Every Team Leaves a Clue

I just had an awesome 7-Minute Clinic interview with Kevin Grimes, coach of the Cal Men’s Soccer team.   The first words out of Kevin’s mouth were, “Every team leaves a clue”.  I’d never heard this line before.  I was instantly intrigued.

I caught Kevin coming off a very UP and then a very DOWN season.  He and his staff are right in the middle of completing their post-season evaluation.  This is not some chit chat over a beer.  The coaching staff conducts a top to bottom review of the previous season – what worked, what didn’t and what was missing.

Kevin’s theory is that every team leaves a clue behind during the season and a thoughtful post-season assessment can uncover such clues.

Coach Grimes’ enthusiasm for the meticulous hunt of the tiniest clue is remarkable given the recent roller coaster season.  The Bears started out on fire – taking Maryland, the defending national champs down to the wire and winning seven out of their first nine matches.  Kevin was pumped.  He had his best team ever off to their best start ever.

Then the injury bug hit.  The Bears lost player after player to injury.  They won only two of their last nine games.

At a time when many coaches would be feeling sorry for themselves, Coach Grimes is sifting through the ashes.  He’s in search of that one gem that will make his program stronger and more resilient next season.

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