Michael Tillery.com

University of Arkansas: Stan Heath

February 15, 2006
by Michael Tillery

Coach Heath, I'm Michael Tillery from www.Blacksportsnetwork.com. First, I would like to congratulate you on building what should be a promising career. We at BSN would like to thank you for the opportunity of granting us this interview.

Michael Tillery: My goal as a sports writer is to help change the perception of how the media scrutinizes cutting edge role models like yourself. Your story and others that are similar should get the lion share of attention. Why do you think this presently isn't the case?

Stan Heath: Well, I think you find in sports and other professions that networking, relation building can get you where you wanna go. A lot of times you can build relationships with people that can help you. It can help you get a job. It can help how in terms of how they project your image on TV or in the newspaper. When you have those kind of people in your corner, you are constantly getting positive information. When you don't and nothing is said, or a little bit is said, then there's scrutiny. That's why most coaches are advocates to make sure there's objectivity, there's fairness, and also you need to have people that are promoting you. It enhances your program, your energy. These are things that create a more level playing field in sports.

Michael Tillery: Arkansas has had a solid season overall (15-6 overall) what can you attribute to the success of this years team?

Stan Heath: I don't think we are there yet. We have had some games that clearly have gotten away from us. A couple of really close games that we could've easily be considered a top 25 team right now. We are solid. We are in a situation to where we can control our destiny. Our kids have matured through the years. They've gotten better. Our recruiting has been solid. This is the year we feel like we have a chance to make some noise, to continue to get strong as we go down the most important stretch of the season.

Michael Tillery: As the son of former Hog great Ron Brewer how does young Ronnie Brewer's talent affect your team?

Stan Heath: Very talented player. He definitely is the guy that makes us go. He's having a very strong junior season he's our leading scorer and the leading scorer in the conference presently. He's the guy that has a lot of ability to do so many things out there on the court. He's a good sport he makes plays for his teammates. He gets his hands on the basketball and creates some defensive steals. He's one of the better rebounding guards in our conference as well. His strength is his versatility. He's raised his level of play each year that he's been in the league, and that's a credit to how much work he's put in.

Michael Tillery: What did you learn from Coach Tom Izzo and what has that meant for you from a Coaching as well as personal standpoint?

Stan Heath: Tom gave me a great opportunity. We had tremendous success. Those were some of the most exciting times in my life. We go to three final fours and win the national championship. We had a chance to coach some great players. Like Mateen Cleaves, Jason Richardson, Zach Randolph and Morris Peterson. Those kind of guys. I give Tom a lot of credit for giving me a lot of responsibility, an opportunity to do a lot of things out there to improve myself as a basketball coach. It definitely was a big part of my life, it opened up some doors for me to go to Kent State and now to be the head coach of the University of Arkansas.

Michael Tillery: You came into a program under a somewhat difficult situation. What was the first thing you needed to establish at the University of Arkansas?

Stan Heath: Well, I think the first thing we need to do is to create a positive environment. Again, when we started the program it was difficult because of what we had to follow. Rightfully so, there was a great coach that was here, that did incredible things. That put this program at the highest level of college basketball. When I took over the program we weren't there. Because of how big the program became, our fans want that again. We've been challenged to get our program back to that top status of college basketball and that's what we are pushing for and will continue to work as hard as we can. We will also do the other things that are really important in a program. Be a positive impact on our students so they grow as men. Make them understand the value of an education as well as using basketball as a vehicle to do great things.

Michael Tillery: Do you feel Coach was treated fairly by the University of Arkansas?

Stan Heath: You have arguments both ways. I try to stay away from that because I have a lot of respect for Nolan Richardson. I think he's a great coach. I think that his career was cut a little bit short in some ways. I don't know the ins and outs. The only thing say is that I'm a fan of his. I think his career has been unbelievable. What I'm trying to do is carry on a great tradition that he had a big part in establishing.

Michael Tillery: Have you seen the movie Glory Road? If so, what did those 5 Black ballplayers starting in that NCAA championship game mean to you as a man and coach?

Stan Heath: I've always been a guy that appreciates history. When I saw the movie. I took my team to watch it. One of the people I was watching it with had an opportunity to meet some of the players that actually played on that UTEP team. Nolan Richardson played on the team a couple of years before they won the championship. There's a lot of history involved and a connection to our university as well. I enjoyed the movie. It depicted the struggles and difficulties of Blacks in basketball and the fight they had to go through to get on the Division one stage. I was taken aback. When I look at what those men did. They opened up the doors for people like myself through playing college basketball and then advancing to be a head coach at the University of Arkansas. I was very humbled and appreciative of what those players did at UTEP and to Coach Haskins for bringing those kids to the campus.

Michael Tillery: Clearly Florida and Tennessee are the class of the SEC east and LSU in the west. How do you compete and match up against those opponents?

Stan Heath: There's nobody that we can't fight with. We've lost 5 games and all of them have been decided by three points of less. We feel like we can play with anybody. We feel we play well enough on the road to steal some games. We particularly at home are a difficult team to deal with.

Michael Tillery: There may be a blue-chip ballplayer and parents reading this QA. What type of student athletes are you looking to represent the University of Arkansas?

Stan Heath: Two things, you have to have talent, but equally as important you have to have to have some character. When I say character, I mean someone who is willing to work hard-to make a commitment on the academic side and someone who is going to have respect for other people. Obviously you have to have some talent to play at the highest level of college basketball. Those are the two most important traits for not only my team bit for anyone who is trying to build a successful program.

Michael Tillery: You had an amazing run in your initial year of head coaching with Kent State. You are tied for the third best record of all time for a first year coach in winning 30 games. In the NCAA tourney you were victorious against three ranked teams before reaching the regional final against Indiana University. What were your thoughts on facing Mike Davis?

Stan Heath:(Coach Heath Laughs). Mike and I are friends. We've got a great relationship. Even today, I always kid him and say that man you guys got off easy. You know that was lucky. We get a kick out of that. He had a great year in 2002-making the championship game. They were an outstanding basketball team. We were also a very good team. Their players caught fire and they beat us. I just take my hat off when I get beat. We had an incredible run that year. That was one of the highlights of my career. I got to coach some good kids-Antonio Gates (now of San Diego Chargers fame) and Trevor Huffman, to name a few. I was happy for Mike. Losing to him helped him continue on and get to that Championship game. If Mike were another skin color people might not be so critical of his team this season. He's doing a good job. Him being my friend, I pray that he continues to do so

Michael Tillery: Do you feel the NCAA is doing enough to create opportunities for Blacks in D 1 football?

Stan Heath: No. I don't know the answer. I don't know exactly what can be done, but just looking at the numbers, they just don't add up. I would hope that someone would take the leadership in that role to help solve the problem. I think everyone knows there is a problem. It's just takes some initiative and leadership to help solve it. Nothing has totally been done to give opportunities to Black coaches in college football. In college basketball it's improved. You are starting to see some strides in the NFL. You look at a Tony Dungy, a Lovie Smith and Marvin Lewis from Cincinnati and all the success they've had recently. Those successful coaches aside, people in hiring roles are still missing the boat.

Michael Tillery: Who do you think the best player in college basketball is today?

Stan Heath: Coach Heath laughs. One day it looks like J. J. Reddick. The next day it looks like Adam Morrison. Together they both have had great seasons. They've been the dominant players that have had the chance to be successful for their teams. Looking at their team's success, they have separated themselves from the rest of the country individually.

Michael Tillery: Martin Luther King Jr. once said that "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter" Could you comment on that quote and the recent passing of Coretta Scott King, his beloved wife and fellow civil rights activist?

Stan Heath: Well, Dr. King was one of my heroes. What he did to create equality for everyone is something I'm touched by. He was definitely an inspiration in my life. I just think that sometimes we put too much emphasis on winning or losing a game. There are so many other things that are much more important. Whether it be God. Whether it be just reaching out to other people. That was part of his dream. Obviously, Mrs. King continued the fight that her husband started. When you lose someone as Coretta Scott, it hurts. We just need to hold on to that struggle and fight on to help our children down the road.

You are one of the rising superstars in coaching. Good luck this season and in the NCAA tournament. You are a great role model for aspiring Black coaches and we are all proud of you. Good luck to you Mike. Thanks for the opportunity. Keep up the good work!

Coach Heath, thanks for the soul flow.