more CEO and Madison Avenue than just ‘coach’, Byrd still wears his sweater vest, cares about kids and wins games.

Last week, this classy man picked up his 700^th coaching win. 608 of them with Belmont University. He is one of three active head coaches with 500 or more wins at their current school. Under his leadership the Bruins have won five straight regular season conference championships.

Byrd trails Duke’s Mike Kryzewski, Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Bob Huggins (West Virginia), Roy Williams (North Carolina), Bo Ryan (Wisconsin) and Rick Pitino (Louisville) on the all-time wins list.

In his typical, humble way, Byrd, talking to the “The Tennessean” deflected the praise after the 700^th win.

“The best part about it for me was seeing our players and fans and my family was there and how they were excited for me and all of that,” Byrd said. “That’s by far was the best part.”

As he has said all along, Belmont has been a good fit for him and the university has always been growing and improving.

 

Ohio Valley Conference coaches respect their rival. Murray State’s Steve Prohm says Byrd’s team plays the right way and reflect the solid values of their coach.

 

Others are heaping praise on 34-year-veteran of the coaching circles. Vanderbilt Head Coach Kevin Stallings told foxsports.com ”There is no finer gentleman in the game and not a better coach at any level than Rick Byrd. He has a tremendously creative mind on offense and his teams constantly play to their fullest potential, and that’s the mark of any good coach.”

Former Belmont star Drew Hanlen’s first thoughts after hearing about the 700^th win was, “I’m old! I was a part of #600 and I can’t believe he’s won that many game since I’ve been gone.”

Hanlen went on to describe his former coach. “Coach Byrd’s two greatest strengths are that he genuinely cares bout his players, his staff, the program, Belmont University AND that he’s a relentless competitor. He raises everyone’s competitive spirits and gets everyone to buy in to the mission of winning a conference title.”

Byrd is both confident and affable. He is humble and yet determined. His players matter to him both as players and as human beings.

Eastern Illinois’ Jay Spoonhour grew up in a coach’s home and says Byrd and his teams, always reflect the right kind of values and approach to the game.

 

“I think Coach Byrd’s consistency on the court is a direct reflection of his approach to life. He is a very simple guy that sticks to what he knows and loves,” said Hanlen. “He loves his wife, his kids, his staff, his players, Belmont University, golf and winning.”

Austin Peay’s Dave Loos is closing in on 400 wins with the Governors and 500 victories overall, just wanted to congratulate Byrd on his great accomplishment.

 

In an era of skepticism and concern about integrity in college sports, Hanlen, who is an NBA skills coach and consultant, says Byrd has a positive effect on those around him.

“He loves to win as much as anyone I’ve ever met. His competitive nature and passion uplift everyone in the program and he betters every player that is a part of the program, both on and off the court.”

And he has 700 intercollegiate wins.

Do Good

 

(Featured image courtesy of www.belmontbruins.com)